The coronavirus pandemic could cost Brent Council an extra £35 million if lockdown measures continue until October.

A report presented to the council’s cabinet yesterday (April 20) outlined the financial impact of Covid-19.

It showed that an extra £1.5 million has been spent on coping with the outbreak so far, with this forecast to top £2.2 million by the end of the month.

The additional spending covers emergency accommodation for homeless people and providing personal protection equipment, as well as IT costs for remote workers and extra payments to waste collection providers, among other things.

According to the report, the council has earmarked around £1 million extra spending per month over the next six months to help manage the crisis.

In terms of overall impact, it anticipates that coronavirus could cost an extra £20 million if the nationwide lockdown continues until the end of June and a further £15 million if extended until the end of September.

Carolyn Downs, chief executive of Brent Council, said the council was facing a “worrying set of circumstances financially”.

But she praised councillors and council employees who have ensured that key services continue through the pandemic.

“Our ability to continue business as usual has been highly commendable,” she said.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, agreed that the borough is in the midst of “difficult and challenging times”.

He also championed the work of council staff, alongside all Brent residents, describing the response to covid-19 as a “heroic effort”.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on Saturday that councils across England will benefit from a share of £1.6 billion in government support to combat the crisis.

Brent Council finance director Manish Patel welcomed this funding but said that, at this stage, the council is unaware how much it will receive.