DARLINGTON and Teesside councils have asked the Government for additional support to tackle Covid, with each authority allocating money to localising test and trace.

Stockton, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool last week appealed for funding support to fight against spiralling Covid cases and to find solutions to ongoing problems - like visiting loved ones in care homes.

Darlington made separate calls yesterday after its covid restrictions were increased. 

If awarded funding, all four authorities will work to localise test and trace.

Calls mirror that of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which last week wrote to the Government on behalf of leaders across the North asking for localised systems that will allow leaders to "do the job they were elected for". 

What is Stockton Council asking for?

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is seeking £7.7million of additional Government funding to the Borough to support the fight against spiralling Covid-19 infection rates, provide more grants for local businesses and support vulnerable residents who may need to shield or self-isolate again.

The call comes after the Government declared the Borough an “area of enhanced support”.

What is Middlesbrough Council asking for?

The Council has asked for £7.4m in government funding to deal with the immediate health and economic impacts of the latest coronavirus restrictions.

The request includes more than £3m in support for businesses struggling as a result of the new measures.

The funding will pay for local tracing work led by environmental health officers has proved invaluable in understanding outbreaks and how to respond.

What is Hartlepool Council asking for?

Hartlepool Council is seeking up to £4 million of additional Government funding following the imposition of strict Covid-19 controls on the town.

Due to a  ban households from mixing in pubs, restaurants and bars, £1.6 million of this will be to support local businesses – especially those within the night time economy – which it fears might otherwise be forced out of existence.

Test and trace, care home support and flu vaccines 

The funding will pay for local tracing work led by environmental health officers has proved invaluable in understanding outbreaks and how to respond.

All three councils call for the likes of Covid marshalls, support for managed visits to care homes including the use of perspex screens and external pods and temporary accommodation for the homeless and asylum seekers.

In the context of Covid, a rapid and broad take-up of the flu vaccine is also essential and the councils are keen to get more people vaccinated to reduce the burden on the NHS and social care.

They are also working with Cleveland Police on additional resources for non-compliance. 

Darlington calls for local track and trace too 

Darlington too announced it has asked the Government for funding support following news the borough will face Tier 2 restrictions.

Leader of the council Heather Scott said: "What is clear is that the new restrictions will have an impact on people’s lives and businesses.

"For this reason, we have asked the Government for funding to support local businesses and the most vulnerable in the Borough together with asking for help to locally enhance track and trace."

Other North-East councils work together

Joint Statement from Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, Northumberland County Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council last week also called for additional control. 

The councils requested more local control of contact tracing and for extra resources to support messages, monitoring and enforcement - and more testing.

They said: "As has been highlighted in recent days the Government needs to work more closely with local authorities, and it should free up and release more powers and resources for the region’s fight against Covid."