Councillor Lee Podmore
The role of Mayor during Covid-19 pandemic
In May of 2020 I was elected as Mayor during the very first “virtual” Poynton Town Council meeting. From the outset, it was obvious that this would not be a usual Mayoral year and the role of Mayor would need to adapt to comply with the various restrictions and lockdowns in place to keep everyone safe and limit the spread of the disease.
Under normal circumstances the Mayor’s role is highly visible attending civic functions, representing Poynton at events organised by other councils, participation in community events such as Poynton Show, Summer Fest and Christmas Fest, charity fundraising and supporting local businesses and the many voluntary organisations within the Town. With many of these activities cancelled in 2020 and the opportunity to meet people severely curtailed this has been a very different Mayoral year.
Thank you Middlewood Partnership and NHS
On Wednesday 16th February 2022, Poynton's Mayor unveiled a plaque to recognise the
NHS staff and many former doctors and nurses who answered the call and came out
of retirement to assist on the front line and dedicated many hours to vaccinate
our residents.
Here are the Mayor’s words to thank the Middlewood Partnership, their volunteers and the NHS.
“I’d like to welcome you to the Civic Hall today.
We are here today to thank and celebrate the wonderful work carried out by the NHS during the pandemic and in particular the vaccinations which were carried out here.
As you’re all aware the Civic Hall was the hub of the vaccination drive for the Poynton, Disley and Bollington areas and I’m sure those of you who had their jabs here will remember what a well run operation it was.
Having recognised the magnificent support provided by the volunteers at the Civic Sunday Awards earlier this year, today is about recognising the work of our local NHS staff, in particular those from the Middlewood Partnership.
During the initial roll out of the Covic-19 vaccination programme, the Middlewood team and volunteers gave a total of more than 24,000 1st and 2nd doses here in this building.
Not only this, but they were also one of a limited number of Cheshire GP practices who opted to participate in the booster programme, in order to ensure their patients were able to receive their vaccinations as close to home as possible. In all, more than 30,000 covid vaccinations have been given here - a magnificent achievement I’m sure you’ll agree.
As well as the clinicians, we should also recognise the work carried out by the NHS support staff, without whose help all of this wouldn’t have been possible. Many have worked extra hours in roles outside their normal duties, assisting with co-ordination and delivery of the vaccination programme as well as dealing with patient queries and organising of telephone and online appointments.
When the Government asked for help, many former doctors and nurses answered that call and came out of retirement to assist on the front line and alongside the many volunteers who assisted with the Covid injection drive.
So, without further ado, it is with great pleasure that I unveil this plaque which recognises the NHS staff and volunteers who dedicated many hours to vaccinate all those residents.
On behalf of the residents of Poynton, thank you!"