Stoke Bruerne Parish Council

COVID-19

With the unprecendented situation the world is currently facing, the Parish Council will continue to update its website to try an provide assistance to volunteer groups or organisations which can help the most vulnerable in the Parish. Most of all residents must continue to follow the advice provide by the UK Government on Self-Isolating and Social Distancing.

The David Balgrove Trust - Contact the David Balgrove Trust if you are a vulnerable resident in need of assistance.

Since the closure of Pubs and restaurants many are now offering a take away / delivery service:

The Boat Inn - 01604 862428

We have also added a link to the Governments webpage on Covid-19 if you are unsure of any of the information given.

NEWS

• Help for residents with Council Tax

Those who cannot pay their Council Tax due to the Coronavirus are being urged to claim the benefits they are entitled to by South Northamptonshire Council (SNC).Councillor Peter Rawlinson SNC's portfolio holder for finance, performance and governance, said: "We continue to provide local services to communities. Waste and recycling collections continue, planning applications are being processed and housing needs are being fulfilled."The collection of Council Tax from residents helps us to fund these services.

"However, I know that households will be facing financial strain due to the Coronavirus, possibly more strain than they have ever faced previously, and we would ask people to contact the Department for Work and Pensions to claim any benefits they may be eligible for, then contact us if they still need help paying their Council Tax."The government has created a hardship fund to be administered by district councils and SNC is currently working on the process of applying this further relief to accounts that are eligible.Those who qualify will do so automatically and will be sent a revised Council Tax bill.For more information visithttps://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/info/12/council-tax/453/covid-19-coronavirus---council-tax-updates.The Government is also giving renters more security by suspending all evictions and extending the notice of possession period to three months, while at the same time working with lenders to offer mortgage holidays for buy to let owners -https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.Separate measures are in place to help businesses, the self-employed and employee, visit - www.southnorthants.gov.uk/coronavirus.The council is also warning residents to guard against criminals and scammers exploiting concerns about Council Tax during Coronavirus emergency.To find out about the latest scams operating in Northamptonshire please visit Northamptonshire Trading Standards - https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/news/council-news/Pages/trading-standards-reminder-on-coronavirus-scams.aspx.

• New Coronavirus support line launchedThe new support line - which can be reached on 0300 126 1000 (Option 5) - allows those who cannot leave their homes under current restrictions and those who have nobody to call upon for help, to request support in getting access to food, prescriptions and other vital services that they require.The Customer Service Centre at Northamptonshire County Council will be managing the helpline, ensuring that each call is appropriately triaged so that individuals receive the care and support that is appropriate to their needs.Those requiring help are asked to call the support line on the following number:
  0300 126 1000 (option 5). For more information on Northants County Council Website click here. The Community Resilience Service will co-ordinate requests for help in conjunction with the District and Borough Councils, mapping those requests by area and linking them up with local community groups, volunteers and voluntary organisations who have pledged their supportThere are a large number of people across Northamptonshire who are currently in isolation for various reasons. These include individuals displaying symptoms of Coronavirus and those with existing health conditions, those who are pregnant or those aged 70 and above. A new support line has been launched to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
• Bin collections continue, but residents asked to double-bag tissuesCore waste and recycling services in South Northamptonshire are continuing as scheduled, but bulky waste collections have been suspended and the Farthinghoe Recycling and Reuse Centre is closed.SNC is also highlighting current Government advice to those with Coronavirus symptoms to separate tissues and cleaning cloths, double-bag them in tied plastic bags, and leave them aside for 72 hours before placing the bags in the black bin. Bin and food caddy collections are unaffected, but until further notice, residents will no longer be able to book the paid-for bulky waste service. The operators of the Farthinghoe centre have taken the decision to close, in-line with Government advice to protect their staff and residents. Northamptonshire County Council has also closed its Household Waste and Recycling Centres, including the centre in Towcester.Cllr Dermot Bambridge, South Northamptonshire Council's portfolio holder for environmental services, said: "I hope everyone will understand that in these difficult times it is necessary to protect members of staff and the public. "We would ask people to be patient, it is far from ideal, but please keep hold of any unwanted bulky items until normal service can be resumed and please be mindful of Government advice on how to dispose of personal hygiene items safely."

Stoke Bruerne Parish Council provides YOUR local services. We strive to make Stoke Bruerne a better place to live, work and visit. Our website includes a wealth of information about how we conduct business and information for all. If you can't find what you want or would like to recommend any improvements to our website then please contact us.

Stoke Bruerne Village Design Statement

We are delighted to be able to confirm that the village Design Statement has now been adopted by SNC - many congratulations to the committee who worked very hard on behalf of us all.

Village design statements are a form of planning guidance used to inform the design of new development ensuring that it is in keeping with existing local character and distinctiveness. The Village Design Statement for Stoke Bruerne can be found here