Make the new normal business as usual in Mansfield

We’ve had to change our work and leisure routines to reduce the risk of infection and stay safe.

For many of us, the rapid increase in the online world brought about by Covid-19 is daunting.

I want to assure you that the council will endeavour to help you transition to the ‘new normal’.

While most of our services can be accessed via our website, social media, email or by phone, customers who need additional help will be able to pre-book an appointment to see officers on set days.

We intend to work with partners to ensure the accelerated reliance on digital services does not impact negatively on our communities.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has forced the council to rethink its events for the rest of this year.

Not to be defeated, we’ve already hosted two virtual summer festivals this month.

Our final festival is on Thursday, August 20, so head to @MyMansfieldUK on Facebook for a day of family activities and entertainment.

Our priority has always been to look after the most vulnerable in our district so we are working with priority neighbourhoods on plans for food clubs, community gardens and allotment projects.

The health and wellbeing of our communities is at the centre of everything we do and we’ll be trying to capture the goodwill displayed during lockdown by working with community networks and volunteers.

The Mansfield Health Partnership, which includes representatives from all sectors, will assist the community and humanitarian recovery.

Providing housing is a key priority and we are pleased to be making progress with our plans to build more affordable homes.

Our first modular housing scheme, which is underway on Rosemary Avenue, will provide high quality, affordable, family homes quickly to council tenants.

Six two-bedroom and four three-bedroom environmentally-friendly homes are going up on site.

They have better insulation and heat retention, which reduces the bills for residents.

The construction process reduces our carbon footprint, which is what we all need to do to protect our environment.

Under the Mansfield First Steps project, some of our most vulnerable rough sleepers are moving into properties.

The project provides much more than a roof over their heads there are also dedicated support systems to tackle their complex needs.

We’ve removed the fencing at Mansfield Market as capacity in the town centre increases.

We always encourage residents to support the town and shop local.

Our businesses need the Mansfield pound more than ever so if you need to shop, take advantage of free town centre parking, support our traders and let’s show that Mansfield means business.

Andy Abrahams is mayor of Mansfield.