STAFF at Teignbridge District Council are to be given an extra day off as a thank you for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The council’s chair, Councillor Colin Parker, made the announcement at a full council meeting this week. He said it was in recognition of ‘the hours and the efforts” staff had put in to help communities across the district.

‘From the beginning of the pandemic, the staff have stepped up to their roles, [and] worked long hours. Initially, many were doing it from their dining tables or bedrooms, to make sure people received vital support, grants, housing benefits, business loans, or helping people to come off the streets into safe housing.’

Cllr Parker added the extra day for this current holiday year would enable staff to ‘spend some extra time with their friends or their families, or simply [have] a day to rest and recuperate.’

Each of the council’s staff of around 500 people will be offered the extra day’’s leave at an estimated total cost of around £50,000.

Council Leader Alan Connett (Lib Dem, Starcross & Kenton) said: ‘On this occasion, I have to say that I think money is not the important consideration.

‘It’s about showing the appreciation to our staff for the work they’ve done in the community and we’ll find the money in order to do this.

‘We are delighted with everything our staff have done.

‘We’ve kept our bins going, our services running and it has been a struggle at times and I think the staff have put in some quite extraordinary efforts to support our communities, our residents and our businesses throughout. This is a token of our appreciation.’

Cllr Parker also announced that Teignbridge intended to establish a covid memorial later in the year in the grounds of council offices at Old Forde House, Newton Abbot, ‘in recognition of the impact of covid across the district, the loss of life and the service provided by all in support of individuals and communities.’