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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.
Extra Council Tax support for hardest-hit residents
“On top of concerns about the health of loved ones, people are facing the added burden of worries about finances. After reviewing the available funding, we are able to go further than the national guidelines suggest. Some claimants will have their Council tax bill for the coming year cancelled altogether. Hopefully this helps to take concerns about council tax bills away from some of those residents who are already facing the biggest financial worries.”
Cllr Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member, Corporate Services & Finance, Rotherham Council
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Rotherham residents who might be hit hardest financially by the coronavirus pandemic will receive additional help with their Council Tax from Rotherham Council, over-and-above the level requested by Government.
Rotherham Council, which is responsible for administering the national Hardship Fund scheme in the borough, has opted to set the discount at £200 per household – which is higher than the £150 proposed by Government.
The discount will be made to more than 13,000 working age household claimants of Council Tax Support payment in Rotherham, in addition to their existing benefit, as well as households now eligible for the scheme because their income has been severely hit at the current time.
The Hardship Fund is now live and means:
- All current Working Age recipients of Local Council Tax Support will receive additional Council Tax Support of £200, to be deducted from their 2020/21 Council Tax bill
- Any new recipients with eligible claims for Council Tax Support, up to and including 31st May 2020, will receive additional Council Tax Support of £200 to be deducted from their 2020/21 Council Tax bill
- Where the 2020/21 Council Tax bill is less than £200, the bill will be reduced to zero.
- Where a 2020/21 Council Tax bill has been paid or partially paid and the application of the additional support generates a credit, a refund will be issued.
- New bills will be issued to reflect the additional Council Tax support.
The scheme will be reviewed at the end of May to determine if any changes are required, based on the position at that time.
Existing Local Council Tax Support recipients
The discount will be applied automatically for people who already receive Working-Age Local Council Tax Support, so they do not need to contact the Council.
New Local Council Tax Support recipients
Anyone struggling with their Council Tax bill, which could include people who’ve lost a significant part of their household’s income, may be eligible to make a claim. You can do this on our Council Tax Support website,
Our website includes a link to an eligibility checker, so potential claimants can find out if they are entitled to hardship fund support by entering some details about their income and finances. The eligibility criteria is set nationally by the Government.
For details about the Local Council Tax Support offer visit our website:
The Council is closely monitoring the impact the closure of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres is having on levels of fly tipping in the borough.
The Council was left with no option but to close the Household Waste and Recycling Centres in the interests of public and staff safety, as a result of unnecessary visits by members of the public and non-compliance with social distancing advice.
But this is NOT an excuse for fly tipping.
Fly tipping remains illegal and Council Enforcement Teams will continue to take proactive action against anyone who dumps waste unlawfully. This could include a fixed penalty notice or prosecution through the courts.
Household waste can still be disposed of through the usual general waste, paper and plastics recycling collections. Any waste that would normally need to be taken to a household waste site should be stored at home for the time being.
Residents should deal with their waste responsibly, including only using properly registered waste carriers if they request a company to dispose of it on their behalf.
Clearing dumped rubblsh takes time and costs taxpayers money which could be better directed at supporting the vulnerable people in our communities at this difficult time.
With good weather forecast this weekend, South Yorkshire Police and Rotherham Council are reminding people that it’s more important than ever that we continue to follow the social distancing guidelines in place.
We ask that you:
- Only exercise alone or with people you live with, do not meet others to exercise
- If you are outside: adhere to social distancing and stay two meters away from everyone else.
- Do not gather in groups of three or more people (unless they are people from your household.
Local policing teams will be carrying out additional patrols over the weekend to remind people of Government guidelines. We need to work together to support the NHS and save lives.
Report concerns to the Police online
The vast majority of people are adhering to the Government’s new measures, by staying at home and showing support to our NHS colleagues.
There may be times where you know people may fail to comply with these measures.
South Yorkshire Police have created a dedicated reporting form on their website where you can report any concerns.
This form should be used to provide information on where breaches of the social distancing measure are occurring. This will allow officers to respond in line with the powers and legislation provided to police.
Please do not call 101 or 999 to report these breaches, unless it is an emergency or you need a police response.
Updates on the Council’s response to Coronavirus
For the latest information about Coronavirus, how it is impacting Council services in Rotherham Borough, plus the support available to residents, businesses and vulnerable people, please visit our website, which is constantly being updated.
Most recent updates include:
- Updated guidance for Council tenants and leaseholders including communal cleaning, and tenants with district heating pre-payment meters
- Help and advice for staying well at home
- Rotherham Markets – new opening days and times
- Event cancellations, including the Vintage Hop which was to take place in June
- Get Healthy Rotherham – a free service to help people stop smoking, reduce their alcohol consumption, get more active and lose weight
- Social care services – if you worried about the safety of an individual and how to report it
- The latest advice on support for businesses
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