A message from the Leader - 27th March

Dear colleague,

Since last Friday we have commenced delivery of emergency food parcels and medicine to the community; called in excess of 600 residents to check their status; mobilised nearly all office based staff to work from home where possible; closed 3 leisure facilities, along with keeping essential services going and maintaining some business as usual. We will continue to refine and review arrangements in the coming days and weeks.

As mentioned in my previous updates, the Government has established a network of Community HUBs across the Country with a primary focus of supporting the 1.5m shielded people, nationally identified by letter, who have a clinical condition that is deemed most serious. Arrangements for these people are now in place. The Government has commissioned national companies to provide and package food parcels which will be delivered by a combination of the national food companies, the army and potentially, council teams as the demand grows. The food parcels will be rolled out from next week with the possibility of a smaller (emergency delivery) today. DCC are expecting large quantities of food parcels and we have offered the use of stores at Pioneer House to help with local storage.

This scheme will run parallel to our own NED Community Support Team, which continues to focus on those who are still vulnerable but are not part of the 'shielded' programme. We continue to have contact centre staff working today to take all incoming calls and staff volunteers making outbound calls to residents. We have in excess of 640 cases where residents have made contact. The medicines deliveries by Council volunteers went very well yesterday and will continue with Peak Pharmacy for the foreseeable future. These staff are also issuing Council Community Support Team leaflets with the medicines so residents know how to get back in touch with us.

There is a lot of work being undertaken to assist rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness. We are working with DCC and partners to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place. I should be in a position to update you on the county-wide response to this further next week.

Whilst our leisure centres may be closed, the leisure team is still encouraging people to keep fit and healthy from the comfort of their own homes where possible. Three new sections have been set up in the leisure page of our website, to encourage adults and children to stay active. This isn't just for our customers, please make use of the information for yourself, family and anyone else you wish to share it with.
Stay Active - Adults
Stay Active - Kids
Stay Well - Mental Health

We also have a 'Make this Walk Count' campaign running on social media. This is encourages residents (adhering to government advice) to use their one day of exercise to drop off vital food supplies to food collection points across the district. So if you are able to, please drop off a few tins or packets and encourage anyone you know in our District who is self-isolating and needs our support to fill in the online form.

Please remind residents of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which provides financial support to households of working age with low incomes. Advice is also available for businesses regarding the series of measures that Government has introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are encouraging residents and businesses who are struggling to pay their Council Tax or Business Rates, to get in touch with us. More information is on our website.

Regards,
Martin

Leader of the Council