Stratford-on-Avon District Council COVID-19 update - 29 July

Key updates - 29 July

• Business Rates and Discretionary Grants
  
  The District Council has now paid out £33.34million to 2,806 businesses across the district.
  
  Businesses are also being supported by the District Council to promote the safe reopening of the High Streets in response to Covid-19 through the Government's Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
  
  
• Swimming pools at the leisure centres to reopen
  
  The District Council's four swimming pools at the leisure centres in Shipston, Southam, Stratford and Studley reopen this weekend on Saturday 1 August.
  
  Since they were closed in March, Everyone Active who operate the centres have been putting the necessary social distancing and extra cleaning and hygiene measures in place to make the facilities COVID-safe for all users and staff in preparedness for when they were allowed to open again.
  
  For more information please visit: https://www.everyoneactive.com/reopeningmeasures/
  
  
• Annual Canvass 2020
  
  Every year Stratford-on-Avon District Council Electoral Services are legally required to check the details that we hold for your household for the purpose of publishing an accurate Register of Electors.
  
  Every household will be contacted either by letter, email or will receive a telephone call, asking residents to check the information we currently hold is correct, even if you have recently registered to vote, your house is empty or you have just moved.
  
  All residents who have previously provided the Council with their email address (for registration purposes), will initially receive an email from stratfordonavon.dc.voter.registration@notifications.service.gov.uk which will link you to the Household Response Service at https://householdresponse.com. THIS EMAIL IS NOT SPAM AND REQUIRES A RESPONSE. Other people in your household may also receive this email. Only one person in your household needs to respond as the security codes can only be used once. If you do not respond to the email, a paper form will be posted to you.
  
  If we do not hold an email address for anyone in the household or if we are not sure the information we have about your household is correct, you will receive the request through the post.
  
  When you are contacted, if you need to make a change to your registration information, please respond as soon as possible. It will mean that there will be no need for additional contact, which is particularly important at the present time.
  
  For more information please visit: https://www.stratford.gov.uk/council-democracy/registering-to-vote.cfm
  
  
• Reopening Elizabeth House to the public
  
  The District Council's offices reopened to the public on Monday 6 July and are averaging 45 customers each day dealing with a range of queries including applications for housing benefit, council tax support, home choice plus applications, homelessness and car parking permits.
  
  Main reception is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm and numbers will be limited at any one time. Social distancing measures are in place within the Customer Service area.
  
  Please note that in line with new Government Guidance all customers will be required to wear face masks. 
  
  The majority of staff are still working from home, but duty officers for services will be available on the telephone.
  
  If you are threatened with homelessness you should call 01789 260861 to make immediate contact with the Homelessness Duty Officer.
  
  If you don't want or need to visit the offices, help is still available from our customer services team during our normal office hours (Monday to Wednesday 8.45am to 5.15pm and Thursday to Friday 8.45am to 5pm) on 01789 267575 or email info@stratford-dc.gov.uk and services can still be accessed online at www.stratford.gov.uk
  
  
• Anti-litter campaign - 'Don't be a tosser'
  
  The District Council has launched a new anti-litter campaign, after seeing a huge increase in rubbish being left in local parks and public open spaces.
  
  'Don't be a tosser' posters, questioning why people are dumping their rubbish are being put up at public open spaces in Stratford-upon-Avon including, the Recreation Ground, Bancroft Gardens, Fisherman's car park, Cottage Lane, Shottery Field, Orrian Close and in key shops, encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
  
  The aim of the campaign is to remind people that they need to clean up after themselves and bin their litter or take it home. This is even more important during the current pandemic in helping to reduce the spread of the disease. The strapline is not intended to cause offence, but is hard-hitting to tackle the issue and draw attention.
  
  The campaign is now being rolled out across the district.