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Due to the ongoing pandemic the paper copy of the CCN is not being delivered this month. We do however have an electronic version that you can download from the website:

BUSINESS SUPPORT AND COVID-19 ADVICE
Offering FREE one to one support services for businesses, in partnership with Herefordshire Council the Marches Growth Hub – Herefordshire is a place where businesses can find out more about funding and finance and wider business support available to local Herefordshire businesses, regardless of size or sector, from pre-start to established businesses. 

The Marches Growth Hub would like to share the following information with businesses who are concerned about the impact that COVID-19 will have on our business community.
https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/

GOVERNMENT AND COUNCIL SUPPORT – updated 26^th March 2020
A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
This page helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.
https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

• Coronavirus (Covid-19) : UK government response
  https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
  
  
• Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme – https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/supporting-business-loans-enterprise-finance-guarantee/
  
  
• Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-business-support-to-launch-from-today
  
  
• For individual businesses, the first port of call for advice and support is gov.uk. However, government is also scaling up its Business Support Helpline so businesses in England, of all sizes, can pick up the phone and speak directly to an advisor. The number to call is: 0300 456 3565

• NEW: Cultural Sector Emergency Funding Package announced by the Arts Council – offers individuals and organisation working in the cultural sector new financial support during this crisis- totalling £160m – click  link to find out more: live on our website,

• NEW: Companies House -Filing of accounts businesses will be able to apply for a 3-month extension for filing their accounts. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-more-time-to-file-your-companys-accounts

• NEW: Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction. Further details are now available

• NEW: Department for International Trade (DIT) support for UK businesses trading internationally. Please click on link to find latest advice for UK businesses that export or deliver goods and services abroad and have been impacted by the spread of COVID-19 has been updated.

• NEW: Employers do not have to report gender pay gapsEnforcement of the gender pay gap reporting deadlines are suspended for this reporting year (2019/20) due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

• NEW: How to place a Coronavirus (COVID-19) test kit on the market Forms and guidance on what manufacturers need to do to place test kits on the market.
• HMRC have launched a tax helpline to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Find all the information here. The number is 0800 0159 559.
  
  
• Companies House has produced guidance if coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected your company and you need more time to file your accounts. Find all the information here.
  
  
• Business rate relief – The Government has announced that it is temporarily increasing the business rates relief discount in England to 100% for 2020-2021 for properties below £51,000 rateable value.  As soon as the details have been passed through parliament any changes will be applied and you will be notified accordingly.  https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200145/business/358/how_your_business_rates_bill_is_calculated
  
  
• Business Grants – there are still Business Grants available and we have listed some of those grants below but there are other funded schemes and programmes available – just ask your local Growth Hub.
  • Business Growth Programme – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-318
  • Marches Building Investment Grant – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-207
  • BEEP – https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/directory/v/-183

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING ADVICE
Every Mind Matters – https://www.wisherefordshire.org/mentalhealth

BUSINESS RESILIENCE

Emergency Planning Team Herefordshire Council (Business Continuity)
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200139/community/346/emergency_planning_in_herefordshire/5

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have cancelled all public worship until further notice.  This means that all regular services are cancelled.  However, St Mary’s Church here in Credenhill will remain open for private prayer and there are prayer leaflets available to take away. 

We have also set up a confidential telephone support system, operated by volunteers from the church, for anyone in the parish who needs someone to talk about any issues they are going through. 

Please ring Rana on 01432 760443 to access this. The church continues to pray for all who are affected by coronavirus COVID19 in any way.

The Mothers Day Service will be contucted online via a live video to the Magnis Group Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/710895009243384/

Please see below message from Herefordshire Council:

Herefordshire Council want to continue to provide support to the community who have been affected by the local flooding and have been coordinating volunteers to provide free advice & guidance to residents regarding available grants, help & guidance around emergency clean-up, lifting of damaged furniture to kerbside in readiness for collection. 

Over the last week we have deployed support to the following areas Leominster, Holme Lacy, Ross-on-Wye, Holmer Road, Hinton Road, Greyfriars, Pontrilas & Ewyas Harold, Bodenham, Bromyard, Whitchurch, Hampton Bishop, Mordiford and Wellington.

If there are other residents or businesses in your local area that require support, we ask that you email our team via this e-mail address (talkcommunitycleanup@herefordshire.gov.uk) providing their name, address, contact number and the support required – we will then work to co-ordinate the support over the coming week.

This will be continually reassessed based on the changing weather conditions and based on intelligence received.

There is also alot of information on Herefordshire Councils website in relation to those affected by flooding:

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/homepage/69/flooding_emergency/

The 2020/21 Grounds Maintenance contracts are now available for prospective suppliers to tender for; closing date is 28th February 2020.

Grass Cutting

Hedge Trimming

Weed Control

www.herefordshire.gov.uk/fostering

Thank you to Jeremy Daw for writing the below article and for the work he has done in restoring Credenhill Milepost in his own time.

The Law is changing for people who abstract water. Can you help us let people know? Previously exempt water users may now have to apply for a licence.

The new rules will better protect the environment by helping to balance the needs of water users, whilst also protecting water supplies and the plants and animals that rely on them.

Please find attached a newsletter providing the latest update on new rules on water use and abstraction licensing, for your information. As mentioned in the newsletter we now have an online information page about this, which we will keep updated on a regular basis. The link to this page is https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/removing-previously-exempt-abstraction-activities/