How we are helping you stay home, protect the NHS and save lives
Working for you
As we enter the seventh week of lockdown we would like to remind all residents of the work we are doing to support you and your families.
From giving out financial help to residents and businesses to keeping waste and recycling services going we are working hard to ensure the services you need and value continue during the Covid-19 crisis.
Our offices and buildings may be closed to the public, but our staff remain working. As well as those you see out in the community on the frontline, others are working remotely to deliver services online, over the phone or by email.
Our parks and nature reserves remain open for your daily exercise but our play areas are closed. We have suspended all car parking charges on council car parks so NHS staff, carers and key workers can go about their daily duties with ease.
We have set up a dedicated webpage on our website where you can keep up to date with how the pandemic is affecting your services. This is being regularly updated to give you the latest information. We are also putting out regular live updates on Facebook and Twitter.
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Please stay at home
Government advice continues to be stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
Unless you are a key worker you should only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).
When you go out, you must stay two metres (6ft) away from other people at all times. And you should wash your hands as soon as you get home. Do not meet others, even friends or family.
Please remember you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
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Help us to help you
Our bin collections are currently taking place as normal - even this coming Friday, despite the VE Bank Holiday.
Emptying your bins is one of our priorities so we’ve made special arrangements to make sure the service continues for as long as possible.
You can help us keep the service running and assist our crews during this challenging time by reducing your waste as much as possible. Our crews are doing a fantastic job to make sure your bin collections continue at this difficult time.
They are frontline staff, already working with reduced numbers, so please help them help you - stay away. Please practice social distancing, as you should be with everyone, but especially from our bin crews.
We understand you may have questions about our services but please do not ask them like you might normally.
You can safely contact our operational services team online, by email or by phone on 01562 732528. If you do see our crews out and about, don't forget to give them a wave - it really does cheer them along!
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Why recycling is so important
You may have read in the media that some recycling operators are struggling to get hold of enough, high quality material to turn into new products. In particular glass, paper and cardboard reprocessors are issuing warnings there may be shortages of some types of packaging.
You can help support them by making sure you recycle as much as you can, you are recycling the right type of items and they are clean. This is especially important for things like tins or yoghurt pots, as if any liquid gets on to the paper and card you put in your recycling then it will contaminate it, meaning it will not be of good enough quality to be turned into something else.
Recently, we have had many examples of green bins containing unrecyclable materials. This causes real issues at the sorting facility and can lead to some loads being un-reusable. Please make every effort to get your recycling right.
Check out our website for a list of what goes in each bin and lots of other information about reducing waste.
Alternatively, download our handy recycling guide.
We recommend composting any garden waste at home but, if you’re unable to do that, we are currently still running a fortnightly garden waste collection service.
From tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May) you will be able to order a 240L garden waste bin online or over the phone at 01562 732528.
The service costs £52 a year, payable by annual invoice, with a £20 fee on signup for new customers. The subscription will automatically renew, unless you cancel it.
Please allow 21 working days for your brown bin to be delivered.
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Compost awareness week
This week is Compost Awareness Week and it’s an ideal time to start composting with lots of help, advice and special deals on offer.
Our colleagues at Worcestershire County Council will be running virtual composting workshops during the week to get set you on your way.
The first is tomorrow (Tuesday) Join in from 1.30-2.30pm. Click on the button Compost Workshops and use the following sign in credentials.
Meeting ID: 815 2100 8429
Password: 815447
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Bulky waste collection service
Our hassle-free service is back up and running to help you get rid of unwanted large household items.
All income generated is invested into front line council services to benefit all who live, work and visit Wyre Forest.
As a result of the current Government guidance the following changes to bulky services now apply:
•Bulky items must be outside for at least 3 days so we can dispose of them safely (e.g. if you book a Tuesday slot please leave your items outside from Saturday)
•Bulky items must be left at the end of the property (edge of drive or garden)
•Keep your distance from our staff (2 metre social distancing)
•Where possible items are double bagged
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Household Recycling Centres
Residents are being urged to keep hold of any excess waste they have until Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) reopen. They are currently closed as a visit to them is deemed non-essential travel under the Coronavirus Regulations. Worcestershire County Council, which runs HRCs, is making arrangements to reopen them in the coming weeks with social distancing restrictions in place. We are asking you not to carry out any household, shed or outbuilding clearances unless you can store the waste created for a period of time until the HRCs are reopened.
