I’m delighted to be able to confirm that following a number of phone calls and emails I have had with Lidl they have confirmed that they are providing a Foodbank donation point at their local Pity Me store. Durham Foodbank are also now contacting them about other locations in the County.

Of course there are also donation points in Sainsbury’s and Coop. Please think about popping something in when doing your shopping.

The Foodbank are concerned that they are going to run low on basics. There should be a sign on each donation box listing the items in most need but any donations [not fresh or frozen] are more than welcomed.

Priority list:

Tinned spaghetti, Tinned fruit, Instant mash, Fruit juice (long life)

The following are also currently needed:

Tinned: soup, veg, fruit, spaghetti, fish, meat, tomatoes, rice pudding, sponge pudding

Pasta sauce, Long life Fruit juice, Powdered milk, Custard, Sugar, Chocolate bars, mini eggs

Toiletries – soap, hand gel/sanitiser, sanitary products

Any items for people with special dietary requirements – eg Long life milk alternatives, gluten free

Saw this in Framwellgate Moor and decided to share it!

At the moment as always our refuse collectors are working really hard. We can help them by making sure we leave enough space for the bin wagon to get through.

Some roads are quite narrow and bin wagons are much wider than a family car.

This week one road in our area was missed due to cars blocking it. All credit to the refuse team who came back the day after but this may not always be possible, so we all need to double check we are keeping the road clear.

All park and rides will close in Durham tonight. All council car parks are currently free and NHS staff can use County Hall car park.

Details of reduced Arriva and Go North East services can be found here:

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information—north-east/

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/

Changes start this weekend 28/29th March. Most services will reduce to 1 an hour whilst some main routes will still run every 30 minutes.

So the 64 and 21 services will run every half hour.

The 62, 14 and X21 will run hourly.

Following on from the post I made last week about mental health (https://markwilkes.mycouncillor.org.uk/2020/03/17/mental-health-advice/)

The Council has created a new page with help:

http://durham.gov.uk/article/22992/Look-after-yourself

The govt has tonight announced help for those who are self employed. Self employed people will be able to claim up to 80% of their profit, up to £2500 a month. However this will take until June to come through.

So in the meantime, check everything going out of your account and see if you can delay it – a few ideas for everyone:

• Council tax first payment can be delayed until June – call 03000 264000
• The Council has put debt recovery on hold until further notice, but call them if you can’t pay – it helps you and the Council.
• Companies like Sky will pause part of your contract (eg Sky Sports)
• Electric and Gas companies will rearrange payments and its worth checking with sites like energyhelpline.co.uk if you an get a cheaper deal – make sure you click the box to see all deals including those you can’t get thru their site.
• You can get a three month mortgage delay from your bank – but you might be on the phone for a while so check their website to see if you can apply online.
• If you rent your home contact the landlord and discuss options. You may be entitled to local housing allowance – ask the council on 03000 262 000. You cannot be evicted for non payment of rent but you will still owe it. If your landlord tries to evict you tell us.
• MOTs can be delayed for 6 months if due after 30th March
• Sites like moneysavingexpert.com have some excellent advice.
• There is more information on the Council website at www.durham.gov.uk
• Check your account to make sure there are not some things going out you no longer need or are not in a contract for.

If you are still struggling and need advice and the Council is not able to give you the advice or help you need let us know your situation and we can see what other ways you might be able to get help.

Speaking to elderly residents today I feel humbled by just how many people are helping their neighbours. Thank you everyone!

If you are concerned about an elderly or vulnerable neighbour and can’t check up on them yourself (following the distancing guidance), please let us know.

If you or someone you know is struggling to get essential supplies, please also let us know.

Mark Wilkes 03000 268 788 – mark.wilkes@durham.gov.uk

Amanda Hopgood 03000 268 726 – Amanda.hopgood@durham.gov.uk

For the last few days I have been pushing the Council to promote the use of the car parks at County Hall for NHS staff.

Council staff are almost all now working from home and the car park is deserted. The Trust has suggested it has enough space, but my checking yesterday indicated otherwise.

Please let everyone you can know that this car park is empty and free until further notice.

I’ve asked the Council to put up signs indicating free parking for NHS staff but in the meantime, please tell everyone you can through whatever means.

If staff can park here they will not have to waste time looking for spaces, will not have to use public transport to get to the hospital and will reduce the risk of passing on the Virus.