About Chesterfield

Chesterfield celebrates Beat the Street success

27th March 2020

More than 13,800 people took part in Beat the Street Chesterfield and together walked, cycled, ran and wheeled 143,132 miles. The game was scheduled to last until 8 April, but organisers brought the game to an end early amid the outbreak of Covid-19.

The winning teams are as follows:

Schools – total points:

Brockwell Junior School
Whitecotes Primary School
Highfield Hall Primary School

Schools – average points:

Brockwell Junior School
Whitecotes Primary School
Brockwell Nursery and Infant School

Community and workplace – total points:

Jog Derbyshire Chesterfield
Rother Community Group
Poolsbrook parkrun Supermen

Community and workplace-average points:

Jog Derbyshire Chesterfield
Poolsbrook parkrun Supermen
Rother Community Group

Charities – total points:

Fairplay

Small teams- total points:

Velotastic

Small teams – average points:

Wheely Fun Wheels

Individual tapper:

Gavla38

Unfortunately, the planned celebratory event will now not take place; winning teams will receive their prizes by post or email. Players are invited to keep hold of their cards and fobs for now as they may be useful for future special events and one-off activities. If these events go ahead, they will be publicised on social media and Chesterfield Borough Council’s website.

Jo Lenthall, PE Lead at Brockwell Junior School, winners of the schools leaderboards for both total and average points said the school would be using their prize vouchers to buy new playtime equipment for the children plus looking into how most of the vouchers could be used to support charities that may be struggling during this difficult time.

Jo added: “We, as a whole community, have absolutely loved participating in Best the Street. It has brought the community closer together as we have cycled, run and walked together. We have spent more time with our families and made new friends as we have become fitter and healthier. Beat the Street started off as a fun competition but soon turned into an addictive obsession. We are all sorry to see it come to an end but many have said that they will swap their cars for their bikes and will walk instead of ride. All have said that positive changes have occurred from participating in Beat the Street.

“Many thanks to all at Beat the Street.”

Speaking about the initiative, Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Congratulations to all the winning teams in Beat the Street and well done to every person who participated. Together you all reached an incredible distance of more than 143,000 miles before the game sadly had to be ended early for understandable reasons.”

“We hope you have enjoyed getting around Chesterfield, have explored new areas and chatted to people you haven’t met before. I know that I have discovered walkways and alleyways I didn’t know existed and I certainly feel fitter.”

“Once life returns to normal, we hope the game will encourage people to rethink how they travel around and that walking or cycling to school or work is a fun, free alternative to using the car.”

One participant managed to tap every one of the 119 Beat Boxes in the game. Graham Voss and his dog Benji played for Hady Primary School and became minor celebrities while out tapping all of the Beat Boxes by bike and on foot.

He said: “Over 14 days, we have walked and cycled 93 miles and covered every one of the Beat Boxes at least once.”

“We are well chuffed to have visited every Beat Box. Throughout our journeys we have seen estates we would never have seen, parks we never knew existed despite living here for twelve years, and cycle routes across town to most neighbourhoods through interesting areas.”

“Beat the Street is the best thing ever to happen to Chesterfield. Never has there been so many children, parents, individuals on the streets, roads of Chesterfield and surrounding area. It is the most talked about subject at the moment and we will certainly miss it when it ends, though we will continue our bike rides and walks around the Peaks and newly found routes around Chesterfield.”

“Thank you all so much for the hard work and meticulous planning that must have gone into this project.”

Libby Hawkins, local coordinator for Beat the Street Chesterfield, added: “Now, more than ever, it’s essential to keep building your immune system to ensure your body is as strong as possible to fight the virus, which you can with regular exercise where possible.

“We’ll still be on hand with a new programme called #BeatTheBug where you can sign up for newsletters containing hints, tips and advice on how you and your family can stay fit, get active, reduce stress and have fun at home. There will be regular Beat the Bug advice and Q&A sessions with our founder, Dr William Bird MBE, who is a doctor working on the NHS frontline, an expert in physical activity and an advisor to the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.”

Players are invited to give their feedback about the Beat the Street Chesterfield game at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ where participants are in with a chance of winning more prizes.

