COUNCIL bosses are offering a lifeline to vulnerable members of the community during the coronavirus lockdown.

Halstead Town Council says it is doing “everything it can” to support the community and is now appealing for volunteers to come forward.

Since the outbreak, vulnerable residents have been advised to stay at home, isolating themselves.

Now with the lockdown, the council is offering its support to residents.

The council says it can help with a range of things, such as shopping or getting prescriptions.

Vulnerable residents are being asked to contact the council to arrange for them to help.

The council is also appealing for residents who are willing to offer their assistance during the lockdown.

In a statement, a council spokesman said: “Halstead Town Council is doing everything it can to help and support the vulnerable in the community. If you count yourself among the vulnerable, please get in touch and we will try to arrange help with shopping or prescriptions.

“If on the other hand you are able to offer assistance, please also get in touch and we will match you up with someone who needs help.”

For more information or to offer your help, contact the council at townclerk@halsteadtowncouncil.org.uk.

Meanwhile, Braintree Council bosses insist they will help businesses wherever they can to ensure they survive the crisis.

The council says it has received more than 3,000 applications for financial support from traders in desperate need of help after the UK was put into lockdown.

The authority is offering relief of up to £25,000 to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. It will also provide a maximum grant of £10,000 to small businesses which pay little or no business rates.

The council says it will aim to dish out the money within the next week.

Economic development boss Tom Cunningham said: “We know that the impact of Covid-19 will be enormous for many businesses.

“We know that companies are worried about their income, concerned about how to retain staff and how to make ends meet.

“We will do everything within our remit to help businesses weather this storm.”

The cash grants for the retail, hospitality and leisure industry extend to shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, cinemas, music venues, leisure centres and hotels.

The top grant is also on offer to estate agents, letting agents, betting shops and bingo halls.

Council bosses have also sought to reassure traders that business rate relief is being applied to all who are eligible.

A spokesman said: “Businesses do not need to take any further action as the relief will be applied automatically and the bills amended accordingly.

“This includes the 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses, estate agents, letting agents, betting shops and bingo halls.”

To find out what help is available to your business, email ecodev@braintree.gov.uk.