John Biggs, Tower Hamlets Mayor

As we’ve entered 2021 we continue to be challenged by the impact of Covid-19. Now is not the time to let our guard down and we must all play our part to stop the spread of the virus.

As restrictions have again tightened in response to rising cases of coronavirus we’ve continued to work with our community to keep us all safe.

As the government has set out a plan to how the lockdown might be eased it’s vital that we all keep on top of the changing advice and as a council we’ll continue to adapt our services in line with this.

Our council budget has now been agreed by councillors and the good news is I’m pleased that we are continuing to protect services for residents while continuing to have the seventh lowest council tax in London.

We have just published the council’s draft budget and do so at a time of massive uncertainty with the general election delaying government decisions about future funding, and continued uncertainty around Brexit.

Three years ago, I became mayor in circumstances I never expected. The borough’s reputation was in tatters following the removal of the previous mayor.

With an election coming in May readers will hear lots of promises from politicians about what they can deliver. Being mayor means actually having to make those decisions.