Tag: CV19

Since the announcement of lockdown 5 weeks ago, the Town Council responded immediately to provide support to our community. There have been difficult and challenging times for everyone. We believe it is appropriate to recognise the collective coming together of all the residents in Edenbridge who have been helping family, friends, and neighbours; and the greater community for adhering to the Government guidelines.

Working closely with Sevenoaks District Council (SDC), the Town Council set up a team to respond to the calls for help, which came either via SDC or direct to the Town Council Office. We have co-ordinated our 75 SDC registered volunteers. To date we have 191 requests for help. The volunteers have been fantastic helping residents, with shopping, running errands or just being phone buddies. Our community team have collected and delivered over 300 sets of medications for residents, both locally and in some cases into other counties.

This past week alone, more than 40 meals have been distributed to residents self-isolating. Several emergency food parcels for delivery have been arranged through SDC. Where appropriate and in consideration of other issues outside agencies have been contacted for further advice and actions. Edenbridge Town Council office staff is in contact with over 80 residents to ascertain their wellbeing. Please see the Council website to view its first and second newsletter for useful information regarding the event.

During the past five weeks contacts has topped 1,200 phone calls and 2,000 emails. Due to the social distancing requirements we have set-up home working wherever possible. Our staff have adapted to the new working regime using available technology. Edenbridge Town Council has endeavoured to maintain council services. We have set-up the provision of telephone access to our staff 7 days a week. The groundstaff are working to keep the town’s open spaces to a high standard and have been emptying the bins on our land. Please visit our website to see all the services we provide, and work of the Committees at www.edenbridgetowncouncil.gov.uk.

We have the great advantage of our Council’s elected members representing our town’s interests at District Council level, including one with cabinet responsibility for Cleaner & Greener (Licensing, Environmental Health, Waste and Recycling, Cleansing, Parking, Emergency Planning, CCTV). This has enabled a holistic and informed approach to this current Coronavirus event and changing outcomes.
The consequences of this situation are likely to be ongoing for all of us, the Town Council and its Councillors continues to represent the interests of the town and support its community.

If you or someone you know needs a little extra support during this time, contact the Council office 01732 865368 or SDC offices 01732 227000.