Mansfield mayor issues plea to residents

In a statement issued to media, he said that the council has had to drastically adapt its working patterns, with the Civic Centre now closed to the public and most staff working from home.

But he said that all essential services are being met, and he urged residents in need to contact their local ward councillors and the Mansfield Community Hub.

He said: “Your bins will be emptied, housing benefits will be paid and support given to residents and businesses. Let us worry about delivering your services. We will do all we can to keep our town going.

“At times like this, it is important for us all to help each other. Be neighbourly and kind. Give help where you can and look after each other.

“Councillors are central to our local response in co-ordinating community efforts to help people in need and will ensure that any such responses are done with the greatest consideration for keeping vulnerable people safe. Contact your local ward councillor if you need help.”

Mansfield District Council is working with the Local Resilience Forum to ensure that the humanitarian response is co-ordinated and in line with the very latest government advice, he said, adding that the authority is working closely with Mansfield CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) to respond to humanitarian need.

He said: “People have been asked to stay at home as much as possible and to go out only to work when it is essential to do so, or once a day for exercise and to shop only when necessary for essentials, like food or medicines.“This rule applies to all council officers, too, so we are no longer operating from the Civic Centre and are home-working where we can, with front line services being delivered by a small resilient team formed across the council.

“The workforce is adapting to new ways of operating and delivering services and colleagues have been deployed where they are most needed.”

To contact the hub, go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus/communityhub.