Both Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils have received over £143 000 in additional funding this month to support their work as local residents and businesses continue to face the impacts of Covid-19.
Gosport has received £144, 232 which brings their total funding boost to £1, 029, 819, while Fareham have been granted £143, 768 which brings their total share to £1, 334, 362.
This month’s funding is part of a £500 million pot announced at the beginning of the month to help councils pay for their response to the pandemic. The funding is vital as Councils have seen a decrease in their own income, as car parks and museums have remained shut, but an increased demand in their services. The Government is also allowing them to spread their tax deficits over the next three years rather than one.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
“Councils are playing a vital role in our national fight against coronavirus, providing a lifeline for so many and supporting communities at a time when they need it most.
“That’s why we are giving them an extra £500 million – taking our total additional funding provided to £4.3 billion – and today I am setting out how this will be allocated to councils fairly based on the pressures they have told us they are facing.
“This comes on top of the co-payment scheme announced last week that will compensate councils for irrecoverable income losses from sales, fees and charges.”
Both Gosport and Fareham have been working throughout the pandemic to support local residents, from helping to distribute food packages to those shielding, to helping the High Street reopen last month and housing those on the streets in temporary accommodation.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“I am really pleased to see the Government recognise the additional pressure that Fareham and Gosport Councils are facing over Covid19
“This funding is vital to ensuring that they can continue to work to support constituents as we face the impacts of the pandemic.”