Beat the Street was delivered by Intelligent Health in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and is funded as part of a £3.3 million National Lottery grant through Sport England and Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Coronavirus outbreak: Chesterfield Borough Council services update

27th March 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council is continuing to prioritise the delivery of essential services across the borough, whilst following the latest Government guidance.

Service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the council’s website and these are kept up to date daily. You can find full details at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

The council’s teams are currently working very hard to respond to all enquiries, but are receiving an extremely high number of phone calls. To talk about specific services and find out key information, use the contact us form here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us. However, if your enquiry is urgent you can call the Customer Contact Centre on 01246 345 345.

Homelessness and rough sleeping

During this difficult time the council is prioritising delivery of essential services to ensure no one is homeless during this crisis and to make it possible for everyone to be able to self-isolate and follow social distancing guidelines.

Rough sleepers are vulnerable to contracting Covid-19 due to the inability to self-isolate and to comply with the guidance for social distancing. The council is now operating a telephone interview service for homeless people or families in need of assistance.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “At this extremely difficult time it is important that we offer anyone who is struggling the help they require, especially if they are concerned about whether they have a roof over their head. The service is working very hard to reach anyone who needs this help, I would ask that anyone who needs assistance gets in touch as soon as possible.”

If you need support please call the homelessness contact number 07870 277 291 or you can contact the team by emailing homelessness.prevention@chesterfield.gov.uk. More information on our homelessness service is available here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/housing/homelessness. If you need assistance outside of office hours, please contact the out of hours team by calling 01629 533 190. The service is experiencing high demand so please be patient – leave a message, with your contact details and we will get back in touch as soon as we can.

If you are sleeping rough or you are concerned about someone you’ve seen sleeping rough Pathways of Chesterfield and P3 offer outreach services for rough sleepers and this can be accessed by reporting a rough sleeper via www.streetlink.org.uk. Where we are able to place a rough sleeper in emergency accommodation, we will arrange for the provision of support to enable them to remain safely within the accommodation.

Work is ongoing to ensure that everyone is offered accommodation as soon as is reasonably possible.

Chesterfield Borough Council recognise that the requirements for social distancing and self-isolation, as set out in the Government’s guidance, may increase current and give rise to new tensions in households. If you experience domestic violence you should again contact the council’s homelessness service and they will do everything we can to assist and support you at this difficult time.

Chesterfield Borough Council would like to thank all its partner housing providers for their help in finding homes and providing support to homeless people and rough sleepers at this difficult time.

Planning applications

The Coronavirus outbreak is causing unprecedented disruption to all council services and the processing of planning applications is no exception.

The council are doing everything they can to keep the service running, however, the team is now working remotely and there will be no site assessments, site notice erection or face to face meetings until further notice. This will inevitably delay both the processing of and decision-making on applications. Applicants are being contacted to agree time extensions where appropriate.

In line with advice from the Government’s chief planner, Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to provide the best service possible and are prioritising decision making to ensure the planning system continues to function and supports the local economy.

The council has suspended normal elected member decision making processes to ensure that proper social distancing measures can be maintained. This means that the planning committee will not meet for the coming weeks and the opportunity for public speaking at the committee has been suspended. Instead, decisions will be taken by the development management and conservation manager or the assistant director for economic growth, and where appropriate in consultation with the committee membership.

Where possible, the team is responding to public safety concerns in relation to trees on private land.

Enforcement of new restrictions

To ensure the coordinated and consistent enforcement of the Coronavirus Business Closure Regulations, Chesterfield Borough Council along with other local authorities, Derbyshire County Council trading standards and the police have agreed investigation and enforcement protocols in relation to any breaches of these regulations.

Trading standards will be the lead agency to deal with non-licensed premises, and the borough council will deal with licensed premises. The police will support both organisations as required and will carry out closures if there is a need to do so.

Delegated authority to enforce the new regulations has been approved to enable officers to act where they consider it necessary to close businesses.

Enforcement will be undertaken in line with the councils existing enforcement policy to ensure the most efficient and robust method of enforcement; the service will also be complying with social distancing requirements to prevent the spread of the virus.

