Category Archives: News

Coronavirus: if you need help

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Coronavirus: what if I need help?

There is always help available in Buckingham.

Information about Coronavirus is being updated rapidly. To keep up to date with current and accurate information stick to trusted sources; visit the NHS coronavirus page which has information about the virus, symptoms, self-isolating, and travel.

Food and essentials

If you are in isolation or advised to stay at home you may be worried about how to get food and other essentials going forward. As a first option, always choose to ask someone you know personally and trust (or a business you trust) for help with food deliveries or prescriptions.

If you are able to afford food, but having difficulty getting a delivery slot, you can ask the Buckingham Support Network if a volunteer may be able to deliver essentials to your house.

Downloadable self-isolating poster and high risk household poster for deliveries.

Is your local business now offering a delivery service for essentials in Buckingham? Contact us on office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk to be added to the list. Please provide a link to your website or offer.

Lots of local businesses are launching new delivery services to help those in need have essential items delivered to their door. Including:

If you are not sure, please call and ask.

Restaurants and takeaways delivering:

It's not just food - all kinds of shops are offering home delivery:

Medical Help

If you think you may have Coronavirus and need medical help, please use the NHS 111 symptom checker service for help. 

If you have questions for The Swan Practice about prescriptions or appointments, please check their website which is being kept up to date with the latest news.

Pharmacies are all operating on different opening hours in order to keep up with the demand for prescriptions. They may have longer lunch breaks or open later and close earlier. This helps them ensure everyone gets their medication.

Please do not call for information or queries - this delays everyone's prescriptions. Instead check the website for updates and opening hours before you visit. 

Some people are considered at very high risk of severe illness if they catch Coronavirus (Covid-19) These people should have received a letter from the government highlighting them as vulnerable, and giving them advice on actions to take over the coming months. If you are not sure if this includes you or someone you care for, there is more information on the government website.

A small group of these people have been identified as extremely vulnerable. The advice for this group is different. Extremely vulnerable people are advised to 'shield' which includes staying home for at least 12 weeks from the time they receive their letter. Many companies have therefore said that they will prioritise those classified as extremely vulnerable for access to deliveries, including Sainsbury's.

If you have not received a letter, but think you should have, you can still register with the government as an extremely vulnerable person on their website or by calling the helpline on 0800 0288327. This is particularly important if you think you may need help getting deliveries of food or essentials, and will help you access food deliveries.

If you need more advice, about how to access help and support while shielding Prevention Matters may be able to assist.

Downloadable high risk household poster

Transport

If you are an elderly or vulnerable bus pass user, the County Council has asked all bus companies to accept bus passes at any time of day so that you can access early opening hours for shops.

If you work for the NHS and are currently not able to get to work due to public transport or car problems, Bucks Self Drive are offering short term free hire.

Financial Problems?

Many people's lives have changed hugely over the last few weeks. If you are now having financial problems and need help and advice there are places you can turn for help.

The long running Buckingham Food Bank and the newer Buckingham Athletic Emergency Food Centre are able to provide food to those in financial need through referral systems.

The Buckingham Foodbank is available for anyone in North Buckinghamshire struggling with food poverty. Please get in touch with Buckingham Citizens Advice Bureau who can refer you to the foodbank.

As well as being able to refer families and individuals to Buckingham foodbank, Citizens' Advice can also help with any questions or difficulties you may have regarding:

  • Managing money
  • Debt
  • Benefits
  • Housing
  • Employment

If you are concerned about paying your bills, as a first step we recommend contacting your usual providers and asking what support they may be offering at this time.

If you think you might be eligible, we recommend you apply for Universal Credit as soon as possible. We are hearing reports that phone lines are very busy and calling outside of peak times may help. Telephone: 0800 328 5644

Get everything you will need to apply ready for your application before you try and claim.

The government advice pages can tell you more about Universal Credit.

Coronavirus Scams warning

Stay safe everyone, if you are concerned that you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud please contact: Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and contact your bank.

For advice call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 11 33

 

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

There are grants available from the government for self-employed people. Please check the government website for more information and how to apply.

