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# County council chiefs say communities in Lichfield and Burntwood will continue to be supported despite coronavirus costs
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/county-council-chiefs-say-communities-in-lichfield-and-burntwood-will-continue-to-be-supported-despite-coronavirus-costs/
- Published: 2020-07-15T19:09:38.000Z
- Updated: 2020-07-15T19:10:41.000Z
- Description: County council chiefs say they will continue to support communities in Lichfield and Burntwood despite the financial challenges posed by coronavirus.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

County council chiefs say they will continue to support communities in Lichfield and Burntwood despite the financial challenges posed by coronavirus.

A meeting of the cabinet heard how COVID-19 was likely to lead to a £10million overspend.

But Cllr Philip Atkins said a £38million “battle fund” had been created to support care residents and businesses.

![Cllr Philip Atkins](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5008037399_3c12d53aab_b.jpg)

Cllr Philip Atkins

> “Throughout the pandemic we have continued to support those who need us, including the care sector, vulnerable families and local businesses.  
>  
> “Lockdown restrictions are easing, but there is still a great deal to be done to help our economy get back on its feet locally and nationally.  
>  
> “At the same time one of our biggest challenges is funding adult social care and support for vulnerable children.  
>  
> “This year, before the pandemic began, two-thirds of the council’s annual budget was allocated to providing to those areas, but we see that costs continue to rise and that is a serious concern for the future.  
>  
> “We need central Government to work with us in finding a long term sustainable solution to the national problem of providing social care.”  
>  
> Cllr Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council

Cllr Mike Sutherland, cabinet member for finance, added:

> “Coping with the pandemic has put extra pressures on local authority finances, but we continue to do what is needed and we will spend what is required.  
>  
> “However, we will manage the finances carefully and effectively and get best value for money for residents.”  
>  
> Cllr Mike Sutherland, Staffordshire County Council