Census 2021

The census is taking place in March 2021.
It’s a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. It helps plan and fund public services, like transport, education and healthcare.
By taking part and encouraging others to do the same, you’ll help make sure you and your community get the services you need.
Nearer the time, you’ll receive more information. There’ll be plenty of help to take part for people who need it.
Find out more at www.census.gov.uk
Follow the census
@Census2021

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL UPDATE – Friday 23 October on behalf of Cllr Whitehead

COVID-19 UPDATE – Friday 23 October 2020

 

Good evening

The council will be publishing Covid-19 case statistics for Wiltshire every week through its channels.  This week’s statistics (as at 22 October) are attached to this newsletter.  

 

Also attached are some new assets to support the promotion of key COVID-19 preventative health messages across our communities. These are additional materials to the COVID-19 Tool Kit and resources sent to previously.

  1. COVID-19 Poster to encourage people to play their part to prevent the introduction of increased restrictions in Wiltshire (3 versions: banner, twitter and Facebook)
  2. Medium Local COVID Alert Level Poster
  3. COVID-19 Poster (including Arabic and Polish translated versions)
  4. COVID-19 Business and Employees Tool Kit
  5. COVID-19 Self-isolation guidance poster
  6. COVID-19 Car share poster

 

All the latest guidance and advice published by Government can also be sent directly to you by clicking the following link:  GOV.UK COVID-19 updates.

If there are any additional resources or formats you think would be beneficial for your communities please do get in contact with our Communications Team .

Thank you for all your help to get these key preventative health messages out.

 

COVID-19 Schools update

 

Precautionary COVID-19 measures taken at schools in Wiltshire

Following advice from public health professionals, 25 education settings, including independent and boarding schools in Wiltshire are currently taking precautionary COVID-19 measures due to positive cases being confirmed in their settings.  This information is correct as at 9.00am on 23 October.

Whilst the number of positive cases are very low in each setting, a total of 1,610 pupils are currently being asked to self-isolate to ensure any risk of transmission is kept as low as possible. The self-isolation of the pupils is very precautionary to minimise any risk to others and to reduce onward transmission of the virus.

All schools are working closely with the Public Health team at Wiltshire Council to ensure all the necessary measures are in place.

Business update

The Chancellor has announced the following increased support for businesses:

Job Support Scheme

The original scheme, starting on 1 November 2020, saw employers paying a third of their employees’ wages for hours not worked and required employees to be working 33% of their normal hours. Yesterday’s announcement means the employer contribution to those unworked hours has been reduced to 5% and the minimum hours requirements reduced to 20%, so those working just one day a week will be eligible.

Employers will continue to receive the £1,000 Job Retention Bonus for each employee retained until February 2021.

The Job Support Scheme Closed which supports those businesses legally required to close remains unchanged.

More information can be found in the Job Support Scheme Open Factsheet

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/928761/JSS_Open_factsheet.pdf

Self-employed Grant

The amounts of profit covered by the two forthcoming self-employed grants has been increased from 20% to 40%, meaning the maximum grant will increase from £1,875 to £3,750. The first grant will cover a three-month period from the start of November 2020 until the end of January 2021. The second grant will cover a three-month period from the start of February until the end of April 2021.

Business Grants

Cash grants of up to £2,100 per month will be available, primarily for businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector that may be adversely impacted by the restrictions in high-alert areas. Businesses in Very High alert level areas may qualify for up to £3,000 per month.

More information can be found in the Business Grants Factsheet: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/928760/BUSINESS_GRANTS_FACTSHEET.pdf

Read the Chancellor’s announcement in full: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-for-jobs-chancellor-increases-financial-support-for-businesses-and-workers?utm_source=923e5ab2-e10c-490d-ac93-4287f524ee0e&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate#sw

COVID-19 Wiltshire Business and Employee Tool Kit

The council has produced a COVID-19 Business and Employee Tool Kit to help provide useful advice and guidance to support. Within it you’ll find a range of resources including symptoms step-by-step guides, advice on car sharing, guidance on staying safe outside of work, and a lot more.

A copy of the tool kit is attached to this newsletter and is available to download here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/media/4906/COVID-19-Public-health-advice-and-guidance-for-businesses/pdf/COVID-19___public_health_advice_and_guidance_for_your_business_and_employees.pdf?m=637387175459930000

Revaluation 2023

The Valuation Office Agency is contacting businesses to request rental information to support the next revaluation of business rates in England and Wales – Revaluation 2023. Once businesses receive a letter they can go online to submit up-to-date details. It is important to provide this information to ensure business rates are accurate.

Leaving the EU

The government is urging businesses to step up preparations for leaving the EU on Australian-style terms based on simple principles of global free trade from 1 January 2021.

Businesses need to take the following actions:

  • If you sell goods to the EU you must prepare for new customs procedures. Visit GOV.UK to check duties and customs procedures for exporting your goods worldwide from 1 January 2021
  • If you travel to the EU for work purposes you will need to check if you need a visa or work permit and apply if necessary
  • If you employ overseas nationals, you will need to prepare your business for the implementation of the new immigration system. From 1 January 2021, if you want to hire anyone from outside the UK, including the EU, you must be a Home Office licenced sponsor
  • If your business receives personal data from contacts in the EEA, you may need to take extra steps to ensure that the data can continue to flow legally at the end of the transition period
  • If you provide services in the EU, you must ensure that your qualifications are now recognised by EU regulations to be able to practice or service clients in the EU

You can get a personalised summary of the actions you need to take by using a simple tool on gov.uk/transition (https://www.gov.uk/transition).

Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/time-is-running-out-for-businesses-to-prepare.

 

Self-isolation £500 payment for people on low income who cannot work from home

A £500 payment is available for people who have to self-isolate, on a low income and will lose money because they cannot work from home.

If they are self-isolating because they’ve come home from another country this does not mean they are eligible, they must have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS to qualify.

To be eligible a person must:

·     have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday, 28 September 2020 and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS

·     are employed or self-employed

·     have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating

They must also be receiving at least one of the following benefits:

·     Universal Credit

·     Pension Credit

·     Housing Benefit

·     Income Support

·     income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

·     income-based Employment Support Allowance

·     Working Tax Credit

The council is in the process of finalising a system to allow people to claim for this payment as quickly and easily as possible, and this will be live next week. People who are eligible for this payment will be able to make a backdated claim to 28 September 2020.

More information on how to apply locally will be available on the council’s council tax and benefits pages next week. In the meantime, more information can also be found on the government website.

