Key decisions in Hartlepool delayed as coronavirus sees council meetings cancelled

Full Council and planning meetings are among those which will not be taking place this week after council moved to postpone all meetings due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs announced yesterday they have taken the decision to postpone all council meetings pending national guidance, which they are expecting to receive in the coming days.

The meetings which have been cancelled including the council planning committee, which was due to take place today (Wednesday March 18).

The meeting was set to feature a decision on plans for 18 new homes at Hill View in Greatham, which faced more than 40 objections, but a decision will now be made at a later date.

Thursday’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee has also been cancelled, which was due to feature plans for an updated telecare service for elderly residents.

Thursday evening was also due to feature a Full Council meeting of all councillors, including reports on the housing revenue account, increasing rent for council homes by 1.7% and recommendations to update the council constitution.

Related: Growing number of events cancelled and leisure venue closures in Hartlepool due to coronavirus

A Safer Hartlepool Partnership meeting on Friday will also no longer take place, which was due to feature further steps being taken to draw up the Community Safety Plan for the next three years.

It was also due to feature an update from police on the increase of neighbourhood policing in the town.

Council chiefs have also taken the decision to close a number of venues offering non-essential services.

They stressed they will continue to closely monitor and act on the latest Government advice, and apologised for any inconvenience.

Gill Alexander, council chief executive, said: “I fully understand many people across Hartlepool will be feeling worried about coronavirus.

“I want to take this opportunity to reassure everyone that Hartlepool Borough Council and our partners are doing everything we can to support residents across the Borough to be safe.

“We are working with our partners on the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board to limit the spread of the virus and continue to monitor developments and follow national and regional advice.

“At present, most council services are continuing to run as normal. However, it is inevitable we will have to focus our resources where they are needed most.

“We are currently considering ways the Council can direct and coordinate resources to provide community based support to vulnerable adults, particularly those who are having to self-isolate.”