Basingstoke and Deane: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Financial Advice and Community Safety Patrol Officers

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Category: Coronavirus COVID-19

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 April 2020 11:30

Published on Wednesday, 22 April 2020 11:29

Written by Parish Clerk

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Update on financial support

The Revenues team has been working hard to administer the financial support available to residents and businesses across the borough. 

Following the decision to automatically apply a council tax payment holiday in April and May 2020, new bills are being sent to all properties across the borough this week. This also includes further support for working-age residents eligible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. 

The team has been contacting small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors that are eligible for grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to ensure this support is administered as quickly as possible. An estimated 1,600 businesses are eligible for this support at a cost of almost £21 million and so far grants totalling over £16 million have now paid to over 1,200 businesses. 

Around 820 businesses in the leisure, retail and hospitality businesses, as well as early years providers, estate agents, letting agencies and bingo halls, will not pay business rates in the 2020/21 financial year. 

In recognition of the position the council is in as a landlord to many businesses, a three-month rent and service charge holiday has also been made available for all 344 small businesses in council-owned properties with annual rents of up to £50,000. 

We are aware a number of businesses are contacting Borough Councillors directly for help to resolve issues they are facing. 

This includes businesses who are not eligible for any support currently in place by the government. We are continuing to work to the clear guidelines the government has provided, including eligibility criteria, when administering grant support for businesses. 

Due to the number of businesses the team is currently supporting with this, it is important that businesses continue to come directly to the Revenues team so enquiries can be logged. Please the dedicated webpage - www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-guidance

Patrollers continue to provide reassuring presence

Our community safety patrol officers are continuing to support the work of the police by providing a reassuring patrol presence across the borough, alongside work to support the community hub. 

To date, the team has spoken with 246 individuals to educate them on the social distancing restrictions and has worked with the local neighbourhood policing team to report individuals who persistently ignore these measures. 

Last week, the team dealt with 75 incidents, including welfare checks and prescription deliveries, inconsiderate behaviour and fly-tipping. 

Patrols continue to take place in areas where there are higher levels of reported antisocial behaviour and officers are working with individuals and partners to minimise the impact of this on residents during this time.

Attachments:

File	Description	File size	Last modified
economy_infographic.pdf	Financial support for residents and businesses	57 kB	Wed, 22 Apr 2020 11:28:14