 

Other matters:

 

Halloween 2020

The council is encouraging families to have a fun but safe Halloween this year.

Wiltshire is currently the Medium tier of the government’s local COVID alert levels, but with cases rising locally, the council is asking people to avoid trick or treating, not hold gatherings for more than six people, and instead take part in fun Halloween household activities.

Wiltshire Council has produced a Halloween themed information pack with some useful advice and guidance and some fun activities for youngsters. It can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus.

Wiltshire Libraries have a series of online Halloween themed activities. They are running a Facebook Halloween quiz to test people’s knowledge of all things spooky. The quiz will be published at 7pm on Thursday 29 October, with answers published 24 hours later.

People can take part at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-contact-us.

 

People Friendly Salisbury

People Friendly Salisbury, the scheme that will see pedestrians and cyclists prioritised in several city centre streets as a result of restricting through traffic movements, started on Wednesday 21 October.

The project will reduce through traffic in the city centre, improving air quality and prioritising pedestrians and cyclists, in turn encouraging an increase in the number of visitors and shoppers in the city.

The scheme creates a Low Traffic Zone (LTZ) in the city, with only some vehicles allowed to access the LTZ with a free permit.

Emergency vehicles, buses and coaches, taxis and bicycles will not require a permit to access the LTZ, but residents and commercial vehicles that are loading and unloading, plus Blue Badge holders, will need to apply for a free permit to access the LTZ. Vehicles over 7.5t are not able to access the LTZ between 10am and 4pm, and outside of these times they will also need a free permit.

The project, which is scheduled to last for 18 months as a trial, is subject to an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), a legal document that allows the council to collect feedback and make changes to the scheme as appropriate. At the end of the ETRO period, the council will take into account the feedback received throughout the life of the ETRO and make a decision on whether to make any of the changes permanent, or to revert the streets back to the way they were.

The project will be fully monitored, with 47 sensors providing anonymous data on vehicle and pedestrian movements within the LTZ, on the A36 and at other key points in the city.

To help make people aware of the scheme, the council has sent letters to every residence and business in the LTZ, and has also sent letters to around 1,500 Blue Badge holders in the south of the county.

To apply for a free permit, LTZ residents, businesses, and Blue Badge holders should go to www.wanttopark.com/Wiltshire or, for more information, including detailed FAQs, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/salisbury-people-friendly-streets.

 

 

Calne Community Campus

Following extensive refurbishment work, Calne Leisure Centre, now to be known as Calne Community Campus, is set to open on Tuesday 3 November 2020 – with the new facility delivering fresh, modern and safe facilities for the Calne community area.

The council has invested more than £3m into the project, which will help ensure the centre is sustainable and available for use by the community for the long-term. The reopening of the refurbished Leisure Centre completes the overall community campus project, which also included the work to the Community Hub and Beversbrook sports facility.

Some of the features the community can look forward to are:

  • Fitness suite twice the size of the previous suite with state-of-the-art equipment.
  • Refurbished dry changing rooms with an accessible changing room – interim COVID-19 measures will be in place
  • Sports hall re-decorated with a new sprung floor installed and a new system for temperature controlled ventilation.
  • Fitness Studio re-decorated with improved access, refurbished floor and a new sound system
  • Swimming pool hall redecorated with new floor surround and pool cover
  • New swimming village change area including personal care room, 23 separate cubicles, family cubicles, individual showers and new entrance to poolside.
  • Refreshed entrance area including automatic and assessible doors
  • First floor refurbished throughout, with new toilets, including an accessible toilet, new furniture and a movable wall for flexible use of space for functions and meetings.

The campus will open with full COVID-19 safety measures in place, so people can feel as safe as possible whilst visiting. The same safety measures have seen the council successfully reopen many of its leisure facilities up and down the county to positive feedback from customers during the current pandemic. More information about leisure services and measures during COVID-19 can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-covid19.

All enquiries relating to the new facility can be sent to .

 

 

Partners join forces to step up awareness of child exploitation on public transport

A new drive to help people know how to spot the signs of a child in danger, and who to contact if they are concerned, is being launched across Wiltshire.

The message – child exploitation we need your help to stop it – will be shared widely encouraging taxi drivers, train and bus staff as well as the general public to look out for the signs and help protect young people.

The initiative comes to help track down cases where young people are victims of child sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation and encourage the public to raise the alarm if they have concerns.

People are being encouraged to look out for children and young people who are:

  • Travelling during the school day or during unusual hours, such as late in the evening
  • With an older individual who appears controlling
  • A victim of physical assault or unexplained injuries
  • Receiving lots of texts, phones or video calls
  • Looking withdrawn or distressed in the company of adults
  • In a vulnerable state due to drink or drugs, accompanied by older individuals
  • Possibly from another area, look lost or have a distinct accent
  • Collected and taken to hotels, parties, B&Bs or other gatherings
  • With an adult expressing sexualised behaviour to them
  • Dropped off at any location that causes concern
  • Having their fares paid by adults who are not in the taxi

Guidance: 

 

£75 million funding agreement with Homes England given seal of approval

 

Cabinet has agreed to sign the Grant Determination Agreement with Homes England, the government’s housing agency, subject to conditions, to secure £75 million of Housing Infrastructure Funding.

This decision, made on 13 October 2020, ensures funding is available to contribute towards the cost of delivering the strategic infrastructure in and around Chippenham to support the potential longer-term growth of the area.

The infrastructure improvements include the creation of a new relief road to the east and south of Chippenham, linking the A350 at the northern and southern ends of the town, as well as specific improvement to J17 on the M4.

The HIF bid identified the opportunity to provide 7,500 homes at Chippenham. The level of growth at the town to 2036 including where new homes could be allocated is being considered through the separate Wiltshire Local Plan review process. Any new housing allocations will be examined by an independent Inspector. Consultation on the Local Plan will be carried out early in the new year.

The report for the Cabinet meeting on 13 October 2020 can be viewed at: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=13083&Ver=4 (agenda item 10).

Work to make trees safe will close A4 at Derry Hill for 11 days

The A4 at Derry Hill, near Calne, will be closed for 11 days (including the weekend) from Thursday 22 October as the Bowood Estate and Wiltshire Council carry out urgent works to remove around 400 ash trees that are dying of ash dieback disease, as well as other trees that are causing a material risk to the highway.

Ash dieback is a fungus that, in time, kills ash trees, and leads to large, dead branches throughout the crown of the tree, which can fall at any time, with a real risk of causing injury or death to people, particularly in high winds.

