‘COUNCIL REMAINS VERY MUCH HERE TO OFFER SUPPORT’

MORE than 300,000 bins have been emptied and more than £19million of business grants have been issued as a council stepped up to help its residents through the coronavirus crisis.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council acted as quickly as possible to continue supporting local residents and businesses.

Figures show, up to early May, the council was able to:

■ Respond to 3,828 calls and 6,082 webforms;

■ Empty 333,600 bins across the district, including 33 per cent more dry recycling;

■ Issue £19.1m of business grants to more than 1,700 businesses;

■ Respond to 86 business inquiries and contact the Moorlands’ biggest employers to understand how they were affected;

■ Process 1,629 benefits claims;

■ Find accommodation for 20 rough sleepers;

■ Set up a Coronavirus Information Hub on the council website, which received more than 29,000 visits.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, leader of the council, said: “The council remains very much here to offer our support. We have been able to quickly and effectively respond to the challenges raised by the coronavirus whilst maintaining our usual services in far from usual circumstances.

“It is gratifying to hear that this is very much appreciated by our residents and businesses – so many households have been showing their appreciation for our waste collection crews with drawings and messages of thanks.”