Scarborough Council urged to use £60,000 grant to employ Covid-19 secure marshals

Scarborough Council has been “encouraged” by the Government to use a £60,000 grant to employ Covid-19 secure marshals in the borough.
Scarborough Council has been “encouraged” by the Government to use a £60,000 grant to employ Covid-19 secure marshals in the borough.Scarborough Council has been “encouraged” by the Government to use a £60,000 grant to employ Covid-19 secure marshals in the borough.
Scarborough Council has been “encouraged” by the Government to use a £60,000 grant to employ Covid-19 secure marshals in the borough.

The Government today has announced £30m in funding for local authorities to spend on Covid-19 related compliance and enforcement activities.

Councils are, in the words of the Government, “encouraged” to use it on the marshals to advise and educate people on social distancing in town centres.

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The Government has made clear that the marshals will have no enforcement powers, meaning they cannot hand out fines or other penalties to people in breach of rules put in place due to the pandemic.

In a briefing note sent to councils, the Government said: “The role of Covid-19 secure marshals or equivalents is not to enforce Covid-19 regulations, or have any enforcement powers, which should remain the remit of the police and designated local authority compliance and enforcement officers.

“Covid-19 secure marshals or equivalents should instead engage, explain and encourage best practice and national Covid-19 secure guidance.”

Marshals can, however, be used to identify businesses and premises not following the guidelines and report them to the police or local authority.

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Scarborough Council, which did use ambassadors in its towns during the pandemic to direct people to sanitiser stations and to give advice on social distancing, has been awarded £62,441 from the £30m.

The Government’s briefing to councils added: “The [marshals] objectives will support businesses and the public, increasing understanding of Covid-19 public health measures, such as social distancing, wearing face coverings in appropriate settings and hand washing.

“This will increase public confidence in visiting high streets and using urban centres.

“It is recommended Covid-19 secure marshals or equivalents are deployed over the next few months [recognising the four months for which funding has been provided].

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"This will address any increased transmission as a result of likely social activity and alleviate any additional winter pressures.”

The funding can be used for the marshals or for other compliance measures.

Scarborough Council has been approached for a comment.

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