The work at Derry Hill, between the junction of the A342 and the village of Studley, is being undertaken by Bowood Estate, with Wiltshire Council supporting through traffic management. Anyone wishing to access the villages of Derry Hill, Studley or Bowood will still to be able to do so throughout the works.

As three separate sets of roadworks are taking place around Calne at the same time, the Traffic Management Plan that applies to Hills’ sites at Lower Compton and Sands Farm will be temporarily suspended. During this time vehicles, associated with Hills’ business activities will have to follow the diversion routes and travel through the centre of Calne on the A4. The Traffic Management Plan will come back into force as soon as the roadworks are completed and diversions have been removed.

More volunteers needed for popular scheme which provides support for children in care

 

A popular scheme which links independent adult volunteers with young people in care is looking for more people to join its committed team so it can expand its good work.

An Independent Visitor (IV) offers regular long-term support and friendship to a young person living in foster or residential care. Every local authority has a duty to provide this service for its young people.

The scheme aims to link up children and young people in foster or residential care with volunteer adults who are independent from the care system. Young people have to be keen to take up the offer of an IV, and if they want to take part in the scheme they are linked up with their own unique person who will befriend, visit and support them while they are in care.

In Wiltshire 57 young people are already linked up with visitors. However due to the schemes ongoing popularity with young people there are plans to expand the scheme further over the coming years. The scheme is keen to hear from anyone aged over 18 who is interested in this role, particularly male volunteers and those able to travel to visit young people living outside Wiltshire borders.

Volunteers are all offered regular training and ongoing support in their role and once appointed become a member of the volunteer team.

If you are interested in knowing more about becoming an Independent Visitor please contact   or call 07733 303124.

More information can also be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/children-young-people-independent-visitor-scheme.

May I wish you an enjoyable weekend.

Regards,

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks – Priority Services Register

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks

 

A representative from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has been in touch with the parish council to explain how they can help communities become more resilient in the event of a prolonged power cut.

They talked through their Priority Services Register that residents who may need extra support during a power cut can sign up to. Those eligible to join the Priority services are:

  • Those dependent on electricity for medical home care e.g. Kidney dialysis machine/ventilator
  • Those who have a chronic illness or short-term medical condition e.g. recovering from a major operation
  • Those who are disabled
  • Those who have special communication needs e.g. blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing
  • Those who have children under five years old
  • Those who are over 60 years old

To register with the priority service, you can call FREE on 0800 294 3259 from a landline or mobile.                               Or 0800 316 5457 from a textphone. Or use the website https://www.ssen.co.uk/Home/

If you would like a Priority Services leaflet, please contact Broad Town parish council on: 

 

To report all power cuts and emergencies call 105

COVID-19 UPDATE – Friday 9 October 2020 Cllr Whitehead

COVID-19 UPDATE – Friday 9 October 2020

 

Good afternoon

 

Please find below the latest update regarding COVID-19 and other council matters.

 

Stay up to date with GOV-UK COVID-19 guidance and advice

 

All the latest guidance and advice published by government can be sent directly to you by clicking the following link:  GOV.UK COVID-19 updates.

 

 

Wiltshire Council COVID-19 public health resource tool kit

 

A tool kit with a range of resources to use in the community was sent to town and parish councils last week.  We’d welcome any feedback or suggestions for additional assets/formats that may be helpful. Please email .

 

 

Schools update

 

Precautionary COVID-19 measures taken at schools in Wiltshire

 

Following advice from public health professionals, 12 state and 2 independent schools in Wiltshire are currently taking precautionary COVID-19 measures due to positive cases being confirmed in their settings.  This information is correct as at 12pm on 9 October.

 

Whilst the number of positive cases are very low in each setting, a total of 635 pupils are currently being asked to self-isolate to ensure any risk of transmission is kept as low as possible. The self-isolation of the pupils is very precautionary to minimise any risk to others and to reduce onward transmission of the virus.

 

The schools are working closely with the Public Health team at Wiltshire Council to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained and all the necessary measures are in place.

 

All school pupils currently self-isolating are continuing their learning at home during this time.

 

 

COVID-19 Business update

 

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Claims for the second taxable grant, worth 70% of a self-employed person’s average monthly trading profits, must be submitted on or before 19 October 2020. Eligible applicants will receive a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, capped at £6,570 in total. People can claim for the second grant even if they did not make a claim for the first grant.

 

To claim the second taxable grant:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

 

The grant is being extended from 1 November 2020 for a period of six months. Two grants will be paid in lump sum instalments, each covering a three-month period. The first will cover the period from the start of November until the end of January and the second will start in February until the end of April 2021. Full details on how to claim will be available soon.

 

For information on the extension of the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-employment-income-support-scheme-grant-extension

 

Job Retention Bonus

The Job Retention Bonus is a scheme which provides employers with a £1,000 one-off taxable payment for each eligible employee that was furloughed and kept continuously employed until 31 January 2021.

 

Employers can now check whether they are eligible to claim the Job Retention Bonus and what they need to do to claim it.

 

Claims for the bonus can be made between 15 February and 31 March 2021.

 

Further information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-claim-the-job-retention-bonus-from-15-february-2021

 

 

Government Skills Toolkit

 

The Skills Toolkit is an online learning platform launched by the government. It gives people access to free, high-quality digital, numeracy and employability courses, to help build their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.

 

All courses on The Skills Toolkit are easy to access, meaning people can learn on their own terms, at a time and place that suits them. There’s something for everyone, no matter what their experience or background.

 

The Government has recently added over 60 new courses to the Skills Tool Kit including the addition of work-readiness courses – from computer essentials and practical maths to digital marketing, coding, leadership and project management.  This initiative is supported by some of the country’s leading educational experts and employers including The Open University, Google, Amazon and Microsoft.

 

Further information can be found here: https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/.

 

 

COVID-19 Test and Trace support payment scheme

 

For those required to self-isolate, a £500 payment is available if they are working and on a low income and will lose money because they cannot work from home.

 

To receive this payment, they must:

  • have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday, 28 September 2020 and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS
  • be employed or self-employed
  • have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating

 

and be receiving at least one of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-based Employment Support Allowance
  • Working Tax Credit

 

The council is in the process of finalising a system to allow people to claim for this payment as quickly and easily as possible, this will be live next week. People who are eligible for this payment will be able to make a backdated claim to 28 September 2020.

 

More information on how to apply locally will be available on the website’s council tax and benefits pages next week. In the meantime, more information can also be found on the government website.

