Notts county council blasted for Covid 19 funding

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of the Ashfield Independents, says the council has so far paid 7.6 per cent (£24,500) of its £1m Covid-19 Community Fund to groups in Mansfield and 9.48 per cent (£30,600) in Ashfield, despite the comparatively high death tolls and levels of deprivation in each area.

Of the 157 deaths in Nottinghamshire attributed to the coronavirus between March 7 and April 10, 33 happened in Ashfield, followed by Mansfield with 30 deaths and Gedling with 27 deaths.

He said: “For the first time, we are seeing a direct link between poverty and coronavirus deaths in our county.

“It’s clear by looking at the figures where extra resources should be going.

“That’s why it beggars belief that the Conservative-led county council are shovelling money into their preferred areas of Newark and Sherwood, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe.

“The county council have failed to target funds appropriately and I am calling for a dramatic re-think into how they are giving out funding.”

The claim has been refuted “in the strongest possible terms” by Cllr Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, who claims Ashfield has received £37,000 (or 10.9 per cent of the total) and Mansfield £26,000 (7.3 per cent.)

She said: “This is shabby behaviour and a complete pack of lies from the Ashfield Independents. They are seeking to make grubby political capital out of what is a national tragedy, and should be ashamed of themselves.

“The breakdown demonstrates that the council has been as even-handed as possible, but we are dependent upon the applicants coming forward with their requests. I would now expect to receive an apology from the Leader of Ashfield District Council.”

According to the council’s own figures, Newark and Sherwood have received £77,695 (21.8 per cent), Broxtowe £42,934 (12 per cent), Rushcliffe £44,900 (12.6 per cent), Bassetlaw £46,030 (12.9 per cent) and Gedling £19,800 (5.5 per cent) to make a total, so far, of £356,976 across the county’s seven borough and district councils.

Mr Zadrozny said Ashfield has an “excellent voluntary organisation in our district who went through an application process that wasn’t clear – only to be given £300. Other places in the likes of Rushcliffe have benefited to the tune of thousands of pounds.

“There is little transparency in this process and very little help for many amazing voluntary groups who break their backs, put themselves in danger and are leading the voluntary effort across our county.”

He is now encouraging voluntary groups in the Ashfield District to apply for the emergency funding.

A Nottinghamshire County Council officer added: “We are well aware that fewer eligible applications have been coming in from areas such as Mansfield, Ashfield and Gedling which is why we have been asking local county councillors and districts councils to help spread the word.

Groups can apply for between £200 to £10,000, dependent on the amount of additional costs incurred while supporting the community through the crisis. To apply vist the council’s website. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/communityfund