Look forward to a new year where we build a better city

If those are successful we can look forward to a relaxing Christmas albeit inevitably on a restricted basis and how welcome that would be.

Of course we have to balance enjoying ourselves with maintaining discipline so as not to give rise to the reimposition of restrictions in new year.

Hopefully a new year that will give rise to the easing of restrictions and a degree of normality as hopefully the much promised vaccines are delivered and help restore much needed confidence.

The hard pressed front line workers, particularly those in NHS, hopefully will have been able to recharge their batteries before returning to deal with the growing back log of patients waiting for non covid-19 diagnosis and treatments.

The success of the lockdown and the government support measures we hope will lead to a restoration of more initiatives to stimulate the local economy and stem the worryingly flow of job losses.

We will start the year reminding ourselves of how health and the economy are inextricably linked and we government, employers, schools and indeed the general public can see the benefits of getting fitter. If we can reduce levels of the pandemic, we can not only rebuild our economy, but stimulate investment in leisure and recreational facilities, to encourage employers to see investment in employee health and wellbeing as a boost to productivity and for individuals to take responsibility for improving their own health too.

Plans to boost local infrastructure to stimulate walking , cycling and public transport is welcome on both environmental and health grounds too.

We should look forward to a a new year where we really set about building a better city, repairing the mental and physical scars the pandemic has caused, looking after our neighbours whether they be children who lost schooling, care home residents who have been isolated and those who have lost jobs and loved ones.

We cannot put the clock back but we can learn the lessons of a frightening period to invest our time and energies in a better future.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.