Interview with the Mayor of Watford - Peter Taylor

During times of crisis, the elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor spoke to Vibe107.6 FM presenter Benjy Potter

During times of crisis, the elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor spoke to Vibe107.6 FM presenter Benjy Potter.

Sharing his concern, pride and advice, Mr Taylor explained how the Council are aiming to help residents.

As the community comes together, the head of the Borough told Vibe107.6 how his office is doing its bit to help.

“The Government have been quite generous. They have increased the amount of support for self-employed people and the Council will be administering a lot of that. As the money is available, we will give that to those businesses and to individuals who need it.

“If, for example, you are struggling to pay your council tax, or your income has fallen, then there is a scheme that means you can get 100 per cent relief on your council tax. There’s information about that on the Council’s website.”

Usually a closely monitored service, car parking and restrictions have changed in the Hertfordshire town’s centre.

“Parking is always difficult in Watford, so we have relaxed a lot of the restrictions. We are really only enforcing dangerous driving but otherwise we are quite relaxed. Council-run car parks are all free now. If people need somewhere to park then they can park there,” said Mr Taylor.

Kindness being demonstrated all over Watford, the Mayor praised volunteers and those helping.

“The response to volunteering has been fantastic. We’ve had 400 people signing up on the Council’s website. If you know someone or are somebody who needs help, then please feel free to phone the council on 01923 226400.

“The hospital is really doing an amazing job. The football club are providing support and working closely with the NHS. It is really important that we follow Government advice now, keep the social distancing. If we do that then we will save a lot more lives and this will be over much more quickly.

“The response of different voluntary groups and faith groups has been brilliant and the clap for carers was emotional. We opened our front window and to see people out, making a load of noise, juts to say thank you to NHS staff - it was quite moving.”

Concluding his interview on Vibe107.6 and highlighting a consoling positive to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mayor said:

“I think the people are rising to the challenge, we know it’s going to be tough, but Watford is a place with a huge heart and a huge community spirit. We will respond to this really well and actually I think we will come out of this with some positives.

“There will be people who come out of this as volunteers, we will be even more appreciative of our public servants in the health service and in schools. We will probably be more aware of what it’s like to be lonely and we can be more sympathetic to people in that situation.”

To listen back to the full interview with the Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, visit vibe1076.co.uk.

For more information on the Council’s plans and advice, visit www.watford.gov.uk/coronavirus

Joining Miles Blumsom on tomorrow morning’s Breakfast Show will be the Member of Parliament for Watford, Dean Russell.