WREXHAM Council has issued advice on how the coronavirus will impact on its services in the coming weeks and months.

In a joint statement, Ian Bancroft, chief executive of the council, and Cllr Mark Pritchard, leader of the council, said: “As the chief executive and leader of Wrexham Council, we know that many of you will be feeling anxious about the unprecedented challenge the world is facing.

“We share your anxiety. We know these are frightening and uncertain times for everyone, and it’s important we work together – as people, communities and organisations – to get past this.

“As a council, we are trying to balance the welfare and needs of our staff – so they can stay safe and continue to deliver public services – with the welfare and needs of our residents and the communities we serve.

“We’ve put together the following information to help you understand what we’re doing to achieve this balance, and to reiterate the advice being shared by the UK Government and health services.

“Please do everything you can to stay safe and help others.”

The council says people can find reliable information about the virus in daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister) as well as daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

The statement continues: “As a council, we are helping to keep the people of Wrexham informed by signposting to these official sources of information.

“We are doing this on our website and social media accounts, and by circulating advice like head teachers, care workers and key workers, as well as the wider public.

“We are doing this because it is important that people receive a single, consistent message to avoid confusion.

“It is not appropriate for us to issue our own, separate advice, unless it relates specifically to council services and events in the county borough.”

The council also issued guidance on how the COVID-19 outbreak will impact on schools.

The officials said: “From today, the Government is encouraging people to undertake ‘social distancing’ by working from home and not travelling wherever possible, and not attending large public gatherings, pubs, restaurants etc.

“If the virus progresses rapidly, we can expect these measures to include the closure of schools and colleges.”

The statement says that, at the time of publishing, the Government has not taken this approach yet. However, due to staff having to self-isolate, it is possible that some schools in the county borough may have to take the decision to reduce the amount of provision they offer.

The council is responsible for a wide range of services provided by around 6,000 staff.

The statement from senior councillors said: “For now, we’re continuing to provide all of these services, but with some staff working from home.

“Those who are not working from home are being advised to undertake ‘social distancing’ measures. The council’s senior leadership team is working from council offices to provide visible leadership.

“Advice is also being issued to staff on how to work from home, work in social care settings, report sickness/self-isolation.”

Members of the public are being advised to access council services in the usual way, via the Wrexham Council website and telephone numbers.

Looking ahead, the virus has the potential to seriously impact on the provision of council services – mainly by reducing the number of council, partner and supplier staff available for work (because they are directly affected by the virus, supporting others who are affected, or cannot get to work).

Such impacts are likely to last for months rather than weeks.

The statement adds: “Council services have contingency plans in place to deal with the impact of a variety of major events, including pandemics, and these have been activated.

“Particular emphasis is being placed on ensuring that social care, refuse collection, education and housing are prepared for a reduction in staff. If we decide to close community buildings, like libraries and resource centres, we will publicise this in the press and on our website.

“If the effects of the virus become severe, our overall ‘Business Continuity Plan’ identifies around 50 critical functions that we will prioritise (including social care and refuse collection).

“Clearly, reducing council services to this emergency level will only be taken based on national scientific/medical advice and Government instruction.

“This will mean that some other services and functions, such as running events or deciding planning applications, may be performed on a limited basis or not at all for the duration of what will then be an emergency.

“If we have to take this decision, we will issue further statements and information on our website and in the press etc. We ask you to recognise that Covid-19 presents a major challenge to every council and to be patient.”