Update from St Neots Town Council 

A message from Council Chairman, Cllr Gordon Thorpe

During this time of uncertainty and community need, St Neots Town Councillors and staff are continuing to support and assist residents and council meetings are being held virtually every week to continue essential business. Although some of our operations have been put on hold, we are continuing essential statutory work including grass cutting, maintenance of green spaces, bins, allotments, planting and internments as well as providing local community support and handling enquiries.

New Covid-19 Community Grant Fund Set Up

A new fund has just been established by the Council, to assist organisations working to support the NHS, local care homes and our residents in need. This crisis has highlighted the immense generosity of some members of our community reaching out to help others. Mr & Mrs Smith who reside in St Neots have been working tirelessly to produce protective face visors for medical staff using their home 3D printer. The Town Council has agreed to purchase and loan additional equipment to enable Mr & Mrs Smith to continue their work and increase production. The Council has also agreed to set aside a sum of money to support the St Neots Community Support Group and we are also providing support for another local group involved in providing scrubs for NHS workers. The new fund has been set up using monies released from event provisions that have been cancelled due to the lock down. The fund is open to any organisation, group, or individuals who are working to support the Covid-19 crisis specifically in our community. Applicants are exempt from needing to provide a copy of their Constitution and recent accounts for this grant. To apply, download the Grant Aid Application Form and Guidance Notes from our website. Completed forms should then be emailed to enquiries@stneots-tc.gov.uk Alternatively, call us on 01480 388911 for assistance.

Community Support

The St Neots Community Support Group has been established by local residents to provide immediate assistance to those self-isolating. Volunteers are available to collect groceries, prescriptions, post mail and run other essential errands. If you are in need or know someone who is you can contact the group on 0333 3355 344 sncsassist@gmail.com or visit their Facebook Group.

Love's Farm Community Support are providing a shopping service for Love’s Farm residents who are self-isolating and are unable to get support elsewhere. Requests can be made by contacting: help@ourlovesfarm.co.uk or 01480 589059.

Black Cat Radio 107FM our own community radio is providing local information, support and entertainment to St Neots and the surrounding area. Tune in on FM, DAB or online.

Information about further community support available through Huntingdonshire District and Cambridgeshire County Council is listed on our website.

Financial support is available to businesses and residents in need. Support provided from Central Government includes business grants, loans, rate relief, Council Tax relief, Universal Credit and MOT certificate extension.

Local Business

This is certainly a very challenging time for all businesses, particularly those operating in the leisure and hospitality sector. Many of our local businesses have been forced to close, but for those remaining open for businesses in a reduced capacity, we have included a list of operational businesses offering delivery, collection and a contact free services on our website* *we endeavour to keep content as up to date as possible; St Neots Town Council cannot be held responsible for the links to external content listed on our website.

Farmers Market

The market has been closed since the start of the lockdown in late March, but we are now able to re-instate the market in a reduced capacity featuring traders selling essential products only from Saturday 9 May at the usual trading times 8am-1pm. Updates on produce and sellers attending will be made on our Facebook page. From 9th May the market will take place twice a month (every second and fourth Saturday). Stalls selling non-essential items will be reintroduced when the Government restrictions are eased.

Traders attending on Saturday 9 May are:

• Beesley’s Honey
• Franklins of Thorncote – poultry and game
• LB Stewart & Son – salad and vegetable growers
• Morgan Pell Meats – home reared beef, lamb & pork
• K C Robbins – meat and pies
• St Neots Natural Soap – handmade soap bars
• The Cottage Bakery – traditional baker

St Neots Town Council can be contacted during usual business hours 9am-5pm Monday – Thursday and 9am – 4.30pm on Friday by calling 01480 388 911 or email enquiries@stneots-tc.gov.uk

We recognise that speed is of the essence at this time and will do all we can to assist those residents in need. Take care and stay safe, from all at St Neots Town Council.