Northumberland Council reveals investment plans for county's recovery

Northumberland Council has today revealed its plan to help the county bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Northumberland Covid-19 route-map 2021 sets out the challenges the county faces from a health and business perspective, as well as detailing what services and support people can expect now and into the future.

It goes on to outline the council package of public health measures along with a five-point plan for economic recovery.

The points include investing in the transition to a future economy, culture and tourism, transport and digital, people and jobs and a green recovery.

Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “This has undoubtedly been a year like no other but there’s a lot going on at the national level that really means we are in a strong position to come out of this crisis.

“We know that rural and coastal areas have been hit harder by the Covid-19 pandemic due to reliance on tourism, as have more deprived communities.

“But there are significant opportunities here to drive growth in areas of strategic importance to the UK and support recovery and growth, particularly in clean and green energy, manufacturing and life sciences, building on our cultural and environmental strengths, renewal of our towns and investment in our places.

“Unlike traditional council and government plans, this route-map will not be static or long-term.

“The fast-changing nature of Covid and its impacts demands a different approach. Instead, we will be regularly updating this plan and adapting our response to changing circumstances.

“It’s going to be challenging, but what won’t change is our commitment to ensuring a long-lasting recovery from Covid-19 from which all our communities benefit.”