Welsh ministers have announced a £260m funding boost for councils, bringing the total amount of government COVID-19 support to almost half a billion pounds.
The Welsh Government said the funding would provide local authorities with the ‘confidence to prepare their budgets for a potential second wave’.
Minister for housing and local government, Julie James, said: ‘Our local authorities have done a fantastic job of rising to the challenges of COVID-19, but we recognise the financial impact this has had on them.’
Finance minister Rebecca Evans added: ‘This new package of financial support recognises the scale of the unprecedented challenges being faced by authorities across Wales and provides them with the certainty they need to continue to respond to the crisis and prepare for the rest of the financial year.’
Finance and resources lead for the Welsh Local Government Association, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said: ‘Councils, and the vital local services we provide, are at the forefront of tackling this pandemic and have been under extreme financial pressure.
'This funding guarantee will give them the confidence to plan with greater certainty for the remainder of the financial year.’
