Coronavirus Community & Business Support

We are working in partnership with Citizens Advice to create network of volunteer community champions from EU, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and give up to date information about Covid-19 which can be shared with their communities. We are also seeking feedback on how well messages or resources are working and what the communities need. If you would like to share your views and express an interest in being an community champion or receiving more information please complete the survey here

You can find our more about the project and volunteer to be a Community Champion in Mid Sussex here

If you would like to register your interest to volunteer support through WSCC, please complete the form on the page link  where you will see at the bottom of the page there is a tab saying “Contact WSCC” and underneath a link to COVID-19 volunteering offer form.  Thank you to those who have already volunteered.

Citizens Advice https://www.advicewestsussex.org.uk/
Age UK West Sussex https://www.ageuk.org.uk/westsussex/
Age UK East Grinstead & District https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastgrinstead/
Carers Support West Sussex https://www.carerssupport.org.uk/
Foodbank East Grinstead https://eastgrinstead.foodbank.org.uk/
Foodbank Haywards Heath https://haywardsheath.foodbank.org.uk/
Burgess Hill Community Foodbank http://www.burgesshillfoodbank.org.uk/
Mid Sussex Voluntary Action https://www.msva.org.uk/  (support for community groups)
MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/
Sussex Oakleaf https://www.sussexoakleaf.org.uk/

Information on recently announced Government Grants, Mid Sussex Council Grants and other sources of funding can be found here

Business Support

The Government has made a full range of business support measures available to UK businesses and employees.

To find out more about what support is available to your business, please visit the GOV.UK website to use the business support finder. Find out more here.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

UK-wide. This scheme will help businesses affected by coronavirus to access bank lending and overdrafts if they need to. For loans up to £5 million, the Government is providing a guarantee of 80% for each loan.

Find out more

Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

England only. Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England will not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year.

Find out more

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

UK-wide. Under the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.

Find out more information on how to claim here.

Statutory Sick Pay Rebate

UK-wide. The Government will bring forward legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for staff sickness absence due to coronavirus.

Find out more

Time to Pay

UK-wide. All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service.

Find out more

Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility

UK-wide. The new Covid-19 Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) means that the Bank of England will buy short-term debt from larger companies.

Find out more

Business Rates Holiday for Nurseries

England only. Nurseries in England do not have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax year.

Find out more

VAT Deferral

UK-Wide. We will support businesses by deferring Valued Added Tax (VAT) payments for 3 months.

Find out more

Income Tax Deferral for the Self-Employed

UK-wide. If you are self-employed, Income Tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self-Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021.

Find out more

Coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline for businesses and Self-Employed

HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Find out more.

Coast to Capital

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Coast to Capital have a range of services available to support businesses during Covid-19. These include:

• Coast to Capital Growth Hub: Businesses can access support through the Coast to Capital Growth Hub which provides guidance, funding and specialist advice from a network of Growth Champions. Visit their dedicated website here.
• ‘Economy Watch’: Coast to Capital are reporting weekly to Government and have launched a regular blog from their Chief Executive titled ‘Economy Watch’. The blog shares stories from across the region. If you’re a business who has been impacted by Covid-19 and would like to share your story, please contact: jonathan.alderman@coast2capital.org.uk
• Coast to Capital – "Backing Business" Grants - Due to an overwhelming response, Coast to Capital are currently not accepting new applications for the “Backing Business” grant scheme. Businesses are still welcome to provide information on how they meet eligible criteria and will be added to a waiting list for the scheme. More information on the scheme can be found here.
• Online Portal - The Local Enterprise Partnership (Coast to Capital) have set up an on-line portal through which businesses can record details of any impacts arising from Covid-19. This will be used to compile a weekly report to Government to inform the work they are doing to mitigate the impacts of the virus. Find out more.

Coronavirus Business Support Hub – GOV.UK

A new Coronavirus Business Support Hub is now available.

The hub brings together key information for businesses including on funding and support, business closures, your responsibilities as an employer and managing your business during coronavirus.

