| Each day I take huge pride in the immense community effort that we are seeing across the whole county. It is a time of crisis, but we are seeing in all of our towns and villages just how well people are pulling together, supporting each other and volunteering to help especially in looking after the people who need it the most. My colleagues and I are truly humbled and inspired by the amazing work people are doing.
I’m delighted to be able to say that the council is now in the process – via a team of staff and wonderful volunteers – of getting food parcels out to the most vulnerable. Please read on for more on what Buckinghamshire Council is doing and how we are helping to provide and coordinate community support. Can I thank each and every one of you too for doing your bit by staying home, except where absolutely essential, to help stop the spread of the virus and to save lives. We have all made huge adjustments and I am thankful to everyone for the lengths you are all going to. |
Food parcels
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Local Support HubsI’m really pleased to be able to give you further detail about Buckinghamshire Council’s eight local support hubs that are now set up for residents with severe medical conditions who might not have friends or family nearby. The hubs will act as co-ordination and distribution points for the council’s volunteer support network to help with the food parcels, fuel top-up cards and help with getting medicines and medical appointments. They won’t be open to the public but are there to co-ordinate the support for these most vulnerable residents. Residents at high risk will get letters from the NHS or their GPs explaining how to register for support and we are making contact with vulnerable residents too. The Council’s social care team has also identified 750 older and more vulnerable residents and is keeping in daily contact with them to make sure they are safe and that they have the support they need. All residents can also see what wider help and support is available – and can offer to volunteer too – via Buckinghamshire Council’s online Community Hub at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus |
Community focus
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Our daily video update – #AskBucksCouncilWe’re all enjoying staying in touch online more, and at Buckinghamshire Council we are no exception! We are producing a daily video update – our Vlog – and it’s a brilliant way of getting the latest updates from the Council – plus I enjoy that it can be a more personal, face to face, form of communicating as well as emailing you all. Please do check it out via the Buckinghamshire Council website and most importantly – we want you to take part. We don’t want this to be a one-way conversation so please give us your stories, comments, questions via social media (Twitter – @BucksCouncil, Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BucksCouncil/) using the #AskBucksCouncil hashtag and we will do all we can to include your comments and respond to any questions. |
Council taxWe know how difficult life is at the moment and also how peoples’ circumstances vary tremendously. I know that many people are under financial strain and will find their council tax an added burden at a difficult time. The council’s advice is that you continue to pay if you possibly can – council tax funds essential local services like rubbish collection, local fire and police services and helps pay for the care vulnerable adults and children need from us. However, I want you to know that Buckinghamshire Council does recognise the financial impact of coronavirus and will be supporting working-age residents who already have Council Tax Reduction by initially reducing their council tax bill by up to £150. We also know that other customers will have difficulty making payments, and we urge you to let us know so we can work through a solution together. For example, it might be easier for some households who pay in ten instalments to pay in twelve smaller instalments. If you are facing financial hardship and need to talk to us about how to pay your council tax bill please go to https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/council-tax/help-council-tax-payments/ |
Free school meal vouchersChildren eligible for free school meals will benefit from a national voucher scheme so they can still get meals while they stay at home during the school closure period. Schools can now provide, where needed, every eligible child with a weekly shopping voucher worth £15 to spend at supermarkets while schools are closed. Some schools will continue to provide meals for collection or delivery themselves, but where this isn’t possible, the scheme will allow schools to provide vouchers to families electronically, or as a gift card for those without internet access. The voucher scheme means that families who usually benefit from free school meals still have access to healthy and nutritious meals while they are not attending school. Where schools are issuing vouchers rather than continuing to provide meals, parents will receive the voucher directly from their child’s school, which can then be redeemed online via a code or sent to their home as a gift card and used at supermarkets. Parents and carers should check with their school in the first instance to find out more about how this is being arranged. |
Staying healthy while you stay homeI also want to take a moment to remind everyone that taking care of your mind is really important while staying at home. You may feel bored, frustrated or lonely. You might also be low, worried or anxious, or concerned about your finances, your health or those close to you. It’s important to remember that it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these difficult feelings will pass. Check out the tips and advice that Every Mind Matters suggests. There are things you can do to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may feel while staying at home. Make sure you get further support if you feel you need it. |
The new Buckinghamshire Council
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