Food
The council says, it “is connecting residents with a wide range needs, from those unable to get an online delivery slot to those who would normally rely on food banks, to food suppliers. Where possible we are supporting local businesses by highlighting those in operation.
This involves a regular check with local suppliers to connect people with the means to pay to the businesses still operating in their area. We use this list to signpost callers who reach us through the COV-19 helpline. We are finding that the information on which businesses operate and their capacity is changing on a daily basis, so printed lists will be out of date very quickly, and for larger print runs before they are distributed.
Those suppliers with confidence in their stocks and delivery arrangements are encouraged to add their listing to the council-sponsored listings at www.yorkmix.com/yorkbiz . This listing is growing daily”.
The list referred to still falls short of requirements.
It is framed as mini adverts which maybe fine for the businesses themselves but not for customers.
It falls short in not providing a comprehensive database – which gives all options for contactless ways of buying and having doorstep deliveries of food and medicines.
Pharmacies and supermarkets are a key part of the supply chain.
Funerals
Changing the way York Crematorium provides cremation services has been a very difficult and sad decision for the City of York Council to make, but necessary in light of public health concerns. We have listened to the advice around increasing numbers of Coronavirus cases in York, regionally and nationally, having yet reached the peak period of infection for the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Following further discussions with funeral directors and clergy, we will now be allowing one celebrant or minister to perform a short service, that will be filmed free of any charge.
We have attached our statement and updated FAQs for your information.
Micro-grants for businesses
A £1m City of York Council support fund for small and micro businesses which don’t qualify for government support has now been fully launched, with applications now open.
The City of York Council micro business grants scheme will deliver grants of up to £1000 into 1000 self-employed, micro and small businesses who need it most.
Applications can be made through https://www.york.gov.uk/COVIDMicroGrant and are available to businesses which:
- have 50 or fewer employees, including one person business/self-employed;
- need support adapting to new trading arrangements;
- are experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus, and
- do not qualify for any other government grant or rate relief support packages.
The latest information for business is available at www.york.gov.uk/BusinessSupport.
PPE business ask
We are appealing to the Government for additional personal protective equipment (PPE), and asking local businesses for any spare PPE, so it can be used by the authority’s care workers.
Although the council’s care teams currently have sufficient PPE, stocks nationally are running low, and priority is being given to NHS staff.
All our care workers are following national government guidance on the PPE they need to wear. In a similar way to NHS staff, care staff need to use PPE to keep themselves safe from the risk of infection. The items we need are disposable plastic aprons, gloves, black bags, masks, eye protection goggles, alcohol based hand sanitiser and hard surface wipes.
Anyone who thinks they may have useful PPE is asked to email PPE@york.gov.uk. We thank everyone for their support. In fact a number of businesses have stepped forward already, to whom we are incredibly grateful of what is another demonstration of York’s community spirit.
An update on homelessness
From 23 March we have provided 11 households and 12 single homeless people temporary accommodation. While very few of these cases were connected to coronavirus, as a precaution and with support from local organisations, their accommodation meets social distancing criteria.
All the rough sleepers we are supporting are already known to us. The vast majority have accepted the accommodation which each and every one is being offered. We continue to work hard to persuade them all to come into accommodation and to stay in it while the emergency continues.
We have not yet received any additional Government money relating to homelessness to date, nor have we been told how much York will receive.
Virtual libraries
Thanks to £17K of extra funding from City of York Council, Explore is now able to extend the current range of virtual services to support individuals, families and communities of York during the Coronavirus emergency to help people whilst they stay at home.
The extra funding means Explore can now extend what is on offer:
- Press Reader. Explore will buy a 12 month subscription to Press Reader This will provide access to over 7000 daily newspaper and magazine titles from more than 100 countries.
- More e-books and e-audiobooks
- Specialist conferencing software to bring people together in a virtual space and invite them to challenge their imagination in new ways.
- Support with getting online