Lib-Dems back Council’s call for Covid-19 cash

Councillor Chris Gloster

The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Chris Gloster, will be seconding a motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (July 15) which calls on the Government to back the Council in its fight against Covid-19 with more cash.

Councillor Gloster commented on the professionalism and sacrifice of the medical, care and key workers across the borough who are in the front-line leading that fight.

He said: “I want firstly to praise and thank the medical, care and key workers across the borough, many of whom are employed by this Council, and the many volunteers from amongst our communities, who have worked tirelessly and selflessly during this time of national crisis.

"We should all be grateful for and proud of their efforts; their dedication and professionalism continue to be an inspiration to us all as we work together to see off the Covid-19 pandemic and Build Back Better.”

Addressing the specifics of the motion, Cllr Gloster added: “Oldham Council has incurred significant additional costs and suffered a significant loss of revenue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Like the NHS and our emergency services, our workforce provides front-line services to those who are most vulnerable and at risk in our communities.

"The Oldham Liberal Democrats are gravely concerned that if the Conservative Government fails to honour its promise to fully reimburse Oldham Council for these extra costs and lost income that this will place us in a serious financial crisis.

"Simply put, it will force us to cut some of the key services that the people in Oldham are currently relying upon and will continue to rely upon in the future.

“Oldham has already suffered more than its fair share of the burden of austerity.

"We have cut £221 million from our budget and in the next financial year, and the next, we already face demands from the Conservative Government for still more cuts.

"I just wish I had the opportunity to sit next to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, to tell him frankly that we cannot take anymore.

"If the Government truly wants Councils like Oldham to be partners in the fight against Covid, they need to give us more cash.”

The next full meeting of Oldham Council starts at 6pm on Wednesday.

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