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Bonfire advice during pandemic
Please do not use bonfires as a way of disposing of garden waste. Not only is it anti-social, as smoke could get into somebody's home, it could also cause breathing issues or prevent someone using their garden for exercise.
You could also be committing an offence and they can easily get out of hand resulting in pressure on the fire service.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has produced a guide to bonfires during the pandemic.
If you have a complaint about bonfires to make please email Worcestershire Regulatory Services on the get in touch button.
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Support for victims of domestic abuse
The Home Office has worked with key partners and charities to launch a new national campaign to raise awareness that support is still available for victims of domestic abuse, despite the Covid-19 stay at home guidance.
YouAreNotAlone is the key message underlining that domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what stresses people are under and help is available to anyone who feels at risk.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and violence, or know someone who is, there is help available - The West Mercia Women's Aid Helpline on 0800 980 3331 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is staffed by trained workers who can offer you support, safety planning, information and advice.
Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm).
In an emergency always dial 999.
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Fastest in the West Midlands
Wyre Forest District Council has been named the fastest council in the West Midlands at distributing grants to small and medium businesses.
The Government unveiled the Small Business Grants Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund in March and gave the District Council £22.5m on 1 April to distribute to businesses in Wyre Forest.
Nearly 2,000 businesses across the district are estimated to be eligible for grants. The Revenues and Benefits team at the Council has worked very hard, including at weekends, to ensure that grants are paid as quickly as possible. This has been a complex task because a number of details had to be confirmed with most businesses before payments could be made.
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Business Support Hub
A range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees. To see the latest updates on Government support, visit their dedicated Coronavirus Business Support Hub.
Visit the NWedR website to sign up for the latest updates for North Worcestershire businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Bounce Back loans on offer
The new Bounce Back Loan scheme launches today, helping small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.
The Government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
Loan terms will be up to 6 years. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months. The Government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan. The scheme will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders.
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Calling all private landlords
Are you a private landlord with an empty property? If so ReWyre Lettings needs you!
ReWyre Lettings is a Social Lettings Agency established by Wyre Forest District Council to work with landlords to help those in housing need, access accommodation in the private rented sector. Demand for accommodation is premium at the moment, so if you have a property suitable for rent which is currently unoccupied, please contact ReWyre Lettings as sooon as possible.
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Watch our meetings live
During the pandemic council meetings are being held remotely due to social distancing restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of Coronavirus.
Members of Wyre Forest District Council will be taking part in meetings and making decisions from their homes using a web-based video conferencing tool.
By live streaming meetings, the council aims to provide local residents an opportunity to continue to play a part in the local democratic process, and to get involved in the decisions affecting their lives, by watching council meetings from the comfort of your own home. All meetings that are open to the public will be available to stream from this page on the day and from time of the start of the meeting.
The next scheduled meeting is Full Council on Wednesday 13 May at 6pm.
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VE Day 75 years on
VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations on Friday 8 May will be a little different than originally planned.
There will be no street parties or processions although everyone is encouraged to mark the occasion at home with members of their immediate household.
Her Majesty The Queen will make a television address and members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister and Culture Secretary will take part in video calls with Second World War Veterans.
Churchill’s famous victory speech will be broadcast as part of BBC special programming
and there will also be a national moment of remembrance with a two minute silence.
If you would like some ideas for celebrating at home, click on the get involved button below. There are bunting templates, activities to get children involved and even recipes to have a go at!
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Here2Help
Here2Help is Worcestershire’s community response to the Coronavirus.
It is designed to help members of the community who do not need urgent assistance but need a helping hand with things like collecting shopping or medicines, walking the dog and have no family to call on. Click on the link below for details of how the scheme works.
There's information about how you can request help and also how you can become a volunteer. Anyone unable to fill in the online form can call 01905 768053 between 8am and 8pm.
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Community grants available
The Worcestershire Community Foundation has launched a COVID-19 Response Appeal to help voluntary groups across the county deal with the unprecedented effects of the pandemic.Grants of up to £5,000 are available to charities and community groups who are supporting individuals who are most affected by the outbreak, particularly those facing issues brought about by isolation or loss of income.
The charity is also appealing for donations to support their work.
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NHS still open for business
The NHS is still open for businesses for anyone who does not have a coronavirus related medical need.
If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them either online, by an app or by phone to be assessed.
If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111.
If it’s a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999
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Healthwatch survey
Healthwatch Worcestershire are inviting people to share their feedback of accessing information and health and care services during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Results from the survey will help essential services by providing feedback about what is working well, any issues and where further information is needed.
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