Grants

Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Buckinghamshire Council have been working on local programs to help support struggling local businesses.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available

  • To support businesses to invest in professional services which will provide essential support and identify opportunities to increase business resilience.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available

  • To support businesses that do not qualify for government support or to provide the difference in value where national support can be provided.
  • To support businesses who wish to switch production or re-direct resource to support national need.
  • To enable businesses to invest in measures that will improve business resilience.

These grants are only available to businesses based in the Buckinghamshire Council area. Eligibility criteria apply.

To find out more about these grants, visit the COVID-19 Business Resilience Fund page.

Other Buckinghamshire Council Grants

This above fund is a separate scheme to the £10,000 grants for businesses in receipt of the small business rate relief and the rural rate relief, and the grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Those funds are being delivered directly by Buckinghamshire Council. To find out more, please visit the Buckinghamshire Council Business Support Hub.

Coronavirus: help with social activity during self-isolation

Tourist Information Centre/Shopmobilty

Both Shopmobility and the Tourist Information Centre have closed their offices, however the phone lines are still open to enquiries. Please pass this phone number: 01280 823 020 to anyone without access to the internet for help with inquiries about Buckingham, from public transport to what shops are open and more, the Tourist Information Centre team will try and find you answer.

Going into self-isolation can feel intimidating. We've talked about the practical side above, but staying mainly or totally at home for two weeks or twelve can still be part of a community effort. Mind has advice about looking after your mental health while in social isolation, and on social media we have seen lots of ideas for ways to keep entertained.

The Town Council may have had to postpone or cancel local events, but there are lots of wonderful group events continuing across social media platforms, from virtual Choirs to exercise classes and art projects. Share your efforts and make new connections with others trying the same things.

Video calling is a great way to get in touch with people, with several different platforms offering video calls for free - if you haven't tried them before it's a great time now.

Contact Us

The data obtained will only be used with regards to this enquiry and will not be used for future marketing or passed on to any third parties. This is in accordance with GDPR. By filling in the information you give your explicit consent for your data to be used for this purpose only. For more information please read our privacy policy.

Coronavirus: volunteer

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Coronavirus: how can you help?

Information about Coronavirus is being updated rapidly. To keep up to date with current and accurate information stick to trusted sources; visit the NHS coronavirus page which has information about the virus, symptoms, self-isolating, and travel.

Use the tabs below to find out more about volunteering opportunities.

Buckinghamshire Council is implementing a community support hub system. For more information about ways you can be involved, please check their website.

We will update this entry as more information becomes available. 

Buckingham Foodbank and the Buckingham Athletic Emergency Food Centre are collecting food donations to distribute to those who cannot afford to buy food.

The food bank are looking for donations of soups, tinned meats, tinned veg and fruit, beans, pasta, rice and other similar non-perishable goods. You may see trolleys out for donations at local supermarkets. We'll advertise other collection days and times through our social media.

Donations are hugely appreciated and make a real difference to those in need.

Being able to self isolate effectively is really important to help stop the spread of Covid-19/Coronavirus. If you can, please volunteer to check on your neighbours and support them if needed. You can do this by:

King's College London is doing research into Covid-19.

By taking 1-minute to self-report daily, even if you are well, you can help scientists identify:

  • High-risk areas in the UK
  • Who is most at risk, by better understanding symptoms linked to underlying health conditions
  • How fast the virus is spreading in your area.

Sign up online!

Going into self-isolation can feel intimidating. We've talked about the practical side above, but staying mainly or totally at home for two weeks or twelve can still be part of a community effort. Mind has advice about looking after your mental health while in social isolation.

Many groups and social activity groups are making use of online facilities including YouTube, Skype and Zoom. Such as Buckingham Performs a Facebook community.

Social media and video platforms are also fantastic ways to keep in touch with family and friends. If you know someone who would enjoy online activities and needs help to get connected, why not give them a call and see if you can help them get started?

Our events calendar is also now looking a little empty - if you are offering a FREE  online or socially distant class, concert, poetry slam or anything fun frankly and are based in the Buckingham area, let us know and we will add your event to our events calendar.