If you have concerns regarding premises that may be in breach of the order then please contact: food@chesterfield.gov.uk

Keep up to date with the latest service announcements at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Heathcotes launches recruitment drive

27th March 2020

Chesterfield-based care provider, Heathcotes Group, has launched a nationwide recruitment drive to assist its frontline teams in meeting the challenge of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

With many sectors in lockdown and staff shortages likely as COVID-19 forces many people into isolation, the company is seeking around 200 Support Workers for residential care services in support of adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. Heathcotes is now offering temporary and permanent positions at various locations in Northern England, the Midlands and London. No care sector experience is necessary as new staff will be benefit from comprehensive training.

Heathcotes Head of Recruitment, Colin Ramwell, said: “All of the UK’s frontline services will be feeling the strain in the coming months and providers of social care will be under immense pressure. Our work will be more important than ever in support of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Many people will be concerned about employment security and many jobs have already been lost, but we want them to know that Heathcotes need kind, compassionate staff to help us make a difference at services nationwide. As essential key workers, our staff can continue to work whilst their children continue to attend school.

“We are able to offer flexible contracts for people who may need a short-term source of income before returning their previous role in sectors such hospitality, retail and leisure, but we always welcome applicants who are interested in starting a long-term career in care. We fund all training and invest in the professional development of our staff.”

To address safety issues posed by Coronavirus, Heathcotes has implemented enhanced risk assessments and infection control protocols for staff and service users throughout its 72 services. The company has been continuously monitoring official advice, responding accordingly and communicating the latest updates and government guidelines to all staff. Non-essential visitors to services have been told to delay their visit until further notice whilst essential visitors have been asked to carry out a simple risk assessment on themselves prior to visiting, and to observe enhanced infection control protocols before and during their visit.

Click here to find out more about Heathcotes Group

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

Chancellor gives support to millions of self-employed individuals

26th March 2020

Rishi Sunak has announced a new scheme to support the UK’s self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak:

direct cash grant of 80% of their profits, up to £2,500 per month
latest announcement in an unprecedented package of government support to protect businesses and individuals

Millions of self-employed individuals will receive direct cash grants though a ground-breaking UK-wide scheme to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chancellor announced today.

In the latest step to protect individuals and businesses, Rishi Sunak has set out plans that will see the self-employed receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months.

Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

This brings parity with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, announced by the Chancellor last week, where the Government committed to pay up to £2,500 each month in wages of employed workers who are furloughed during the outbreak.

Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using a simple online form, with the cash being paid directly into people’s bank account.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Self-employed people are a crucial part of the UK’s workforce who’ve understandably been looking for reassurance and support during this national emergency.”

“The package for the self-employed I’ve outlined today is one of the most generous in the world that has been announced so far. It targets support to those who need help most, offering the self-employed the same level of support as those in work.”

“Together with support packages for businesses and for workers, I am confident we now have the measures in place to ensure we can get through this emergency together.”

The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

To qualify, more than half of their income in these periods must come from self-employment.

To minimise fraud, only those who are already in self-employment and meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply. HMRC will identify eligible taxpayers and contact them directly with guidance on how to apply.

The income support scheme, which is being designed by HMRC from scratch, will cover the three months to May. Grants will be paid in a single lump sum instalment covering all 3 months, and will start to be paid at the beginning of June.

Individuals should not contact HMRC now. HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility and invite applications once the scheme is operational.

Those who pay themselves a salary and dividends through their own company are not covered by the scheme but will be covered for their salary by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme if they are operating PAYE schemes.

The scheme has been designed after extensive engagement with stakeholders including the TUC, the Federation of Small Businesses and IPSE – The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.

Self-employed individuals are already benefitting from a series of measures announced by the Chancellor to boost household incomes and will be able to access these while the new scheme is being rolled out.

These include a strengthening of the welfare safety-net with a £7 billion boost to Universal Credit, income tax and VAT deferrals, £1 billion more support for renters and access to three-month mortgage holidays.

Notes

further information and details of the scheme will be shared shortly by HMRC
HMRC will use the average trading profits from tax returns in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to determine the size of the grant
this scheme also applies to members of partnerships
before grant payments are made, the self-employed will still be able to access other available government support for those affected by coronavirus including more generous universal credit and business continuity loans where they have a business bank account

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Community Response Unit launched to help those in need

26th March 2020

The Community Response Unit is now ready to take requests for assistance from members of the community who don’t have friends or family able to help them.

