Northumberland Labour Group is seeking assurances about the safety of the council’s workforce and the county’s population as Covid-19 cases rise in the county.

Deputy leader Scott Dickinson said: “The Labour Group had confidence in chief executive Daljit Lally, as she protected the safety of the council’s workforce while ensuring essential services were provided during the first wave of the pandemic.

“In council I asked whether this cautious approach would be taken again as we are seeing a worrying rise in cases in the county.

“In a council which has suffered horrendous funding cuts from national government over the last decade, it has become more difficult to provide services people need. However, Daljit Lally who, for reasons that have not been explained to us, is on a period of extended leave, led the council in exemplary fashion in these very difficult circumstances.

“As a group we are concerned that, without her leadership, safety of the council’s workforce will be compromised.

“In asking the question in council we were seeking assurances that this would not be the case, but we did not get a firm answer. Questions still need to be answered about this to reassure council staff, who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, and local people, who need to know that the services they are receiving are being provided in the safest way possible.”