 

 

Leisure services update

 

More than 21,000 people have visited Marlborough and Tidworth leisure centres; Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury; Springfield Community Campus, Corsham; The Vale Community Campus, Pewsey; and The Nadder Centre, Tisbury since they reopened.

 

Durrington Swimming and Fitness Centre will reopen on 19 October with people soon able to book to use services there including swimming and swimming lessons.

 

Calne Leisure Centre is on track to reopen later this autumn following its extensive improvements.

 

Fitness facilities, group exercise classes and swimming pools were the first activities introduced and now racket sports and some block bookings for community groups are being provided in some centres, with plans being developed to enable even more to return over the coming weeks. Swimming lessons for most children have also now resumed.

 

Safety for staff and customers has been at the forefront at all the centres, with COVID-19 measures in place and being respected by those who attend. Feedback from customers has been generally positive and the new measures have made people feel safe as they look to improve their fitness after a challenging 2020 so far. The council is constantly reviewing the safety measures and will make any changes as required.

 

For up to date information on what’s available, what’s changed and how to access activities people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-covid19.

 

 

New Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub

The council is launching a new Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub which will assist people who want to improve their health and mental wellbeing.

 

The Health Improvement Hub will be a single point of access for referrals to the Health Improvement Coaches, Healthy Me (child and family weight management service), and the council’s new group adult weight management programme, Healthy Us, due to launch January 2021.

The Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub will utilise Health Improvement Coaches who can support people to make practical changes to improve their health and mental wellbeing through one-to-one support. This service will be available to over 18s and is free, with the Health Improvement Coaches providing six one-hour sessions, which are carried out by telephone or virtually. When safe to do so they will be offered as  face-to-face sessions.

The new service builds on the success of the current Health Trainer Service which has been running since 2014, and has supported 5,000 people in Wiltshire to lose weight and eat a healthy diet, increase physical activity, reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking and improve emotional wellbeing.

 

More information about the Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub can be found on our website at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-trainers. Alternatively people can email or call 0300 003 4566 – option 1.

 

World Mental Health Day 2020

 

This year’s World Mental Health Day, takes place tomorrow, Saturday 10 October and the council is working with partners to remind people of how they can take steps to improve their wellbeing.

 

As well as the launch of the Wiltshire Health Improvement Hub highlighted above, the council is supporting Public Health England and the NHS’ Every Mind Matters programme which has been endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP). Every Mind Matters offers a range of resources that help spot the signs of common mental health concerns, offers practical self-care tips and guidance and, importantly, explains when to seek further support. It also has a free NHS-approved online tool the Every Mind Matters Your Mind Plan.

As half term approaches, Every Mind Matters also has a range of information to support children and young people and their parents/carers to talk about mental health and the current situation and how to navigate the COVID-19 situation.

 

People can find ideas and simple accessible resources, on the Wiltshire Council website at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-mental-health.

 

The page includes five evidence-based steps people can take to improve their mental wellbeing:

 

  • Keep connected. We all benefit from good relationships – do you know someone who would like a chat over the phone?
  • Be active, look after your physical health – people can explore a variety of ways to exercise and try new things by looking at the active communities page on our Active Communities page on our website https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities
  • Take notice and appreciate what you have. Take time to look around you, what do you hear and see? Take a moment to relax and enjoy the autumnal colours.
  • Keep learning. Make time for hobbies and interests
  • Get involved in your community. Give to others. A smile goes a long way!

 

There are also a number of additional resources listed on the CCG website, that can help a person in need.

 

GPs can also signpost people to local support services, while also sharing their own insight, knowledge and experience.

 

Remembrance Day 2020

Many of you have made contact asking for information about holding safe and lawful local Remembrance events this November. We understand that government is working on providing specific guidance on Remembrance events with the Royal British Legion which will be published in due course.

An officer from the council’s Public Health team will be providing a brief to those attending the Town and Parish Council Community Update Meeting on Tuesday 13 October (1-2pm).  The LGA has also created a dedicated LGA web page that brings together useful resources which we hope will help your teams in planning any local activity.

May I wish you a very enjoyable weekend.

 

Regards,

 

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE – 22 September Wiltshire Council

COVID-19 UPDATE –22 September

 

Good afternoon,

 

NHS COVID-19 App launching this week

The NHS COVID-19 app will launch in England on Thursday 24 September.

In the run-up to the launch, the council is engaging with businesses and venues across the county to provide guidance for those required by law to print and display posters to help users of the app check in and record their presence.

The posters, which display a unique QR code for each setting, can be scanned by the app, which then saves information that can be used to help contact tracers in the event of an outbreak.

Settings that are currently required to keep records of visitors for contact tracing purposes must still maintain their own register to collect the contact details of those who have not, or could not, install the app.

Venues include facilities provided by local authorities and town and parish councils, including town and village halls, leisure centres, libraries, community and children’s centres.

Read more information about  which venues in England should display the official NHS QR code poster.

Venues that are required to display the official NHS QR code poster can download and print the QR code posters from the Government website.

For further details on the announcement please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/venues-required-to-enforce-rule-of-6-nhs-qr-code-posters-and-contact-logs.

Please do encourage businesses in your local area to download and display QR code posters to ensure they comply with this latest legislation. We’ll be sending out more information about how you can help encourage residents to download the app in the next couple of days so please keep an eye out for that.

Precautionary COVID-19 measures taken at ten schools

 

The following schools are taking precautionary measures with the advice and support of public health officials after one pupil at each school tested positive for COVID-19.

St Augustines

160 Year 9 pupils have been self-isolating but returned to school yesterday.

 

Kingsbury Green Academy

The pupil is in Year 12 and is self-isolating with Year 12 and 13 pupils, 110 in total, and three members of staff for 14 days until 30 September.

 

Bulford St Leonard’s School

The pupil is in Year 5 and is self-isolating with year 5 pupils, 35 in total, for 14 days until 26 September. Three teaching staff will also self-isolate.

 

The Springfields Academy

The pupil, who is in a year group bubble of Years 6 – 8 is self-isolating along with the other 11 pupils in the bubble for 14 days until 29 September.

 

St Margaret’s Preparatory School

The pupil is in Year 3 and is self-isolating along with Year 3 pupils, 27 in total and three staff, for 14 days until Monday 28 September.

 

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
The pupil is in Year 9, and is self-isolating with all Year 9 pupils, 284 in total for 14 days until 25 September.

 

Avon Valley College
The pupil is in Year 10, and is self -isolating along with  Year 10 pupils, 65 in total, until 21 September. One member of staff is also self-isolating.

