OXFORDSHIRE councils called on the Government for extra cash in the face of a second lockdown set to end in December.

In a joint letter to Robert Jenrick MP – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – local council leaders laid out the urgency of securing additional financial help for the communities and businesses they support.

Since March the pandemic has had a significant impact on the finances of local authorities and councillors admitted this could soon impact frontline services.

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Leaders admitted that they have all had to re-forecast or revise their budgets to reflect the increased expenditure and lost income that the coronavirus crisis has caused.

Explaining why the extra bit of cash is crucial councillor Sue Cooper, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, commented: "The enormous level of community and business support we have provided was not optional.

"We could not just sit by and do nothing, and we need the government to recognise the impact this vital work has had on our finances.

"We need a long term, sustainable financial settlement for our councils so that we can continue to provide all the services our communities need."

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The strong-worded letter to Mr Jenrick, which was signed by councillors Emily Smith, Sue Cooper, Barry Wood, Ian Hudspeth, Susan Brown and Michele Mead, was sent on Tuesday.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak was also sent the letter.

It read: "We call on the government to support all council losses, both in terms of increased expenditure and reduced income, suffered during 2020/21.

"The sales, fees and charges compensation scheme is welcome but it does not make good all council income losses, and our councils are affected by losses which are not covered."