'We should be given the power to deal directly with any potential Covid-19 outbreaks here in Harborough' says councillor

A top Harborough councillor wants new devolved Covid-19 powers to be handed to the district council and not the county.

Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads Harborough council’s Liberal Democrats, said: “The Government has announced that powers to act quickly in the event of localised Covid-19 spikes/hotspots are being delegated to local authorities.

“This is a crucial move.

“But the ability to act quickly and decisively if the coronavirus flares up locally has to rest here with the district and not the county council.”

The veteran health activist has now asked the joint chief executives at Harborough District Council “who gets the delegated powers”.

“Their responses seemingly indicate that the county council will be given them.

“But that’s just not good enough as far as I’m concerned,” said Phil, who represents Great Bowden and Arden wards.

“We are the people on the ground here in Harborough and we know our patch best.

“That holds true for both the staff and the members.

“Our key responsibility must be to do our best for the communities we represent throughout Harborough.

“There is no doubt in my mind that if there is an issue with a killer virus like Covid-19 it needs a fast reaction.

“That reaction, in my opinion, with the best local knowledge, should be in the hands of the district.

“I hope that our local MPs will support it and that the leaders at County Hall accept it.”

A Harborough council spokeswoman said their joint chief executives “will pass on Cllr Knowles’ concerns to MPs as he has requested”.