Coronavirus update: A Message from the Leader of North Hertfordshire District Council

PR Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2020 - 5:00pm

The following letter has been sent out to North Herts residents by Cllr Martin Stears-Handscomb, the Leader of North Hertfordshire District Council.

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Dear resident,

I know that many of us in North Herts will be extremely concerned and anxious about the Coronavirus pandemic. I want to provide some reassurance about what the Council is doing to continue to provide our critical services, as well as working with our partners to deliver initiatives to help the most vulnerable in our communities.

Suspension of garden and food waste collections

Unfortunately we will not be collecting any food waste caddies until further notice and all food waste should therefore be placed into your purple refuse bin.

We have also had to take the difficult decision to suspend our paid garden waste collection service. We appreciate that the garden waste collection service is a paid for service. We would ask that you please bear with us as we are extremely busy dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus on our services. Once we know the full extent of the disruption to service, we will agree on any possible measures such as extending the current subscription period for existing customers. A further communication will be sent to garden waste subscribers at that time.

For tips on home composting go to our website: www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/waste-and-recycling/reduce-and-reuse/home-composting

We sincerely apologise for these changes and would have liked to give you more notice, but we have been forced to move very quickly so that we can prioritise collection of refuse and recycling. We know these unprecedented actions will be disappointing, but ask you to please work with us in these difficult times.

Other disruption to services

In line with Government announcements we have had to take the decision to close our leisure centres, facilities within our green spaces including playgrounds, Hitchin Town Hall, North Hertfordshire Museum and Hitchin Market. These measures are crucial if we are to help slow down the spread of the virus.

We have also had to take the difficult decision to close our Customer Service Centre to help protect both our staff and residents. However, please be assured that our staff are still on hand on the phone on 01462 474000, or you can access many of our services online, including making payments, applying for benefits and reporting an issue at www.north-herts.gov.uk

For customers of Herts Careline, our dedicated call operators will still be answering the alerts 24/7, for help from your pendant, community alarm and telecare equipment.

There is a strong likelihood that the running of further services may be affected in the coming weeks, due to staffing shortages. There are three easy ways that you can get the latest information about any disruption to our services.

1. Sign up to text alerts to your phone www.north-herts.gov.uk/updates
2. Sign up to our email bulletins www.north-herts.gov.uk/updates
3. Check our Disruption to Services webpage www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/emergency-planning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-disruption-services

Financial assistance

We know that you may be worried about your own financial position – we are here to help. If you are having problems paying your Council Tax, we can help you. For instance, we can offer smaller payment arrangements or deferred payments depending on your individual situation.

It is important that you contact us to discuss this straight away, so we can offer the right advice. Please contact the Revenues Team on 01462 474595 or email revenues@north-herts.gov.uk

If you have lost your income or your income has significantly reduced, or you are unable to work and need help with housing costs, you may be entitled to claim Council Tax Reduction. Please go to our website for full details and to apply. www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/benefits/apply-benefits

We will be applying for further assistance provided by the Government to working age customers receiving Council Tax Reduction, as soon as possible. This will be up to an additional £150 of support.

Assistance for businesses

You can find information on the business support grants announced by the Government and on Business Rate Relief on our help for business pages www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/emergency-planning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-help-businesses

The Government has indicated it will be paying this money to Local Authorities in April. It is the Council's intention to pay this to qualifying businesses as quickly as possible after then. 

Helping others

The Government guidance is to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives and we urge residents to follow that advice.  We know that many of you who are well and not self-isolating, will want to help look after those people in our communities who are in our most vulnerable groups. Our friends at #Team Herts Volunteering are coordinating volunteering efforts across Hertfordshire and are looking for both general volunteers and those with specialist skills. You can sign up on their website www.thvolunteering.org.uk/

If you are aware of a vulnerable person who needs assistance then please get in touch with HertsHelp at www.hertshelp.net or 0300 123 4044 as they can match up volunteers to people who need help. Herts Independent Living Services also offer Meals on Wheels, which you can order online at https://hertsindependentliving.org/meals/ or call 0330 200 0103.

The Council is working with our partners at Herts County Council, with other districts and across other public sector organisations to provide support where we can.

Information sources

Finally, please do make sure you use trusted sources for information and advice.

For advice about the symptoms of Coronavirus please visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For official advice about social distancing, staying at home, school closures, employment and financial support go to: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

When you’re online shopping it’s important to do your research and look at reviews of the site you are buying from. For tips to stay safe from fraud and scams visit www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. 

Please stay safe and look after each other and remember we are here to help in whatever way we can. You can also contact your local Councillor for help and support. You can find their contact details on our website.

Cllr Martin Stears-Handscomb, Leader of North Hertfordshire District Council

31 March 2020