 

Trinity School

The pupil was in year 4 , and is self-isolating along with year 4 pupils, 28 in total and 2 members of staff

 

Southbroom Junior

Two pupils in year 6 are isolating. No children sent home as the positive cases had not attended school during their infectious period

 

Southbroom Nursery

One positive case with 19 children now self isolating.

 

Statement on Bridgestone British Masters motocross event

 

A decision has been made that the Bridgestone British Masters Battlecross motocross event in Winterbourne Gunner will not take place this year.

 

The event wasn’t requested to be cancelled, but assurances were not met that adequate plans were in place for the event to take place while keeping everyone in attendance as safe as possible. Such plans are standard practice for any large-scale event.

 

Following conversations with colleagues at Wiltshire Council, Public Health, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Wiltshire Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the event organisers the decision has been made that now is not the right time for the event to take place. The health and wellbeing of our communities is our top priority and a gathering of this nature has the potential to undo some of the great work many people have done in following COVID-19 guidance and keeping each other as safe as possible.

 

The organisers already have plans for the event to take place in 2021.

 

As we continue to see outbreaks of Coronavirus across the country we want to do what we can to ensure Wiltshire doesn’t end up with a significant increase in cases.

 

Any events or gatherings of more than six people, other than those which are exempt, risk increasing the number of infections in the county.

 

In response to the current situation, Wiltshire Council is strongly recommending local businesses and event organisers postpone or cancel events that are planned to take place in the county during September and October.

 

If you do become aware of events taking place in your local area, please could we ask for your support in sharing this message to help ensure that together Wiltshire helps reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and continues to keep rates low.

 

MyWilts launch

 

The council will be launching its new online reporting system, MyWilts, this week.

 

The new system replaces the previous MyWiltshire, which was introduced in 2013. MyWilts allows people to report issues such as:

 

  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Fraud
  • Weather emergencies
  • Fly Tipping
  • Dog mess
  • Graffiti

 

Over time the council will be adding more services to the app and website, making it simpler, quicker and easier for residents to access council services digitally, when they choose to.

 

The new MyWilts will be available shortly via internet browser, App Store (Apple) and Google Play (Android).

 

To show you the new system in advance, watch the following five-minute video which provides an overview of the system features.

 

Wiltshire Council receives government support to help fund vital work with rough sleepers

 

Wiltshire Council has received more than £47,000 from the government to continue to help rough sleepers.

 

The pledge is part of £91.5m allocated to 274 local authorities by the government to help support vulnerable people housed during the pandemic.

 

The funding will be spent on a range of measures that will continue the council’s work with rough sleepers throughout Wiltshire to provide support and accommodation, and ultimately reduce rough sleeping in the county.

 

The council is committed to helping rough sleepers in Wiltshire, and has a dedicated outreach team that is working hard to connect with people on the streets and find them suitable accommodation.

 

If anyone sees a rough sleeper in Wiltshire, please report it on StreetLink or via the StreetLink app; this will direct our teams to help people who need it.

 

Further information about the scheme can be found here https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news-funding-help-rough-sleepers.

 

 

Green Homes Grant Scheme

 

Homeowners and landlords can now access funding to pay for the cost of energy saving measures under the new Green Homes Grant scheme and businesses are being encouraged to register their services.

 

The scheme means homeowners can obtain up to two-thirds of the cost of energy saving measures – up to £5000. Lower-income households could be entitled to claim as much as £10,000 to cover the cost.

 

Home improvements covered by the scheme include insulation of walls, floors and roofs, installation of double or triple glazing to replace single glazing and low-carbon heating. These measures could help families save up to £600 a year on their energy bills.

 

The scheme supports the council’s Climate Strategy and helps us prepare for the future by protecting the environment and saving money for homeowners through long-term energy savings

 

Please promote this scheme to your local communities and businesses. Homeowners can get more information and apply at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme. Businesses can find out more and register at https://www.trustmark.org.uk/.

 

Thirty-six year record falls to Wiltshire Council-funded athlete

 

A Wiltshire Council-funded local athlete is celebrating recent success following the resumption of the 2020 athletics season.

 

Lucy-Jane Matthews, aged 17 from Salisbury, broke the British 100 metres hurdles record that has been held by British athletics legend Sally Gunnell since 1984.  This now places Lucy-Jane joint third on the British women’s U20 all-time list and in the process, earned her an invitation to compete at the British Championships – where she promptly won herself a silver medal.

 

To support her on the track, Wiltshire Council has funded Lucy-Jane via the Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Foundation, first with a Sports Scholarship grant and in the last two years with an Elite Athlete Grant.

 

The council is proud to have supported Lucy-Jane over a number of years. We know that the council’s Sport Scholarship and Elite Athlete grants make a huge difference providing much needed financial support to athletes as they aim for success on the world stage. The council is looking forward to seeing what Lucy-Jane can achieve in the future.

 

Regards,

 

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead

 

 

 

Good Energy Community Fund Grants – August Applications

Applications to the Good Energy Community Fund are invited.

The deadline for fund applications is Friday 28th August 2020.

Applications are welcomed from all community groups in Broad Town and the local area.  The fund is also currently open to any groups with funding needs related to the current COVID-19 situation.

Details of how to apply for the fund and a downloadable application form can be found here and here.

Please contact the Parish Clerk if you would like more information about applying to the fund.

North Wessex Downs Annual Review 2019/2020

Dear Parish Clerk,

 Attached is the North Wessex Downs AONB Annual Report for 2019/20. Please circulate this as widely as possible, perhaps making it available at your next parish council meeting?

It captures many of the activities and achievements of what was, in a number of respects, a very significant year both for the North Wessex Downs and the country’s protected landscapes. 

The closing weeks of 2019/20 were dominated by the increasing impact of Covid-19 and the lock-down that has had such an extraordinary impact on all our lives. I am pleased to report that while a number of plans have had to be altered, such as the cancellation of the annual Walking Festival, many activities have continued, with the Unit’s team working remotely and meetings held virtually. 

Please note our virtual Annual Forum will be held on Friday 6 November. Full details will follow in due course and I look forward to welcoming you, remotely. You can find more information about our work at www.northwessexdowns.org.uk

 Sincerely

Chairman, Council of Partners

COVID-19 UPDATE – Monday 27th July

COVID-19 UPDATE – Monday 27 July 2020

 

Good afternoon

 

Please find below the latest update on COVID-19 and other council matters:

 

Parishes can apply for the Rural Community Energy Fund

 

The Rural Community Energy Fund provides non-capital grant funding over two stages to help community organisations with the development of renewable energy projects, and interested groups can apply now.

