STROUD District Council leaders are backing local businesses during the national lockdown.
Many shops that cannot open to the public are still operating phone & collect or click & collect services, or can deliver locally. A large number of pubs, restaurants and cafes are offering takeaways.
“We know lockdown brings enormous challenges to our everyday lives and we are doing everything we can to help our residents and businesses through this tough time,” said the council’s four group leaders Council Leader Doina Cornell (Labour), Cllr Martin Whiteside (Green), Ken Tucker (Liberal Democrat) and Stephen Davies (Conservative) in a joint statement.
Here’s our essential guide to get help and access council services during lockdown.
Shopping, medicine and food: We are continuing our work with voluntary and community groups to ensure that there is a network of support for anyone who needs it across the district. If you need help, for example with shopping or collecting medicine, you can find it here: www.stroud.gov.uk/coronavirus
Benefits: If there has been a change in your employment you may be eligible for Universal Credit and/or Council Tax Support. Find out more here: www.stroud.gov.uk/benefits.
If you are on a low income and will lose money if you have to self-isolate, you could be eligible for a £500 Test and Support Payment. For more information visit www.stroud.gov.uk/ttsp
Business grants: If your business has been affected by the new restrictions, it may be eligible for a grant. We are reviewing the guidance and will publish details here: www.stroud.gov.uk/businessrates
Waste and recycling services: These are running as normal. If anyone in your household has Coronavirus, this is how to dispose of your waste: www.stroud.gov.uk/coronawaste.
- The Pulse – closed, but please see www.pulsedursley.co.uk for details of online lessons & how to receive a free exercise programme
- Stratford Park Leisure Centre – closed
- Healthy Lifestyle classes – Cardiac, Respiratory, Living with and Beyond Cancer, Better Balance classes are all being offered online. Please visit https://www.stroud.gov.uk/health-wellbeing/healthy-lifestyles-stayinworkout-classes-convid-19-offer
- Museum in the Park – closed to the public. For online content and activities please visit https://museuminthepark.org.uk
- Stratford Park playground/park– open
- Council-owned playgrounds – open. Please follow the safety guidance posters in playgrounds
- Public toilets – open
- Council-owned car parks – open
- Cleaning of communal areas in council flats – will continue
- Elections in May – are scheduled to go ahead. To register for a postal vote please visit: www.stroud.gov.uk/postalvote
- Planning services – open, but please expect a delay. Applications should be submitted electronically when possible via the planning portal: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/planning-and-building-control/apply-for-planning-permission/make-a-planning-application
- Right To Buy – open but please expect a delay of 8-10 weeks
- Homeseeker Plus – open
- Council house repairs, maintenance & external works – please report repairs in the usual way. We will attend to emergency and urgent repairs in a Covid secure manner. Routine repairs will be logged and addressed in order of priority in line with Government guidance. All planned external works will continue as usual
- Environmental Services – we can offer advice and guidance to ensure your business is operating in a covid-secure way if it is open, or to help prepare for re-opening when restrictions are eased.
Most council services are running as normal. There are more than 30 ways to apply for, report and pay for council services using the My House function on our website: www.stroud.gov.uk/myhouse
Ebley Mill remains closed to the public, and the majority of council staff are working from home to protect themselves and their families.
For full information about the new lockdown measures please visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The NHS is arranging Coronavirus vaccinations for everyone – please wait for your GP surgery to contact you.
For up-to-date advice from the NHS for those most at risk from Coronavirus, including how to get a Coronavirus test visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Contacting the council:
Many of the answers you need are available at www.stroud.gov.uk/coronavirus
Email: customer.services@stroud.gov.uk
Website: www.stroud.gov.uk/contactus
Call: 01453 766 321
