Council tax – support for residents

Oldham Council are advising residents experiencing short-term financial difficulty that special payment plans can be agreed – for example paying over nine months with no initial payment until July.  Bailiff visits for those whose council tax is overdue have also been suspended. Schemes like the Exceptional Financial Hardship scheme and council tax reductions for low income households are also being signposted.

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/

Energy costs

The government has reached an agreement with energy providers to remove the risk of residents having energy cut off because of debts during periods of self-isolation. Those on pre-payment meters can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied, while for others debt repayment options and bill reassessment is also available.

More information is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy-industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19

Please see below links to vacancies across supermarkets and NHS – unfortunately majority of sites won’t let me copy the full link to include the result of Oldham locality, but if residents put in postcode and search 5 – 10 miles, there are a number of opportunities available.

CO-OP

Urgently recruiting permanent and temporary colleagues at food stores. Temp – apply in store / Permanent – apply online.

https://jobs.coop.co.uk/food?linkId=84616254

ALDI

20 store vacancies within 10 mile radius of Oldham

https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/apply/

MORRISONS

Temp recruitment through Staffline for all sites across UK

https://www.staffline.co.uk/jobs/morrisons

LIDL

4 week contracts for Stock Assistants

https://careers.lidl.co.uk/stores/stock-assistant

ICELAND

A lot of opportunities within 5 miles of Oldham

https://app.kallidusrecruit.com/Iceland/Search.aspx

TESCO

https://www.tesco-careers.com/search-and-apply/

https://apply.tesco-careers.com/members/?j=570121  CHADDERTON

https://apply.tesco-careers.com/members/?j=568823  STALYBRIDGE

HERON FOODS

Oldham  – 12 hour contracts

https://heronfoods.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/3206

HOME BARGAINS

https://jobs.homebargains.co.uk/roles/location/oldham

SAINSBURYS

Working at Sainsbury’s

ASDA

https://www.asda.jobs/

NHS

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/jobs

https://gmcareershub.nhs.uk/

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

The Government is advising against non-essential use of public transport and for people to vary travel times to avoid rush hour.

Services are currently operating as normal but as people begin to travel less and we have less staff and drivers available, bus, rail and tram services will start to be reduced over the coming days.

Many operators have now published their revised timetables, which will come into effect from Sunday.

While non-essential travel is being discouraged, peak time restrictions on concessionary tram and bus passes will be lifted during the early morning rush hour from Friday 20 March onwards to make it easier for the region’s older citizens and disabled people to get their shopping.

Metrolink passengers with 28 day and annual travelcards are being offered refunds on the number of days left remaining on their tickets, as long as there is a minimum of 7 days remaining.

Please visit the link below for the latest travel and timetable information for all types of transport and check with individual operators ahead of your journey.

If you do need to travel, we want to assure you that a rigorous cleaning regime is in place across the transport network. We also encourage customers who are travelling on Metrolink to use contactless payments rather than ticket machines.

TfGM will continue to work closely with Metrolink, rail and bus operators to ensure those that need to travel can still do so safely.

https://tfgm.com/coronavirus

I have spoken to the Council this morning and they are trying to get an update from the contractor; all being well, the road should be open this afternoon. 

If this is the case, arranging additional measures now, will be pointless.    

If the closure will be on for a longer period then they will suspend the bus lane along Market Street. 

www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus

Bin collections

The Coronavirus has had an impact on Council’s waste and recycling service which means we are currently unable to carry out all bin collections.

Our staff will attempt to carry out as many collections as possible with priority given to general rubbish and food collections. Blue bin – paper etc are currently suspended.

Please follow this advice:

• Do not place any garden waste out for collection. Please use green bins and caddies for food waste only.
• Place all bins out for collection as normal. Should we not collect your bin on its scheduled collection day please take it back onto your property and put it out again on your next collection day.
• Until further notice only contact us to report a missed collections of your general rubbish (grey bin) and food waste (green bin/caddy).
• New bin deliveries – please be aware that we are prioritising general rubbish and food & garden bins for delivery. There is a delay on all other waste containers.
• Protect your bin crews – If your household has a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus you are to place all used tissues and cleaning cloths in a plastic rubbish bag and tie it tightly when full. After 72 hours the bag should be then placed in a second bag and tied tightly before being placed in your general rubbish bin.
• Bulky Bob collections will take place as normal from households where bulky items can be/are placed outside for collection. Importantly – jobs which have been booked with a collection from inside a property will be cancelled (with a full refund given) unless residents can place the items outside.

If you have any additional waste you can dispose of it at Arkwright Street Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Temporary Service Change

We are temporarily delivering our services by telephone instead of face to face as part of our efforts to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus.

For Citizens Advice support you can:

• visit our website at: www.casort.org containing up to date help and information online 24/7
• or you can call our Adviceline on 0300 330 9073

Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm

Specific Advice relating to COVID 19 (also known as Coronavirus)

Symptoms

Anyone worried about their symptoms or those of a family member or colleague, should contact the NHS 111 service:

• Phone: 111
• Online: What to do if you think you have symptoms – nhs 111 online website
• They should not go to their GP or other healthcare facility.

Precautions

People should stay calm and take simple steps such as washing their hands regularly.

Do

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately.
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel (with an alcohol content of at least 60%) if soap and water are not available
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don’t

• touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Further advice and guidance

The NHS and GOV.UK websites have answers to common questions about coronavirus:

• Coronavirus: latest information and advice – GOV.UK website
• Coronavirus overview – NHS.UK website

The Government has issued specific advice for:

• Schools – GOV.UK website
• Health professionals – GOV.UK website
• Transport – GOV.UK website
• Social care – GOV.UK website
• Employers and businesses – GOV.UK website

The Department for Education has set up a coronavirus helpline for teachers, parents and young people:

• Phone 0800 046 8687 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/