Further lockdown easing as funds arrive
HYNDBURN will begin to see further signs of lockdown restrictions easing from next week.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week the latest easing of restrictions in a bid to get the country back on its feet after nearly ten weeks of lockdown.
Last week we reported on controversial plans to re-open primary schools to three age groups from next week. From
Monday, outdoor markets and car showrooms will also be allowed to open, provided they can do so safely.
Hyndburn council will also receive a further £76,676 in government support for the reopening of shops closed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Six East Lancashire councils will share £485,425 from the £50m ‘Reopening High Streets Safely Fund’.
The grants from the Department of Local Government come from the European Regional Development Fund and are on top of previous awards from Future High Streets and Towns Funds.
Hyndburn council’s Labour leader Coun
Miles Parkinson said: “There is never enough money but any is welcome. We may have to ask for more.”
The grants will support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers to prepare for the reopening of nonessential retail premises when the scientific advice allows after Monday, June 1. Councils will also be able to use the money to develop local marketing campaigns.
High Streets Minister Simon Clarke said: “As we slowly return to normality, the re-opening of our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.
“Supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this government.
“Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and this shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.”
Meanwhile senior Labour politicians in Lancashire penned an open letter to the leader of Lancashire County Council calling on him to set a “safer, later” date for the partial reopening of schools than June 1 target suggested by the government.
Pressure has been mounting over ministerial attempts to encourage a return to the classroom for pupils in reception, year one and year six.
Lancashire County Council has already said that the final decision on reopening must rest with individual headteachers - and that the authority will support them in whatever they decide.
Speaking at a general media briefing about the coronavirus crisis last Wednesday, Lancashire’s director of public health said that the “direction of travel” should be about getting as many children back into mainstream education as possible.
“Nothing is risk free, but what I am saying to colleagues is that it is not helpful to have complex guidance and mixed messages from all sorts of sources,” said Dr. Sakthi
Karunanithi.
Coun Phillippa Willamson, cabinet member for schools, said: “In Lancashire, we have a range of schools that are governed under different relevant bodies, and headteachers who decide on a school-byschool basis what the right decision is for their school, in consultation with governors.
“We know that they are best-placed to be able to make individual choices based on the circumstances of their schools - the decision to allow more children to return to their school lies with them.
“We will support schools in the decisions they make.”