Cherwell's Labour leader says council is 'set to be betrayed' over coronavirus funding promise

Cllr Sean Woodcock spoke out after the Secretary of State for Local Government, Robert Jenrick, warned that councils will not be reimbursed for all costs and loss of income incurred during the Covid-19 crisis.

"His comments came while giving evidence to the House of Commons housing, communities and local government committee on May 4," said Mr Woodcock.

"This rowing back of promises made at the start of this crisis has all the hallmarks of communities being set to be betrayed by the Government.

"Council staff have been on the front-line in delivering support to people in this crisis. They were told to house rough sleepers. They did it. They were told to loosen charging at car parks. They did it. They were told to close leisure centres. They did it. Markets close. Shopping centres wound down so that everyone can abide government guidance on social distancing.

"It is unthinkable that having delivered on what they were asked to do and told not to worry about the cost that the government is now making these sort of noises. It must hold up its part of the bargain. The price of them not doing so will be councils going bust and a further retrenchment of local services."

Mr Woodcock called on Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, to do more to hold the government to its promises on council funding. Mrs Prentis said she was 'confident' councils would be supported.

Mr Woodcock quoted Mr Jenrick's promise that local government would have the resources to meet the (coronavirus) challenge: 'We stand shoulder to shoulder with local government and my priority is to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time'.

Mr Woodcock said a number of councils faced going bust because of their added expenditure.

"Cherwell has been given £1.56m so far (in two tranches). That is no where near enough to cover loss of income and outgoings on Covid-19. They were already facing a gap in the budget before this crisis."

Details of the current and projected costs to Cherwell District Council are on 'pink paper' - withheld documents - Mr Woodcock said.

Mrs Prentis said: "I speak to the leaders of both Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council regularly and know that they are all working extremely hard to support our local communities and businesses during unprecedented circumstances.

"The Secretary of State has made it very clear that he recognises the vital role all councils have had in the immediate response to the situation. Going forward, I am confident that he and his ministerial colleagues will continue to support councils as they play a key part in helping our local economy thrive once again.”

A council spokesman told the Banbury Guardian: "Information about the estimated financial impact of Covid-19 will be reported to councillors in coming weeks and will be available in due course.”