Across Suffolk the Home but not Alone service was launched with an emergency number 0800 876 6926 available 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Any vulnerable resident needing help in the current crisis can telephone and be matched up with a local volunteer group if necessary.
The Council is providing emergency funding, with grants up to £2,500, to help community groups meet local needs in the current crisis. Beneficiaries include foodbanks, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Rural Coffee Caravan.
Formal Council meetings are due to recommence on 28 April with virtual meetings via Skype starting with a planning committee and then, on 4 May, a Cabinet meeting. Other working group meetings continue via Skype and there is a weekly meeting of all the Political Group Leaders. Council staff continue to work from home where possible. Work on all Mid Suffolk’s building sites has ceased and the Council’s parks and play areas remain closed.
In planning, as planning officers are not out putting up site notices for new applications, they will be notifying more neighbours than usual of forthcoming applications as well as continuing to advertise in the local press. Garden waste collections remain suspended as the waste crews focus on increased black bin collections such as medical waste. Council house repairs are only being done where essential and the process for people to apply for, and move into, a council home has been suspended.
The Council has been distributing the £10,000 and £25,000 business grants to small firms that was announced by Government. There have been significant increases to the Council for reductions in Council Tax. To apply for either of these, visit www.midsuffolk.gov.uk and search for business rates or council tax.
Rachel Eburne 