If your MOT is due from 30th March onwards you will have a six month temporary extension period. If it is due before 30th, you still need to arrange it. This does not mean that any vehicle which is unsafe should be driven. More info at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020
Council business assistance update – March 25th – and request for notice of any businesses not helping employees
New Business rates bills are going out today with all reliefs applied. This should mean most businesses getting a zero bill.
The council is now contacting as quickly as possible all businesses entitled to the £10k and £25k government grants to get the information they need to make payments – eg. Bank details.
This will take several days to get through with £89million of grants expected to be made.
The Council and councillors urge all employers to look at the available advice and assistance and protect employee jobs.
If anyone knows of any business they feel may not be using government support and are laying off staff without the “furlough” option which guarantees 80% of wages please do let us know.
Council Services update – March 24th – temporary changes
The council has announced a number of temporary changes to council services which can be found here
These include a one month delay to garden waste collections, information for carers and some requests to help the council.
With so many people working from home, there are cars all over our estates. Please make sure you leave enough space for our refuse wagons to get down your street remembering our wagons are large vehicles.
If one person blocks the road, it may result in the collection being cancelled at just the time when we need this service the most.
Also, please squash down your recycling as much as possible. Many of us are ordering in goods and the packaging takes up a lot of space. I have already seen overflowing recycling bins.
Refuse and recycling collections – Disinfect the handle
To help protect our refuse workers and ourselves please disinfect your wheelie bin handle and wash your hands before and after you put it out.
Time to stay at home – National Emergency from 20.30 March 23rd
This evening the Prime Minister announced some strict new rules declaring a national emergency.
PUBLIC INFORMATION NOTICE : We must all stay at home except for:
ONE outdoor activity a day, alone or with the people who live in your household and only them.
To get ESSENTIAL food or medical supplies only – and as infrequently as possible and only when absolutely necessary. If possible use delivery services.
To visit someone who requires ESSENTIAL care.
To go to work but ONLY if you cannot work from home and must work.
No public gatherings of more than TWO people other than the people who live in your house. The police will disperse any gatherings and there may be fines.
This will save lives and protect the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.
If you have health concerns, go to http://Www.111nhs.uk . If you cannot find what you need online and still require help call 111. Do not go to the doctor or the hospital unless told to do so.
More information at http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you have a council related issue visit www.durham.gov.uk. Alternatively (and please only call with essential issues, call 03000 260 000)
If you have any concerns you think we may be able to help with or urgent needs that you cannot address yourself or with family or friends, please call us:
Councillor Mark Wilkes 03000 268 788 / 07500 125 325
Councillor Amanda Hopgood 03000 268 726 / 07500 125 333
Councillor Mamie Simmons 0191 386 9006
Please stay safe, keep in touch with your family, friends ad neighbours by phone, text, WhatsApp, skype, social media or other means but not by visiting them.
Mark, Mamie, Amanda
Foodbank financial donations
If you can spare a few pounds, please consider making a donation to County Durham Foodbank.
There are plenty of running costs associated with their work and they are doing a brilliant job.
Donate now at: https://durham.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/
Please be careful – there are many scams out there
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.
Garden waste collections will now only start 28th April at the earliest.
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.
Job for Monday 23rd – Knock on your neighbours doors but step back 2 metres
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.