Bradford Council needs an extra £59 million funding to help deal with the impact of Coronavirus.

The authority has today written to government calling for extra support, and claiming the  £15.76 million allocated to Bradford to help deal with the crisis has already been allocated for social care.

Bradford is one of a number of local authorities that has today called on Government Ministers to ensure that local government is not asked to shoulder the burden of the costs of the coronavirus crisis. 

The authority says that while its social services are facing increasing costs, the Council's income from sources like leisure centres and parking charges has plummeted.

The Council says its resources are entirely focussed on dealing with the crisis and planning ahead for the recovery and "Council leaders and staff have displayed remarkable flexibility and resourcefulness, using local knowledge and intelligence to deliver action on the ground.

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"This has significant financial implications including meeting the costs of extra demand for social care, extra costs associated with workforce absence through illness and self-isolation, managing increased mortality and the loss of commercial income, fees and charges."

The Government has provided Bradford with £15.76m in un-ring-fenced support.

The authority says this money has already been allocated, with the majority being used to support social care.

A statement from the Council said: "It is apparent that this sum will not be sufficient and will cover only 2-3 months of extra costs and loss of income at best.

"Bradford Council’s recent submission to Government identifies an impact of £59m for the 2020/21 financial year."

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “While the Government’s recognition of the financial pressures and Bradford’s allocation of £15.76m is welcomed and appreciated, it is nowhere near the level of support we need if we are to help the district, its residents and businesses through this unprecedented crisis and into recovery afterwards.

“Council services, staff and resources are not only vital now, in this time of emergency, but at all times in improving and sustaining the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our communities and they will be critical in shaping and delivering plans for recovery.

“We cannot afford socially, economically, or environmentally, for councils like Bradford which serves a large, young and diverse population with high levels of need, to be asked to pick up the bill for a national crisis on this scale.

“The change in messaging from Government from “act and money will follow” to “councils need to shoulder their share of the burden” is extremely worrying and will necessarily result in councils thinking twice about the amounts of money Government is expecting them to spend now and in the future.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for a comment.

However, the department has today announced a new package of support for Councils. Local Authorities will be allowed to defer £2.6 billion in business rates payments to central government, and £850 million in social care grants will be paid up front this month.

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: "Whether it be caring for the elderly, providing outpatient services, councils are providing vital support to the most vulnerable people in our society throughout this pandemic.

"I am determined councils get the support they need which is why I am taking action to ease some of the immediate financial pressures they face in responding to coronavirus, helping to protect the NHS and save lives."