Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council 12 August 2020
COVID-19 business grants scheme to end ……… Last call for coronavirus business grant applications
Buckinghamshire small businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors that haven’t already applied for coronavirus business grants have two weeks left to claim before applications for business grants close on Friday 28 August. In addition, applications for a second phase of discretionary grants will close at midnight on Sunday 16 August. Buckinghamshire Council has already paid out £83.9 million to 6,399 eligible businesses so far since the business grants scheme was launched over three months ago in response to the coronavirus crisis. The finance team worked weekends to process the flood of applications when the scheme was first launched, and have continued to respond quickly as the number of applications has tailed off. The grants’ importance was flagged up by Cllr Katrina Wood, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Resources for Buckinghamshire Council, who said: “These grants have been vital to our economy – helping ensure the survival of shops, cafes, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses. “They have helped local businesses meet expenses during unprecedented times when there was very little money coming in and kept them going until things started to return to a new normal. “We received just over just over £91.8 million from government, meaning we have paid out over 91% of the available funding. There is almost £8 million still available and I urge any businesses who may be eligible to apply before the closing date.” Unallocated funds will be returned to the government after Friday 28 August. Go to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/businessgrant for details about eligibility and to apply for business grants. These grants are available to all eligible businesses and, as they are grants and not loans, do not need to be repaid. There is also still time to apply for the second phase of Local Authority Discretionary Grants which can help businesses with fixed property costs such as rent, utility and broadband bills. Information and the application form is available here https://bbf.uk.com/business-support/local-authority-small-business-discretionary-grant We are working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First who can help businesses with general support, advice, free webinars and information. Visit the website at bbf.uk.com or email BusinessSupport@bbf.uk.com
Buckinghamshire
Recovery Investment Fund
New
grants of between £3,000 and £120,000 are now available to support
businesses in Buckinghamshire looking to invest in resilience,
repurposing or recovery initiatives as they prepare to overcome the
challenges presented by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.
Andrew
M. Smith, Chair of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership,
said:
“These
grants are being made available to support any eligible business
based in Buckinghamshire who have started to make plans for how they
can recover from the current Covid-19 crisis and are looking at
activity to ensure their recovery, future resilience and growth. In
addition, these grants are intended to complement those national
measures already in place, to support Buckinghamshire businesses
during this challenging time.”
Michael
Garvey, Chair of Buckinghamshire Business First, added: “Over the
past few months we have heard from many Buckinghamshire businesses
impacted by COVID-19. We are working hard to do everything we can to
support them through these challenging times and help them not only
survive but position themselves for recovery. This new fund has been
set up to provide support for local businesses whose future viability
has been adversely impacted, to support them to grow and flourish
post-COVID.”
Match-funded
grants of between £3,000 and £120,000 are available to support
businesses with innovative projects that contribute towards any of
the following: new income streams / product development; improvements
in productivity / profitability; jobs growth; accelerated COVID-19
recovery; and future resilience.
Businesses
must match-fund 25% of the total project value. For example, the
minimum project value which can be supported is £4,000 (the business
invests £1,000 and the grant can fund
£3,000). The maximum grant value is £120,000 (meaning the
match-funding required will be £40,000 for a project value of
£160,000 or more to achieve the maximum grant).
Grants
are available to organisations that: meet the definition of a small
and medium-sized enterprise (SME); have two or more PAYE employees;
are registered in the Buckinghamshire LEP area; have not received
over €200,000
of de minimis aid in the last three years; and were in good financial
health prior to 29th
February 2020.
For
further details on these grants and an application form, please go
to: www.bbf.uk.com/BRIF.
In
addition, any business that is being affected by COVID-19
(coronavirus), or has concerns about its future impact on business,
can visit the website www.bbf.uk.com/covid-19
where
the most up-to-date advice and support is available.
Food waste collections resumed this week! (week ending May 29th).
Five Bucks household recycling centres reopened on May 6th
Buckinghamshire Council has reopened five of its nine household recycling centres to give residents the chance to dispose of waste that cannot be safely stored at home.
