Wigan residents to get their say on borough's future after Covid-19

Last month council bosses outlined the authority’s recovery plan priorities for the transition to life after the coronavirus pandemic.

It highlighted the need to adapt in the face of unprecedented financial, social and wider economic challenges.

The council says listening to how residents’ lives have changed and how this could impact on the local authority's approach forms a key part of its recovery strategy.

The Covid-19 Impact Survey, which will run through June and July, will feed into an altered Deal 2030 strategy.

Leader of the council, Coun David Molyneux, said: “The way in which our borough has pulled together to help each other during the pandemic has been inspirational and highlights the strength of our local communities.

“We have set out our priorities for our recovery plan but it is vitally important for all residents to let us know how their lives have changed and what opportunities there are to adapt what we do.

“Through The Deal we can meet the challenges we have ahead of us and create a safer, greener and more secure society with improved health outcomes and a growing and sustainable local economy.”

The council hopes to encourage all residents to take part in the survey and specific feedback from groups such as the business community, young people and the voluntary sector is also being sought.

Participants will be asked how their everyday lives have been affected during lockdown and what aspects of the council’s service delivery remain important to them.

Coun Molyneux said: “Through the success of the previous Big Listening Project in 2018 that helped shape The Deal 2030 framework, we were able to find a collective way forward.

“Please have your say and help us refresh these plans for our services. There is no going back to how we operated prior to this crisis but there are now opportunities to establish a shared vision for the future of this borough.”

Latest financial forecasts suggest the council is facing a £20m shortfall with further pressure placed on its future income.

Encompassing short and long-term recovery plans, the priority areas are: protect and improve health and wellbeing; support a sustainable economic recovery; build on new strengths within our communities; ensure children and young people return and thrive in their education or training; meet financial challenges and retain new and better ways of working.

The survey can be found at www.wigan.gov.uk/covidsurvey

Those who complete it will also have the chance to win one of five iPads.