Information to help you during the Coronavirus pandemic. This is a compilation of guidance at district, county and national level. You may also want to consult information sources provided by your parish council.
BIN COLLECTIONS & RECYCLING
Collection of household black/green/brown bins will continue as normal. Collection of Garden waste (green bins) recommences 20th April; however garden waste collection (skips at collection points) are suspended for the timebeing. The household waste sorting centre is going to come under increasing pressure so the council asks that you reconsider what you are binning and whether it can wait until this emergency is over. Please avoid burning material. You can check on the status of bin collections by clicking here Recycling centres throughout Essex are closed until further notice and the Garden waste weekend skip service is suspended for the time being.
BUSINESS & SELF EMPLOYED SUPPORT
The government has made two grants available to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. UDC has established an online portal to apply for these grants. There is also the Bounce Back Loan Scheme designed to enable business to access finance more quickly. HMRC have released an online eligibility checker for self-employed people who can use it to check if they are eligible to claim the Self-employment Income Support Scheme.
COMMUNITY SHIELD
Community Shield is the national effort to provide food and supplies to the country’s most vulnerable residents. How this is being deployed in Essex can be seen here.
COUNCIL HOUSING
UDC will be carrying out only emergency council house repairs until further notice. Further details here
COUNCIL MEETINGS – DISTRICT & PARISH
All formal council meetings are suspended for the time being. Councillors will still confer using video conferencing and similar online services. We await advice from central govt about being able to hold formal voting meetings online.
COUNCIL TAX
There is a general obligation for you to continue paying your council tax however Govt through its £500m Hardship Fund will enable local authorities to provide council tax relief to vulnerable people and distressed households. Additionally, if (i) you are not receiving an income due to the Coronavirus pandemic and (ii) you pay your council tax monthly, the council will consider bringing forward the two free months applied at the end of the financial year so that the free months are April and May. To discuss this please contact the UDC Customer Service Centre here. For those with qualifying low incomes or experiencing exceptional hardship there are established schemes including Local Council Tax Support which you can check here
People who need further advice or support in paying their council tax can contact the council via revenues@uttlesford.gov.uk or 01799 510510.
DAY CENTRES & LEISURE CENTRES
All council-run day centres are closed until further notice.
ESSENTIAL WORKERS TESTING
Guidance for employers and essential workers, who can be tested, how it works and how to book a test. Guidance for Uttlesford
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
In addition to guidance provided above under “Council Tax” the following may be useful:
Universal Credit – for residents experiencing difficulties with living costs: www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Employment Support Allowance – this is for people who cannot work due to sickness or self-isolation: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim
PARISH COUNCILS
For something specific to your local community or to join you neighbourhood support group here are links to parish council web sites.
Chrishall • Elmdon & Wenden Lofts • Great Chesterford • Littlebury • Little Chesterford • Wendens Ambo
PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION
This service provided by Uttlesford District Council relates specifically to the Coronavirus emergency and brings together advice and resources from central Govt, NHS and county council click here
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers will be needed during the pandemic period to support older and vulnerable people. UDC is keen to hear from anyone who may not yet have volunteered locally but thinks they might want to get involved, now or at a later date. People will particularly be needed to fill the following community-minded roles: providing reassurance and signposting to services and advice; offering friendship – for example, being a telephone or Facebook buddy; doing simple tasks such as picking up shopping for others and collecting prescriptions. Further details here or call 03333 408 218 (8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday), or email: communityresponse@uttlesford.gov.uk
WELLBEING RESOURCES
A wide range of information and advice on how to keep physically and mentally well at this time. Online wellbeing Resource
CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
Try these sources for their latest Coronavirus updates:
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB)
During this health emergency Uttlesford CAB remains operational by telephone. Fully trained volunteers and members of staff are ready to offer support and advice. So if you can’t find what you need on this page try looking first at the Uttlesford CAB website or if you need to speak to someone call 01799 618840
