Tuesday 12 May 2020
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing regular email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.
You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus.
What can I do from tomorrow, that I can’t do today?
The Government has announced some changes to the Coronavirus restrictions that come into force from tomorrow, Wednesday 12th May.
The changes form part of a wider Government Covid-19 Recovery Strategy released yesterday.
Although the changes that come into force tomorrow do not have a major impact on the way the Council operates, they do affect some aspects of life for many local people.
The Government has produced some handy FAQs about the changes that come into force tomorrow which might answer some of your questions about work, travel, exercise and school.
Click on the button below for further information.
Coronavirus FAQs: New advice from 13th May
Council confirms £1.5 million care sector support
Rotherham Council has agreed to provide a financial support package worth more than £1.5 million for the borough’s adult care sector at its meeting this afternoon.
The funding is made up of:
- A £15,000 grant for every older peoples’ care home in Rotherham
- More than £970,000 for businesses and organsations providing care options for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
- An additional £100k contingency fund for Adult Care to use if additional emergency funding is required.
The package is being funded by Government money provided to Councils to offset the significant additional costs of responding to Covid-19.
Council support for the care sector is in response to the extra pressure it faces following the Covid-19 outbreak and is in addition to a comprehensive package of measures, including help with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply and training, bereavement support and recruitment services, which are already in place.
The decision was taken at the Cabinet’s first formal meeting to be held remotely, using Microsoft Teams. The full meeting can be viewed on the Council’s website.
Read more about Financial Support for Adult Care industry
Garden waste service restarts and waste centres re-open
Garden waste collections restarted from yesterday after a six week break due to staff shortages caused by coronavirus.
We’ve been working hard to resume thegarden waste service as quickly as possible, with some members of staff being redeployed from other services to support our waste teams.
Residents who subscribe to the service should put their brown bin out on their usual collection day.
Whilst we are operating within the coronavirus restrictions and with reduced staffing, we are asking residents to hold on to any additional waste that does not fit into their brown bin, until their next collection. This will help to ensure that we can continue to provide the service for everyone during this difficult period.
Further information will follow about how residents will be compensated for the six-week break in service.
Household Waste & Recycling Centres re-open with restrictions
Household Waste & Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are now open to give residents the chance to dispose of essential waste, but with strict measures in place in line with the Government’s ‘stay at home’ advice.
The four HWRCs are operating on their normal opening days with reduced opening hours of 10.30am to 5.30pm:
- Greasbrough – Car Hill, S61 4QL (closed every Wednesday)
- Bramley – Lidget Lane, S65 4LY (closed every Friday)
- Rawmarsh – Warren Vale, S62 7SS (closed every Thursday)
- North Anston – Magilla, Common Road, S25 4AH (closed every Tuesday)
Residents should only visit the recycling sites if absolutely necessary – where excess waste cannot be stored at home safely.
Given social distancing restrictions on site, longer waiting times are expected. Further information is available by clicking the button below.
Rotherham Council waste services
Be part of Rotherham’s fostering family
Foster Care fortnight (11th to 24th May) is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign.
It showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers and the positive impact fostering is making to the lives of children and young people, including sibling groups, those with disabilities and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
The aim of the campaign is to recruit more foster carers towards the 8,000 new fostering families needed this year in the UK alone.
Foster carers receive help from the Council every step of the way and are paid for their work, but the financial support they receive is insignificant compared to the rewards of seeing the postitive difference they make everyday to the lives of the children in their care.
Click on the button below for further information about fostering in Rotherham.
Fostering in Rotherham
Concerned about the safety of a child?
The NSPCC has launched a national advertising campaign to promote a helpline for people to report concerns about the safety of children.
With growing concern for the safety of some children during the coronavirus crisis, the NSPCC wants more people to know how to get advice and support and where to raise concerns about a child’s wellbeing.
The NSPCC helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends on 0808 800 5000.
Local support
Alternatively, people in the Rotherham Borough who have concerns about the safety of children can:
- Call the Police on 999 if it is an emergency, or;
- Complete a Worried About a Child form on the Council’s website if there is no immediate risk of significant harm, or;
- Call the Rotherham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to discuss your concerns on 01709 336 080.
Stunning light show tributes on 75th VE Day Anniversary
Rotherham has a proud tradition of supporting its armed forces community and not even coronavirus could stop us marking the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, the end of Second World War in Europe.
Two of the Borough’s iconic landmarks were the backdrop to a stunning homage to all those who served.
Local companies beamed their tributes onto the Town Hall (Full Circle Productions) and the Clifton Park Cenotaph (Apex Sound & Light, LENSGOvisuals and CFR group).
You can click on the images to view larger versions.
Meanwhile the Council’s Events Team still managed to provide a taste of nostalgia with an afternoon of Virtual Variety Hall, including performances of vintage music, songs and dance by some brilliant local performers – all free of charge – which you can relive on the RMBC Events Facebook Page
Click on the button below for further information about all the support available for the armed forces community, past and present, in the local area.
Supporting Armed Forces in Rotherham
Gulliver’s Valley opening is delayed
The owners of Gulliver’s Valley – a major new tourist attraction being built here in Rotherham – have had to delay the opening of the new multi-million pound development due to the coronavirus.
The development is set to deliver a massive boost to the local economy when it opens its doors.
The easing of restrictions on construction work mean that workers can recommence work on site but an opening date will depend on a number of factors beyond their control.
Click on the button below for the full updated statement from Julie Dalton of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts.
Gulliver’s Valley update
Getting in touch…
During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.
