Chorley Borough Council

Chorley Council's efforts must not be forgotten in the final reckoning of the coronavirus bill, its deputy leader has said.

Ann Cook/GeographCopyright: Ann Cook/Geograph

The council has so far received £51,000 from the government to help with its additonal costs incurred since the pandemic began, but Peter Wilson said "considerable pressure" was "now being felt financially as our outgoings increase and our revenue streams dry up".

He said he welcomed the news of additional funding from the government, but said it was "very possible that the money we receive will not be able to completely cover our costs", adding:

Quote Message: Councils are providing vital work at the moment – and I want to publicly thank all Chorley Council staff for their fantastic and continuing efforts – but we need the financial support of the government to ensure that financially, these measures are accounted for and within our budgets.

Councils are providing vital work at the moment – and I want to publicly thank all Chorley Council staff for their fantastic and continuing efforts – but we need the financial support of the government to ensure that financially, these measures are accounted for and within our budgets.

Announcing the latest round of funding over the weekend, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick praised councils for everything they were doing to help the national effort and said the government "stand shoulder to shoulder with local government", adding that his priority was "to make sure they are supported so they can continue to support their communities through this challenging time".

There are 13 schools closed in Rossendale, five in Hyndburn, five in Blackburn, two in Chorley and one in Ormskirk.

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