As we in North Somerset enter this further national lockdown to combat the Covid 19 pandemic, made even more difficult by the evolution of this much more transmissible variant, some things remain very much as before, the even greater importance of the “Hands-Face-Space” message, doing everything we can to minimise interaction with others - especially indoors - by following the Government guidance.

And why we need to do this is laid bare daily by the news on rates of infection, sadly more dying and the immense pressure on the NHS.

We shall be in this new lockdown for a significant time, yet this time we can see a way forward, the three-approved vaccines are being rolled out, at the super-centre at Ashton Gate, at local surgeries and soon pharmacies and new vaccination hubs.

We have a national plan of delivery based on vulnerability and this is targeted on the 50 per cent of the population deemed most at risk.

In addition, the council will be launching this week a targeted testing programme for essential workers and groups without symptoms to have lateral flow tests as a way of reducing asymptomatic transmission, backed up by increased track and trace.

Our volunteers and council staff continue to support those who need help via our North Somerset Together.

Businesses again closed by the government will have access to more support funds, in addition to those already rolled out and we stand ready, upon receiving the guidance notes, to push that money out to our local firms as quickly as possible.

Beyond this we are also planning our project spending for the coming year where we shall be doing all we can to ensure local companies can be employed to deliver those schemes.

Please stay safe – we can see an end, let’s work together to get there.

North Somerset Council leader Don Davies and deputy leader Mike Bell.