Herts and Dacorum councils to receive funding boost in fight against coronavirus

The extra boost takes the total given to councils to help their communities through this crisis to just over £3.2 billion.

The funding will mean councils can continue to provide essential services and support to those who need it most. This includes getting rough sleepers off the street, supporting new shielding programmes for clinically extremely vulnerable people and assistance for our heroic public health workforce and fire and rescue services.

The money will be provided through a grant that is not ring-fenced, recognising that local authorities are best placed to decide how this funding is spent.

Making the announcement today, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, has written to all councils in England to thank them for their continued efforts as they work around the clock to support their residents.

In his letter, the Local Government Secretary called them the “unsung heroes” of the coronavirus response who are helping to keep the country moving by ensuring vulnerable people receive the care they need and essential services continue.

Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, councillor David Williams, said: “This extra money is a very welcome response from the government which has clearly recognised the financial cost pressures that local authorities are facing as a result of efforts to protect local residents and the NHS from the pandemic.

“The county, alongside district and borough councils, has taken on a huge amount of extra work in protecting and assisting our communities.

“I want to pass on my personal thanks once again to all of our 8,000 strong workforce - whether it’s those working on the frontline continuing to deliver our critical services or taking on different responsibilities from their usual 'day jobs'.

“I also want to thank our residents for their support and ongoing compliance during the extended lockdown period – it really is helping to save lives as people stay at home.”

Local Government Association Chairman, councillor James Jamieson commented: “Councils across the country are leading efforts to support communities through the unprecedented coronavirus crisis we face. They continue to do an amazing job.

“We are pleased the Government continues to recognise the huge efforts councils and our staff are making and has responded quickly to our deep concerns about the financial strains being placed on them by providing more desperately-needed new funding. Alongside previous money and measures, this will this give councils breathing space.

“It is also reassuring that the Secretary of State has reiterated his promise today that councils will get all the resources they will need to cope with this pandemic. This commitment needs to be rock solid and consistent so councils can stay focused on leading the local response to the greatest challenge we have faced as a nation for decades.

“The pressures facing councils are significant, wide-ranging and vary from place to place and this funding will need to reach all councils. It is good that councils will be able to decide locally how best to spend it on the specific pressures they face in their local area.”

Councils will also be allowed to defer £2.6 billion in payments to central Government, and £850 million in social care grants will be paid up front this month in a move aimed at helping to ease immediate pressures on local authority cash flows.