Council leader calls for long-term help from Government

North Yorkshire’s council leader has welcomed new Government funding for local authorities to meet coronavirus expenditure, but warned more support will be needed to meet the “massive financial challenges” associated with tackling the pandemic.
Coun Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: Gary LongbottomCoun Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: Gary Longbottom
Coun Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: Gary Longbottom

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on Saturday that authorities across England are to be given an extra £1.6 billion in funding to boost the backing councils have received to cope with the pandemic to £3.2 billion.

Coun Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said it had estimated that costs as a result of Covid-19 would amount to £65m. While £15m had already been provided by government as additional grant, that still left a shortfall of £50m.

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He said the new funding recognised the “crucial role” councils are playing in pulling communities together and building trust among people to fight the pandemic.

North Yorkshire has transformed services to meet the crisis, setting up emergency school hubs for the children of critical workers, supporting the NHS and care providers to cope with their increased costs, sourcing additional PPE, coordinating volunteers and creating a new way of working for social care teams.

“We don’t yet know the size of this additional allocation for the County Council but this extra funding will undoubtedly help to bridge the gap,” said Coun Les. “Nevertheless we still face massive financial challenges.

“The whole of North Yorkshire is pulling together to meet this unprecedented challenge and we are doing everything we can to keep people well and safe and to support the NHS. But we were already operating with reduced spending power so there is no doubt that we like many other councils, will need supportive and long-term partnership with Government for the crucial role we play and to see this crisis through.”