Praise - but no pay rise - for Hartlepool's 'hardest working team in country'

Work of staff in the department since the coronavirus outbreak has included sourcing PPE, supporting care homes, carrying out virtual activities to keep elderly residents connected and more.

Cllr Sue Little, chair of the adult and community based services committee, speaking at their latest meeting, commended everyone for their hard work, adding she believes Hartlepool has ‘the best officers’ in the country.

She said: “For them to get that PPE in those first few weeks when the whole world was crying out for it, I take my hat off to them for getting that.

“Loads and loads of people are having to change their lives, and I think we’ve got the best team of officers in the country here in Hartlepool who, at the drop of a hat, they’ll go out and help if they know someone is in difficulty.

“I wish I could give them all a pay rise, a pay rise which they deserve, for all those times they’ve gone out to help.

“It just shows Hartlepool is one big family, when we’re in need we all pull together.”

She also praised the work of organisations such as the Project 65 group, who helped provide tablets to the elderly to allow them to FaceTime loved ones.

Cllr Stephen Thomas said the likes of council staff, care services and the voluntary and community sector have ‘stepped up to the plate and gone above and beyond the call of duty’.

He said: “As councillors and I think as residents of the town, we really do owe all of those groups of people a real debt of gratitude for the work, for the endeavour, and for what they’ve done in a really difficult time.

“It’s not been easy for anyone but I think people who have actually been involved at the sharp end of delivering services to vulnerable people at this time really, really do deserve our gratitude and thanks.”

Jill Harrison, council director of adult and community based services, said it was a ‘fantastic team effort’ from everyone across the town, and added the praise will come as a boost to staff.

She said: “I’m very conscious of the fact staff have been working at this pace for a long time now, lots of staff are very tired and morale is a challenge at times, so to be able to give that positive feedback will be really helpful.”

Gemma Ptak, assistant director of preventative and community based services, also commended the work carried out to help provide activities and support to different groups during the pandemic.

This included community programmes such as VE Day celebrations with care homes, providing virtual engagement tasks with children, and offering outdoor and physical activities where possible.

She said: “The staff have been absolutely phenomenal, and in many instances put their own needs to the back of their mind and came in with a real positivity and a huge willingness to help the people of Hartlepool through this really, really difficult pandemic.”