Help is available for people across the county if they are:

Self-isolating because either themselves or a member of the household is at risk
Struggling to meet basic needs because of financial, social or health restrictions
Pregnant
Have underlying health conditions
Aged 70 or over.

Volunteers from over 200 different organisations will be able to help with shopping, fetching prescriptions or offering a befriending service.

Council Leader, Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Our Community Response Unit is now ready to start passing on requests from those who need help to the army of volunteers across the county.”

“So far we’ve registered over 200 local groups with the scheme, and they will be using the volunteers they already have, and looking for more people to help out.”

“We’re supporting this vital task with £1 million that we’ve agreed to make available to support our vulnerable residents, families in need and to help businesses.”

Volunteers could be asked to help with food shopping and delivery, checking up on people who are isolated with a phone call or online help to prevent loneliness and check whether there is anything they need, or collecting and delivering prescriptions

Residents needing help should visit the Community Response Unit information on the Derbyshire County Council website or phone 01629 535091. At this stage the phone line will only be available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

Organisations are still looking to recruit more volunteers. Anyone who wants to help and is aged 18 to 70 and fit and well should also visit the Community Response Unit information on the website to register their interest. Some organisations are looking for volunteers to offer a befriending telephone service, so anyone who wants to help but can’t leave their house could offer this kind of assistance.

Click here to visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Opticians helps town’s isolated elderly residents keep in touch with loved ones

26th March 2020

An appeal from staff at Specsavers Chesterfield has resulted in four electronic devices being donated to enable local care home residents to keep in touch with their loved ones throughout the twelve-week isolation period.

The store’s optometrist director, Allissa Charlesworth, launched the fundraising campaign this week following a discussion during a recent eye-test with a lady who worked in the local Whittington Care Home.

The customer, who is in charge of planning activities for the home’s residents, raised her concern that due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the home would be closed to visitors and residents would not be able to see or speak with their loved ones.

Within 24 hours of setting up a Just Giving page, Allissa’s fundraiser had already raised £350, enough to purchase a brand new tablet for the home.

Allissa comments: “Although we might be self-isolating with loved ones at home, it was heartbreaking to hear that some members of our community would be facing the prospect of twelve weeks without the chance to see their families.”

“Although it’ll be incredibly hard for most of us to adhere to social distancing, I couldn’t imagine how much harder it must be for those without access to technology, who will be unable to keep in touch with their friends and families.”

“I’ve been totally blown away with the community spirit in Chesterfield, and I am thankful to those who have donated devices and money to the cause. I’m sure the four devices we’ve already donated will be put to good use during this period of isolation.’”

Prior to the lockdown, the team also put a request out for in-store donations of care package items to keep residents busy, which saw dozens of items donated, including jigsaws, books and magazines donated to local homes.

Following the Coronavirus outbreak, staff at the Chesterfield store have been out in the community delivering glasses to residents who are self isolating, whilst also keeping the shop open for emergencies such as the needs of Key Workers.

Click here to find out more about Specsavers Chesterfield store

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Coronavirus outbreak: Read the Chesterfield Borough Council services update

26th March 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council is continuing to prioritise the delivery of essential services across the borough, whilst following the latest Government guidance.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the council website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Their teams are currently working very hard to respond to all enquiries, but are receiving an extremely high number of phone calls. To talk about specific services and find out key information using the contact us form on the website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us, however, if your enquiry is urgent call the Customer Contact Centre on 01246 345 345.

Waste and recycling

Chesterfield Borough Council are currently receiving a high number of enquiries about our waste collection and recycling service, and will be continuing to operate as close to a normal service for as long as possible. Any updates about this service will be shared online via their website and social media.

If your bin is missed please report it here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us or call 01246 345 345. Please ensure that you state clearly where you live, the service can then rearrange collection.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Collecting waste and recycling is one of the most important services we provide, and we will do everything we can to maintain this service during the current crisis. Please ensure you continue putting your bin out for your scheduled collection.”

“I’d also like to ask residents to make sure that they are following the latest Government guidance when disposing of waste that may be contaminated with coronavirus as it will make a real impact in reducing the spread of infection.”

