This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (3.4.20).
Key messages for today
- Welsh Government is launching a childcare assistance scheme to help critical workers during the coronavirus emergency.
- We’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.
- We’re working with police to clamp down on pubs and individuals taking part in ‘lock-down lock-ins.’ Wrexham Council will not tolerate this behaviour and businesses and individuals will face serious consequences if found guilty.
Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive
Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council
A thought for our children
Just like the rest of us, children are having to sacrifice a lot right now.
Normally, they’d be enjoying the Easter holidays…doing things with family and friends, visiting the park, kicking a football about and so on.
But this year, the need to stay at home and save lives has changed all that.
So it’s worth taking a moment to recognise the sacrifices our children are making, and how grown-up they’re having to be as they help the country fight Covid-19.
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Children are playing their part just like the rest of us and we should all thank them…and make a fuss of them whenever we can.
Social distancing
With the nice weather at the moment, it’s also worth reiterating the Government’s instructions.
Please stay at least two metres away from anyone you don’t live with, and only leave the house to:
- Shop for basic necessities like food.
- Exercise once a day.
- Attend to any medical need or care for/ help a vulnerable person.
- Travel to and from work where it’s absolutely necessary.
Please continue to keep your distance from one another. By staying apart, we’re saving lives and helping to keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.
Critical workers to get free childcare
Welsh Government is launching a childcare assistance scheme to help critical workers during the coronavirus emergency.
Under the plans, councils will be able to use funding from Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer to pay for registered childcare providers to look after pre-school-aged children of critical workers.
Children considered vulnerable will also be included in the scheme.
The changes will cover the next three months. More details will be published shortly.
No change to bin collections over Easter
As in previous years, we’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.
So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday or Monday, we’ll still empty your bin as usual on Good Friday or Easter Monday…the bank holidays won’t affect anything.
GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES
Going to the pub for a ‘lock-down lock-in’? Don’t do it
Our Public Protection service has been really impressed with the positive response of the vast majority of the licensed trade to the recent closure of pubs and restaurants.
These businesses are doing the right thing, despite the damage these closures are undoubtedly doing to their trade.
The emergency laws behind these closures have been imposed because of the unprecedented threat from Covid-19. They are absolutely crucial in helping to slow the spread of the virus.
However, Public Protection and North Wales Police have been dealing with a steady stream of complaints about a small minority of premises having so-called ‘lock-down lock-ins’, and have warned that action will be taken against anyone breaking the law.
Any licensed premises open for business are liable to enforcement action – including prosecution – and risk losing their license to sell alcohol.
If you’re going to the pub, or thinking of going, think twice. You too will be breaking the law and could face a fixed penalty or even prosecution.
Police and Public Protection are patrolling and actively following up on information they receive.
Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Reminder – could these grants help your business?
We’ve already paid out £6 million to local businesses.
If you pay business rates, Wrexham Council can provide grants of £10,000 to firms that receive Small Business Rates Relief.
The funding was recently made available by Welsh Government, and the grants are aimed at businesses based in premises with a rateable value of up to £12,000.
There’s also a £25,000 grant available for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector, based in premises with a rateable value between £12,001 and £51,000.
Both grants are only available to firms on the business rates register as of March 20, 2020.
If you need more information, or want to know about other support packages, contact our Business and Investment team on 01978 667300 or business@wrexham.gov.uk
Reminder – can you help as a volunteer?
You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.
AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.
Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19
Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:
- Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
- Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.
This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.
Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.
LATEST INFO ON COVID-19
