Council supports community through coronavirus
Over the last few weeks the Council has taken positive steps to ensure it continues to deliver key services, safeguard residents, Councillors and staff and supports businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The immediate activation of the Council’s Business Continuity arrangements in response to the Covid-19 pandemic included a complete change in the way we worked to continue to deliver vital services for local people. The Council has continued to work hard to provide as many services as possible whilst ensuring residents’ safety, in line with the latest advice from the government.
Council Leader Keith House said, “ The pandemic has, and continues, to have a significant impact on our residents, businesses and organisations across the borough. I’m delighted with the way that the Council has continued to provide key services to our residents and supported our businesses. I would like to personally thank our staff and all the volunteers and local organisations across the Borough who have provided much needed help and support across the borough in these difficult times.”
Council staff continue to do all they can to keep our key services going and providing real practical support for our communities during this time. This has included;
- Our customer support service dealing with around 2500 calls a week over the last month
- Over 2000 households have received support with council tax to reassure and help families with their council tax payments
- Created Coronavirus support online pages visited by over 64,000 users (an increase of 65%) with over 103,000 sessions (up by 81%)
- Supported the Community hub and food banks to help vulnerable residents
- Continuing to make key decisions through the use of ’virtual’ meetings online
- Helped over 800 businesses who have now received over £10.6million in business support grants
- Supporting key workers by suspending parking charges in our pay and display car parks - including those who are in front line roles in shops and services and community volunteers
- Continuing to collect black and green bin, glass and garden waste collections with food waste collected as part of the black bin for the time being.
- Ensuring arrangements are in place for those at risk of homelessness with the activation of a freephone number: 0800 032 0540.