South Tyneside's £6.1million war chest to keep services running - this is how it will be spent

South Tyneside Council has been allocated the ‘emergency funding’ by the government as part of efforts to support adult social care, among other areas currently feeling the strain.

It is hoped that taking some pressure off front line help for most vulnerable communities and families could have a knock on effect of freeing bedspace and capacity in the region’s hospitals dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Iain Malcolm, leader of the borough council, said: “With the current crisis impacting on every individual and aspect of life, the work of local authorities like ours has never been more important than it is right now and over the coming weeks and months.

“Our £6.1million allocation is vital in helping us to focus on our main priorities of delivering essential frontline services, keeping our communities safe, safeguarding our most vulnerable residents and protecting our local economy.

“This has included much needed extra support for our adult social care services so some of our most vulnerable residents continue to get the care they need.”

The government has war chest worth at least £5 billion to support the country through the outbreak.

In March it was confirmed almost a third would be used to ‘strengthen care for the vulnerable’, of which £1.6billion would be directed to local councils.

According to allocations confirmed this week, South Tyneside Council is due to receive £6,171,973.

This is on top of almost £2.5million for the borough from the government’s Hardship Fund to help families struggling with council tax bills.

Coun Malcolm added: “We have created emergency support hubs to help protect ‘shielding’ and self-isolating residents and for businesses to access grants.

“We are also supporting people around council tax and those who are experiencing extreme financial hardship as well as implementing free school meals provision among eligible families in need.

“These are extremely challenging and worrying times for us all.

“But rest assured, we continue to do whatever is necessary to get the Borough through this crisis, to support our NHS and to help save lives.”