The fund offers feasibility funding of up to £40,000 under Stage 1, and a further £100,000 for full business plan development at Stage 2.

Find out more: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/south-west-energy-hub-rcef/

 

Free online Speed Indicator Device training

 

We now have free online training for volunteers who wish to be accredited to erect Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs). The course is mandatory learning for anyone wishing to undertake SID deployment and will cover important safety matters including:

  • Hazards and risk assessments
  • Temporary traffic management
  • SID deployment responsibilities
  • Self-knowledge check

 

Anyone wishing to access the training should email with their name and details of the proposed location of the SID (e.g. town/parish/village or locality). There is a limit to the number of logins that can be provided at any one time, so there may be a wait before you are provided with login details.

 

School holiday activity provision 2020

 

Parents looking for summer activities for their 5 – 12 year old’s can now find a wealth of opportunities all in one handy brochure.

We asked local providers to send details of activities including charges, venues and dates to help parents plot how to keep children busy over the summer holidays.

The activities are aimed at 5 – 12 year old’s and are particularly to help those families with vulnerable children and children of key workers who need support over the summer.

The document is online and people are encouraged to check in regularly as the information will be constantly updated as new providers finalise details of their activities.

Read more

 

Fit and Fed

 

We are working closely with a local school and partners to continue to run a summer programme to help children stay active during the holidays.

Fit and Fed is a national programme combining sport with healthy food choices, as a response to the threat of hunger, isolation, and inactivity that some children experience during school holidays.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be delivering it a little differently this summer, in partnership with Studley Green Primary School, Selwood Housing Group, The Trussell Trust, Anybody Can Cook and Active Trowbridge, ensuring families on lower incomes and those accessing free school meals continue to receive support during the holidays.

Read more about the programme

 

New SEND school in south Wiltshire takes major step forward

 

Plans to ensure more school places are available for pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND) in south Wiltshire have taken a major step forward.

Last April it was announced there would be a new free school for 150 pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) in the south of the county. This will prevent the need for pupils to travel long distances to access the right educational setting to meet their needs.

Now it has been agreed by the Department for Education that Reach South Academy Trust, which already runs a special school in Wiltshire, will operate the new school in the south. Reach South runs Springfields Academy which is based across two sites in Calne and at Sarum Academy in Salisbury. The Salisbury site is known as Springfields South and opened in February 2019 for pupils with ASD and SEMH.

The new school, which will teach children aged 4-19, will have strong links with mainstream schools, nurseries and children’s centres. Details on where the new school will be based are due to be shared shortly.

Read more

 

Support available for people who use prepayment gas and electricity meters

 

A service that aims to help residents live in safer and healthier homes has secured additional funding to provide vouchers to households that use prepayment gas and electricity meters.

The Warm and Safe Wiltshire service is provided by Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy.

 

The vouchers are available to those who:

  • Have been affected by the impact of COVID-19, either socially or economically
  • Are at risk of self-disconnection (i.e. they may run out of credit before they are next able to top up for themselves
  • Are struggling financially and find it difficult to top up their meter

Every eligible household can receive £98, with the possibility of a further £49 if they are in particular hardship. All households that take up this offer would be expected to speak to a Warm and Safe energy advisor, who can provide useful advice about budgeting, energy efficiency and income maximisation. For more information people should contact Warm and Safe Wiltshire on 0800 038 5722 or go online.

Annual canvass continues

The next phase of the annual canvass got underway this week, with around 58,000 letters being sent to Wiltshire households, with people being encouraged to respond electronically.

Each year we ask all residents to complete the annual canvass to check who is eligible to register to vote, but this year it’s being done a little differently.

Some residents have already been contacted via email and asked to confirm the details for their household, and of the responses received, 95% were done electronically.

We are encouraging all residents respond to the annual canvass electronically if they can. It’s more convenient for the resident and saves the council money and time. Last year, 200,571 responses were received during the annual canvass.

 

Local Authorities given new powers to shut down pubs, cafes, restaurants etc locally in areas affected by COVID-19

 

The Government has given new powers to local authorities to help contain COVID-19 locally. The new powers came into effect on 18 July and allow us to restrict local public gatherings and events, and close local businesses premises and outdoor spaces.

These measures are intended to give us the power to respond to local outbreaks if and when they happen by closing down certain premises if there is an outbreak.

The Government has also published a COVID-19 contain framework, a blueprint for how NHS Test and Trace is working in partnership with local authorities, Public Health England, the NHS, other local business and community partners and the wider public to take action against outbreaks.

Further data is also being provided daily on GOV.UK on the number of positive cases at both an upper and lower-tier local authority level. This data is now broken to local areas of 5,000 to 15,000 people, which will be published weekly.

The Government will also be publishing a weekly watchlist summary of specific areas of concern, this will form part of the weekly PHE COVID-19 surveillance report. This will enable us to spot things very early and act quickly, as currently we review all new cases and data on a daily basis, in partnership with Public Health England.

Read more about the new powers given to local authorities

Returning to the work place

 

We are not encouraging all our staff to return to our offices as yet. However, where it is critical to the role, some officers have returned to our hubs.

The majority of officers are still working from home and we are asking residents to continue to do things online or over the phone rather than visit our hubs, if possible at all possible.

 

Chancellor launches Comprehensive Spending Review

On Tuesday the Chancellor launched the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The Review, which will be published in the autumn, will set UK Government departments’ resource budgets for the years 2021/22 to 2023/24 and capital budgets for the years 2021/22 until 2024/25, and devolved administrations’ block grants for the same period.
Read more about the Comprehensive Spending Review

Face masks and coverings to be compulsory in England’s shops

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England will become mandatory from Friday 24 July.
Shops and supermarkets will be expected to encourage compliance with the law and can refuse entry. Those who fail to comply with the new rules could face a fine of up to £100.
The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany.
Since mid-May, the public have been advised to wear coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may encounter people they would not usually meet. It has also been compulsory on public transport in England since 15 June. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.
Read the latest Government guidance on face coverings

Next virtual member briefing

 

The next virtual member briefing will take place on Thursday 30 July, 11.30am-12.30pm. You will receive an invitation for this meeting shortly.

We hope you are able to join us. We have left a slightly longer gap than usual between briefings as we have had Cabinet and Full Council meetings recently.

Please do send Democratic Services an email in advance to with any thoughts / questions you may have so that we may discuss these in the meeting and respond

 

Regards,

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead

COVID-19 UPDATE – Thursday 2nd July 2020 on behalf of Cllr Whitehead

COVID-19 UPDATE – Thursday 2 July 2020

 

Good morning

 

Please find below the latest update.

