Council receives funding to help reopen its high streets safely

The leader of the Council has welcomed the funding however has once again highlighted that overall the money from government to cover costs of dealing with COVID-19 is simply not enough. Tonight, at Cabinet, the Council will discuss a report that sets out starkly what the financial challenges face without a new injection of funding.​

Councillor Alyson Barnes said:

“Restrictions are being eased but social distancing will be with us for some time so we are turning our attention to how we support businesses and re-open our town centres safely with that in mind.

“We want our town centres to return to normal as quickly as possible but public safety and safety of employees has to come first. Tackling this awful virus has badly hit our local economy so it is important to get up and running, bringing shoppers and visitors back in but we cannot risk public health.

“I welcome any funding we have been given but overall we simply haven’t received the money we need to cover the cost of dealing with COVID-19. We have managed to keep essential services going, protected the most vulnerable, supported our business and provided leadership for our areas. Our staff have risen to the challenge as key workers. Responding to this unprecedented crisis is having a huge impact on our finances. We shouldn’t be punished for meeting the coronavirus challenge head on.”