East Hampshire - Coronavirus Update

Your council is here to help you

Welcome to East Hampshire District Council’s online newsletter which gives you the opportunity to find out more about what's going on and keep you up-to-date with our news.

Each article can be read in full by simply clicking on the headline or links within it.

We are here to help businesses

East Hampshire District Council has already given out more than £11.8m to 960 local businesses, with more grants being issued daily.

EHDC's leader, Councillor Richard Millard, sent a message to businesses through a column in the local media saying "we are here to help".

He said: "We are doing anything we can to help self-employed people and people who are not eligible for the government grant money. We are being innovative and creative and looking at everything on a case by case basis."

There are two grants available:

Small Business Grants - a one-off grant of £10,000 to businesses that pay little or no businesses rates

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants - provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property

Eligible businesses can confirm their details on the business support webpage. The page also includes information for other businesses about support available during the coronavirus outbreak.

More information can also be found at www.easthants.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support

Food for thought

Foodbanks are a key part of our community work to support vulnerable people.

Heavy demand and a reduction in donations recently has meant stocks are running low - so please donate to your local foodbank if and when you can.

You will find donation points in many local supermarkets or you can make a financial contribution to support them to purchase essential supplies.

For a full list of what items are needed or for more information on the food banks in East Hampshire please click here.

Council services are available as usual

EHDC's offices, at Penns Place, is currently closed to members of the public.  However, our staff are still working to ensure services are available.  

For service updates please visit www.easthants.gov.uk

Put bonfires on the back burner

With so many people staying at home it is even more important that residents are respectful and considerate towards people who live around them.

Among advice on how to be a good neighbour during the lockdown the council is calling on people not to light garden bonfires.

Wood smoke can have a serious effect on people with medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

It is particularly important that residents do not attempt to get rid of household rubbish by burning it, as this is likely to release toxic gases.

Get your information from trusted sources

Unfortunately there are some individuals who are using the current situation to try to scam people through fake emails (also known as phishing).

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service has put together a list of tips to avoid being defrauded.

Scams include the sale of fake vaccines, fake tests, fake protective equipment and fake hand sanitisers.

Scammers are also pretending to be the HMRC offering ‘goodwill payments’ or charities looking for donations.

They are targeting residents by phone, letter, text, email, online or on the doorstep.

Report fraud and cyber crime to ActionFraud or call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.

Help us to help you

Collection crews from Norse South East would like to thank everyone for their kind messages during this unprecedented time.

They are working hard to ensure all bins, both rubbish and recycling, are collected.

Please help them by having your bin out by 7am on the morning of your collection. 

Please park considerately and ensure there is enough room for the refuse vehicle to pass your car on bin collection day.

More information on bin collections can be found on our website, or you can watch a message from the crew.