6 weeks...

 

We promised to let you know when local businesses which have had to close due to the national coronavirus restrictions can apply for a one off Local Restrictions Support Grant: it is £1,334 if you have a rateable value of £15,000 or lower, £2,000 for a rateable value over £15,000, but less than £51,000; and £3,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or above. Pubs and restaurants offering a takeaway only service can apply.

When you buy your Christmas presents and cards, you could support local charities as this recent article points out and support local businesses with the help of CDC’s Countdown to Christmas campaign. Please remember to recycle all you can but not polystyrene, shiny or metallic wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, or plastic film and wrapping. Real Christmas trees can be disposed of using the St Wilfrid’s Hospice charity collection scheme from January 6 - 26.

The Four Streets Project urgently needs help to feed the homeless in Chichester. They usually rely on food being supplied by generous food outlets and restaurants but as they are closed, this supply has dried up. They would therefore really appreciate donations.

WSCC has a new dedicated COVID-19 Provider Zone available to support all care providers. You can easily access national and local guidance and resources on essential topics including PPE, infection control, COVID-19 testing and workforce and recruitment.

Finally: -

• CDC has been awarded a share of just over £3.1 million from the Government’s Green Home Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme, which aims to help improve energy efficiency in people’s homes. You can find out more and book a free assessment by visiting www.warmerhomes.org.uk or calling freephone 0800 038 5737;
• WSCC are establishing a ‘Local Tracing Partnership’ to ensure people who have had a positive COVID-19 test are contacted and any individuals they have been in contact with are identified in order to reduce the transmission of the virus; they are working on this with East Sussex, District and Borough Councils and Public Health England.
• The Proud to Care Team at West Sussex County Council are running a recruitment campaign to promote job and careers in care to men, who, according to Skills for Care, are currently only 17% of the Care workforce.  This means a lack of diversity in the workforce and a lack of choice for those in need of care.

As always, from the whole Team, stay safe.

Tim