 

Chief Executive appointment

 

Terence Herbert has now been appointed as the Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council.

 

This follows a period of consultation on a proposed change to the Tier 1 structure at the council which sees a reduction from two Chief Executive Officers to a single Chief Executive leading the council.

 

Members of the Officer Appointments Committee panel approved Terence’s appointment when they met on 26 June. They also approved an application for voluntary redundancy from Alistair Cunningham.

 

Terence has now taken up his role and will be working with myself and cabinet to shape the organisation moving forwards and lead the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Changes to Cabinet and Portfolio Holders

 

I have made changes to the council’s Cabinet and Portfolio Holders to align with the recovery structure now being put in place within Wiltshire Council following COVID-19.

 

The changes, which came in from yesterday (1 July), will see Cllr Allison Bucknell step down from her Cabinet position and take up a new Portfolio Holder role for Communities, Arts, Heritage and Tourism. This will reduce the number of Cabinet members from nine to eight, and the number of Portfolio Holders has also been reduced from 14 to 10.

 

You can view the changes on our website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/cabinet-changes

 

I thank everyone for their hard work in their roles.

 

Council dismisses lockdown suggestions

 

We have dismissed suggestions the county could be one of the next locations in the country to go into lockdown.

 

Media reports this week had stated there had been a recent weekly increase of new cases in the county of 300%. However this actually equates to an increase from one to four new cases.

 

Since the start of the pandemic until 26 June there has been 550 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Wiltshire Council area, still comparatively low nationally, and the South West remains the lowest ranked region for cases. Wiltshire Council also has the sixth lowest rate of cases per 100,000 resident population with 110.4 cases per 100,000. This data is taken from the Public Health Coronavirus Case website https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/#category=utlas&map=rate

 

We have now published our Local Outbreak Management Plan which will build on local expertise and effective health protection processes that are already in place and outlines how the council and partners will positively engage with the public so they’re fully aware and supportive of the crucial part they have to play in the process.

 

The government has identified seven themes that are deemed essential to plans to manage an outbreak effectively. They are:

 

  • Care homes and schools
  • Identify high risk settings, communities and places
  • Local testing capacity
  • Contact tracing
  • Data integration
  • Vulnerable people
  • Governance

 

We will work with the government to support test and trace services in local communities, taking a place-based approach to containing the spread of the infection as much as possible.

 

Effective governance will also play a critical part of the process. A Wiltshire Outbreak Engagement Board will be set up imminently, chaired by myself, and this will ensure that local residents and other stakeholders in the public, private and third sectors all understand and support the need to comply with the rules and principles designed to prevent viral transmission.

Today (1 July) Kate Blackburn Interim Director for Public Health at Wiltshire Council, said “Following our update yesterday (30 June 2020) about media reports suggesting there was the potential for a local lockdown in Wiltshire I wanted to respond to some queries we’ve had about pillar 2 testing results. We do have access to these results locally and have been using them in all of our local planning.

“Please be reassured that even including pillar 2 confirmed test results the  number of confirmed cases in Wiltshire remains extremely low. On a daily basis we review a number of different reports and data with our Public Health England colleagues.  Should there be any issues there are alert systems in place.

“The most important thing we can do as a community at the moment is to stick to the national guidance around social distancing and maintain good hand hygiene.

“I would like to thank you for your continued support at this time.”

You can read more about testing on GOV.UK.

You can see a video version of Kate’s statement on our YouTube channel. 

Public urged to act responsibly ahead of pubs reopening

We have joined forces with Wiltshire Police to remind residents to play their part and act responsibly when pubs reopen this weekend.
At the end of June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that pubs, restaurants, and hotels could reopen from 4 July.Several other businesses will also be allowed to reopen, such as barbers, hair salons and cinemas.
Whilst this is a positive step forward in revitalising the economy and showing that Wiltshire is open for business, it is important the public continue to take extra precautions to stop coronavirus from spreading and ensure they act responsibly at this time as anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
As the licensing authority we have an important role in ensuring pubs and restaurants are opening with the right conditions in place and adhering to social distancing guidelines.
To help with the reopening, the government will also relax the two metre social distancing rule, replacing it with ‘one metre plus’ in situations where keeping two metres apart is not possible.
This means people can maintain one metre apart, as long as other measures are put in place to limit the transmission of the virus.
These include wearing a face mask or covering, installing plastic screens, and providing extra handwashing facilities.

Government guidance update – shielding programme

The government has updated its guidance for people who are shielding, taking into account that COVID-19 infection rates have decreased significantly over the last few weeks. This guidance remains advisory.

From Friday 6 July:

  • People who are shielding no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of their household.
  • People who are shielding will be able to meet outdoors in groups of up to six people they do not live with, while maintaining social distancing.
  • People who are shielding can create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household.  All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance.

From Saturday 1 August, the government is advising people to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures. Strict social distancing means people may wish to go out to more places and see more people but they should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household or support bubble.

From 1 August:

  • Those shielding can visit shops, places of worship and outdoor spaces.
  • People shielding will be able to return to work if they cannot work at home as long as the business is COVID-safe.
  • Children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can return to their education settings if they are eligible and in line with their peers.

More detailed guidance will be provided as the changes in advice come into effect on 6 July and 1 August.

Those in receipt of central government provided food boxes and medicine deliveries will continue to receive this support until the end of July if required.  Anyone requiring this assistance should register online or call 0800 028 8327 before 17 July.

Wellbeing Hub update

 

The council has changed the opening times of the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub to reflect a reduction in emails and calls to its hotline.

 

The hub will now operate from 9-5pm Monday to Friday and will be closed at weekends. Outside of these hours, the emergency duty service will be in place as usual.

 

People can make contact with the hub via email at  or by calling 0300 003 4576.

 

Business Update – Local Discretionary Grant

 

The application window for the Local Discretionary Grant closed at 5.00pm on Monday 22 June.

 

The council received 736 applications and has sent out its first grants totalling circa £1 million to local businesses with further grants being issued this week.

 

Highways update

 

The council has received confirmation of £227,000 funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) to progress the first five road reallocation schemes in the county.

The five schemes, in Salisbury, Bradford on Avon, Purton, Trowbridge, and Chippenham, are based on existing bus routes and will link the city and town centres with homes and places of work to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to access shops, businesses and places of work without driving or using public transport.

