Coronavirus will ‘inevitably stretch’ under pressure resources, says council leader

Coronavirus will inevitably test “already very stretched” council resources, says North East Lincolnshire Council’s leader.

The authority has already taken action to postpone meetings and will review its situation on a daily basis.

It comes as councils across the region have introduced measures such as closing buildings and cancelling events.

Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said the authority will handle its response in a calm and proportionate way.

You can follow live updates on Coronavirus from around Lincoln and Lincolnshire in our live blog.

North East Lincolnshire Council has already postponed meetingsl. Photo: Daniel Jaines

“Like other organisations, there’s every likelihood our staff will be affected by COVID-19 and we’re planning our response on a daily basis to cope with the challenges we face,” he said.

“That may mean deploying resources, including staff, away from their day-to-day activity into the highest priority services to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

“But we’re proud of our staff and confident they’ll step up to the mark to do their best for everyone in the borough.

“We have great people across the council, doing excellent work.

“Our already very stretched capacity is about to be stretched even further as the response inevitably escalates and impacts on all that we do and how we do it.”

Lincolnshire County Council Leader Martin Hill unveiled further measures yesterday. Photo: LCC

He added that the impact of the virus on communities in the borough remains the council’s number one priority.

No cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in the region so far, however two cases have tested positive in neighbouring North Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire County Council laid out a raft of measures yesterday including asking staff to work from home and suspending most formal committee meetings.

The council’s announcements follow both Lincoln and Boston councils, among others, cancelling meetings and services across the county.

South Kesteven, West Lindsey and East Lindsey have also introduced measures in response to the virus.

It comes as seven cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire, with five in Lincolnshire and two in North Lincolnshire.

At least one person is in hospital care in Lincolnshire with COVID-19.

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