Support for vulnerable residents

Following yesterday’s update on the support available for vulnerable residents across the borough, we have had a number of residents who have been in touch and we are working with them and with community organisations to deliver support they require.

Please be aware the careline that has been set up will be monitored during office hours. As a result, we are encouraging all residents who need support, or relatives worried about a family member, to get in touch via our email address – communityhub@basingstoke.gov.uk – over the weekend. This will be monitored during this time.

Parking restrictions suspended for NHS workers and volunteers

Parking restrictions and car park charges have been suspended in Basingstoke and Deane for all NHS workers and volunteers carrying out their frontline duties during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In line with the announcement from government, the council will not be enforcing parking for all health, social care workers and NHS volunteers in borough council owned car parks or on-street parking in residential areas to support these key workers carry out their work during this crisis.

The council already offers NHS staff a free permit to park in residential areas while they are working in the borough and this new move further supports this commitment.

Support for self-employed

The government has announced a new scheme to support self-employed people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Measures include:

• Direct cash grants of 80% of their profits, up to £2,500 per month
• Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using a simple online form, with cash being paid directly into their bank accounts.

More information is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Residents urged to stay at home following fly-tipping at bring banks

Residents are being urged to stay at home to save lives following reports of fly-tipping at bring bank recycling sites.

This week the government’s instructions to residents were to only leave their homes for essential journeys to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, yet the council and its waste contractor Serco has recorded an increase of fly-tipping incidents at its sites across the borough.

The bin crews are working hard to maintain a weekly waste and fortnightly recycling kerbside collection, while following government guidance to ensure the safety of residents and staff.

Clearing these fly-tips is placing further pressure on the teams during these challenging times.

Residents can help keep themselves and the council’s bin crews safe by washing their hands before and after putting their bins out and collecting them. They should also wipe bin handles where possible. The bin crews do wear gloves as part of their standard equipment but touch many bins every day, these actions will reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

For more information on how to recycle more while at home visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/recycling