Schools must have financial support if they are to be safe for pupils in September.

That is the message from Maryport mayor Peter Kendall, who says the cost of ensuring social distancing and other safety precautions could be significant

“The costs could even include the need for more buildings to prevent children being in close contact,” he told a town council meeting last week.

“The Government has announced a £4.5 billion spend on schools but that does not go far.

“There is a consensus that the only way to make schools safe to operate is to have more space – and more buildings.”

Councillor David Porthouse supported Mr Kendall: “I am a school chair of governors. There is a lot of work having to go into making the school safe and we have not seen one extra penny for the what we have to do.”

Town and county councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes asked the council to hold off a motion by Mr Kendall who wished to write to the Government urging action.

“I understand Peter’s concern but this is expanding, very open-ended legislation and all these matters are being discussed by the Local Education Authority now.

“I think we need to wait and see the outcome of these discussions before we send a letter.”

Coun Linda Radcliffe said she did not feel the council could vote “because we don’t know the half of what is happening”.