Please pause for thought before acting on any email or other form of corrrespondence, or anyone knocking at the door.
There are a lot of scams out there. Here’s just one example:
We’ve been informed that some parents have received an email stating: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.
This is a scam email. We urge parents not to respond and delete immediately.
To ensure that the Council can continue with regular general waste collections, it is delaying the start of the garden waste service.
Clearly without knowing how many refuse operators will be self isolating in the coming weeks, this is a necessity, albeit an inconvenience as so many of us will have been out in the garden in recent days.
We are sure that those who have paid will see some form of compensation perhaps through a later finish or earlier start next year and we will push for this, however as I’m sure everyone will agree making sure that our rubbish and recycling is collected is essential.
Could everyone please check on their neighbours tomorrow just to make sure they are ok, regardless of their age please. But do not go inside, and set back 2 metres from the door.
If you find someone needs help which you can’t deal with call us.
Monday – Saturdays starting tomorrow. An NHS card will be required to enter. PLEASE DO NOT GO ALONG IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN NHS CARD. Queuing early and getting in the way risks lives.
ONLY Elderly and vulnerable residents will be allowed in to stores on Mon Wed and Fri from 8am-9am so please DO NOT go to Sainsbury’s before 9am on these days and if possible go on Tuesday or Thursday instead.
If you have stocked up on loads of food please don’t go at all. If we stick together we will all be better for it.
Today I will be talking to my mum by WhatsApp. Of course I would like to be able to go and see my parents, but to protect them I am not. Please do not go to see your parents. The more contact we have with other people the more risk that the virus will spread more quickly and innundate our NHS and put our relatives at risk. Take care and please follow the government advice.
Please observe the changes but bear in mind that you can still go to those outlets which have an off-licence or takeaway service but if possible call through your order to avoid waiting when you go to collect.
The government is to pay wages of employees up to 80% and up to £2500 a month.
There are also changes to support for those on low incomes and the self employed. Check the BBC website for further info.
Arriva and GoNorthEast are reducing their services from Monday 23rd:
http://Www.gonortheast.co.uk/coronavirus
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information—north-east/
Earlier this week many councillors from all groups including myself raised concerns that April’s council tax and business rate payments would not be possible for some residents. Today the Council confirms on council tax:
The council has now cancelled all debt recovery action until further notice.
A new webpage showing all means the Council can help you with can be found at:
Www.durham.gov.uk/article/22971/Support-for-residents
Please only contact the council if you really have to so those in most need can get through.