Coronavirus: Thursday’s Local Updates

Leicestershire County Council is calling on the government to provide more cash to help it cope with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

It says without more help it will be facing a £28m gap in its finances this year with extra costs in adult social care and waste disposal and reduced income from other areas.

Bosses have written to all of the county’s MPs urging them to lobby ministers for more money.

Harborough Council is also facing a cash shortfall and is also pleading for more support.

Councillor Byron Rhodes, cabinet member for finance at the County Council, said: “The financial impact of coronavirus has had an immediate shock to our finances. Whilst extra support from the Government is obviously welcome, it falls far short of what is necessary to stabilise our finances and allow us to recover from coronavirus and continue support for valued services. I have written a briefing for our MPs so they fully understand the position of the county council.”

Special messages thanking the NHS have been painted on roads around Kettering General Hospital to show appreciation to carers and key workers.

The markings, which read ‘Thank You NHS’ and feature a rainbow heart at the bottom, have been created by Northamptonshire County Council, its highways contractor and specialist road marking firm and have also been placed outside Northampton General.

County Council cabinet member for highways and place, Cllr Jason Smithers, said: “The work that is being carried out by everyone at the NHS is phenomenal and we just wanted to do our bit to show support by adding a splash of colour in a sign of solidarity with NHS workers.

“Our highway crews have continued to ensure roads are safe and open for all key workers and to make sure essential journeys can be made. It has been amazing to see how people have shown their gratitude and it’s important to let all key workers know that they are appreciated.”

To coincide with the weekly Clap For Our Carers, Market Harborough’s convoy returns tonight to salute the work of NHS and keyworkers.

Around 50 vehicles are set to take part, with a slightly different route to previous weeks.

Organisers continue to encourage people who enjoy it to make a donation to their on-line fundraiser for the Jubilee Foodbank, which has now raised over £700.

This week’s route is:  Start at Harborough Innovation Centre, down Leicester Road, into into Coventry Road, Farndon Road, Welland Park Road, Springfield Street, St Mary’s Road, Great Bowden Road,  Ridgeway West, Alvington Way, Leicester Road, Northampton Road, Bath Street, Western Avenue, Farndon Road, Welland Park Road, Lubenham Hill, Lubenham and Marston Trussell.

To support the fundraiser click HERE

Market Harborough’s Jubilee Foodbank has issued an urgent appeal for donations after seeing an unprecedented increase in demand during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Last month the voluntary service saw an 85% increase in referrals to help individuals and families in food crisis, and this month is set to be the busiest it’s ever experienced.

At the same time there has been a drop in food donations, with many of its usual supporters self-isolating, meaning supplies of certain items are running low.

Emma Fletcher from the Foodbank spoke to Hfm:

People are being encouraged to donate at drop-off points located in all of the town’s supermarkets when out shopping.

The service currently needs:

• Tinned meat such as: chicken in sauce, minced beef and onion, stewed steak, curry, chilli con carne
• Luncheon meat such as corned beef, Spam or similar
• Jars of meat or fish paste for sandwiches
• Bags of sugar (small if possible)
• Rice
• Soap (for thorough hand washing)
• Crackers (usual size packets of the biscuit kind)
• Microwave puddings, tinned puddings
• Tinned Custard
• Shampoo
• Strong bags for life
• Jars of jam

The service does not currently need pasta, tinned fish, beans and soup.

The Foodbank is thanking the work of its tireless volunteers and all who continue to support it through food and monetary donations.

More details on the Foodbank HERE