Hartlepool council chief hails £1.6billion emergency fund for local authorities

The Local Government secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced the additional funding at the weekend to be shared among councils as they continue to respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The new funding is expected to allow local authorities to continue to provide essential services and support to those who need it most.

Coun Shane Moore, Hartlepool Borough Council leader, has welcomed the move, adding he is happy to see the reaction following lobbying from local authorities.

Posting on Facebook, he said: “Really pleased to see the Government listen to lobbying from council’s across the country and the LGA (Local Government Association), providing us with the resources we need to carry on during and after this crisis.

“I have to give credit where it is due. They said they would give us the resources and they have delivered.”

The Government had previously announced several other funding packages for local authorities to help support vulnerable residents in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other measures include £1.6billion ’emergency funding’ to support council services, and a further £500million Hardship Fund was also confirmed in last month’s budget by the Chancellor.

The hardship fund is specifically to provide council tax relief to the most vulnerable households and it was announced Hartlepool would get £1,864,342 from the fund.

The fund enables councils to reduce the 2020 to 2021 council tax bills of working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support, which is currently around 8,600 households in Hartlepool.

Councils are also able to use the funding to provide further discretionary support to vulnerable people through other support arrangements such as Local Welfare Schemes.

Hartlepool is also to receive £3,404,116 from the ’emergency funding’ pot.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, previously said the funds will be used to help support elderly and vulnerable people in the area and reduce pressure on the NHS.

It comes as council chiefs have urged residents to get in contact with Hartlepool Borough Council’s Local Welfare Support team if they are facing a financial crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The service exists to help local residents affected by an unforeseen event or set of circumstances, such as the current pandemic, and can be accessed by calling (01429) 284284 and selecting Option 1.

Help comes in a number of forms and includes shopping vouchers and electricity and gas prepayment top-ups, but it is not a fund for providing people with extra cash.

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