Dear friend
We hope you’re keeping safe and well in these testing times. As we’re sure you’ll have expected, our meeting of Didsburyfm is every Sunday 8pm on zoom but here are a few bits of news and updates that you may find interesting or useful.
Guidelines and information
We’re in a fast-moving situation, so all the information below may be subject to change. Please check using the links provided.
Business Rate Relief and Grants
The Council has already confirmed that no direct debits for business rates were taken on 1 April before relief has been awarded. This was to ensure businesses are not unnecessarily burdened before the Government’s relief package is put into action.
The Government has announced Extended Retail Relief of 100%, for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses. Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing nothing to pay for 2020/21 in the week commencing 6 April 2020
If the Council believed your business to be eligible for the £10,000 Small Business Rates Grant you should have receive a letter this week (w/c 30 March 2020) asking for your bank details and other essential information.
If the Council believes your business is eligible for the £10,000 or £25,000 Retail Relief Grant and your bank details are on file (because you pay by direct debit), the award should be paid to you week commencing 6 April 2020. If the Council does not hold your bank details, you will receive a letter shortly. The grant will be awarded as quickly as possible following your response.
The Nursery Relief package should have been available from 30 March 2020. Eligible businesses will receive a new bill showing nothing to pay for 2020/21.
Businesses that believe they should be eligible for support but have not heard from the Council by 15 April should email: businessrates@manchester.gov.uk and put “Grant – urgent” as the subject.
Please note: businesses do not need any third party support other than Council officers, who are ready to help. Third party companies will likely take a percentage of the relief grant you receive.
Cllr Carl Ollerhead, Manchester City Council’s executive member for finance and human resources, said “We have moved quickly to make sure Manchester businesses have the support they need through this incredibly challenging period. We know that this will be a worrying time for many people and we’re doing everything we can to give businesses the help they need. Please get in touch if you think your details on our systems are either out of date or incomplete as this will delay any support you are entitled to.
“Remember – if you do need support, the Council’s website is being updated constantly with advice and helpful information. We are here to help and we will get through this together.”
The Business Growth Hub – the Manchester Business Growth Hub is taking calls Monday – Friday 8-8pm and 9-1pm Saturdays and Sundays – 0161 359 3050
Furloughing Staff – HMRC guidelines
HMRC have released information about furloughed workers and the 80% pay calculation:
A quick summary:
The earliest start day of a furlough is 1st March 2020
The furloughed employee must have been employed on 28th February 2020
Employees on reduced but non-zero hours are not eligible
The employer must write to the employee to confirm they are furloughed
National minimum wage does not apply to furloughed workers as they are not working, with some exceptions
Employees cannot be both furloughed and on SSP, they are one or the other
Furlough lasts a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 3 months
The maximum allowable earnings is £2500 per month.
Earnings are based on the higher of the earnings in the same period last year and the average of the last 12 months
Bonuses, commissions and fees are not included in the earnings calculation
The employer does not have to pay more than the 80% figure
The payments are still subject to all the normal wages deductions, e.g. tax, NI, automatic enrolment
Employers can also reclaim the associated employer NI and minimum automatic enrolment (AE) employer pension for the 80% figure
This list is not comprehensive and we recommend you read the original guidance yourself rather than relying exclusively on this email. At first glance the reclaim calculation is straightforward. However, you need to:
Exclude bonuses, commissions or fees in the calculation
Average the pay over the number of months of employment if less than 12 months
We Love Manchester – funding available
Funding support is available to groups and organisations dealing directly with the impact of Covid-19 on their communities in the city of Manchester. The charity has therefore created the Covid-19 Community Response Grant. The short application form is available here. Constituted groups and organisations can apply to this fund for £500 – £3,000 for the items, equipment or supplies they need to support their communities in this difficult time. The application process has been simplified so the money can come out to groups more quickly. Completed application forms can be sent to welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.ukPlease share this information with groups you are aware of and your wider networks.
Business Continuity Updates
Retailers who are still open
Apologies for any omissions – this is based on a quick look-round. Check websites and social media before leaving home.
Our members – please support local independents for your essential supplies!
Cheese Hamlet (9.00 – 1.00)
Little Pigs Butchers
Fresh Save
Wheildon’s Butchers
Fusion Deli
Sterling Pharmacy (till 5.30)
Other shops still open
Food retailers – Evans, Axons, Broadbents, Holland and Barrett
Supermarkets – Co-op, M&S, Aldi, Tesco
Others – Blaggs, Boots, all banks, Post Office
Manchester City Council
“Neighbourhoods Teams North, Central and South have been asked to work from home. We are keeping in touch with each other and all our internal and partner services – passing on information as it becomes available. In the meantime can I ask that you keep me updated of any issues within your community where intervention may be required resulting from the impact of the Coronavirus? It is important that as a community we pull together to help others.We are aware that a number of households / families will encounter difficulties over the coming weeks / months and we with other services will look to support what we can during this difficult time.
