Wealden District Council will continue to deliver essential services, provide community leadership, help local businesses and work with the rest of the public sector to manage the impact on NHS and social care providers.
Council staff are working from home. During this time phone lines will be busier than usual, so using the online services is advised.
Service Updates
The Council's main priority is keeping customers, staff, local businesses and the community safe.
- In keeping with the latest Guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the public reception at the Hailsham Office in Vicarage Lane has been closed. The Council remains open to help with all your enquiries.
- The Wealden website, www.wealden.gov.uk allows you to access a wide range of services online. You can also contact WDC by email info@wealden.gov or by telephone; 01323 443322.
- Staff are working from home so it may take slightly longer to deal with your enquiries. Other than in exceptional circumstances, phone, email, Skype or other internet-based technologies will be used to communicate with residents, instead of holding face–to-face meetings.
- There is a new team to manage the Council's response to Coronavirus.
A number of council meetings and events have now been postponed or cancelled.
Business Closures
The following businesses must remain closed:
- Public houses
- Cinemas
- Theatres
- Nightclubs
- Bingo halls
- Concert halls
- Museums and galleries
- Casinos
- Betting shops
- Amusement arcades
- Spas
- Massage parlours
- Indoor skating rinks
- Indoor fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres
Additionally, the following must not sell food or drink for consumption on their premises:
- Restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members clubs
- Bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs
- Cafes, including workplace canteens
The only exceptions being:
- Cafes or canteens at a hospital, care home or school
- Prison and military canteens
- Services providing food or drink to the homeless
- Takeaway and delivery facilities can remain open and operational. Delivery is better as it prevents groups of people gathering unnecessarily.
The government’s guidance on staying at home, provides full guidance on the government’s announcement made on 23 March 2020 and the list of businesses and premises expected to close.
COVID-19: Financial support for businesses
Following the Government’s announcement that support will be offered to businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, Wealden District Council are now able to accept applications for grant funding.
A dedicated crisis fund of £47 million is available to support Wealden businesses. Grants of up to £25,000 are available to those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Any small business that already pays little or no business rates because of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), Rural Rate Relief (RRR) and Tapered Relief, is eligible to apply for a one-off payment of £10,000.
An application form is now available for completion on the Wealden website: https://tinyurl.com/COVID19businesssupportgrant
Cllr Bob Standley, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Finance said: “During these uncertain times it is vital that we do all we can to support the local economy and the livelihoods of our residents. Business rates for many Wealden businesses have already been suspended for the 2020-21 tax year, and we hope that this additional support will go some way to help prevent closures and redundancies. We urge as many eligible businesses as possible to apply for this one-off grant funding to help support and secure their future in the aftermath of Coronavirus.”
More information on advice and support for businesses during the pandemic is available on the COVID-19 section of our website: https://www.wealden.gov.uk/news-and-events/coronavirus-covid-19-latest/advice-support-and-information-for-businesses/
Residents of Wealden’s Retirement Living Courts
To help with any concerns you may have, Wealden District Council have produced these questions & answers.
Useful Links from the Wealden District Council Website
Voucher scheme to help residents with fuel costs