A Hitichin councillor has formally voted to thank 'dedicated' staff from Herts county council, the NHS and other key workers who have carried on working through the Covid crisis.

In a motion agreed by a meeting of the full council earlier this week councillors also recognised local volunteers who stepped forward to help those in need in the county.

Hitchin's Jud Billing seconded a motion by leader of the county council's Liberal Democrat group councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst.

Councillor Billing, leader of the Labour group pointed to the 'astonishing flexibility' that staff had had to show.

She also highlighted the many staff who had taken on entirely new roles, to care for and to provide food for those who needed to 'shield'.

However, she also pointed to the "important lessons" learned from staff about inequalities and the unfair ways the pandemic had affected different communities.

Councillors agreed the motion: "In a time of crisis, the hard work and resilience shown by so many is something we are all truly grateful for and we want to thank you most sincerely".

Councillors thanked and praised dedicated staff at Hertfordshire county council, the staff at the NHS and key workers "who have carried on – and continue to carry on – working through this current crisis and what may be a worsening crisis in the next few weeks and months."

Councillors also highlighted the work of a number of individuals, including the county council's chief executive Owen Mapley, director of children's services Jenny Coles, director of public health Jim McManus and chief fire officer Daryl Keen, as well as Helen Maneuf and Simon Newland.