From Wednesday 6 May, the Amersham, Aston Clinton, Buckingham, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe sites will be open seven days a week, 9am-6pm – the usual summer opening hours. The other four sites will remain closed for the foreseeable future. To stay within the government’s coronavirus guidelines on essential travel, however, it is important that journeys to these sites during lockdown are only made if waste cannot be stored for longer at home without causing risk to health or safety.
The health of residents and staff is always the highest priority, so everyone visiting the reopened sites are expected to observe the new social distancing measures that have been put in place. This includes traffic management to control the number of visitors at any one time. The Council warns that this could lead to extensive traffic queues building up at site entrances, so it’s well worth delaying a visit until things are a bit quieter.
Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “The decision to reopen the recycling centres was taken after listening to residents’ concerns on extra waste accumulation during the lockdown period. We want to ensure that people who have been struggling to manage their waste are able to dispose of it properly.
“However, I must warn visitors who do feel that a trip is essential that their visit will be different from normal due to the measures we are putting in place to protect both visitors and our staff. I would also stress that we are only open for residents of Buckinghamshire and will be asking visitors for identification to prove their address.
“As part of the need to ensure social distancing, we have had to limit the number of visitors on site at any one time, so long queues to access the site are likely. I’d ask people to bear in mind that the five sites that have reopened will be open from 9 am to 6 pm seven days a week, so it isn’t necessary to rush there at the first opportunity.
“Staff will be on hand to ensure that the social distancing guidelines are adhered to, therefore we urge all visitors to be patient and leave plenty of time for their visit.
“Fly-tipping is a crime. Buckinghamshire Council takes a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and will prosecute wherever possible. However, there has been some concern amongst residents that the closure of the recycling centres has led some people to either fly-tip or hire unlicensed individuals to take away their rubbish. With the reopening of five sites, it means that anyone with accumulated waste that cannot safely be stored can now dispose of it properly.”
These are the things to remember when visiting the reopened household recycling centres:
You should only visit the site if you cannot safely store your waste at home.
All residents visiting the site will need to observe the social distancing measures now in place. This also means no assistance for unloading can be provided.
There will be limits on the number of vehicles allowed on site to allow for social distancing. There may be delays accessing the site and possibly queues of waiting vehicles.
Only one person per vehicle where possible.
Residents will be asked for their proof of address. Only Buckinghamshire residents will be allowed to use the sites.
The existing permit system is still in place, but trailers are temporarily banned from sites.
In line with Public Health England guidance, residents who are vulnerable, or who are showing symptoms which may indicate coronavirus, should not visit household recycling centres.
We will continue to charge for non-household waste brought to sites.
Because of the higher staffing levels required to ensure social distancing, we cannot open Aylesbury (Rabans Lane), Chesham, Burnham and Langley sites for the time being. These sites remain closed so please do not visit.
Press release from Buckinghamshire Council April 30th 2020
Buckinghamshire Council will restart green waste collections across the county from 11 May and also stand ready to open five of its nine household waste sites as soon as the Government gives the green light nationally.
The moves to help residents across the county deal with their additional waste were announced at Cabinet today (30 April) by Bill Chapple OBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.
Today’s announcement follows the closedown of both areas at the start of the coronavirus outbreak due to government guidance, as well as staff shortages due to sickness and those needing to self-isolate. However Bill Chapple said things had improved sufficiently to reinstate the two services.
“Coronavirus has had a massive impact on all our waste services but waste teams from across the county have worked tremendously hard to prioritise collections and keep waste and recycling bin collections going. However, we’re now fighting back and it’s my intention to get services operating somewhere close to normality wherever I can, subject to current conditions continuing.
“Bringing back green waste collections will really help residents tend to their gardens during the lockdown. I know collection crews will be working hard particularly on the initial rounds, so could I ask residents to be considerate and avoid over-filling bins or putting additional garden waste out alongside.”