If you are on social media please follow us on twitter @ManCityCouncil, @mccdidsbury and Facebook Manchester City Council.”
Mark Youlden, Neighbourhood Officer Didsbury East
The ‘Virtual’ Chick Hunt is on!
The Francis House team have have had to cancel a number of fundraising events, including the annual Great Didsbury Easter Chick Hunt around the Village. Instead, they’ve created a brilliant virtual virtual chick hunt for everyone to enjoy! No matter where you live you can now take part, learn a fact about Francis House and enjoy the quiz.
Can you find all twenty characterful chicks hiding in the interactive map?
www.francishouse.org.uk/chick-hunt
Please also consider making a donation to help them carry on their vital work helping children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families. The Francis House team would like to thank their sponsors Towers Manchester and Lady Barn House School; Maria for knitting the original chicks and members of Didsbury Traders.
Happy Hunting!
If you’re already out buying essential supplies in the Village, look out for knitted mini-chicks (with Creme eggs) on sale in shops including the Cheese Hamlet and Little Pigs Butchers. And if you’re at home, you can buy your mini-chicks online.
Giddy Goat Toys – now selling online
“My website is www.giddygoattoys.co.uk . Delivery is only £2.50 or locals can opt for click and collect. I’ll keep coming into work for as long as I’m allowed – hoping we don’t get put in full house arrest lockdown but it’ll just be me – all other staff have been furloughed to minimise contact.” Amanda x
Didsbury Parsonage Trust
“The Parsonage is closed until further notice.
We have been overwhelmed by expressions of support and goodwill – a testament to the special significance the Parsonage holds for many people. Many people have offered financial support to help keep the Parsonage afloat during the period of closure. This is hugely appreciated, and if you would like to donate you can do so by clicking here.
While the building is closed, you can still contact the office as normal by phone or email. If you have enquiries about room hire or venue hire for later this year, or for 2021, please get in touch.
Local Primary Schools’ Spring Open Art Show – the children, along with their carers and teachers, have put so much time and effort into producing this fabulous artwork that we are determined it will not go unseen! We plan to film the exhibition so that it can be viewed online – details will be on our website soon. We also hope that if things improve in the autumn, this exhibition can continue and provide a cheerful and positive focal point for our re-opening.
At the time of writing, the Parsonage Gardens are still open every day. We know the Gardens are well-loved by the local community, and we sincerely hope they will remain accessible to everyone over the coming months.Our wonderful volunteer gardeners will continue their work for as long as they can, providing a beautiful, and much-needed, haven for us all.”
With all best wishes from Steve, Fiona and Margaret: the Parsonage team
0161 445 7661 info@didsburyparsonagetrust.org.uk
Choice Home Tutoring: online tuition – here to help
“We are delighted to be able to offer tailor-made online tuition sessions with specialist tutors for all ages and subjects. Our online platform replicates many of the benefits of face-to-face tuition so that students continue to get the most out of their lessons. At Choice, our online whiteboard is totally interactive to the extent that it allows the tutor and the student to type, draw, talk, screen-share and interact in real-time in a manner that is as close to resembling an actual face-to-face session as is possible.
Our whiteboard is also user-friendly and, following a demonstration by the tutor, students of all ages are easily able to navigate around the various tools it offers. Sessions can be any duration and at any time of day.
We remain confident that students who utilise our whiteboard will benefit as much from it as a face-to-face session.We want to ensure that children’s education is maintained; our team of experienced tutors will guide studies, recommend resources and take some of the pressure off you at home. We’re happy to talk through online options and hope that things can return to normal as soon as possible.
Take care of each other!”
Best wishes, Colin and Jo Murphy – Choice Home Tutoring 07527 377502 info@choicehometutoring.co.uk
Food Sorcery Cookery School: prepared meals
“In these unusual times, we have a large kitchen and multiple chefs to support – we have looked for a way that we can continue to trade and support the local population….we have designed a selection of delicious comforting home cooked meals. Packed in individual portions, you can order to collect from us or we can arrange selected local deliveries around Didsbury, Cheadle & the Heatons.”
https://www.foodsorcery.co.uk/prepared-meal-let-us-cook-for-you/
Didsbury Car show cancellation
“We’re sorry to tell you that we’ve had to cancel the Didsbury Car Show, planned for 12 July. Unfortunately, the restrictions caused by the virus epidemic look like continuing at least until the summer, and there is too much organisation involved for us to try to postpone it to a later date this year. We’re really sad about this, but meanwhile we hope you all keep safe and healthy!”
We hope this has been helpful. If you have news to share, just send us an email.
Stay safe and well, everyone
Sally
Didsbury FM