THE latest estimations of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Cheshire East Council have been revealed.

At September's council Cabinet meeting, officials estimated that the authority would lose roughly £50 million of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Government emergency funding of £22m means that CEC is facing a £28m shortfall for this year.

However, council leaders are also warning that any second wave of the virus could put the authority in an even worse position.

Labour council leader Sam Corcoran said: "Although the infection rate in Cheshire East is low, it is rising - and if we are to avoid a second wave, then now is a critical time.

"I urge everybody to rigorously maintain the basic measures."

At the meeting, deputy leader Craig Browne also revealed that the most significant Cheshire East spend had been on the care sector, with forecasts estimating £4m of support will be delivered to providers.

A further £2m is predicted to be needed to supply public sector staff with PPE - with a similar figure again required for agency staff - and the loss of parking revenue amounted to £3m.

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An update on schools was also provided, with Cllr Kathryn Flavell detailing that 'attendance is just over 86 percent, compared to a national average of just over 70' across all schools.

In fully-open schools, attendance is at 96 percent — just below the pre-Covid average.