Anyone who has coronavirus or are self-isolating because of illness in the household, should be extra careful when disposing of personal waste like tissues and cleaning cloths. When throwing away personal waste, people must place this in a sealed plastic bag, then double bag this before storing for 72 hours. The bag can then be placed in the general waste bin. Personal waste must not be put in recycling bins.

Streetscene

The Streetscene service will continue to empty litter bins that are located around the borough and will continue to collect hazardous waste, such as used needles. However, until further notice, other tasks like cleaning graffiti and other non-essential works will not be completed. You can still report these issues and we can then prioritise them for when services return to normal.

Please report any of these issues through the website here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us

Grounds Maintenance

Work on maintaining green spaces around the borough will also be reduced in order to prioritise essential services. At the present time the council teams are continuing to ensure parks are accessible for residents who wish to use them for daily exercise, whilst ensuring proper social distancing measures are followed. However, until further notice cutting grass, maintaining flower beds or similar work will not be carried out.

Housing tenant services

The council recognises that this is a very concerning time for individuals and families with regards to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our daily lives. Information is changing rapidly and all tenants are encouraged to follow the latest health guidance, which is continually updated on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Their focus is on maintaining customer safety and providing high quality services, but in the short term will need to change the way in which some services are delivered in order to respond to Government guidance. Therefore, the teams will only be undertaking home visits in emergency situations.

Housing tenants can continue to contact the housing service on 01246 345 345 or can speak about rent by calling 01246 345 000. You can also visit the dedicated housing related pages on the council website and use this contact us form: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/housing.aspx.

Block cleaning

The council is currently undertaking all our block cleaning as normal, but it is essential that tenants and residents support this effort by maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the shared spaces. Please also keep all communal areas free of rubbish and household items.

Cleaning routines will be continuously reviewed as staff availability and other competing priorities change over the coming weeks. At that point, their teams may have to prioritise health and safety and emergency requests to clear waste. You can find all of the latest information relating to service changes here www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Garden assistance scheme

The growing season is just about to start, but unfortunately, the garden assistance scheme is suspended to prioritise resources to address health and safety concerns and move staff across to the delivery of essential services.

Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to respond to emergency situations where access to your home is blocked or it is dangerous. If you currently pay for this service, the council will ensure you are not charged during the period of suspension. Anyone affected by this will be contacted and informed of the changes to the service directly.

The latest information relating to COVID-19 and any changes to council services can be found on the council website here – www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council update on grants and business rate relief process

26th March 2020

In response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government has confirmed a number of financial measures to help support businesses.

Chesterfield Borough Council is currently following the Government guidance to identify local businesses that may be eligible to access business grants and business rate relief. The council will be contacting these businesses directly.

The financial support measures outlined by central Government include:

Small business grants of up to £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief, rural rate relief or tapered relief
100% business rate relief has been extended to all retail, hospitality and leisure properties (such as cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres, gyms and hotels) for the whole of 2020/21
Grant funding of up to £25,000 will also be available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,000 and £51,000.
Business rate relief for nurseries – 100% relief will be paid to all premises occupied by providers on Ofsted’s Early Years Register and wholly or mainly used for the provision of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which are subject to business rates in the year 2020/21

Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We understand this will be a worrying time for business owners of all sizes and it is important that we do what we can to support them during this difficult time.

“We expect to receive the funding for the business grants from Government in early April. As soon as we get this, we will be able to issue the grants to help support our local businesses.

“In the meantime, and to help speed up the process of making payments to those eligible, we will be contacting those businesses directly and asking them to provide us with further information to enable us to make the payment. More information about the process is available on our website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus-information-hub/businesses-information.

“Given the current demands on our Customer Contact Centre, we would request that all contact relating to this matter is via email. Please check our website first, and if you need more information, please email us at revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk. A member of our team will then respond to you as soon as possible.”

Further information on the eligibility criteria for business grant and business rates can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Check out our business support page for the latest guidance

Supporting local initiatives from Chesterfield Business during Coronavirus Outbreak

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Covid-19 Community Response Unit set up to bring agencies together

25th March 2020

Derbyshire County Council has set up a Covid-19 Community Response Unit to bring agencies and volunteers across the county together and support residents and businesses as they tackle the infection and its effects.

