North Northamptonshire councils prioritising essential services amid coronavirus emergency

Local government authorities in North Northamptonshire are now prioritising essential services in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Along with the health organisations local government is at the front line of the outbreak with new powers being introduced soon under the coronavirus bill to allow the authorities to change the way they work during the crisis if necessary in order to keep people safe.

The authorities are now closing down events and making decisions about what services they can continue to run due to a combination of potential reduced manpower because of staff self-isolating and having to deploy staff to other more essential services.

However there is not a uniform approach to the service reduction – with each of the four local councils in the area, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants taking different approaches so far.

All are posting the updates of service changes and closures on their website.

A message on Kettering website says ‘we are now prioritising essential services’ and there are likely to be some changes going forward’.

The website says from tomorrow (March 20) it will only be carrying out emergency repairs on tenants’ properties.

The Manor House Museum and the Alfred East Art Gallery will also close from Friday until further notice and all events hosted by the council have now been cancelled.

Wellingborough Council is advising people only to visit its offices in Swanspool House if necessary.

Its website says it has cancelled the Waendal Walk scheduled for the bank holiday weekend. Bookings have also stopped on bulky waste collections and bookings of town hall buildings have been cancelled.

Corby Council’s website says: “During this time of uncertainty, Corby Borough Council wants to ensure residents that we are doing our utmost to provide a business as usual service throughout the authority. We are following government advice extremely closely and the safety of our staff and residents is at the forefront of our minds right now.”

The authority has closed its heritage centre and is running reduced hours at the International Pool, the One Stop Shop and Lodge Park Sports Centre. Shape Dance classes have been called off until further notice and coaching activities have stopped.

As yet East Northants council has not updated information for residents. It has a message saying it will issue business rates relief and give government grants but once the official legislation is passed under the coronavirus bill it will provide an update for eligible businesses.

Residents can find out up to date information on these pages: East Northamptonshire Council Corby Council Kettering Council Wellingborough Council