Highland Council Issues Covid-19 Advice To Tenants
7th April 2020
The Highland Council is sending a bulletin to all council tenants providing them with advice about issues related to Coronavirus.
The bulletin contains information of a wide range of topics including energy advice, details on changes to homelessness services, how to get housing support, support for anyone in rent arrears, awareness tips from Trading Standards on staying safe from scams, a reminder on how to continue receiving free school meals, specific information for any tenants shielding, what practical support is available in communities and sharing national helplines for people to stay connected. The briefing also gives a long list of key contact details for organisations and service providers.
As well as issuing the Briefing the Council's Housing Team are currently contacting all tenants to make sure that they are ok or to provide advice and assistance where needed. They are doing this by text, email and telephone. If a tenant receives a text, email or call from the team, it is not a scam.
A tenant who has received the briefing said: "It is very decent and kind of the Highland Council to be so supportive at this very difficult time for everyone.
Councillor Ben Thompson, Chair of the Housing and Property Committee said: "Our housing staff are receiving lots of messages of support from tenants who are very appreciative of the work going on to keep them informed.
“As a landlord, the Council's priority is maintaining the welfare of our tenants and providing people with essential services at this difficult time, so I am glad the bulletin, which contains so much information, is being issued to tenants.
“The situation is changing daily, but the bulletin contains the most up-to-date information about where they can seek advice if they have any concerns about their wellbeing, income or other tenancy matters."
He added: “We are continuing to carry out emergency repairs and we will ask tenants questions to make sure it is safe for a trades person to attend. We have issued detailed guidance to our trades and contractors to ensure they follow Government guidance when carrying out repairs."
The briefing, which is available of the Highland Council’s website from this link - https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus/tenant_briefing , explains that all the information in it is correct at that time of issue but as national guidance is being updated on a regular basis and the situation may have moved on, tenants are asked to check the web sites listed on the next page for current updates
Anyone in need of urgent help regarding the COVID-19 situation should call the free helpline on 0300 303 1362. If your query is related to other urgent council business, please contact our Service Centre on 01349 886602.
For further information, latest coronavirus developments and changes to key Council services visit www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Education improvement in Highland exceeds national trends
The improving trend of attainment is continuing in Highland as demonstrated by the SQA results published today. Attainment in Highland schools has risen against all key indicators and improvement is also around 2% above national levels of improvement.
Good progress being made by Highland Council on recovery from COVID-19
Members were today asked to note the good progress being made in relation to the local authority's Recovery Action Plan despite the significant challenges faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlighted that important work on the 11 key priorities continues at pace.Highland Council Reminder - No Change To Funeral Restrictions - Max 20 Attendees To Continue
The Highland Council is issuing a reminder that no more than 20 people should attend a funeral service in person. No changes to these restrictions on funeral services were announced by the Scottish Government following the three weekly formal review of coronavirus controls last week.Highland Council Moves To Reduce Covid Assistance Programmes
Move towards a more sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance proposed as Highland navigates COVID-19 recovery phase. Staff and Communities have been praised for their outstanding response to the Covid-19 emergency.
Full Return For Education in Highland Following Scottish Government Confirmation
Today's announcement from the First Minister is very much what we have been anticipating and preparing for in our return to Highland education settings. It is a great reassurance that we can now continue with our work to achieve a full return of pupils and staff, including those who were previously shielding, in August.Council reminder to communities that the service point network remains closed
Highland Council is reminding communities the service point network remains closed, in line with COVID 19 guidance. Anyone who wishes to access Council services can do so online, over the telephone or by email.Highland Council Calls On New Parents To Register Lockdown Births
From 29th June, Highland Council Registration Offices resumed birth registration. As birth registrations were suspended since late March, The Highland Council's Registrars are now working through a backlog and it is important that they register births in date order wherever possible.More Materials To Be Accepted At Household Waste Recycling Centres
The Highland Council announced on Thursday 23 July 2020 additional materials will start to be accepted at many of the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region and some opening times extended as part of the planned phased reopening. Wood and scrap metal have now been added to the range of items that are accepted at the majority of facilities where the layout and size of the site allows.
Council's Bulky Uplift Service to Re-Start
The Highland Council can now confirm that the Bulky Uplift Service is being re-instated from today, Monday 20 July 2020. The service was suspended on the 23rd March due to the COVID-19 National Emergency and the need to prioritise staff to provide essential waste and recycling collections.
Capital works in Council homes to restart
Following the Council's announcement that contract work valued at over £60 million for new housing development projects across the Highlands has resumed, the Chair of the Housing and Property Committee has confirmed that capital investment works for the Council's current housing stock will be re-starting shortly. Contractors have supplied The Highland Council with detailed work plans for safe working, encompassing social distancing and following all guidance relating to Covid-19.Search Our Site
Information
Useful Links
What's On
Submissions
Newsfeed / RSS
