Chesterfield Borough Council is prioritising the delivery of essential services but in line with the latest Government guidance, are adjusting some of the services that they provide.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus information hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Council Tax

Chesterfield Borough Council know that this is a difficult time for many residents and that the COVID-19 virus is having a significant impact on the economy. Council Tax pays for the essential services that Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service deliver to residents within the borough. If you are able to do so, please continue to pay your Council Tax as detailed on your bill, so that these essential services can be maintained.

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, there is support available and Chesterfield Borough Council can help you.

Usually, most residents pay their Council Tax in 10 monthly instalments, starting in April and finishing in January. However, during the current crisis, some residents may need to talk about a more flexible payment plan.

Chesterfield Borough Council can offer residents a 12 month payment plan for their Council Tax which would run to March 2021, which will lower monthly payments. To implement a 12 month payment plan, please email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk – please ensure that your email includes your Council Tax account number.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We are committed to helping all residents during this unprecedented crisis. Council Tax helps pay for the essential services that we provide but we understand that for some residents keeping payments on the current schedule simply isn’t possible and we want you to know that we can be flexible, and that support is available.”

If you are having difficulty making payments, please contact Chesterfield Borough Council as soon as possible who can help you to manage your payments. You can email revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk, visit their website or call 01246 345 345.

We are experiencing high call volumes, so please bear with us as there may be a delay in answering your call. We are working hard to support all residents at this time.

Council Tax Support

If you are on a low income, you may be able to claim a reduction on your Council Tax bill through the Council Tax Support Scheme. You can check whether you are eligible for additional support using the benefits calculator: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice/housing-benefit-and-council-tax-support/benefits-calculator.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s website has a section on benefits advice which provides you with more information on the support you may be able to access: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/benefits-and-advice

Hardship fund

Chesterfield Borough Council will also be providing working age residents who already receive Council Tax Support with an additional reduction in Council Tax of up to £150. This will further reduce the amount that these residents need to pay of their Council Tax bill.

In many cases, this will mean that residents will not need to pay anything for 2020/21. All residents who are entitled to receive this additional support do not need to do anything, new bills will be issued to these residents during April. Where residents have already paid Council Tax at a higher level, the council will refund payments as soon as possible.

Private sector housing team

Officers from the private sector housing team are still available for advice and guidance during this difficult time. However, it may take longer than usual to respond as their teams are dealing with enquiries on a priority need basis.

To reach the private sector housing team please email hia@chesterfield.gov.uk. The council’s private sector housing enforcement team is operating in line with the latest Government guidance when enforcing standards in rented properties.

Government guidance for landlords and tenants, as well as details on updated enforcement measures are available on the Government website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities.

Stay up to date with all the latest information about coronavirus on our dedicated hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Chesterfield FC Community Trust, along with partners Men-Talk and Fem-Talk, has recently been working with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) to tackle the issue of mental health in the workplace.

Mental and emotional wellbeing is an increasing concern in such a high-pressure environment so the Trust and the police have joined forces to help combat the problem.

Katy Harrington, EMSOU’s wellbeing lead, explained that the collaboration came about after she attended the Chesterfield FC Player of the Year awards last May. She said: “A video for one of the awards showed how footballers go out into the community and talk about a wide variety of issues including mental health.

“Mental health is being promoted a lot within the sporting arena so as the wellbeing lead for EMSOU, I thought this would be a good opportunity to demonstrate to our officers and staff that even athletes who are at the top of their game suffer from mental health issues and that it’s ‘ok not to be ok’.

“I would like to thank Chesterfield FC Community Trust, Men-Talk and Fem-Talk for taking time to come and run a session for us. I was concerned that not many people would attend, however both sessions were well supported and I have only received positive feedback.

“I hope to work with Scott and his team in the future and I am sure that once the word has spread about how beneficial the sessions were, other people who were a little apprehensive about attending will now attend.”

Scott Atkinson, the Trust’s head of education and wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside EMSOU, Men-Talk and Fem-Talk to deliver this important initiative.

“Our wealth of experience in this area clearly demonstrates the benefit of resituating mental wellbeing services in a non-clinical environment, providing a safe and secure space where rank can be left at the door and attendees can speak freely and openly in complete confidence.”

Deputy chief constable Chris Haward, who attended the first meeting, commented: “Our mental health is so important. We all go through difficult times and often struggle in silence and only seek help when it’s too late.

“Our conversations in the first meeting were very open and honest, without judgement and allowed us to share similar experiences and see that we are not alone. It showed me how others do understand and how important talking about our mental wellbeing is and how we can all support each other if we are prepared to take the first steps and TALK!”

EMSOU is a collaborative unit bringing together specialist officers and staff from Derbyshire Constabulary, Leicestershire Police, Lincolnshire Police, Northamptonshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police to tackle the most serious and organised criminals who commit major and complex crimes against our communities. They also investigate terrorism and extremism, as well as provide forensic services for the entire region.