Surveys launched to gauge response to pandemic across Shropshire

Organised by Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) in partnership with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils, the SALC Members and SALC Community surveys are being conducted to learn more about how communities have responded to the crisis and any issues being faced currently or in the future.

The research is also hoping to identify organisational support needs, how local partnerships are benefitting people, examples of good practice and ideas, suggestions and opportunities for the future.

Councillor David Beechey who represents Albrighton Parish Council, and Donington and Boscobel, proposed the survey.

He said: “We know that there has been a considerable amount of co-operation between local councils and volunteers during the pandemic to support residents in their areas, and thought it would be useful to conduct this survey to identify examples of good practice in the hope that any knowledge gained might encourage their extended adoption in the future.”

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, added: “Co-operation between community groups, town councils and parish councils has always been extremely important, but the results local partnerships achieve have been recognised more than ever during the pandemic. Understanding this joint working will be important as we work together to overcome future challenges and recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“I want to encourage colleagues from our town councils, parish councils and our community groups to please get involved and take part in these surveys. This is will allow us to better understand the huge efforts and positive outcomes that have been achieved, and also help us address any key issues and challenges that they’ve encountered.”

Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for co-operative communities, engagement and partnerships, said: “The last 12 months have shown how important it is to pull together to support our community. We have had the honour of working with local councils, community and voluntary groups, as well as hundreds of individual volunteers who have worked with us to provide support to those in need.

“Although I know how much this support has meant to the many people I have spoken to, it is really important that we reflect on what has worked well and what we could do better – which is what the survey is all about. The feedback from our partners will help to ensure that we continue to do all we can to support those in most need of our help.”

Both surveys are available on the Shropshire Council website and will close on Wednesday, March 31.