Residents’ normal garden bin collection days will stay the same but the Council advises checking their website first just to make sure nothing has changed. Collection times may however change, so residents are asked to put bins out by 6.30am. In addition, no subscribers will be out of pocket while green waste hasn’t been collected as contract extensions or reduced-priced renewals are being introduced. The Council will also be reinstating its bulky waste collection service across the county.
Bill continued, “To allow residents to dispose of other essential rubbish that might be harmful to store, we’ve also been working behind the scenes to prepare five of our most suitable household waste sites for reopening. These sites are at Amersham, Aston Clinton, Beaconsfield, Buckingham and High Heavens in High Wycombe and are best able to deal with queuing vehicles.
“We’re now just waiting for the Government’s final authorisation to open and this is expected within the next couple of weeks.
“That said, sites will look and operate differently to comply with strict social distancing requirements. We’ll be adopting a ‘supermarket-style’ of operation with strict controls on the number of people entering the site at any one time and marked off areas to maintain two-metre gaps.
“As soon as we get the green light, we’ll publish more detailed guidance on when these sites will reopen and how they will operate so residents can be absolutely clear on what they need to do.
“It’s been a concerted effort from the whole waste team to find the
best ways to reintroduce services given the extraordinary times we’re in
and I really hope it will provide some much-needed help for local
residents going forward.”
Please don’t light garden fires during the coronavirus pandemic. As well as the danger of it getting out of control there are people in the community living with respiratory problems which could be made worse if exposed to bonfire smoke. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Council have said: ‘We know it’s not easy at the moment, but please compost your garden waste where possible, and stack or bag up rubbish for disposal when the current emergency is over’. Whilst it’s tempting to burn some garden rubbish, please, consider your neighbours and the emergency services who are already stretched and keep our communities safe.
Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council 02 June 2020
Trading Standards alert over ‘test and trace’ scammers
‘Think before you click’ scam alerts have been sounded by Trading Standards officers to try to head off scams in the wake of the launch of the Government’s coronavirus Test & Trace system. Virus lockdown has seen an estimated 40% increase in reported doorstep, phone and email scams across Buckinghamshire, and Trading Standards say their priority is to protect residents from potential text, email and phone frauds based on the new NHS Test & Trace system.
They warn people to be wary of ‘phishing’ texts and emails, to ‘think before you click’ on a link in a text or email suggesting, for example, that someone testing positive to Covid-19 had come into contact with them and recommending a click-link for more help.
Fred Wilson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:”The important thing to remember is to always be alert. If in doubt, do NOT click on any links that could send your details straight to the scammers.”
He said although alerts from the NHS Test & Trace service could come by text, email or phone call, there was clear Government guidance as to how it works, and there was no need to give financial information as it is a free service.
Fred said that while traditional scams targeted older and more vulnerable people, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards warned lockdown scams are no respecter of age or socio-economic profile.
Classic examples so far have ranged from emails and texts claiming you are due a refund from your TV licence, council tax or income tax, using Covid-19 as bait and providing a dodgy link, to fake texts purporting to be from the government promising a ‘relief’ payout and providing a fake link.
Other scams have involved shopping orders: facemasks that never arrive, hand sanitiser that isn’t, even fake NHS lanyards for sale.
“Criminals can spoof texts, making messages appear in a chain of texts alongside previous genuine messages making them look so plausible,” said Fred. “So as the Test & Trace scheme rolls out, the warning is to be very alert. Don’t give them a foothold in Buckinghamshire!”
Fred said residents should forward dodgy-looking emails to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk
Lockdown scam losses could have been much worse, were it not for Trading Standards officers’ vigilance and preventive action against scam phone calls, which try to get residents’ bank details.
They have supplied potential victims with free Truecall blocking devices that during four months stopped more than 1,400 nuisance phone calls, 276 of which were fraudulent, saving residents an estimated total of £830,000 in potentially scammed cash. In addition Trading Standards had 43 unsolicited calls reported.
Since the Truecall initiative was started in 2014, Trading Standards report that 35,240 scam calls have been blocked, which could have cost residents in excess of £380,000 in potentially scammed cash.
