Category: Bedford Borough Council
Residents urged to stay home as pandemic “set to hit Bedfordshire”
People are being urged to follow the government advice on staying at home as Bedfordshire prepares for the coronavirus outbreak to increase in the county.
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Over 300 Bedford Borough businesses have benefited from COVID-19 grants
By the end of March, Bedford Borough Council had approved 321 grants as part of the government’s £22 billion package to support eligible business affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Across the country thousands of high street firms are beginning to receive £25,000 cash grants and will be exempt from business rates from today (Wednesday 1st April 2020).
As part of a raft measures announced by the Chancellor eligible properties, including those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, will not pay business rates for the next 12 months.
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Bedford Borough Council: Beware of coronavirus scams
Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team is warning people to remain vigilant. This follows reports of coronavirus-related scams as criminals try to exploit people’s fears.
In Bedfordshire, the sale of counterfeit goods such as hand sanitiser and fake coronavirus tests has been reported. Currently, there are no legitimate coronavirus tests for sale.
Look out for people selling other counterfeit goods such as sanitisers, face masks, or coronavirus swabbing kits online or door-to-door.
Trading Standards says that these products are likely to be ineffective and could be unsafe to use.
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Transporting Bedford – Update on works
Following Government instructions for slowing the spread of COVID-19, works by contractors on Britannia Road will be halted as soon as the site can be made safe.
The next phase of works on Britannia Road involves tasks where social distancing measures cannot be fully followed. To ensure the safety of everyone on site, the decision has been made to temporarily close until work can safely resume.
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Bedford Borough: Council Tax support during Coronavirus
Bedford Borough Council is working to offer local residents help with their Council Tax, for those who are struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Council has a 100% Council Tax Reduction Scheme in place; this means that those with the lowest incomes already do not pay any Council Tax.
Following the Government’s announcement of a COVID-19 Council Tax Hardship Fund, the Council is extending this.
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Bedford Borough Council: Support for local businesses
Local businesses can apply for a business support grant via the Bedford Borough Council’s (BBC) website if they meet the Government’s qualifying criteria.
The Government has announced a range of grant funding for certain businesses affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
BBC has set up an online form, enabling local businesses to apply for this money.
To qualify the business must occupy a business property that has a rateable value of less than £51,000 and either:
· Receive small business rate relief or rural rate relief; or
· Be a retail, hospitality or leisure business
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Bedford multi-storey car parks closed except Queen Street
Bedford Borough Council has closed all its multi-storey car parks, apart from Queens Street, until further notice.
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Bedford Borough Council: Stay in, stay safe, stay fit!
Bedford Borough Council’s Sports Development Team has launched a range of live online fitness classes to keep residents moving and promote wellbeing whilst at home.
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Bedford Borough play areas closed to minimise spread of coronavirus
Bedford Borough Council has closed all play areas, effective immediately, to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
This closure includes all play areas including those in parks, multi-use games areas, skateparks and outdoor gym equipment. Signs will be put in place at all play parks.
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Changes to Bedford Borough car parking
To enable the Council to prioritise staff on essential duties at this extraordinary time, the opening hours of the Council’s multi-storey car parks will be changing from Friday 20 March.
Lurke Street, River Street and Allhallows car parks will close at 7pm every night and open at 6am. This will be in place until further notice.
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Bedford River Festival postponed due to coronavirus
Bedford Borough Council regrets to announce that it has made the decision to postpone the Bedford River Festival for one year.
It said that this is not a decision that was taken lightly. With the government guidance encouraging people to avoid large gatherings to minimise the spread of coronavirus and uncertainty about how long these measures will have to be in place, It felt this to be the right decision.
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Extending free bus travel for Bedford Borough bus pass holders
Bedford Borough Council has arranged with bus companies to give local bus pass holders free travel during peak time.
Normally, this group would pay £1 to travel before 9.30am. However, with shops in the town centre including offering special opening times first thing in the morning for older people to do any shopping that they need to, it is hoped that this change will make it a little easier for this group.
People are urged to pay heed to the Government guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus, and follow social distancing measures as far as is possible.
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