THIS past week has shown the best of local government and the worst of national government.

We put aside party politics in our efforts to stand up for local businesses and residents against the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions, protect the health of our residents and deal with coronavirus.

We presented a united front because we knew as Tier 3 stood, it would bring the worst of both worlds for our borough. The science and health experts made clear the restrictions would not be enough to bring down the R rate, reduce infections and reduce demand on hospitals.

And the financial support alongside the restrictions was clearly inadequate to support firms who would be impacted, and many workers would go without enough furlough support to avoid hardship.

No leader can accept something that would so obviously hurt our economy and residents. That is why we stood our ground.

We have faced additional restrictions for three months now, ones we were told would work and help us get the virus under control. Over that time, businesses have suffered, residents have suffered, and local services have come under increasing strain. To add even more restrictions on top, without acknowledging we have had a worse time than our neighbours and needed extra support, was not good enough.

We worked up an alternative offer. One that was clear and costed, placed the wellbeing of our residents and businesses first and which would allow for more effective action in dealing with the virus. This offer included:

1) Fully funding local budgets to protect council and NHS services and key workers

2) Localising track and trace, with guarantees funding and personnel will be given to make this, and local testing sites, work more effectively

3) More support for firms and workers who continue to suffer due to restrictions, especially the self-employed

4) Greater enforcement powers, allowing for quicker and more targeted interventions

5) Better support for those who are most vulnerable and are required to shield

These proposals should be the basis of a reset in the relationship with national government. We all want to protect our hospitals, reduce the infection rates and support the economy. But central government diktats will not solve this crisis. Partnership with those of us on the frontline, backed up by necessary resources, is the only way we can achieve our common goal.