Stratford-on-Avon District Council COVID-19 update - 17 June

Key updates - 17 June

• Council Tax Payments and Help
  
  In April, the Council temporarily suspended recovery action on Council Tax for three months, to help those who could be struggling to make payments.
  
  This arrangement has to cease at the end of June as the District Council has no legal power to permanently suspend the collection of Council Tax. We must continue to collect it in order to continue providing services to residents and businesses. From July those residents will need to make arrangements to pay their Council Tax.
  
  We are acutely aware that there will be people who will still struggle with payments and we want to help as far as we legally can.
  
  There are still a number of discounts or reductions you may be eligible for - we would urge people to make contact with us as soon as possible to discuss individual difficulties. There is more information, help and advice on the District Council's website - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/council-tax/help-and-advice-for-council-tax-debt.cfm
  
  If you do require further assistance please email: revenues@stratford-dc.gov.uk and they will look at all the options available to suit your needs.
  
  There is also a Council Tax helpline if you need to discuss further repayment arrangements please contact us on 01789 260990.
  
  

• Discretionary Business Rates Grant Scheme
  
  Applications for the District Council's Discretionary Business Rates Grant scheme close at 5pm Friday 26 June and payments will be made week commencing 29 June.
  
  Eligible businesses need to complete the online application - https://www.stratford.gov.uk/coronavirus/discretionary-business-grant.cfm
  
  No decision will made about payments until after the deadline, so please do not call the team to ask if your application has been successful. 

• Stratford Markets to reopen
  
  Stratford-upon-Avon's outdoor markets located on Rother Street reopen this week on Friday 19 June and Saturday 20 June.
  
  Sunday 21 June also sees the return of the Up Market on Waterside.
  
  LSD Promotions the market provider, has worked hard to establish COVID-19 secure marketplaces with plenty of signage for guidance, hand sanitising stations and socially distanced stalls.
  
  The size of both markets will be reduced slightly in stall numbers to make room for adequate social distancing and all traders have adapted their businesses to comply with the new COVID-19 safety measures and regulations.

• Reopening Elizabeth House to the public
  
  The District Council has continued to provide services even though Elizabeth House has not been open to the public. Work is complete to make our reception area COVID-secure with social distancing measures, queuing and a one-way system with a separate entrance and exit in place for visitors. We are now waiting for Government guidance about when we will be allowed to re-open to the public.
  
  If you don't want or need to visit the offices, help is still available from our customer services team on 01789 267575 and services can still be accessed online at www.stratford.gov.uk
  
  

Cllr Daren Pemberton, Deputy Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "As a District Council we lobbied hard for the discretionary business rates grants scheme that will bring further relief for our key businesses and will ensure those who are successful receive payments as soon as possible.

"We are now taking the first challenging steps towards bringing the District back to life with the opening of retail businesses. The temporary road changes in Stratford-upon-Avon are first and foremost aimed at saving lives by providing a COVID-secure environment for our residents, visitors and businesses. The County Council is responding to feedback from the Town and District Council based on the experiences of residents and businesses using the town this week to ensure the scheme works as effectively as possible. The County Council has committed to keeping the scheme under regular review."