Anglesey Council staff being redeployed to help coronavirus effort
Council staff are being redeployed to the front line in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
With some departments being prioritised as the country remains on partial lockdown, Anglesey Council has outlined that resources will be used to maintain services such as social care and helping those most in need.
These include telephone response teams, waste and recycling, public protection, schools acting as emergency care centres, homelessness services, highways maintenance and emergency planning.
One of these employees is Llio Rowlands, who usually works as a tenant participation officer in housing services but, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, has been redeployed to support some of the island’s food banks, including the recently established facility in Llangefni.
It was set up as an immediate development thanks to joint working involving the county council, Anglesey Food Bank, Anglesey’s Citizens Advice (CAB) and Menter Mon.
“This is a challenging time for a lot of people and it is important that we as council staff do all we can to help and support those in need,” she said.
“In the past two weeks my role has changed, from liaising with our housing tenants and promoting participation, to coordinating the pop up food bank in Llangefni.
“The food bank is a vital resource to many people at the moment and is helping those in crisis get vital supplies such as food and toiletries.
“Demand for the service has grown significantly in the past two weeks and my role is to reduce the pressure from the Amlwch and Holyhead food banks, ensuring that everyone who’s registered with the food bank has enough supplies.”
She added, “Managing the stock we have is very important and we rely on the goodwill of the people of Anglesey through their food and monetary donations.
“Through their kindness we’ve been able to support so many people and our goal is to continue to provide support through this difficult time.”
Council leader Cllr Llinos Medi said: “This is a challenging period for all and I’m proud to see our workforce come together to support the island’s communities.
“The county council’s emergency response team have been working hard in the background during the past few weeks to coordinate activities as the situation develops, and to respond as quickly as possible to new national guidance or local demand.”
Chief executive Annwen Morgan said: “These are unprecedented times and the county council is facing numerous challenges as our dedicated staff strive to carry on delivering essential services to the people of Anglesey.
“Staff have had to adapt quickly, and I’m thankful for their commitment and hard work to ensure that those most vulnerable in our society are looked after.”
By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter
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