Members of the public can sign up quickly and easily at goodsamapp.org/NHS to become NHS Volunteer Responders, and can be called on to do simple but vital tasks such as:

  • delivering medicines from pharmacies;
  • driving patients to appointments;
  • bringing them home from hospital;
  • or making regular phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

Both Shopmobility and the Tourist Information Centre have closed their offices, however the phone lines are still open to enquiries. Please pass this phone number: 01280 823 020 to anyone without access to the internet for help with inquiries about Buckingham, from public transport to what shops are open and more, the Tourist Information Centre team will try and find you answer.

A national campaign, For the Love of Scrubs is looking for volunteers to sew sets of scrubs for NHS use. There is a local facebook group coordinating volunteers.

Both Milton Keynes Hospital and The Swan Practice have said they would be delighted to accept donations.

Many shops are now closed to the public. For some businesses this could cause real financial struggles. If you can, please do call the wonderful businesses around Buckingham and see if they are operating a delivery service.

Food and essentials:

Restaurants and takeaways delivering:

It's not just food - all kinds of shops are offering home delivery:

Is your local business now offering a delivery service for essentials in Buckingham? Contact us on office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk to be added to the list. Please provide a link to your website or offer.

Contact Us

The data obtained will only be used with regards to this enquiry and will not be used for future marketing or passed on to any third parties. This is in accordance with GDPR. By filling in the information you give your explicit consent for your data to be used for this purpose only. For more information please read our privacy policy.

Information Centre by Phone and Online

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Buckingham Tourist Information Centre may have closed its doors for now, but we are still committed to helping anyone that needs it. We have set up a support line for Buckingham residents that don’t have access to the internet and need information on where to find help, essential travel information, local business closures and opening times.

We are currently compiling a list of information that we think people will need, but please let us know if you are doing something for the community or if you are a local business with a change to your circumstances. We don’t know everything, but we will try our best to help in any way we can. Contact us on 01280 823020 or email tic@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

 

Temporary closure of public toilets

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Due to the ongoing coronavirus (covid-19) situation, the public toilets in Cornwalls Meadow car park and Chandos Park have been temporary closed.

Our green spaces team have been marking these facilities closed, as well as play areas and play areas run by partner organisation Aylesbury Vale District Council in order to reduce the number of staff needed to work on this task.

Temporary Closure of All Council Play Areas

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Following Monday’s announcement by the Prime Minister, as of Tuesday morning, 24th March the Town Council has closed all of the play areas it manages, i.e. those in Bourton Park (junior and senior), Chandos Park, Badgers Estate (Otters Brook), Meadway (Ken Tagg) and Lace Hill. It has also closed the use of the outdoor sports and exercise equipment in Bourton Park.

There are 8 other play parks in Buckingham not managed by the Town Council and the same rules will apply to them.

The Town Council’s parks remain open for exercise, however everyone who is visiting parks and open spaces must maintain social distancing, keeping at least 2 metres from each other. This means please avoid narrow paths, as well as thinking carefully about activities you may do there. It is not appropriate to use parks as social spaces to meet others who are not living in your household.

This is particularly important to remember while exercising. If you are moving faster than another individual or household group and are not able to pass someone with a 2m distance between you, you must stop or move to an area where there is a suitable distance. All park users are responsible for ensuring that this distance is maintained.

We will continue to monitor the position and may need to take further steps to protect the well-being of our residents. We are in this together.

Full government guidance on staying at home and away from others

New Town Councillor to be Co-opted

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image of polling station signOn Friday morning Downing Street announced that said it would be impractical to hold local and mayoral election in May, as they would come during the peak of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Polls were due to take place in Buckingham on the 7th May 2020 for positions at Buckingham Town Council, the new Buckinghamshire Unitary Authority and The Police Crime Commissioner.

There is currently one vacancy on Buckingham Town Council following the death of Councillor Derrick Isham earlier this year. This will now be filled by the Council co-opting a new member, because a by-election is not allowed at present. As with an election, anyone from the town will be able to put themselves forward. Details of the process to take part in this will be released as more information is available.

Coronavirus: Help in Buckingham

Featured

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Information about Coronavirus is being updated rapidly. To keep up to date with current and accurate information stick to trusted sources; visit the NHS coronavirus page which has information about the virus, symptoms, self-isolating, and travel.

