Stratford-on-Avon District Council COVID-19 daily update - 7 April

During the Covid-19 Pandemic Stratford-on-Avon District Council will issue a daily update (from Monday to Friday) for residents and businesses.  

Key updates - 7 April

• Business rate grants
  Over 1,000 business grant applications have been received.
  
  The first payments totalling £4.6m awarded to 291 businesses across Stratford District has been paid today, Tuesday 7 April.
  
  The next batch of payments to businesses will be processed on Wednesday 8 April.
  
  All applications are being processed as quickly as possible. We have received a significant amount of applications from businesses that are not already held on the non-domestic rates valuation list.  This is an essential qualifying criteria under the current Government legislation for these grants.  Therefore those properties on the valuation list will be given priority so that as many payments as possible can be got out. We regret that any property not on the valuation list will need further investigation work done with the business to establish eligibility for the scheme - this is likely to result in a delay in coming to a decision whether the business is actually eligible under the scheme. The Government has given Council's absolutely no discretion applying these rules. We have to follow the guidelines laid down by government, and, unfortunately, these have been changing as the emergency develops which can hinder our ability to act as quickly as we would wish.
  
  Businesses are being asked to complete the on-line application to qualify for the grants - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/online-forms/business-rates-grant-form.cfm
  
  Please note: To protect business from fraudsters the District Council will not be asking for bank details over the phone, we will be directing them to completing the online form.
  
  Also please do not disclosure your Business Rates Account number to anyone.
  
  There is also a useful FAQ now on the website - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/business-investment/business-rates-grant-faqs.cfm
  
  If you have any further enquiries please email: BRG@stratford-dc.gov.uk 

• Free parking in SDC car parks for NHS staff and Registered Volunteers
  All NHS staff, health and social care workers, NHS Volunteer Responders and other Registered Volunteers are now able to park for free in District Council car parks during the coronavirus outbreak - they just need to display supporting evidence on the dashboard where it can be clearly seen through their windscreen, such as an official parking pass, a photocopy of their work pass (with sensitive information removed) or a letter from their employer or volunteer organisation.
  
  
• Community Hub
  54 deliveries have been made from Stratford's Community Hub to those self-isolating and the most vulnerable in the district. This number has fallen as the main hub providing deliveries direct has ramped up.

• Help for the extremely vulnerable
  The council and partners are offering extra help for those identified as extremely vulnerable who have no access to food and support. People in this group should call 0800 4081447 or go to: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusextremelyvulnerable for more information.
  
  If you have been asked to 'shield' yourself from coronavirus by isolating for 12 weeks Warwickshire is here for you. If you have no local support call the dedicated helpline on 0800 4081447. For all other enquiries please continue to go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 410410.
  
  If you have a significant underlying medical condition and have not received a letter from the NHS and believe that you should have received one you should contact your local GP who can discuss whether they feel that your medical condition means that you should be added to the NHS extremely vulnerable list. 

• Community Support Groups
  Many local groups have set up across the district to support people in their community who may be struggling to get food or medicine and lots of Town & Parish Councils are also offering support.
  
  Warwickshire County Council, with help from the District Council has compiled a directory providing useful information about local organisations, groups and agencies that are providing activities, advice, and services during the current COVID-19 crisis - https://apps.warwickshire.gov.uk/api/documents/WCCC-966-2079
  
  
• Bulky waste collections
  For those struggling with excess waste during the lockdown, the District Council's chargeable bulky waste collection is still operational and you can book a collection online - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/online-forms/removal-of-large-items.cfm or call 01789 260616.
  
  
• Main reception at Elizabeth House closed to the public
  You can still contact the District Council by phone on 01789 267575, although the phone lines are very busy, alternatively email: info@stratford-dc.gov.uk or access services online at www.stratford.gov.uk or visit our Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information and advice.