County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis announced the new response unit as the council’s Cabinet agreed to an initial £1m coronavirus fund to help support vulnerable residents and affected businesses.

The Covid-19 Community Response Unit will be led by public health and emergency planning officers, supported by other council teams including social care, and linking in with the Local Resilience Forum.

The unit will work to bring together other Derbyshire councils and agencies including the voluntary sector, so they can all work more effectively to help support people across the county who are experiencing hardship related to the virus.

Councillor Lewis said: “We have obviously been working closely with other agencies since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the county, but this formalises these partnerships and will bring more agencies, including voluntary groups, into the fold.”

“A cross-community response is what is needed now, to ensure our communities are as resilient as possible. It’s what people are looking to us to do and what we need to do.”

“These efforts will be supported by the initial £1 million that we’ve agreed to make available to support our vulnerable residents, families in need and to help businesses. The money we’re making available is very likely to need to rise over the coming weeks, depending on how badly Derbyshire is affected by the virus.”

“That’s why we wholeheartedly welcomed the move by the Government to create a £500 million hardship fund which was announced in last week’s Budget, which will be available for local authorities to tap in to.”

“There is no doubt that this is going to affect many of our residents personally, and it will also have a detrimental effect on local businesses, particularly small and independent traders, but we want people to know that support is available to help them get through the outbreak, whether it’s advice and information or financial support.

“Any further increases in our coronavirus fund will, of course, need to be balanced against the additional costs the council faces in delivering its own services, particularly to vulnerable residents, during this period. It is obviously vital that these services continue to ensure people are cared for when they need it most.

“Agencies including the council will be looking to volunteers to come forward over the coming weeks to help our most vulnerable and support vital services, and we’ll be putting out appeals soon for people who want to help. Offers of help that are already coming in are being collated and people will be contacted as plans take shape.

“It’s important that we all pull together at this time and work to keep everyone as safe and protected as possible.”

For more information, visit the Derbyshire County Council website here (opens in new tab).

Visit our coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page here

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Coronavirus outbreak: latest Chesterfield Borough Council services update

25th March 2020

Following the latest Government guidance, Chesterfield Borough Council have taken further “difficult, but responsible, decisions to change our service provision.”

Beat the Street

Beat the Street Chesterfield has now ended.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have seen lots of people get more active thanks to Beat the Street, so we’re very sad to see this end, however, we must assist the government in ensuring people follow the latest guidance to stay at home to stop the coronavirus spreading.

“Even though Beat the Street is ending early, our partners and game operator, Intelligent Health would still love to know what you thought of the game. Please complete our survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ (opens in new tab) and you could be in with a chance of winning prizes.”

Beat Boxes will no longer function, and the leader board has been frozen. Winners will be announced on social media and prizes will be sent out via email and post.

Town Hall reception

The Town Hall reception is closed until further notice, following the government’s latest announcements about social distancing. The Register Office is open for essential business only, and the Coroner’s Court can be contacted via phone or email.

For further information about the Register Office call 01629 533 110 or 01629 533 111 or via email at chesterfield.registrars@derbyshire.gov.uk or by clicking here (opens in new tab).

For further information about visiting the Coroner’s Court call 01246 533 405 or email chesterfield.coroner@derbyshire.gov.uk

Stone Gravels depot reception

The reception desk at the Stone Gravels Maintenance Depot is also closed until further notice. If you have any specific questions, please instead contact Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 345 345.

Parks and open spaces

In line with the Government’s guidance, residents and visitors must not use the play equipment or outdoor gyms that are situated in the parks. All toilet facilities in parks are also closed.

Parks remain open, but you must ensure that you are following social distancing guidelines when exercising:

Washing your hands before and after visiting
Keep a safe distance from people outside your household (at least 2m)
Do not gather in groups of more than two people, excluding people you live with
Sneeze or cough into your sleeve or a tissue
Avoid touching your face or eyes
Do not use play equipment or outdoor gyms

Market, Market Hall and Pavements Shopping Centre

In the Town Centre, all shops that are not classified by the Government as essential are now closed.

