Scarborough Council’s deputy leader speaks on authority's plans to manage coronavirus

Scarborough Council has said it will continue to offer support to people in need in the borough during the coronavirus outbreak and will keep its services open to vulnerable people.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Cllr Liz Colling, deputy leader of the council, says the borough authority is working with the police, NHS and other councils on how best to manage its response to the pandemic.

A number of council staff will work from home and while the majority of people will be advised to make use of the authority’s Customer First services over the phone and online face-to-face appointments will be available.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Colling said: “Our borough, along with the rest of the country, is facing a very significant challenge from coronavirus.

Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI MediaScarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media
Scarborough Town Hall. Picture: JPI Media

“I want to reassure our communities that we are here to support them during these worrying times, in whatever way we can. It has been heart-warming to hear of the support people are giving each other in our communities and we will be working with our partners to ensure as many people that need to access this support are able to do so. By continuing to support each other, we will be able to help keep our borough moving and healthy.

“As part of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, we are working to manage the impact of very significant challenges and focus our resources where they are needed most throughout our borough. This approach will give us the best possible chance of minimising impacts on our communities and ensure they receive the support they need to deal with the challenges ahead during the next few months.

“The North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum includes Public Health England, regional public health, the NHS, the police, fire service, North Yorkshire County Council and district councils.Together, and with wider partners, we are following the latest expert national guidance and incorporating it into our planning and response.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have reviewed how we work as a council to allow us to respond to a wide variety of impacts relating to coronavirus and deal with what is a continuously evolving situation, moving at a rapid pace.

“This includes many of our staff being supported to work from home and extra support given to those that can’t work from home to allow them to carry on delivering front line services that our communities rely on.

“We are working with our partners, including the voluntary sector, to ensure we continue to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

“We will be issuing detailed guidance today on how the Government is rolling out financial support measures to businesses and this information will be available on our website at scarborough.gov.uk

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are encouraging anyone that needs to contact our Customer First team to use the online self-service options at scarborough.gov.uk or call 01723 232323, rather than visit our sites in person. However, we will continue to provide a face-to-face service for our most vulnerable residents.

“We will be putting out regular updates on our website, through social media and via local media.

“We urge everyone to keep following the latest official guidance online from the Government and Public Health England on how to stay safe and look after each other as we all face the challenges ahead together.”

The council has also postponed a scheduled audit committee meeting due to take place at Scarborough Town Hall tomorrow.