I am sue many of you are concerned about the current situation regarding the Coronavirus. The UK government have announced various measures and packages to help you your family and you business, South Derbyshire District Council have also put in place various measures to help.
In light of the recent measures put in place my office will be working from home, therefore I urge you to contact me by email for any help or information at [email protected] as we can no longer take phone calls.
South Derbyshire District Council have also announced they will no longer be providing face to face service however you can still contact their customer service team by email at [email protected] or call on 01283 595795. They are available Monday Tuesday, Thursday 8.45am to 5pm, Wednesday between 9.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm.
I have provided a list of contact details and information below which you may find helpful if you are a constituent or business in South Derbyshire and are worried about Council tax, getting assistance if you are in self-isolation, Business support and grants or any other support.
Derbyshire County Council Response Unit:
Derbyshire County Council has set up a Response Unit to assist those whom don’t have friends or family to turn to for help. It is designed to help those selfi-isolating because they or a member of the household is at risk, if you are struggling to meet basic needs because of financial, social or health restrictions, Pregnant, 70 or over or have underlying health conditions.
If you need help please call 01629 535091 or visit https://derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/health-protection/disease-control/coronavirus/community-response-unit/if-you-need-help/if-you-need-help.aspx. They are available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am till 1pm.
Providing shopping or food bank services:
Many groups are experiencing difficulties with shopping, due to shortages of some items, restrictions on number of purchases, and the delays/queues caused by social distancing measures within supermarkets.
South Derbyshire Community Voluntary Service is working with the District and County councils and other partners to address the food supply issue in an organised way. The plan is that basic food parcels, ready-packed will be provided from a central hub, to local distribution centres, from where they can be picked up and delivered by local volunteers and voluntary groups. Initially the most vulnerable individuals will get priority (those on the ‘shielded’ list) until their national delivery service is up and running.
One of the reasons why we’re keen to be in contact with local groups is to make sure that we can link you in with this food parcel supply. Exactly how this will work will become clearer in the next few days and we will keep you informed. For more information please visit https://strongersouthderbyshire.org/need-help/.
Council Tax Support:
For Council Tax support, please email the Council Tax team on [email protected] or call our customer services team on 01283 595795 if you have any queries. We are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8.45am to 5pm, Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm.
If you are struggling to make council tax payments due to COVD-19, South Derbyshire District Council will not be taking on new recovery action in April. If you are able to pay some but not all of your Council tax it is worth paying what you can so the amount does not build up later on.
The UK Government announced a £500 million Hardship fund to support reductions in Council tax for working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support.
South Derbyshire Business COVID-19 Grants (£10,000):
This grant is available to businesses that:
- were in occupation of the premises on 11 March 2020
- were the ratepayer on 11 March 2020 and either receive, or are eligible to receive, either: Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief
This grant is not available for premises occupied for personal use, car parks and parking spaces and businesses that were in liquidation or dissolved as of 11 March 2020.
Retail, hospitality and leisure COVID-19 grants (£10,000 or £25,000):
This is available for businesses that:
- were in occupation of the premises on 11 March 2020
- were the ratepayer on 11 March 2020
- have business premise(s) with a rateable value of less than £51,000
- are eligible for business rate relief under the Expanded Retail Discount Scheme
The grant is payable for each individually rated eligible business premise:
- If the rateable value of the business premise(s) is up to and including £15,000 the grant is £10,000.
- If the rateable value of the business premise(s) is between £15,001 and £50,999 the grant is £25,000.
The grant is not available for any premises that has a rateable value of £51,000 or over, is for personal use, car parks and parking spaces.
Any businesses that was in liquidation or dissolved as at 11 March 2020 is also not eligible.
How to claim a grant:
South Derbyshire Council are sending a letter and request for information to all eligible business premises in the next few weeks by post. The letter details the information needed to provide to receive the grant, and also includes a handy form.
If you have any questions, do not receive a letter, or are not visiting your business premises during the COVID-19 pandemic, please email [email protected]
Business rate relief:
A business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year has been introduced. It has also been extended to non-local authority providers of childcare (nurseries).
Businesses that received the retail discount in the 2019 to 2020 tax year will receive a new bill in the coming months, and will now receive 100% off their business rates for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
How can I access the relief?:
You do not need to do anything to access the relief, your bill will be re-issued and will show the relief .
If your business does not qualify, but you are having issues paying your business rates because of COVID-19, please contact us.
Derbyshire Business emergency relief fund:
The Derbyshire Business Emergency Relief Fund is now live - find out more. This is for micro businesses that don’t qualify for other Government support.
Bin Collection:
Bin collection in South Derbyshire will continue to operate as normal. To heck your bin collection dates please go to https://www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/recycling-bins-and-waste/bin-collection-dates.
Additional help:
Various local groups across Derbyshire have set up additional support for their local communities, particularly with shopping and those self-isolating and in need of a friendly phone call t check in on people.
Derbyshire Carers Association: Support for carers and their families in South Derbyshire, including telephone befriending and connecting to support services. Call 01773 833833 or email [email protected]. For more information visit: derbyshirecarers.co.uk
Gresley Church: DBS checked volunteers offering shopping and friendly phone calls to people living in central Swadlincote, Church Gresley and Newhall. Contact Rev Mike Firbank on 07814 033183 or [email protected].
Hill Street Baptist Church: Clothes bank offering delivery to those in desperate need of clothing living in Swadlincote and the surrounding villages. Can also help with shopping and pharmacy requirements. Contact Rev Simon Thompsett on 07765762286 or [email protected].
MHA – Burton Live At Home: Offering free telephone befriending to people aged 60+ in Burton on Trent and surrounding areas, including Swadlincote, who are self-isolating due to the coronavirus. The service is delivered by DBS checked and trained staff and volunteers. To contact them, call 07973 850700. For more information visit www.mha.org.uk.
Special Needs Circle East Midlands: The trustees from the Special Needs Circle East Midlands would like to offer virtual support services to any parent/carer of a Child with SEND or additional needs of any age. Although their community services are currently on hold, they can offer online support, advice, guidance, signposting along with friendly chat at this isolating time. All details of how to get in touch can be found on their website: www.specialneedscircle.co.uk.
Stanton Community Response: Offering prescription collection and friendly phone calls to those living in Stanton. Contact Tracey Wond on 07760175782 or [email protected].
The Pingle Academy: Food Parcels offered to students and their families and those supported through the Early Help Service. Delivery service available for the most vulnerable. Contact Head of Family Services Mrs M Hurst on 01283 216837 x240 or [email protected].