The hub also includes information for self-employed people and sole traders.

Bounce Back Loans Scheme – 100% Government backed loans

The Bounce Back Loans Scheme allows businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days. Loans will be interest free for the first 12 months and no repayments are due during this time. Businesses can apply for this loan online from Monday 4 May.

Find out more here.

Online Learning Platform – The Skills Toolkit

Free courses are available through The Skills Toolkit. The new platform gives people access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses to help build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.

Courses on offer cover a range of levels, from everyday maths and tools for using email and social media more effectively at work to more advanced training. All courses are online and flexible, so people can work through them at their own pace.

Find out more information here.

Coronavirus Future Fund

Loans of between £125,000 to £5 million are available, subject to criteria.

Further information can be found here.

Further Questions

If you are affected by Covid-19 and have further questions or you are having difficulty paying your business rates, please contact us via email at revenue@midsussex.gov.uk. We will try and get back to you as soon as possible.

You can also find additional business rates information at https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/revsandbens/business-rates/

The Government and NHS have updated the advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you have a new continuous cough OR high temperature (37.8 degrees or higher) you should stay at home for 7 days. The full guidance is available here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

Parking NHS & Social Care Workers  - Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Our Reception is now closed, unless you need emergency support. Please use our website at www.midsussex.gov.uk to access all other services.

We have worked hard to ensure that our Oaklands Campus is a Covid Secure workplace. With the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903464/staying-covid-19-secure-2020-230720.pdf

The following services are currently operating as normal:

• Garden Waste Collections
• Rubbish Collections
• Recycling Collections
• Clinical Waste Collections
• Bulky Waste Collections

For households using communal rubbish bins please follow Government guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings*

If you have a confirmed (positive test) case of Covid-19 you will need to dispose of your waste separately using a special clinical waste collection. Guidance will be provided by your local healthcare provider. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

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If you or someone you know is homeless, at risk of homelessness, in temporary accommodation or is sleeping rough, please complete our Housing Advice contact form for housing advice and assistance.

Benefit Calculator

https://midsussex.entitledto.co.uk/home/start

The Department of Work and Pensions has published advice on it's Understanding Universal Credit website for anyone who needs to claim the benefit.

Understanding Universal Credit

COVID 19 – Community Safety advice to residents

Whilst most people are supporting one another, there is still a small minority who will look to criminally exploit situations like this. If you are self-isolating and require assistance with shopping, cleaning or care services, please use trusted sources – friends, family members or neighbours or a trusted local charity. If you have no support network and are not sure who can help, please contact the West Sussex Community Support Helpline on 03302 227980.

It is ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. If the person is genuine, they will understand.

Always be aware of people and companies who may try to sell items at an increased price in order to profit from Coronavirus

Doorstep offers

Don’t put up any signs on the front of your property which indicates you are vulnerable or in self isolation.

Always ask for ID and be suspicious of requests for money up front. If someone attempts to pressure you into accepting a service, they are unlikely to be genuine.

Don’t provide your banking details to anyone at the door.

Phishing emails

There have been some scammers that are offering virus testing kids or treatments, vaccines or cures for Coronavirus. Testing is only offered by the NHS and there is currently no vaccine for Coronavirus. Please follow public health advice on what to do if you have symptoms or call NHS 111.

Telephone scammers

With more people self-isolating or working at home, it is possible that you might receive more scam phone calls than usual.

Don’t reveal personal details or provide financial information (such as your bank account details or your PIN) over the phone, even if the caller claims to be from your bank.

Hang up. If you feel harassed or intimidated, or if the caller talks over you without giving you a chance to speak, end the call. It may feel rude to hang up on someone, but you have the right not to be pressurised into anything.

Don’t be rushed. Scammers will try to rush you into providing your personal details. They may say they have time-limited offer or claim your bank account is at risk if you don’t give them the information they need right away.

Online shopping fraud

Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers. If you’re purchasing goods and services from a company you don’t know, carry out some research first. Look up reviews of the company and ask trusted friends and family members of they know of the company. If in doubt, don’t use them.

