Stratford-on-Avon District Council COVID-19 update - 22 April

Key updates - 22 April

• Business rate grants
  
  To date payments have been processed for 1,467 businesses with a total of £18.2m being distributed.
  
  For more information and to apply visit: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/business-investment/covid-19-and-busines-rates.cfm
  
  We will also be contacting around 600 businesses in Stratford-on-Avon District this week in a final round up to give then cash to help during this pandemic. If your business still hasn't applied please complete the online application form - 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. Please do not disclosure your Business Rates Account number to anyone.
  
  If you have any further enquiries please email: BRG@stratford-dc.gov.uk

• New West Midlands Regional Board for Tourism
  Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare's England has been appointed to the New West Midlands Regional Board for Tourism. Industry leaders from the West Midlands have come together to highlight how the government can provide more support for the region's tourism businesses during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
  https://wmgrowth.com/article/west-midlands-board-for-tourism-asks-uk-government-to-expand-support-for-region-s-visitor-economy
  
  
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donation
  With the District Council's help a donation of PPE - 25,000 masks and 200 disposable protective suits - has been delivered from Meishan in China for NHS staff to use at Warwick Hospital treating coronavirus patients and across the NHS community services.
  https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.cfm/current/1/item/137166
  
  
• Support for the most vulnerable
  Councils in Warwickshire, working with the NHS, Police, community and voluntary groups, are supporting the people of Warwickshire through the COVID-19 crisis. Councils are providing dedicated support to residents the NHS has identified as extremely clinically vulnerable but recognise that others may also need extra help at this time.
  
  Anyone who is vulnerable as a result of COVID-19 and is isolated without access to support from family, friends or neighbours is also encouraged to get in touch to discuss their circumstances and their needs. Help will be offered directly from services or through Warwickshire's fantastic voluntary groups and growing number of volunteers.
  
  People over 70, those with underlying health conditions, suffering COVID-19 symptoms or facing issues related to isolation can call 0800 4081447 or their local council, visit council webpages or for specific help at this time go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusvulnerable
  https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.cfm/current/1/item/137168Link - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.cfm/current/1/item/137168

Cllr Daren Pemberton, Deputy Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "Our Revenues and Benefits team are working hard to process as many applications as possible and I want thank them on behalf of the business community for their hard work since the grant scheme was launched. We are prioritising those businesses with 'straightforward' applications first to get as much money to as many businesses quickly. Although we have paid out to nearly 1,500 businesses there are still more than 600 firms still to apply and we would urge those business owners to do so as soon as they can."

COVID-19 dedicated section on our website: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/coronavirus