Local authority Covid-19 innovations highlighted on ‘Your Council Day’

Social media users throughout the community are also asked to post their experiences of council initiatives using the hashtag #YourCouncilDay.

A report carried out by the Local Government Management Agency has revealed the local authority sector devised 216 separate innovations to meet challenges presented by Covid-19.

In 38% of these cases, structures did not previously exist and were specifically set up to deliver Covid-19 services on a short-term basis.

The current crisis has highlighted the true nature of public service in communities across the country,

Faced with the challenge of social distancing, and with many of their own staff working from home, local authorities brought novel solutions to the complex problems posed by the new realities of lockdown.

“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council like all local authorities established a Community Response Forum to co-ordinate a multi-agency response to deliver supports to those who need it while Covid-19 restrictions were in force.

Councils moved to support those faced with isolation, activating befriending services with regular phone calls, starting local radio shows and organising book and even musical instrument deliveries to combat loneliness.

We have seen live-streamed storytelling, virtual Zoom book clubs and online choirs supporting community spirits through dark days.

Follow @dlrcc or #YourCouncilDay to find out what’s happening in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown during Your Council Day.

More information on the innovations taken by local authorities during Covid-19 is available in an overview report produced by the LGMA 

See here https://bit.ly/overviewreport