Message from new Buckimghamshire Council - Part 1

Part One

Dear Resident,

We have now become one new council, Buckinghamshire Council, providing all council services in Buckinghamshire, to all of our residents, as one team.

This change has come at an incredibly testing time but I am so proud of how our teams have risen to the challenge. We are working together as one new organisation to do everything we possibly can to support our residents through the coronavirus crisis.

I talk more about our new Council in my video updates – so please take a look at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/video-updates to find out a bit more about how the new Council can help if you need support because of the coronavirus outbreak – and of course how to access all your usual council services.

Buckinghamshire Council - our way of working

We have staff working across different areas outside their normal jobs as we direct Buckinghamshire Council resources towards managing the coronavirus outbreak to help and support our residents, especially the most vulnerable.

In an incredibly short space of time, we have set up local support hubs and an online community space for coronavirus related information. Through our team of fantastic volunteers we are taking food parcels to the most vulnerable people who need them.

This is a monumental achievement and I want to pay tribute to all of our Buckinghamshire Council staff for making this happen. And of course, I must highlight again the amazing, inspiring work being done by volunteers, community groups and local businesses right across the county; more on this below. Thank you to each and every one of you.

If you need help and support or if you want to find out more please use the online hub at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Could your business help us?

If your business or organisation is in a position to help us deliver critical services by donating time or resources, please do register your support via our website here.

This support will help us continue to provide necessary services to some of the most vulnerable people in the county during this difficult time. We hugely appreciate any offers of help.

Update on where food parcels have been delivered

We’ve already sent out 50 food parcels directly to households, 10 parcels have been donated to young people who have recently left our care, and parcels have also been taken to the new Aylesbury and High Wycombe hubs to go to people who need them the most. We have also donated 40 boxes of supplies to local food banks. Massive thanks to our volunteers who’ve been delivering these.

Community focus - #ProudofBucks

I wrote last time about just how incredibly inspiring it is to see such an amazing community effort in full swing right across the county! We’re all pulling together at a time of crisis and it’s one of the big positives to come out of this situation. We want to highlight as many of these stories at possible in our newsletter and across social media. Tell us what you’re up to using hashtag #ProudofBucks.

Twitter - @BucksCouncil

Facebook - @BucksCouncil

For example, in the space of just a few days, Princes Risborough Town Council, alongside local independent shops there, have launched a grocery delivery service. They’ve already made around 500 deliveries of provisions to local households and it is proving an immediate lifeline for local people.

We know there are stories like this across Buckinghamshire, so let us know what’s going on in your area by contacting communications@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or via our social media channels using the #ProudofBucks hashtag.

Please also let us know via communities@buckinghamshire.gov.uk if you’re providing support in your local community so we can add it to our contact list so people can find help in their local area.