Support for vulnerable residents – new helpline launched

Our contact centre is receiving a large volume of calls coming through from residents who need support with access to basic supplies.  We are responding to the enquires as swiftly as possible, dealing with some calls directly, signposting to community groups where appropriate or escalating to Hampshire County Council who are dealing with the most vulnerable.

Hampshire County Council is acting as the main co-ordination point for all district community hubs and has now set up a hotline The Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline – Hantshelp4vulnerable – can be contacted on 0333 370 4000. The helpline is available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm.

Vulnerable residents who need additional support, and do not have support from family or friends, should call the helpline to register for support. The county council will resolve complex cases and will pass on most other enquiries to ourselves as the local community hub to arrange support, such as deliveries of food.

We are working closely with Spotlight who are sourcing and delivering food parcels themselves or through more local support. The Basingstoke Foodbank continues to provide food for those unable to afford food and we are referring onwards to both as appropriate.

Spotlight received the first delivery of food from Hampshire County Council this afternoon, which was arranged by the government, and we are awaiting clarification of what further food support will be provided.

We are working with Basingstoke Voluntary Action to co-ordinate community support in our borough during the COVID-19 outbreak. Volunteers or local volunteer groups should visit www.bvaction.org.uk/coronavirus-volunteering  or call 01256 423852 to register.

BVA has published an interactive map on their webpage www.bvaction.org.uk/basingstoke-deane-community-hubs/ showing the location and contact details for local groups.

Those people identified at risk of severe illness as a result of underlying medical conditions that make them more likely to be admitted to hospital have been written to directly by the NHS.  They have been told that they should not leave home for at least 12 weeks.  They have been advised that if they do not have friends, family or neighbours who can provide support, they should follow the instructions in their letter to register for help to access food, medicine and social contact via gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable.

Basingstoke Festival and B LOVE events cancelled

Two major festivals due to take place in Basingstoke this summer have been cancelled following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Basingstoke Festival was due to take place between Friday 26 June and Sunday 12 July, including B LOVE Festival, with a variety of top artists, performers and musicians already announced.

This also includes the popular Pictures in the Park event, which was due to screen four hit films on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July in War Memorial Park.

Following the government’s latest advice around social distancing for the foreseeable future, the council has taken the decision to cancel these events.

Camrose Centre closes

The Camrose Centre took the decision to close on 26 March due to declining visitor numbers, concerns around the health and welfare of staff and following consideration of the latest government advice.

During the closure Julian House has increased its capacity to provide specialist homeless outreach services and Basingstoke Foodbank is continuing to support rough sleepers that have been re-homed with food supplies.

For more information on what is being done for rough sleepers in the borough during the Coronavirus outbreak see the news release issued on 25 March: Council ensures safe and secure places for rough sleepers

 Follow the latest updates

Residents and businesses can get the latest news and updates on the impact of Covid-19 on the borough council and its services via the webpage www.basingstoke.gov.uk/coronavirus, through Facebook and Twitter @BasingstokeGov or by signing up for regular e-newsletters at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/signup

We would appreciate it if you could share these sources of information from the council in your areas.

I hope you find this information useful.

Dave Burn
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Interim Head of Democratic Services Manager
dave.burn@basingstoke.gov.uk

01256 845510

GP practice changes announced

The North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced changes to how local GP practices will operate from Monday 6 April.

This follows the CCG working to best position themselves to deal with the significant challenge of Covid-19 in the most effective way. Patients have started to be informed about the changes by their individual practices today.

The Deputy Leader Cllr Simon Bound, as the Cabinet lead on health, has already shared with councillors the messages that CCG colleagues are sending out to patients.

A news release on the changes is on the CCG’s website.  This says:

“Our top priority is to keep our patients and staff safe whilst ensuring patients get the care they need. Keeping our staff healthy is crucial so that they can continue to care for everybody, therefore GPs and their staff have been working together with other local surgeries to develop a system which will be able to meet these changing needs.

“From now on, when you contact your surgery for an appointment you will receive an initial assessment through e-consult (on the practice website) OR by telephone, by a suitably trained clinician. It is essential that you give an accurate and detailed description of your symptoms when asked. This will allow us to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

“If you have suspected Covid-19 symptoms and, following a telephone assessment, need to have a further face-to-face appointment, this may not take place at your usual GP surgery. Instead you may be directed to another local site that has been specifically set up to better deal with your needs.

“If you need to have a non-Covid-19 related face to face appointment and do not have any Covid-19 symptoms, you may still be able to access your usual surgery. However, please be aware that this may change. Services may need to be provided from a smaller number of practices if staff become unwell.

“If, over the course of the next few weeks, you do have to go to a different surgery to the one you are used to, you might also see a doctor or nurse who you are not familiar with. Whilst we realise this could be inconvenient, we think it is important to keep people safe, reduce the spread of Covid-19 and get the maximum benefit from the healthcare resources which will be available. Your records will still be accessible securely to you and to them, ensuring they are able to provide you with the best possible care.  A home visiting service, for patients who are housebound, will be provided but increasingly through practices working together.

