Coronavirus: Wigan Council’s cash boost ‘not enough’

But the increase was given a tepid reception by town hall chiefs, saying the extra Government cash doesn’t even take it back to the amount they were getting four years ago.

Meanwhile the virus is continuing to bring about drastic changes on all fronts in the borough.

Hundreds of Wigan pupils and sixth form students bade farewell to classroom life after the abrupt ending of their schooling due to the Covid-19 crackdown.

But it emerged that local libraries could be repurposed into virtual schools or learning areas to compensate, the council’s chief executive said.

Alison McKenzie-Folan said the authority would make use of the network of volunteers as it tries to keep services afloat – and ensure that the most vulnerable residents aren’t cut off from their communities.

But she and leader Coun David Molyneux called for urgent clarity from the government on funding – warning that they are fearful about cash flow – as well as a release of protective equipment for social care staff, which leaders in Wigan say is being stockpiled.

The award-winning Ashfield House wedding venue at Standish announced that it is having to scrap all wedding events there for the next 12 weeks.

And charities too are having to make big changes too. The Brick, which helps the homeless and those in poverty, announced it is closing a number of its services to concentrate on providing food to some of the most vulnerable.

The Brick Works is now closed to the public and Gearing Up is by appointment only. The charity is working on ways that the Brick Works can help the community during this time of increased self-isolation.

Its vans will cease furniture collections and deliveries, to be reviewed in four weeks’ time. The Gidlow Lane shop will continue to operate and is also now a food donation drop-off point. But the Leigh shop will close until further notice with staff supporting the charity in other areas.

The food bank on Market Street will be open from 1pm to 4pm to provide food, toiletries and sanitary products to those with a referral.

Anyone who needs a food parcel but cannot attend the Life Centre for a referral can call The Brick on 01942 236953. People can also call this number to make donations. Terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, has announced that all its upcoming public collections across Wigan and the UK as part of its biggest annual appeal will be cancelled.

The Great Daffodil Appeal usually sees volunteer collectors across Wigan hitting high streets and supermarkets to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins in exchange for donations. But folk can still donate at mariecurie.org.uk/donate) or via text-to-donate (text DAFF to 70111 to donate £5*).

As far as ring-fenced public health funding for local authorities is concerned, Wigan Council is set to receive an increase of 4.9 per cent for 2020-21, ​slightly above the average funding increase of 4.6 across England. That will give it £26.1m, up from £24.9m last year.

But deputy leader and cabinet member for adult social care, Coun Keith Cunliffe, said: “Though we welcome this funding from central government, the total budget received is still less than what we received in 2016-17.

“In line with our Deal values, we will continue to engage closely with our communities to ensure we can deliver effective services, just as we have been doing since austerity hit in 2010. The Deal is an initiative that took years to build but is one that lays a foundation that will help us to come through these uncertain times. We continue to encourage residents to follow good hand and respiratory hygiene and to minimise potential infection spread by social distancing.”

But with just 10 days to go until the start of the next financial year, the Local Government Association accused the Government of leaving councils “in the dark” at a time of utmost urgency.