Ploughing £1.5m into communities and providing 24/7 social care for older and vulnerable people are just some of the ways Leicestershire County Council is supporting residents during the biggest crisis since the Second World War.
A new report, published today (Monday), sets out how the authority is helping to tackle the spread of the virus and working with the NHS, emergency services and other councils to protect people.
Supporting vulnerable people remains a priority and the council is:
- Making sure the 15,000 people written to by the NHS have support and care in place, if required
- Increasing the cash fund for communities by £500k to £1.5m – £1.2m has already been awarded to help voluntary groups deliver crucial work - and considering a request from Bradgate Park Trust for a loan of £90,000
- Supporting schools to keep 160 open a day for vulnerable children and those of key workers
- Considering furloughing some staff who work in traded services – and would top salaries up to 100 per cent
- Providing extra mortuary space at Leicester General Hospital
- Running a telephone death registration service
Our staff are working round the clock. This report underlines the difference they are making to people’s lives - and I’d like to thank them for their hard work and commitment.
Our priority is supporting vulnerable people and delivering the critical support they need. It’s very hard to quantify the financial cost of coronavirus to the council. But the impact is vast and early estimates suggest it could total £50m. On top of extra adult social costs, coronavirus means reduced commercial income, reduced council tax and higher waste disposal, IT and construction costs.
Extra Government funding is very welcome. But given the size of the impact on our already-stretched budget – coupled with the prospect of a deep recession - more will be needed. Perhaps three to four times the initial funding announced for local authorities will be required to balance the books in this financial year alone.
Councils play a vital role in getting communities back on their feet and it’s clear there will be no blank cheque from Government. All of this must be paid for and clarity is needed.
Person:Councillor Byron Rhodes, cabinet member for financeThe report will be discussed by the council’s cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday) – watch online