Transforming the way the Council delivers services is up for discussion as it sets the way forward as part of its recovery plan following the COVID-19 global pandemic.

An online survey ‘COVID-19 Recovery’ has been launched to gather the views of local people on what they think is important for local communities.

‘Community Conversations’ will also take place with key groups to gain a more in-depth and better understanding of what’s important for communities in the future.

Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “We are living through challenging times which has led to significant changes in the way the Council delivers services.

“We are pulling together a five year business plan which will set out how the Council will function in the future. There’s no doubt our services will change and that’s why its vitally important to get input from local people to help us develop a broad action plan.

“This is the first step towards our recovery but we need to focus on the right things to achieve significant results.”

The survey should take ten minutes to complete and includes:

• The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Council priorities – are we getting these right?
• What’s important to you – for example, re-opening our schools and providing opportunities for young people?
• How can we support local business?
• Should communities be more involved in council decision-making?
• Should there be more digital and online services?

Councillor Meiklejohn added: “We’ve come along way since lockdown was announced in March and we have had to quickly change the way we operate as a large organisation. We had to adapt in a fast moving environment and now as we plan our recovery we want to know what we got right and what we didn’t.

“Please help us map out a better future for all by completing the survey by 14 August.”

The results of the online survey and feedback from the ‘Community Conversations’ will be published on the Council’s website later in the year.