LOCAL authorities across East Lancashire have received more than £70million in coronavirus crisis grants from the government but claim it is still not enough.

The first slice of cash was weighted towards upper-tier authorities like Lancashire County Council which provide services in education, highways, public health and social services.

The second favoured district councils include Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, which carry out more local functions such as bin collection, environmental health and parks,

Blackburn with Darwen is an all-purpose authority which provides the full range of services. It has received £9.92m - equivalent to £62.42 per borough resident.

Lancashire County received £35.29m initially and then a second cash grant of £21.4m making a total of £56.7m - £46.86 per head of population.

Hyndburn Borough was given £63,415 in the first allocation then £802,773 - a total of £866,188 or £10.72 per resident.

Pendle got £71,704 and £909,385 making an overall £981,089 - £10.73 per resident.

The figures for Burnley were £75,105 and £882,080, a total of £957,185 or £10.81 per head.

Ribble Valley received £23,853 and £602,235 - an overall £626,087 or £10.42 per resident - while Rossendale’s grants were £38,386 and £710,257 - a total of £738,643 and equivalent to £10.56 per head.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, the Labour leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are used to being resourceful, being one of the hardest hit from 10 years of austerity, though we simply can’t balance the books if the shortfall from the rising costs and lost income are not fully covered.”

Cllr Geoff Driver, the Conservative leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “It is disappointing. I have no argument against district councils being given more but to reduce our share of the second £1.6billion by almost 40 per cent leaves us woefully short.

“County councils of a similar size to Lancashire have faced much lower reductions in their share and we shall be seeking clarification on the reasons for that.”

Cllr Margaret Lishman, Burnley Council’s Liberal Democrat finance boss, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has not only resulted in extra costs to the council, it has also significantly reduced our income. This grant goes some way to alleviating the pressure the council is under.”

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stephen Atkinson said: “We were very disappointed with our share of the first tranche of funding.The second tranche was based on population and district councils received a fairer share. We hope further funding will be made available on the same formula.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Labour leader of Pendle Council, said: “During the pandemic, local councils are playing a crucial role.

“£900,000 sounds like a lot, but nobody knows how long this emergency will continue.

“We need a clear assurance from government that our loss of income since the lockdown will be covered.”