Be wary of unsolicited emails and texts offering questionably good deals  - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Never respond to messages that ask for your personal and financial details.

Avoid paying for goods and services by bank transfer as that offers you little protection of you become a victim of fraud. Instead, use a credit card or payment service such as PayPal if possible.

Borrowing money

Only borrow from reputable sources and check to see if your area operates a credit union. Be wary of loan sharks. Key signs to spot include offering a loan without supporting paperwork, extortionate interest rates, refusal to provide details of the loan, threatening behaviour.

Domestic Abuse

Guidance for anyone who is experiencing or knows someone who is experiencing domestic abuse.

www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/domestic-abuse/

Keeping children safe online.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online

Useful numbers:
Advice on scams: Citizen’s advice Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133
Reporting a scam: Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
Loan Shark Helpline: 0300 555 2222
Contact your bank if you think you have been scammed
Sussex Police: 101 or 999 if an emergency
Mid Sussex District Council: 01444 458166

• Housing standards https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/housing-council-tax/housing-standards/
• Private renting – tenants https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/housing-council-tax/private-renting/
• Temporary accommodation https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/housing-council-tax/temporary-accommodation/
• Social housing – FAQs https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/housing-council-tax/social-housing-faqs/

• Food delivery information for businesses
• The Advice for Premises Who Plan to Deliver Alcohol https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/4830/advice_for_premises_who_plan_to_deliver_alcohol.pdf
• Guidance for Food Businesses on Coronavirus https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses/guidance-for-food-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

From 8th June 2020, the charges in the car parks will apply.

Please note enforcement of parking restrictions will continue in accordance with the Traffic Management Act.
On-street parking enforcement will continue albeit with a strict focus on safety and ensuring the free movement of traffic, especially for the emergency services, carers and deliveries. People are strongly advised not to park on yellow lines, loading bays and clearways. Civil Parking Enforcement officers have a key highway safety role in this - their duty is to enforce yellow lines/loading bays etc so that particular vehicles can still travel freely on the network and not have to contend with dangerously parked vehicles.
Those parking in permit bays should make arrangements as indicated on the parking permits page, as vehicles without permits will be subject to enforcement.

NHS & Social Care Workers  - Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Can I use the park?

The latest advice from the Government is that the risk of infection outside is significantly lower than inside, so people are now permitted to spend more time outside in our local parks and open spaces. However, social distancing is as important as ever in order to control the spread of coronavirus and a 2m distance is recommended where possible but a minimum of 1m+ should be followed at all times.

In line with Government guidance from 2 December onwards:

• You can meet in groups of up to six people who you do not live with (from multiple households)
• You can continue to meet in a group larger than 6 if you are all from the same household or support bubble or another legal exemption applies.

Details of our park facilities can be found here.

Which play areas and outdoor gyms are currently open?

The following play areas and outdoor gyms are currently open. These facilities will continue to receive a weekly cleanse.

When will the remaining playgrounds reopen?

We have 123 play areas in Mid Sussex, more than double the amount in neighbouring areas, and it would be extremely expensive to reopen them all.

The cleaning and safety measures required by the Government to ensure playgrounds can reopen safely have come at a significant cost to the taxpayer. It would cost more than £220,000 per year to regularly clean the equipment in every playground and make each area safe.

With this in mind, we have taken the difficult decision to leave the remaining playgrounds closed until Government guidance is relaxed. We have opened all our most popular playground sites and collectively they offer a wide range of play options for children of all ages.

Are the Splash Pad and paddling pool open?

Both the Splash Pad at Victoria Park and the paddling pool at Cuckfield Recreation Ground are now closed for the autumn and winter seasons.

Has the equipment been checked prior to re-opening to ensure it is safe to use?

Play areas are inspected on a regular basis by our contractors. All sites will have been visited and inspected with all equipment sanitised prior to reopening. In order to maintain social distancing some items of play equipment may be clearly marked as being unavailable for use. Please do not remove any tape or safety markings and ensure any children in your care do not use such equipment.

