COUNCILLORS are set to discuss Dorset Council's response to the Covid-19 pandemic - as its leader warned the work needed for recovery was 'substantial'.

On Tuesday June 22 Dorset Council's cabinet will be discussing how it has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic - as well as look at the progress made against targets in its Council Plan.

Services and teams across the council have worked with partners to support residents, communities and local businesses since the pandemic hit in March 2020.

This includes supporting the most vulnerable people and families, paying out grants to local businesses and maintaining critical services, such as waste collections.

READ MORE: Dorset Police took action against 'blatant breaches' of Covid-19 rules

During the pandemic, more than 34,500 Covid-related calls and emails were handled by the council’s contact centre and 2,025 food packages were delivered to people who were shielding. The council also processed 1,200 requests for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the pandemic and distributed £250 million in grants and other funding to local businesses.

However, like all local authorities, Dorset Council’s finances have been negatively impacted as a result.

The latest assessment is that the impact of the pandemic on the council’s own reserves is in the region of £15 million. The council said it has now re-profiled its remaining reserves to prepare for any further financial and economic shocks.

Leader of Dorset Council, Cllr Spencer Flower, said: "When we look back at all that we have achieved during the pandemic, I feel incredibly proud of the way our employees, councillors, partners and local communities have all pulled together to help the residents of Dorset through what has been an unprecedented and difficult time.

"The council received £315 million in additional Covid funding from the government to support initiatives including business grants, school transport, accommodation for rough sleepers, community rapid testing and more.

"The majority of that funding (£250 million) has been distributed to local business. This ranges from business grants through to business rate relief."

At the meeting, Cabinet members will also receive an update on the council’s performance in terms of meeting the targets set out in its first Council Plan – which was published before the pandemic.

Councillors and officers are now reviewing the plan to recognise the impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing work to help Dorset recover from the pandemic.

Cllr Flower said: "Both the impact of Covid-19 and work needed to help Dorset recover is substantial, so it’s important that this is reflected in our wider plan. There is still a lot to do, but I’m confident that we will carry forward our shared ambition of making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit.”

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