The Market Hall is closed apart from the butchers, pet food store and the Cheese Factor, which remain open from 10am-2pm in order to provide essential supplies. A limited number of customers will be allowed into the Market Hall at any one time so that social distancing guidance is followed.

On the outdoor market, all stall holders selling non-essential items will no longer be able to trade until further notice, but stallholders that sell essential items such as fruit and vegetables and pet food will be able to continue trading.

Only essential retailers including the supermarket and post office are open in the Pavements Shopping Centre.

Crematorium

The crematorium remains open for funerals to take place, however, due to strict social distancing guidance a number of temporary restrictions have been put in place.

If you are attending the crematorium, please adhere to the following guidance:

In the chapel, please sit a respectful distance away from others. A maximum of three people per row. The chapel capacity is now reduced to 24 people in total.
Webcasting can be organised via your funeral director; this is a free service and outside speakers can be provided on request.
Only immediate family should attend funeral services.
Services will be a maximum of 25 minutes each to allow for extra cleaning to take place in between services.
Mourners are advised not to touch the coffin when leaving the chapel.
Strictly one person can enter the office to collect cremated remains at any one time, this is to protect both our staff and visitors.
If you are in one of the Government’s vulnerable groups or have any symptoms of coronavirus please do not attend services to protect both yourself and others.
Hand sanitiser is available for everyone attending funeral services at the crematorium.

Customer Contact Centre

Although the Council have had to close face to face customer services, you can still contact the council in a number of ways including telephone 01246 345 345, email via enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk and through the website here by completing an online form (opens in new tab).

The Customer Contact Centre is currently experiencing a high volume of calls. If your call is not urgent, please contact online or by email enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk if possible to help manage the level of enquiries effectively.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the Chesterfield Borough Council website here – www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Heathcotes to introduce new Intensive Support Team for care services

25th March 2020

Chesterfield-based Heathcotes Group is introducing an innovation in care provision, with the development of an Intensive Support Team (IST) providing a dedicated clinical resource across the organisation’s 72 residential services for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

The new multidisciplinary IST will include a consultant clinical psychologist, three assistant psychologists, a specialist occupational therapist, a specialist mental health nurse and three Positive Behaviour Support practitioners. Headed by Heathcotes’ Head of psychology and clinical director, Dr Peter Burbidge, the team will operate group-wide to provide expert clinical input and reinforce compliance with the Restraint Reduction Network (RNN) Training Standards, a sector-wide programme to reduce restrictive practices which will be implemented via commissioning requirements and Care Quality Commission inspection frameworks from April 2020.

Heathcotes’ director of business development, Natalia Lysiuk, said: “This is an exciting initiative based on some excellent work by a project team from our Senior Leadership Team; Dr Peter Burbidge, Tracy Johnson and myself. The IST will put Heathcotes at the forefront of specialist providers in the UK and will enable us to significantly enhance the resource available to our services, assisting the work they do to improve the lives of the people we support. The team will take on a wide-ranging remit, but one of its most vital functions is the professional support it provides when a high level of specialist expertise and clinical input are critical. This would include the admission of an emergency placement or a very complex individual, a service user going through a crisis, a placement at risk of breaking down and the need for a functional assessment or Positive Behaviour Support plan.

“Being a specialist provider brings with it some additional responsibilities, which we take very seriously. That’s why we have introduced the IST – having it readily available within the organisation will be an extremely valuable resource for our Service Managers, our service users and our wider stakeholders.”

Dr Peter Burbidge said: “The IST will provide training, consultation, supervision, functional analysis and interventions for services that need specialist input or multi-disciplinary work. It will also provide brief therapeutic interventions where appropriate. We hope that, by developing the IST, we will be able to support services to provide placements for more complex clients, and to provide additional support when people are in crisis As a clinical team, we plan to work alongside the local community, mental health and learning disability teams, where they are involved or are commissioned, and to provide more concentrated input where we are not able to access support from local services.”

Dr Peter Burbidge is already working in a supportive role across Heathcotes services, with a team of two Assistance Psychologists and a Specialist Occupational Therapist in place. They currently deliver specialist training, consultation and supervision to services with complex clients alongside direct one-to-one therapy with complex clients. Heathcotes is currently working on recruitment for the other roles within the IST, and the development of referral guidelines, policies and procedures to support the team.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home