Wiltshire Council’s cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday, May 19 to receive an update on the £18.8m to £51.5m financial shortfall.

The meeting will also outline to cabinet the complete impact of coronavirus, as well as the council’s response to the pandemic.

Having set the budget in February, it’s estimated that the impact of the pandemic will still leave a hole in the council’s funds between £18.8m and £51.5m – this is taking into account the £28.8m already received from the government.

Coronavirus has had a wide-reaching impact on the council’s budget due to lost income from the suspension of car parking charges and the closure of leisure centres and other facilities.

On top of this, there is lower income from both council tax and business rates with an increase in residents claiming council tax support.

Preparation for potential deaths and planned savings through transformation projects can also no longer be delivered.

Throughout the crisis, the council has worked with the Local Government Association, The County Councils Network, and South West Chief Executives to lobby central government, outlining its financial position in detail and made strong representation for additional funding.

Plans are also being made if the government does not allocate further funding to the local authority, including potential cuts to services provision due to the forecasted budget position.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "We are grateful for the government funding we have received but it is clear from these budget forecasts that additional support is required.

“Our priority is to support our residents and businesses through these challenging times and staff have done a tremendous job to deliver critical services with many carrying out roles outside of their normal day jobs.

"However, the size of the budget gap emerging means that we will need to make some really difficult decisions around our service provision at a time when the council will also need to lead the recovery process to get Wiltshire back on its feet when social distancing begins to relax."

"At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government promised ‘whatever it takes' and they must keep this promise and continue to provide much-needed funding for local authorities across the country."