08 September 2022

Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council

Together with partners Heart of Bucks, the council has launched an appeal to raise extra funds for local people in need, channelling offers of financial help in the most effective way.

Alongside the new ‘crisis fund’, the council will be enhancing the comprehensive support it already provides to residents experiencing hardship through its Helping Hand programme.

For residents who need to access help, the following support will be available

• Individuals or households in need can contact our Helping Hand team. The team offers advice, help and information to people who need it, including financial help to cover the food and energy costs to households in crisis
• We will be joining forces with other organisations across Buckinghamshire to create a network of welcoming spaces this winter to assist when the weather turns colder. These spaces will provide a warm, welcoming and supportive space for anyone who needs it
• We’re joining up with partners across Buckinghamshire to offer specialist advice and information and have created a dedicated section on our website for residents who need extra support to search and find the right help for them, depending on their circumstances.

The Council is also working hard to channel offers of help and support. If residents want to offer help to others they can:

• donate to the new Heart of Bucks crisis fund
• volunteer your time to vital local organisations such as Citizens Advice Bucks, Foodcycle, community growing projects such as Grow It, Cook It, Eat It, and other general volunteering opportunities that help in the local community
• donate to a local foodbank or community fridge

Councillor Martin Tett is Leader of Buckinghamshire Council. He said:

“Alongside the national support that’s already available, with more on the way, it’s key for us as a council to do all we can to support our most vulnerable residents through this crisis.

This support package is built around our Helping Hand offer, available for residents facing hardship. We’re also launching the new crisis fund where we hope to raise money as another means of helping those within our communities who need it most this winter. Importantly this is the start of this support programme – we are evolving these plans with partners across Buckinghamshire and this support package will develop and change as we move into winter and beyond.

If you’re struggling and worried about what winter will bring, please start by taking a look at the dedicated new Cost of Living section on our website where you can read more about all of this.”

Henry Allmand is Chief Executive of Heart of Bucks. He said:

“We are delighted to be working in close partnership with Buckinghamshire Council to support the most vulnerable in the county. Using our unique network of advocates within the community, we are able to reach those who are in desperate need of financial assistance during these unprecedented times.

The support of private philanthropists, local residents, volunteer advocates, and the Council means we are able to have an even greater impact. We are grateful to everyone who is supporting our Crisis Appeal.”

• For more information on the Cost of Living, and to donate to the Heart of Bucks Crisis Fund, go to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/helping-hand
• Martin Tett is available for interviews on the Cost of Living; please contact the Council’s Communications Team via communications@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to organise
• Check the Government’s website at www.gov.uk for up to date details of the national ‘Help for Households’ support available.

Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council

15 July 2022

The forecast for Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 July) currently predicts temperatures to be around 35-37c, potentially making it unsafe for waste collection crews to carry out their work during the hottest part of the day.

In line with other local authorities and health and safety guidance, we will be starting collection rounds earlier all week to get more done before the hottest part of the day. It also means some rounds may have to finish early, before completion. This is because the bin crews have to wear heavy duty protective clothing and their work is very physical meaning it could pose a risk to health in very hot weather.

All waste collections will start at 6am for the whole of next week (Mon 18 – Fri 22 July inc) so please leave your bins out no later than 6am each day for the whole week or put them out the night before.

If your bin isn’t emptied on your normal collection day please leave it out as we may be running slightly behind due to the heat.

Councillor Gareth Williams is Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change. He said:

“Obviously we don’t want bins being left on hot days in an ideal world, but we have to put the safety of our crews first and if it gets too hot for them to work, we may fall slightly behind our usual schedule. We hope to minimise this by starting early every day next week (w/c Mon 18 July). If your bin is not collected when expected, we will pick it up at the earliest opportunity.

It’s pleasing to see cooler temperatures forecast further into next week so we hope any delays are kept to an absolute minimum – and we will do our best to catch up as quickly as possible if collections are held up. I’m sure residents appreciate the need to put the health and wellbeing of our crews first and we thank them for their patience and understanding.”