Steven Broomhead is chief executive of Warrington Borough Council and writes a regular column for the Warrington Guardian

YOU don’t need to be a behavioural scientist to recognise that Covid has had the effect that people are reconsidering their lifestyles and environment – “Review” and “Reset” are conversations in many households as we all prepare to take the welcoming journey on Boris’ roadmap to happier times in the late spring and beyond.

Of course, on any 'roadmap' journey there are opportunities to divert to reach your destination, there could be red lights, collisions and potholes. I don’t think we should expect too many details on Monday. As with all journeys, it could take longer than planned.

Complacency could be the most dangerous reaction as it would be disastrous to enter a fourth lockdown. Locking down is easier compared to a carefully managed plan to break out.

For those who have had to work/remain at home, it has been a time to reimagine the home environment. Planning applications for house extensions are at an all-time high, there is a strong demand for decorators and plumbers and no doubt when the shops re-open, there will be a demand for white and electrical goods.

Of course this only applies to some of our community as Covid has reinforced social and financial inequalities with demand for Foodbanks also at an all-time high as food poverty issues increase. It’s difficult to imagine your future short term projects when prospects remain grim. It is a short journey between financial difficulty and crisis. There will be a need for a renewed national and local support programme post pandemic.

Many people have embarked on an early Spring clean as for some it’s “out with the old, in with the new”.

This has put an additional pressure on the local waste collection services and no doubt when the 'stay at home' rule is revoked there will be a surge at our community recycling centres.

Regrettably there has been an increase in fly tipping which always understandably causes negative reactions. This leads to demand for urgent council responses and the real issue of actions of the perpetrator are often forgotten.

Tracing the perpetrator is not as easy as many think and legal action is cumbersome although we always try hard to have delivered some successful convictions. The simple message is that it is socially irresponsible to fly tip.

Another behavioural consequence of Covid is the 'race for space' as conclusions have been reached that living in the big cities is inferior to a cleaner, greener environment.

The housing market is now responding to these demands with house prices rising in certain parts of our town.

The debate about what the future of city centres office development will look like is interesting to follow.

There can be no doubt that after a year of homeworking, the reliance on remote technology will remain a feature of our working lives as agile/flexible working are now embedded in working routines.

It has been a disruptive struggle for the past year but as long as we remain cautious, there is no doubt that brighter times are ahead for our health and wellbeing.

There is even rugby league to look forward to from March 28 when the inspiration of a new club captain Hughes and GI will put smiles on our faces.