This briefing is from Councillor Mark Brunt, the Leader of the Council and John Jory, Chief Executive on behalf of the Incident Management Team at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
What’s new
- Here's what's happening with bin collections and how you can help ➡️ http://orlo.uk/BiVxy - priorities for the waste and recycling service will be to continue to collect dry mixed recycling from homes for as long as possible. Possible future changes include advising residents to put food waste in their general waste bins and stopping the collection of paper and card recycling from homes.
- The Harlequin has been repurposed at a community support centre to co-ordinate essential assistance for vulnerable residents, distributing food, medicines and essential supplies to high risk and vulnerable residents needing to stay at home, as well as to those in severe financial need. ➡️ http://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/news/article/238/harlequin_theatre_becomes_community_support_centre_to_help_vulnerable_residents
- The Council has published a list of pharmacies in the Borough, including information about home deliveries. ➡️ http://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/info/20401/coronavirus/1114/i_need_help/3
- A list of supermarkets and food delivery organisations is available on our website for residents who need information about food ➡️http://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/info/20401/coronavirus/1114/i_need_help/4
- Officers will be contacting businesses directly about new business grants http://orlo.uk/HBjQV
- Our Garden Waste collections will be suspended from Monday 30 March so we can focus on priority household waste collections, which are currently continuing as usual. For the latest updates about council services visit ➡️ http://orlo.uk/KU1RB
- If you are alone self-isolating or know someone who is? A community helpline is available for residents needing support with tasks such as picking up shopping or prescription collections. Call 0300 200 1008, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
What has changed since the incident started
- Surrey County Council declared a Major Incident. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is no longer operating business as usual
- Surrey County Council have closed the Community Recycling Centres, see Surrey Environment Partnership for information and http://surreycc.gov.uk/recycling
- The first emergency welfare packages have been assembled and sent out to vulnerable residents from the Community Support Centre. Government has also begun sending packages to the most vulnerable.
- Information for residents whose income has reduced and need to defer council tax payments or apply for Council Tax Reduction, has been updated- please visit http://orlo.uk/XYHCW Council Tax queries are currently being dealt with online - where you can use the council tax checker.
- All our play areas are closed until further notice, Parks and open spaces will remain open for the time being
- Public toilets in the borough will close until further notice due to problems keeping them clean to help reduce the spread of the virus.
- Private hire Knowledge test bookings are currently suspended.
- Our bulky waste request service has now closed for new bookings.
- Our three leisure centres - Horley, Tadworth and Donyngs, Redhill – were closed from Friday 20 March following latest government advice.
- The Harlequin Theatre has closed until further notice and is being repurposed as a community support centre. You can find information about what is happening at the Harlequin Theatre here.
- Community Centres at Banstead, Horley and Woodhatch have been closed by the current operator, Staywell.
- Committee meetings – currently committee meetings have been cancelled but new legislation could mean councillors attend committees remotely.
- Events – we have had to cancel a number of the Council’s key events, including ‘Star for a Night’ and the ‘Festival of Sport’.
- Mayoral engagements have been cancelled until further notice.
- Household waste and recycling collections are currently operating as usual
- Our Town Hall reception remains open for urgent matters only. If you do come, please ensure that you are following the latest safety advice around home isolating, social distancing and hygiene. For all other enquiries please contact us in another way.
- Benefits and support for those experiencing financial hardship – visit the I need help page for an overview of the support available..
- Business rates, financial support and advice – see our Supporting businesses page.
- County wide services such as Libraries are closed - Surrey County Council services.
- Lots of staff across RBBC are helping in other areas across the council at the moment, you can see how here: http://tiny.cc/9yzxlz and here is how our residents participated in #ClapForCarers http://tiny.cc/lotzlz
What will happen soon
- Waste and recycling collection services will change, we will notify you when this happens http://orlo.uk/BiVxy
- The Surrey Local Resilience Forum are coordinating measures to support the 12,000-12,500 most vulnerable in Surrey.
- Our enforcement team will be enforcing the closure of premises
- Our staff resources will be used where they are needed most