Emergency measures are taken by council officers

In the past week, the Council’s Chief Executive, Roger Wilson enacted the Council’s Emergency Plan and invoked his powers under the Scheme of Delegation to close Council facilities to the public.

At an emergency Council meeting on Thursday held, unusually, in Craigavon Civic Centre’s WJ Mayes Hall in order to ensure social distancing protocol was observed, councillors had the chance to discuss the crisis.

Members heard first from Lord Mayor Mealla Campbell who described the situation as “a crisis not seen before in our lifetime”.

She continued by thanking the Chief Executive and senior officers for all they have done so far and outlined how quickly the situation has developed reminding the chamber that only a few weeks ago she was organising her charity fashion show.

“But this week my phone has been very busy with a different kind of call. Fear and uncertainty is widespread throughout this community,” she said.

“There will be a long term impact on the mental and economic health of the citizens of this City and Borough but the measures we have enacted so far are within the scope of our organisation.”

Members then heard from the Chief Executive, Roger Wilson who reminded elected representatives of their duties in a time of crisis.

“We are Council, we are the form of government closest to its citizens and, as civic leaders, we need to lead our community through this,” he said.

“We are not the only people who have a role in this but we need to make sure we are all pulling in the one direction.

“Many people are scared and are looking for information. Speaking to many of you, I know that you are being inundated by people looking for help and I would seek members approval to make decisions quickly as things are moving at a very fast pace.

“There will be a big impact on our communities mental well being and health and that is a challenge we will all have to face. We need to accept that and find a way to support our community.”

The motion to support Council’s ongoing approach to the coronavirus situation was proposed by Councillor Paul Berry and seconded by Councillor Sam Nicholson.

Speaking after the motion was passed Sinn Fein’s Catherine Nelson thanked Council staff and officials for their tireless work and implored Council to consider using its cash reserves to help the local community through this crisis.

“The rule book goes out the window at a time like this,” she said on behalf of her party.

“Big decisions will need to be made and time will be no friend of ours. We give the Chief Executive and senior management team our full support. We have trust and faith in you.

“I would ask for an imaginative and exhaustive approach. We don’t have to try and reinvent the wheel but we should be mindful of the mental health of our citizens and think about what we can do to help them.

“We should think of walks, the appropriate use of our open spaces, drive in cinemas and even the use of our reserve fund to help those in need.

“We talk about saving the reserves for a rainy day, we will never get a rainier day than what we are about to experience.”

Her sentiments were echoed by independent Councillor Paul Berry who also urged Council to do what it could to keep businesses informed.

“I would request that the information is kept flowing daily, if not hourly because the message from businesses is clear, very few of them have more than a very short space of time to go.

“Urgent intervention is required as we speak. It is important we try and keep SMEs and large businesses up to date on a daily basis to encourage them to try and hang in there.”

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Julie Flaherty also urged Council to unite for the good of the community.

“This is a time when we need to come together like never before,” she said.

“We need to maximise the community response. We also want to extend our thanks to the Chief Executive and senior officials. You have our full support and we will strive to keep people informed.

“The impact of this will be felt in our community for a long time and the UUP, along with this council, will be at the forefront of this issue.”

The Alliance Party’s Peter Lavery also outlined his party’s support for the Chief Executive and said now is the time to set aside political differences in order to protect life.

“We look forward to hearing how we can help support local businesses,” said Cllr Lavery.

“Council will play a strong role in lobbying central government on behalf of our community and we all know this situation will get worse before it gets better.

“We must do all we can to support our community.”

Democratic Unionist Party colleagues, Darryn Causby and Steven Moutray also extended their appreciation to the Chief Executive, senior management team and all Council staff for their efforts.

“This tsunami is sweeping across the world and it will have a negative effect on our businesses,” said Cllr Moutray.

“We need to know what we can do to help them and we, as councillors, will ensure that everyone is made aware of the help on offer.”

Cllr Causby commended Cllr Nelson for her suggestion on using Council funds.

“I would like to say that the idea of a community fund already mentioned by Catherine Nelson is something we should look at going forward,” he said.

“As we move forward in this very difficult environment, we will work as best we can to take the difficult decisions and provide support to those who need it.”

The SDLP’s Thomas O’Hanlon also thanked the Chief Executive and the senior management team but warned that bigger decisions would need to be made in the near future.

“Our community face very difficult times, they are scared and frightened, just as we all are.

None of us are medical experts but it is a civic leaders duty to be calm and measured and ensure we respond with compassion.

“We will get through this. Roger, you have made timely decisions so far and you will have more to make but you have our support.”