Is there a limit on the maximum number of users able to use a play area at any one time?

Yes. Maximum capacity for our reopened play areas will be marked on signage installed at the entrance and exit points.

Is there a limit on the length of time I can use the play area for?

There isn’t a maximum length of time you should stay; but please be mindful that other children will want to use the equipment and try not to stay too long if other children are waiting to play.

If the play area is busy will there be a queue or waiting area in place?

There will be no formal queuing or waiting area. We will be regularly monitoring the use of these sites and should it become necessary to implement one, relevant action will be taken in order to ensure the safety of users.

Is there a limit to the number of children allowed on play equipment at any one time?

Yes. We advise there should be no more than one child using an item of play equipment at any one time unless the children are from the same household and living together.

Is there a limit on the number of parents/carers or guardians supervising those in their care whilst using an item of play equipment?

Yes. In line with Government guidance we request those using the play area to only have one family member/carer accompanying a child.

What should I do if the play area is busy or at capacity?

If you will be unable to safely maintain social distancing or the play area is at capacity you should not enter the play area or use any equipment. Please come back again when there are fewer people using the facilities.

The play area is too full and it is not being used safely or responsibly. Should I report this?

If you find the play area and its facilities are not being used responsibly/safely or you notice some broken equipment you can report your concerns by email to parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk

Which outdoor leisure facilities are open for use?

Can I hold an event in a park?

Under current restrictions any events are not permitted until after 2 December 2020

How do I apply for an event in a park?

The request should be made no less than 28 days before the event is planned to take place. Event organisers should provide the following documentation to bookings@midsussex.gov.uk:

• Risk assessment for the operation (and set up/take down of equipment)
• Specific Covid 19 risk assessment for how organisers operations will reflect government guidance for social distancing, reducing the risk of transmission, test and trace and other industry specific guidelines depending on the nature of the event
• Public Liability Insurance to the value of £5m
• Relevant certifications and/ or qualifications to support the safe operational management of the event

For more information please contact us at Bookings@midsussex.gov.uk

Further advice may be found at:

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-mass-gatherings
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/performing-arts
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/return-to-recreational-team-sport-framework
• https://www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk/index.php/11-features/14-keeping-workers-and-audiences-safe-during-covid-19

Following the latest government announcement on restrictions, all leisure centres will be open from Wednesday 2 December. If you have any queries about memberships please contact Places Leisure directly.

https://www.placesleisure.org/reopening/mid-sussex

For more information visit:

• https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/the-dolphin/
• https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/the-triangle/
• https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/kings-centre/

Consideration of Request from Developers to Relax Working Hours Condition

Business and Planning Act 2020 Section 93B ‘Additional Environmental Approval

Test and Trace £500 Self-Isolation Payment

New package to support and enforce Self-Isolation

Mid Sussex District Council is responsible for administering a national Test and Trace scheme for the £500 (if you are eligible) Self-Isolation Payments for any resident within Mid Sussex district. This scheme started on the 28 September 2020.

Please do not delay in applying for financial support to self-isolate. Complete the online self- isolation payment application form as soon as possible, but at the latest, within 14 days of the end of your isolation period at https://midsussex.grantapproval.co.uk and we will assess your eligibility and the correct payment you may be entitled to under the pilot scheme or national scheme as appropriate. You will also be able to upload the required evidence.

If you have been told by the NHS to self-isolate, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus COVID19 or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be entitled to some financial support during your self-isolation period.

Further information can be found here - New package to support and enforce self-isolation (GOV.UK website)

What are Self-Isolation Payments?

From 28 September 2020, individuals will be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 if they:

• Have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
• Are employed or self-employed.
• Are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
• Are currently receiving a designated benefit.

This payment is designed to support people on low incomes, if they will lose income as a result of self-isolating, and to encourage them to get tested if they have symptoms. This is important to help stop the transmission of COVID19 and avoid further economic and societal restrictions. The scheme will last until 31 January 2021.

These payments are available from 28 September 2020.

Further information can be found here