A council leader has moved to clarify her comments after facing criticism for describing the coronavirus crisis as an ‘adventure’.
Stockport chief Coun Elise Wilson made the ‘gaffe’ while addressing a virtual scrutiny committee meeting on the authority’s response to the pandemic.
Talking to fellow councillors she said: “It’s been an adventure - I don’t know if that’s the right word - it’s been a rollercoaster, it’s been a real adventure since the beginning of March.
“So much has happened and we have had to work really closely with both Greater Manchester and with the government who have led us through this crisis.”
However, she has now acknowledged her words may have been chosen more carefully after Coun Lisa Smart - who chaired the meeting - called on her to apologise for the remark.
Coun Wilson said: “Since the start of the pandemic I have been incredibly proud of how the people of Stockport have pulled together.
“The council, our partners and our communities have done their best to protect, support and help each other through this continuing unprecedented and challenging time.
“The word adventure may not have been the most appropriate term to describe that.”
Following the meeting Coun Smart had said the leader owed an apology to all residents who had suffered a loss during the pandemic.
The Lib Dem group deputy leader said: “I was shocked when Coun Wilson described dealing with a global pandemic as ‘an adventure’ twice during Tuesday's scrutiny meeting.
“Our community has been working so hard to deal with lockdown and a global health crisis. So many have lost loved ones, others are battling the health effects of the virus and more still are seeing the impact on their livelihoods.”
However, the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups have been on more harmonious terms on the issue of wearing face masks on public transport.
Couns David Meller (Labour) and Steve Gribbon both spoke to stress the importance of doing so at meeting of the council's economy and regeneration scrutiny committee.
Speaking of his concern over a recent train journey on which many people were not wearing masks, Coun Meller said: "I want to reaffirm everyone should be wearing face coverings on public transport."