Full details of the five projects are as follows:

  1. Salisbury cycleways to link Harnham to the city centre, allowing cyclists easy access to the city. The scheme will see one southbound lane on Brown Street turned into a cycleway and the removal of on-street parking on Exeter Street to create a cycleway on the street while maintaining two-way traffic.
  2. A segregated cycleway and footway on the B3108 between Winsley and Bradford on Avon, allowing easy access between the two, and giving cyclists the option of a traffic-free ride from Winsley, into Bradford on Avon and then on to Bath along the Kennet and Avon Canal.
  3. On the A420 in Chippenham, a segregated cycleway linking Bumpers Farm to the town centre, giving cyclists easy access to the centre of the town.
  4. The removal of through traffic on Hook Street in Purton, which runs parallel with the A3102 between Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon. This will install a 3.5km route for cyclists and walkers, linking Purton with Swindon’s Lydiard Park.
  5. A segregated cycleway on the A361 Hilperton Road in Trowbridge, from near the fire station into advisory cycle lanes from Stancomb Avenue to Hilperton Road roundabout, of more than 1km in total.

Work is due to start in the next four weeks on these schemes, and the council will have more to announce on the next round of funding, and other major cycling and walking projects, soon.

Re-opening of children’s play areas operated by Wiltshire Council

 

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 June regarding the reduction of restrictions to public movement, the council will be reopening the 59 play areas it operates from 4 July.

 

The council will be erecting signage onsite to advise the public of social distancing, hygiene and safety rules and will be monitoring use of play areas when they reopen. Council officers may re-close any play area where it is considered not possible to minimise the risk of COVID-19  infection and will respond to further guidance issued by the government in respect of their use.

 

For all town and parish council’s looking at the reopening of play areas, please find links to the governments’ updated guidance on managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms and safety in outdoor spaces. to assist in your own decision making.

 

Library service update

The council is seeking the views of residents and library users to help with its planning for reopening library services safely in the county during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this challenging time the council has to manage its resources carefully and has put forward three possible options for how the service might operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. People are also being encouraged to provide their own ideas to help the council deliver the most appropriate service in the circumstances and within the council’s current resources.

The possible options take into account COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing measures and the resources available – meaning that there will be a partial and phased reopening of library services.

The possible options being considered include:

  • Option 1
    An order and collect service.

This involves customers contacting the library service by email/phone to request books or other materials that they wish to borrow. This might include specific authors or topics such as crime or autobiographies. These would then be collected in person from a library.

This would operate from 10 August at some main library hubs in Wiltshire, and in each of the 18 community areas across the county by the end of September. This means that 20 libraries could potentially be open by the end of September, subject to staff and finances being available.

  • Option 2
    An order and collect service with bookable computer access.
    The order and collect service as detailed above and the ability to pre-book a computer session for those without access to the internet.
    This would operate from 10 August at some main library hubs in Wiltshire and in each community area across the county by the end of September.
  • Option 3
    A socially distanced service offering the public some access to browse stock and use computers. This would operate in up to six libraries from the end of August and a maximum of a further four, subject to staff capacity and social distancing requirements.

A four-week public consultation is now underway. Hard copies will be made available at County Hall, Trowbridge; Monkton Park, Chippenham; and Bourne Hill, Salisbury. The consultation closes on 26 July 2020.

Following analysis of the feedback received, the favoured option will likely be introduced initially for a six-month period from 10 August. Monthly reviews will also be carried out to assess how the impact of COVID-19 is changing, the financial impact of operating, lessons learnt and the opportunities for change.

In the meantime, the council’s libraries service has a range of online resources for Wiltshire residents. They can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-online-resources.

 

New affordable homes at Porton

 

The council has agreed a partnership with developer Cavendish and Gloucester Properties to build six new affordable council houses at the Chalk House development in Porton.

 

The affordable homes, which will be ready in the late autumn, represent a significant investment, which will be funded from the rents charged on the new homes and income to be received through the shared ownership sales.

 

The development will consist of two two-bedroom shared ownership houses, which will be available for purchase, with the remaining properties – three two-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom property – offered as affordable rents. Each of the homes are being built to a high standard with a modern specification, and the properties will be advertised via Homes4Wiltshire around six weeks prior to their completion.

 

The council is committed to building or acquiring 1,000 affordable homes throughout Wiltshire over the next 10 years, and this development will go towards meeting some of this target in the south of the county.

 

 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service

 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has produced a short video which summarises some of the major incidents they have attended and the good work being achieved across all of its departments.

 

This is produced quarterly and is made publicly available on the Service’s YouTube channel. The link to the latest video is here: https://youtu.be/rIegTTKFSI8

 

We hope you will find this informative in summarising some of the wide-ranging work carried out by your fire and rescue service.  We also hope that it will be useful if you wish to share the video as part of your communications and engagement with your communities.

 

Chippenham Minor Injury Unit to re-open for booked appointments

 

The Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Chippenham Community Hospital will start to receive referrals from NHS 111 from Monday 6 July 2020. Chippenham MIU will have appointments available from Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm for patients who have rung NHS 111 and are referred to be seen in the MIU. Chippenham MIU closed in April after a decline in the number of patients attending since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Staff employed at the units were redeployed to help look after patients across the local health and care system.

The MIU will not be open to ‘walk in’ patients and there will be no x-ray facility on site. This temporary change in service has been designed to maintain the safety of patients and staff. Patients will not be able to directly book an appointment. NHS 111 will continue to triage all appointments and if a patient meets the criteria they will be referred to the unit and a member of staff will call them back to arrange an appointment. Anyone with a life threatening condition should call 999.

 

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should not attend any medical setting unless explicitly directed to do so by the NHS 111 service or a 999 call operator.

 

Minor Injury Units offer a facility for treating injuries that are not serious, such as sprains and strains; minor burns and scalds, wound infections, insect and animal bites, and minor injuries to the eye, head. They are not specifically equipped to treat more serious conditions.

 

 

Regards,

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead

 

Broad Town Parish Council – Inspection of Accounts 2019-2020

As per the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015, Broad Town Parish Council has made its Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year 2019-20 available for inspection by any interested person, together with all accounting records; books; deeds; contracts; bills; vouchers; receipts and other documents relating to these records.

If you have any issues to raise or wish to see the full accounts, please contact the Parish Clerk on .  In accordance with the guidelines, the full accounts are available to view between 1st July 2020 and the 19th August 2020.

The full Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) documents and internal audit reports can be found here under the financial year 2019-2020.

Broad Town Parish Council qualifies for an exemption from an external audit, due to it having income/expenditure below £25,000 in 2019-20. The completed and signed Certificate of Exemption for 2019-20 can be found here.