Call for ‘postcode approach’
CONSERVATIVES in Kirklees have called for a “postcode approach” to coronavirus restrictions following an announcement by the Government that lockdown measures will be in place locally for at least another week.
The Department of Health said latest data does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in affected areas - including Kirklees.
Figures released yesterday by the NHS showed a jump in infection rates in Kirklees to 31.2 cases per 100,000. Last week it was 24.2.
The news on restrictions has been met with disappointment.
Councillor Shabir Pandor (Batley West), the Labour leader of Kirklees Council, questioned the Government’s rationale for including the borough within the continuing restrictions.
He said: “Kirklees is in a different position to many of the councils who have extra restrictions and I sought clarity from the Government about how we can regain all the freedoms enjoyed by other parts of the country.
”I am still not clear what the rationale is as I feel we have a good grip on the situation within Kirklees.
“I will continue to speak with the Government around how we get these restrictions lifted.”
That disappointment was shared by Cllr David Hall (Liversedge and Gomersal), leader of the Conservative group on the council. He said the continuation of extra restrictions was “difficult” and was affecting families across the borough.
He commented: “Together with our Conservative MPs we have lobbied for these restrictions to be targeted at those communities which have the highest rates of transmission.
“This would complement the council’s efforts, and those of the police, in order to stem this epidemic at its centre.” He added: “It is frustrating that Cllr Pandor has said he is not in favour of this approach.
“He accepted the responsibility to act as leader of all Kirklees.
“Therefore he should listen to residents in low-transmission communities and join us in campaigning for the lifting of these restrictive measures in those areas of the borough.
“Our efforts would be so much stronger were he to support our lobbying for this.
“It is my hope that, with the support of our residents who have already endured so much, we will be released from the extra restrictions as soon as possible.”
Cllr Hall’s stance was echoed by Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney, who said until there was a vaccine it was unlikely that any area would see zero cases of infection.
He said: “We need to start using postcode level data so that we can focus measures on outbreaks and allow other areas with no cases to re-open safely, to support local people’s mental health and well-being, and support local economies.”
Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood pledged to continue to work with his party colleague Mr McCartney “to make the case for a more localised approach to Covid measures based on postcodes as opposed to the boroughwideapproach favoured by Kirklees Council”.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “If the figures are still not coming down sufficiently then it’s a wise choice. From the very beginning I have said the biggest priority is human health.,” he said.
Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said: “Whilst it is disappointing to many local businesses that these extra measures will remain in place, public health must be our top priority so we can stop the spread of the virus.
“I will continue to work with
Kirklees Council to monitor the situation and call for local people to get the support and clarity they need from Government to adapt to these restrictions.”
The restrictions will be reviewed again next week.