MIDDLESBROUGH’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis is expected to last “up to three years”, according to a new report.

A raft of structures, meetings and groups have been meeting behind the scenes at Middlesbrough Council to draw up the emergency response to Covid-19.

And a paper prepared for councillors next week has revealed how council bosses expect the recovery process to last until 2023.

The recovery plan has drawn up how Middlesbrough plans to “rebuild, restore and rehabilitate” the town following the crisis.

It adds the pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy but that the council is “best placed” to ensure firms and communities recover to a “new normality”.

But it also concedes the scale of many of the challenges ahead are still unknown.

The report added: “The recovery process is expected to last up to three years but will continue until the disruption has been rectified, demands on services achieve a “new normal”, and the needs of those affected have been met.”

Councillors will cast their eyes over the terms of reference eight sub groups next week set up to deal with health, children’s services, education, the town centre, businesses and council services during the pandemic.

The 37-page framework has tasked each of the group with key questions it should be asking – as well as the humanitarian response to the crisis.

Dealing with any potential “spikes” and “surges” in demand in children’s care, pinpointing widening health inequalities and mounting a recovery for firms in the town are all part of the plan.

The report added: “The impact of covid-19 will affect the family and friends of fatalities, survivors, response and recovery workers and the wider community.

“It will also have a very significant impact on the economy and businesses, physical infrastructure, and the environment.”

Council figures show 1,824 business grants totalling £21.4m had been paid to firms as of May 4.

They also showed 155 council staff had been absent from work with Covid-19 symptoms or sickness since the start of February but that many had not returned to work.

A separate council report on “recovery arrangements” for Covid-19 is being drawn up – promising a financial breakdown of the costs, lost income and impact on savings the crisis has had in the borough.

Last week, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston called on the Government to increase the amount of support it was giving to the council to recover from the crisis.

The recovery plan also offered a glimpse at how council chiefs are keen to ensure the town has a good image coming out of the crisis.

“Winning investment and creating jobs” and “making Middlesbrough look and feel amazing” are key parts of the future communications plan – as well as “creating positive perceptions” of the town nationally.

The report added: “Communications around covid-19 recovery will focus on how the town can bounce back together and the fact the council is on your side – whether you’re a business, family or indeed another organisation involved in supporting Middlesbrough’s recovery.

“Our aim will be to show how the council is on the front foot and can be an example of best practice in terms of recovery, while also continuing to showcase the council’s ambition for the town centre and winning investment.”

The overview and scrutiny board will meet next Thursday (May 21).