CBC sets up contact centre to help public during pandemic

The council has set up a contact centre dedicated to Covid-19 enquiries, which can be reached on 0300 300 8900.

The centre will be staffed Monday-Friday during normal working hours and the council is looking at trying to expand these working hours to weekends.

It has pointed out that some areas have Good Neighbour schemes.

As for other services, the council added: “All schools which remain open are educating the children of key workers only, although many schools are providing online learning for those at home.

“The specific arrangements are down to the schools in question and schools have made parents aware.

“There are also a large number of enterprising teachers using YouTube and other video messaging services to conduct national lessons from home.”

Central Beds leisure centres are now shut and children’s centres also remain shut. Cemeteries are closed except for burials.

For those suffering mental health issues there is an online resource from MIND which has proved very useful to some: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

With regards social housing, CBC is not conducting any face-to-face housing visits and only essential repairs will be carried out for the time being.

Its libraries are also shut but the virtual library system is available: https://virtual-library.culturalservices.net

All books on loan when the libraries were shut have been extended for 12 weeks. People can also download thousands of newspapers and magazines via the virtual library.

The council’s highways contractor, Ringway Jacobs, continues essential works for now and will do so while staff numbers allow. Non-essential works are likely to be held.

Business rates payments are currently suspended and businesses will receive letters from CBC on this. For more on the government’s latest financial support go to: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

CBC also has a hardship fund for people who struggle with Council Tax payments and will be trying to co-ordinate this with the additional support the government is likely to offer.

More on that here: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/80/council_tax or call: 0300 300 8011.