“Our clinical colleagues and support staff will be working flexibly in order make these new arrangements work and, when circumstances change to make it possible, GP surgeries across the area will resume a normal service.”

Social distancing in the borough

The community safety patrol officers are continuing to provide visible patrols within the local community to offer reassurance to residents. The team are proactively educating and encouraging individuals about the current restrictions during their patrols and the feedback is that the majority of people are following the social distancing guidelines.

If you have any residents asking questions about the restrictions, the guidance around use of green spaces was updated on Friday at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

There are also FAQs on what you can and can’t do, for example when going out for exercise –https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Support for the self-employed

Following the Chancellor’s announcement of support for those that are self-employed, the details of the scheme are available at https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/self-employment-income-support-scheme/

Bin crews get colourful thank yous!

Families in Tadley showed their appreciation to our bin crews by decorating their bins with messages of support and thanks in preparation for their bin day today.

Other communities are beginning to do the same and the communications team is encouraging them to send their pictures to @BasingstokeGov on Facebook or Twitter. Those taking part in the show of support are being reminded to wash their hands before and after sticking messages on their bin and to give the bin handle a wipe before and after putting it out for collection.

We aim to send out these councillor bulletins regularly as we have more updates.

Dave Burn
Interim Head of Democratic Services Manager
dave.burn@basingstoke.gov.uk

01256 845510

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

Council tax support available during COVID-19 outbreak

Support measures are being put in place by the council for residents who may struggle to pay their council tax as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Following queries received today we wanted to clarify that all residents in the borough will receive payment free months in April and May 2020, instead of February and March 2021. No instalments, which includes direct debit payments, will be taken out for these two months.  Payments will resume in June 2020 and will be taken over the 10 months from June 2020 to March 2021. A recalculated bill will be issued in due course, confirming their new instalment dates. Residents do not need to take any further action at this time to benefit from this change. Customers who pay annually can continue to do this.

For those who normally pay by 12 instalments, their payments will be taken as 10 monthly instalments from June 2020 to March 2021. If they wish to set up a different payment plan, we are asking them to contact us by email at localtax@basingstoke.gov.uk.

Residents who wish to continue making payments during this time can still do this.

Working age residents who receive support though the Council Tax Reduction Scheme will also receive a further reduction of up to £150 on their council tax bills. This discount will be automatically applied to eligible residents’ accounts.

Updated guidance on council tax billing has been uploaded to our website. If residents wish to make an amendment to their council tax account or instalment plan, they should email localtax@basingstoke.gov.uk.

Supporting the vulnerable and elderly in our communities

You may have had people in your areas asking you how to volunteer to help vulnerable and elderly people while they are following advice to self-isolate or reduce social contact. The borough council is working with Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum on how to provide assistance to residents in need of support with the help of local community organisations.

The borough council has set up a careline for vulnerable residents to register for support such as access to food and medicine during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Residents at an increased risk of illnesses who are self-isolating at home, including over 70s, pregnant women and anyone usually instructed to get a flu jab, and have no nearby family and friends can register for support such as getting access to food and medicine.

This includes other groups who may be struggling, such as Universal Credit claimants waiting for payments and may be unable to purchase supplies.

If you are aware of anyone in your local community that requires support, please ask them to call the council on 01256 844844 or email communityhub@basingstoke.gov.uk. We will then work closely with community organisations to deliver essential supplies as soon as possible.

Alongside the careline, the NHS is writing to people identified at risk of severe illness as a result of underlying medical conditions which make them more likely to be admitted to hospital. Residents who receive this letter should follow the instructions in order to request support. Hampshire County Council will be supporting the government and NHS this support.

If you know of any groups that have been set up or know anyone who would like to volunteer in your area, please direct them to BVA by visiting www.bvaction.org.uk/coronavirus-volunteering or calling 01256 423852 to register.

Support for businesses

Businesses who are struggling with finances as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will receive support from the council.

Following the government’s announcement of financial support for businesses, the borough council has now received further guidance and will be supporting eligible businesses.

All businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, as well as early years providers, estate agents, lettings agencies and bingo halls, will not pay any business rates for the 2020/21 year and this discount will be automatically applied to their accounts.

Grants of £10,000 are available for all businesses that are normally eligible for small business rates relief and for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector with a rateable property value up to £15,000. For businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000, a grant of £25,000 is available. There is no need to apply for these grants and the council is currently checking eligibility.

As the owner of a number of properties across the borough, the council will also be introducing measures to support small businesses with annual rents of up to £50,000. An automatic three-month rent and service charge holiday will be applied. Tenants can still make payments during this period if they wish.

Volunteers to help the elderly and vulnerable in our communities

You are likely to be getting questions from people or groups in your area wanting to help support elderly and vulnerable people in their communities, for example by delivering shopping or picking up a prescription.

We explained in a previous Coronavirus Councillor Briefing how the borough council is partnering with Basingstoke Voluntary Action to co-ordinate volunteering support for vulnerable residents needing food and medicines during the COVID-19 outbreak. This partnership is the main co-ordination and support point for community groups and volunteers.

