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Your weekly update of London local government issues

25   March 2020

Support for small businesses

Boroughs will be responsible for distributing some key grants for businesses. On Monday the government issued new advice on these grants to help small business and the retail, leisure and tourism sectors.

The grants amount to £10,000 for small businesses and either £10,000 or £20,000 for retail and leisure sector businesses. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published updated guidance for local authorities which is available here ( [link removed] ).

Borough hubs set up to help identify and support vulnerable people

London boroughs are leading on a range of local initiatives to support vulnerable people, in liaison with the NHS, voluntary organisations and other partners. This includes the development of local hubs to bring together a range of partners to deliver support, working through call centres, websites and utilising data to reach out to vulnerable people who need to shield themselves at home on government advice. The NHS will contact all those with serious underlying health conditions - to advise them to shield themselves from social contact altogether for the next 12 weeks and will support them with medical issues. They will also make referrals for further support as necessary to the local hubs.

Londoners are advised to check their own borough website for further information on local support and resources. If you are uncertain as to which local authority your address is in, you can enter your postcode here ( [link removed] ) to find your local authority website.

Strategic Coordination Group established

A  multi-agency Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) has been set up under the established pan-London resilience arrangements and is meeting regularly to co-ordinate the response to coronavirus across London. A series of workstreams has been established to develop the response across  issues including adult social care, supporting vulnerable people and the impact on business and the economy. Councils are represented on the SCG by Southwark chief executive Eleanor Kelly. Working with the support of a number of other chief executives, she will lead the coordination of the response across London boroughs, in accordance with the Local Authority Gold Resolution. 

This work is underpinned by arrangements that have been rapidly established to collect and analyse data on the impact of Covid-19 in every London local authority.

Funding to relieve pressure on adult care

The government has announced £1.6 billion of additional funding ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) to support local authorities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. It is expected that a significant proportion will be used to relieve coronavirus-related pressures on adult social care. Additional funding has also been allocated to the health service and London local government is working closely with our health service partners to manage hospital discharge with the aim of freeing up hospital capacity.

Pragmatic parking guidance issued

London boroughs have agreed to adopt a pragmatic approach to issuing parking penalty notices in order to help critical workers travel in the capital during the coronaviris pandemic.

Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee said: “NHS staff, the emergency services, carers and community volunteers are leading the fight against coronavirus in the capital and we are all incredibly proud of the work they are doing. The last thing they need is anxiety caused by trying to find a safe place to park.

“All key workers using cars or other vehicles to get around can be reassured that borough parking teams are on their side. We ask that they look to their local council to find out what this means for them.”

London Councils has this week issued new guidance to all London local authorities. London boroughs will be putting this guidance into practice locally on a temporary basis and will keep it under review.

Local Housing Allowance uplift welcome

London Councils has welcomed ( [link removed] ) the government announcement that Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates will be increased to 30 per cent of local market rents as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

A London Councils spokesperson said: “The government has made the right call. Raising Local Housing Allowance is a big step forward in preventing homelessness.

“Boroughs are concerned the combination of Covid-19’s economic impact and London’s severe housing pressures still threatens a spike in homelessness – but this decision will help keep many Londoners secure in their homes."

New school arrangements

Since Monday schools across the capital have been closed, except those providing for key workers or for vulnerable children (including those supported by social care or with an education, health and care plan). The government has published guidance ( [link removed] ), which includes the definition of key workers and a question and answer page ( [link removed] ) for parents and carers.

Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils, said: "We recognise the very real anxiety teachers and parents have for children’s wellbeing and education.

“We will be working hard over the coming days to make new arrangements, keep parents and teachers informed and ensure all vulnerable children – including those on free school meals – get the support they need.”

Reassurance for grant-funded bodies

London Councils has confirmed its resolute support for the charities funded through its Grants Programme ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), inlcuding increased financial flexibilities and adapting activities.

Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney and Chair of London Councils’ Grants Committee ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ), said: “Boroughs are determined to stand by our civil society partners during the coronavirus outbreak.

“London Councils’ grants partners support some of London’s most vulnerable residents, even more so at times like this. Taking a flexible approach will help them to continue doing what they do best – meeting the needs of London’s communities, while working alongside the boroughs.”

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Coronaviris (COVID-19) latest information and advice

Please check these websites for the most up-to-date and accurate infomation regarding coronavirus and government, NHS and PHE advice:

Find out how to protect yourself or check if you need medical help on the NHS website ( [link removed] )

Information on UK government response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) ( [link removed] )

Read frequently asked questions about coronavirus on Public Health England’s blog ( [link removed] )

Guidance for employees, employers and businesses ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

and remember to follow us for all the breaking news...

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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

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London Councils fights for the best deal for our boroughs, develops policy and lobbies government on the issues
that matter for London. We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard.
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