'Keep strong and do what's best for Hartlepool, not London' - praise for town's efforts in fighting coronavirus

A scene at Seaton Carew as people in Hartlepool band together in fighting Covid-19

An extraordinary meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council discussed the response to the Covid-19 pandemic to date and the next steps for Hartlepool.

Councillors unanimously praised the work carried out so far from volunteers, council officers, councillors and more.

The latest figures on how coronavirus is affecting Hartlepool

However calls were made for more Government funding to be given to support councils as they continue to deal with the impact of coronavirus.

Coun John Tennant said: “I think one thing we do need to remember is we are not out of the woods yet, this is just the start of the next stage.

“I accept we are not as worse off as other councils but there is absolutely a need for the government to step up and do a bit more as regards local authorities.

“At the end of the day it’s the local authorities which have really bore the real brunt of the on the ground issues. These are extremely extraordinary times.”

Gill Alexander, chief executive at the council, noted Hartlepool could face a £6million shortfall over the next two years due to Covid-19, adding it’s a problem many local authorities will face.

She said: “Our message to the public at the moment is while we are coming out of lockdown there can be no room for complacency.

“We still have to get the message across that we are facing a significant challenge in the town in terms of protecting ourselves and protecting the most vulnerable.

“There is a big conversation going on at the moment between local councils and the national government about the need for further funding for councils to respond to this.

“The next phase and the most critical phase will be planning for recovery. We know the impact of this virus on the town will be significant going forward both in terms of the social impact and the economic impact.”

She also provided an update on the impact Covid-19 has had on families in Hartlepool, stating there had been 103 deaths in the borough to date.

Coun Mike Young, deputy leader of the council, offered his condolences to those who have lost loved ones due to Covid-19, adding it is a reminder on why restrictions are in place.

He said: “It’s an incredibly sad time for those people and we mustn’t forget that is the reason why we are all making these massive adjustments to our lives.”

He also praised the quick mobilisation of council officers to get things in place, including the set-up of the Hartlepool Support Hub, which offers support, advice and deliveries to those unable to leave home due to Covid-19.

Council leader Coun Shane Moore praised the response of many of the organisations in the area including emergency services, voluntary services and in particular the council response.

He said: “I’ve seen day in, day out, the fantastic work that our staff and officers have been doing during this crisis.

“We’ve got an awful lot ahead of us still but I’m confident sticking together we will be able to get through it.”

Coun Brenda Harrison also commended the local response in Hartlepool, and contrasted it to the national response to date.

She said: “I would commend the council for sticking out and doing what Hartlepool needs when we have extremely poor guidance and leadership from the top people nationally.

“We need to keep strong and do what is best for Hartlepool and not what is best for London.”

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