Buckingham is a great community: many groups have come together to try and work out how they can help elderly or self-isolating residents over the coming months.

Visit our Coronavirus: volunteer page to find out more about opportunities to support our community, locally and nationally.

how can you help banner

 

For a summary of help available, from local offers to national schemes, please visit our Coronavirus: if you need help page.

what if i need help banner

Closures

Please be aware that most non-essential shops, the library, the household recycling centre (tip), the post office, vets for non-emergencies, all public play areas, public toilets, all outdoor exercise equipment, local long distance buses and bulky waste collection are all closed or not running currently.

The Town Council Office, Shopmobility, Tourist Information Centre and Lace Hill Sports and Leisure Centre are closed, but staff are still working. For full details, see our Town Council impact statement. 

For more information about services run by Buckinghamshire Council, including buses, please check the Buckinghamshire Council page.

Contact Us

The data obtained will only be used with regards to this enquiry and will not be used for future marketing or passed on to any third parties. This is in accordance with GDPR. By filling in the information you give your explicit consent for your data to be used for this purpose only. For more information please read our privacy policy.

Coronavirus and Events Update

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17th March 2020 – Update

The decision has now been made to postpone the Annual Town Meeting which would have taken place tomorrow on Wednesday 18th March.

If you were planning to attend and ask a question you can still do so via email to office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk and we will reply as soon as possible.

12th March 2020 – Update

The decision has now been made to postpone the Good Endings Fair and the Death Cafe which were due to take place next week. For more information please contact the office.

Good Endings Fair postponed posterDeath Cafe postponed poster

11th March 2020

The Buckingham Annual Town Meeting will go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday 18th March. It is a legal requirement to hold the meeting which will take place at the Buckingham Community Centre and starts at 7pm.

It is understandable that in the current climate that people may not wish to attend a public meeting so anyone who would like to ask a question can contact the Council in advance either through social media, or by email to office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk or call the office on 01280 816426.

The decision has been made that the Mayor’s Civic Service will be postponed. This event was due to take place on Sunday 15th March at Buckingham Parish Church.

All other Town Council events are being continuously reviewed based on the latest guidance from Public Health. Please see the Town Council website or social media for updates.

Town Council meetings and committee meetings are all going ahead, as Councillors need to be in physical attendance for decisions to be made legally.

Interested in being a councillor?

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Town Councillors have a huge impact on how local money is spent. Buckingham Town Council has an annual budget of £1M to look after parks, play areas, cemeteries, events, planning and the economic development of Buckingham.

advertising image for councillor drop in information sessionDo you want to make changes in the town?

Elections for new town councillors take place on the 5th May. This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with your local community and it’s future.

How can I find out more?

Buckingham Town Council will be hosting an evening information session for prospective new town councillors at 7pm on the 9th March at Buckingham Library.  The drop-in session will be an informal opportunity for anyone who is considering standing as a town councillor to find out more about the role and to chat to council staff.

What do I do next?

The Notice of Election will be published on 31 March 2020. The period for nominations will then commence, and the deadline for nominations for the election will be 4pm on 8 April 2020. The nomination papers must be collected from the Town Clerk in Buckingham.

 

 

 

 

 

Town Council Elections: May 7th 2020

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When are they taking place?

The Town & Parish Council elections will take place on 7 May 2020, between 7am – 10pm.

What other elections are taking place on this date?

The Unitary elections for the new Buckinghamshire Council and the Police & Crime Commissioner elections will also be taking place on 7 May 2020, at the same hours.

Ballot papers

As there are three elections on the same day, the ballot papers for each election will be a different colour.

Notice of Election

The Notice of Election will be published on 31 March 2020. The period for nominations will then commence, and the deadline for nominations for the election will be 4pm on 8 April 2020. Nomination forms can be delivered by parish clerks, collectively and individually, but cannot be sent in the post or electronically. Original signed forms must be provided.

Following the deadline, a complete statement of persons nominated will be published.

Candidates/Agents Briefings

The Returning Officer will be holding briefings across Buckinghamshire for all candidates and agents, which will provide information on the process for nominations and all confirmed arrangements for the Counts.

Nomination Forms/Information

These will be available from the Town Council Office after the Notice of Election is published.