So if local groups and residents come to you wanting to volunteer, or having already set up a Covid-19 volunteering group, you should get them to contact BVA so volunteers can be matched to those in need of additional support. They can do this by visiting www.bvaction.org.uk/coronavirus-volunteering, email contact@bvaction.org.uk or call 01256 423852.

If people in your ward are self-isolating as they are in a vulnerable group and need support to get supplies, or you have a call from someone worried about a neighbour or relative in this position, they can contact the council by calling 01256 844844 or email  customer.service@basingstoke.gov.uk.  They will then be signposted to volunteer groups in their area who can help, supported by BVA.

Alongside this, the council is working with Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum to provide food, medical and other essential supplies for extremely vulnerable residents with medical conditions that put them at risk, who have been contacted directly by letter from the NHS to stay at home.  These residents have been given a specific contact website and telephone number to let know if they need support, or whether they have family or friends already delivering packages to them.

When those in need are identified, the council will be supporting work to get the supplies to them. As part of this, the council is working with a number of community centres across the borough to set up facilities to be used as distribution hubs.  Volunteers will also be coordinated in partnership with BVA.

This is a fast moving situation.  We will be updating you more shortly as we respond to the information received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government late on Tuesday 24 March and cascaded through the Local Resilience Forum today.

Council tax support available during COVID-19 outbreak 

Support measures are being put in place by the council for residents who may struggle to pay their council tax as a result of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Working age residents who receive support though the Council Tax Reduction Scheme will receive a further reduction of up to £150 on their council tax bills. This discount will be automatically applied to eligible residents’ accounts.

To help residents pay for their council tax during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we’ve implemented the following changes:

• All customers paying by instalment will be automatically moved to paying by 10 month instalments starting from June.
• All customers paying by instalment (all now over 10 months) will have their ‘no payment’ months in April and May 2020 – this is instead of February and March 2021.

These changes will be automatically applied – residents do not need to do anything further.

If residents wish to set up a different payment plan, including reverting to paying over 12 months (rather than the 10 months from June 2020), they will need to email us at localtax@basingstoke.gov.uk

Council ensures safe and secure places for rough sleepers

Following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the council has continued its focus to provide vital assistance to rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping.

For the borough’s most vulnerable people, those known to be rough sleeping in the community, the council has ensured safe and secure places are offered or available alongside the continued support of the outreach team and other services and charities within the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership.

The Social Inclusion Partnership brings together public services, commissioned housing providers, voluntary and faith-based groups and many more with a shared aim to combat homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough. Working together with partner organisations including May Place, the Camrose Centre, Julian House outreach, medical services and citizens advice, the council is ensuring support continues for those most in need during these challenging times.

People who are concerned that a person may be rough sleeping are asked to contact Streetlink by calling 0300 500 0914 or visiting www.streetlink.org.uk

Follow the latest updates

Residents and businesses can get the latest news and updates on the impact of Covid-19 on the borough council and its services via the webpage www.basingstoke.gov.uk/coronavirus, through Facebook and Twitter @BasingstokeGov or by signing up for regular e-newsletters atwww.basingstoke.gov.uk/signup

We would appreciate it if you could share these sources of information from the council in your areas.

Play areas closed

All public play areas and outdoor exercise equipment across the borough have been closed, following the government’s latest guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The government announced new restrictions yesterday (23 March) stating that people can only leave their houses to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where ‘absolutely necessary’, to shop for essential items and for any medical or care needs.

Despite the closure of play areas and outdoor equipment, residents are still able to enjoy a daily walk or run at a safe distance from others to get essential exercise in the borough’s parks which remain open at present.

The borough council’s Safe Space campaign is encouraging people to exercise safely if cycling, running or walking in public by keeping at least two metres away from each other.

Residents are being told not to meet up with friends following the latest guidance around gatherings of more than two people, except for family members from the same house.

The council’s Community Safety Patrol Officers will be working closely with the police and taking appropriate action to break up any gatherings in public areas.

 Garden waste service suspended

As with companies up and down the country, following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), our waste contractor Serco has been facing staffing issues. Serco has been working hard to continue to collect bins.

In order to protect our waste, recycling and clinical waste collections, we have had to make the decision to suspend non-essential services.

Garden waste collections have now been temporarily suspended to protect rubbish, clinical waste and recycling collections.

All existing garden waste customers were contacted by letter advising them that the garden waste service would have to be suspended and that we would be monitoring staffing daily, aiming to complete the last collections on 27 March.

However, owing to staffing shortages, Serco is not able to complete any more collections and the service has been suspended after Tuesday 24 March.

Household waste centres closed

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, Hampshire County Council announced today that all household waste recycling centres are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak until further notice.

Residents and businesses can get the latest news and updates on the impact of Covid-19 on the borough council and its services via the webpage www.basingstoke.gov.uk/coronavirus, through Facebook and Twitter @BasingstokeGov or by signing up for regular e-newsletters at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/signup

Steventon Parish Council Vacancy Notice

Steventon – Notice of Uncontested Election

Steventon – Notice of Uncontested Election