Cllr Stephen Conway

Christmas is an important moment in the year, for people of all faiths and of none.

For churchgoers, and those like me who are not regular attenders at church but believe in the Christian message, this is a time of hope and expectation for a better future.

For most people in the borough, whatever their religious beliefs, Christmas is a time of merriment and celebration. They, like me, will be looking forward to spending a few days away from the pressures of work. The prospect of time off with family and friends is made all the more enticing by the short days and long evenings. Hunkering down at home in the warmth, surrounded by those you know and love is a very comforting experience. I’m looking forward to it very much after a challenging few months, with long and exhausting days, grappling with the council’s many problems.

But I am also acutely aware of how lucky I am. I have a warm and welcoming home to go to; I have a loving family and good friends to spend time with over Christmas. For a growing number of people, the reality will be very different.

Every year, for people on their own, Christmas is an occasion to be endured rather than enjoyed. There is no starker reminder that you’re on your alone than everyone else seeming to have family and friends with whom they can share the festive season.

For others, Christmas will be hard to celebrate because their financial circumstances are desperate. Homelessness is a growing problem, much of it associated with private landlord no-fault evictions, but also family