Councillor Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council and Medway Conservative Group, said:
“I am pleased to have yesterday held a very productive meeting with Councillor Maple, Leader of the Labour Group, to discuss the Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was able to outline the substantial progress that has been made on all fronts by Medway Council’s Gold Command emergency response operation - in particular confirming that arrangements to extend pre-9am bus pass use had been agreed and set underway earlier in the day, allowing older and more vulnerable residents greater opportunity to access the services and shops they need.
Medway Council is determined to operate as close to a business-as-usual model as circumstances will permit, as is our responsibility as community leaders. Therefore, it was positive for Councillor Maple and I to agree on a move to smaller size committees until further notice, which will allow us to continue to carry out our duty to serve the people of Medway to the very highest standards possible.
I am especially pleased that Councillor Maple has agreed to my offer of establishing a cross-party working group to address the Medway specific impacts and requirements of our local communities. I think we can all agree that these are exceptional and challenging circumstances, and therefore now is the time, regardless of political persuasion, for us to stand together to work in the interests of Medway’s people.”