As lockdown scams continue, Trading Standards advice to residents is: – Be sceptical, don’t be afraid to delete the email/text or put the phone down. – Take your time, don’t be rushed. – Know who you’re dealing with: if you need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with Trading Standards advice line on 0300 123 2329 – Protect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know. – Never engage with someone or allow them access unless you are able to verify their authenticity and who they are.
Contact tracers will: – call you from 0300 013 5000 – send you text messages from ‘NHS’ – ask you to sign into the NHS test and trace contact-tracing website – ask for your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and postcode to offer support while self-isolating – ask about the coronavirus symptoms you have been experiencing – ask you to provide the name, telephone number and/or email address of anyone you have had close contact within the two days prior to your symptoms starting – ask if anyone you have been in contact with is under 18 or lives outside of England
Contact tracers will never: – ask you to dial a premium rate (09 or 087) number to speak to them – ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind – ask for any details about your bank account – ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts – ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone – disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts – provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms – ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else – ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS
Doorstep scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus emergency to con elderly and vulnerable people. There has been a rise in the number of scam complaints related to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards team, who are urging members of the public to be aware. Since the beginning of the month the total number of scam complaints has increased by 40%.
Latest complaints include reports of a South Buckinghamshire woman in her 80s who answered the door to a man who tried to demand £220 in cash to complete a health and safety check. Additionally, there have been widespread complaints of scammers trying to take people’s bank details to cover payments for school meals whilst the schools are closed.
Residents are also being urged to be especially wary of people offering or selling:
Virus testing kits – these are only offered by the NHS.
Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure.
Shopping or medication collection services that require payment upfront.
Home cleaning services.
Overpriced or counterfeit products.
Residents must also be wary of emails, texts, telephone calls and messages via social media from scammers offering refunds on taxes or bills, as these are highly prevalent.
Trading Standards have provided some helpful tips to help prevent people from becoming victims of scams:
Don’t be pressurised into making a decision. If someone is trying to rush you or panic you, they are probably trying to scam you.
Only purchase goods from trusted retailers.
Be suspicious of requests for money upfront.
Do not give your bank card or bank details to a stranger. Never write your PIN number down.
Know who you’re dealing with – if you don’t know the person who’s offering you help then ask to be introduced by someone that you know and trust.
Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “I am absolutely appalled that anyone would use a time of national emergency to target vulnerable and older people. This is as low as you can get.
I’m
heartened by the fantastic number of people locally who want to help
others, and I’d encourage anyone looking out for their elderly and
vulnerable neighbours to keep an eye and ear out for these types of
scammers.”
Cases of COVID-19 are rising again across the country and we need your help to prevent an outbreak or local lockdown happening in Buckinghamshire.
Let’s work together to stay safe and protect Bucks.
Book a test if you have any coronavirus symptoms
We do not want a local lockdown in Buckinghamshire. We want to stop the spread of the virus so that we can continue to live our lives and enjoy our freedom.
Follow our simple
guidance:
If
you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are very mild
symptoms, book a test immediately and stay at home.
Symptoms
of COVID-19 are a high temperature, new continuous cough, loss or
change in your sense of taste or smell.
Stay
at home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 that started in the
last 10 days, unless you have had a negative test result.
Stay
at home if you have been advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and
Trace.
Stay
at home if someone in your household has had any symptoms of
coronavirus and has not had a negative test result. If they have not
done so, they should get a test.
There are testing
centres locally, or you can order a home test. The test involves
taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat,
using a cotton bud. You can do the swab yourself, or someone can do
it for you.
We
must protect our community from this deadly virus. Many people have
already died, and it is our responsibility to stop the virus from
spreading and taking more lives.
Help
control the virus and protect yourself and others
Wash
hands – keep washing your hands regularly
Cover
face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth to protect
yourself and others
Make
space – stay two metres apart from other people not in your
household wherever possible
Please,
if you have any of the symptoms; a high temperature, a new continuous
cough, or a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste, please
book a test now. Call 119 or go online
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
From Wednesday May 13th the advice is:
STAY ALERT – CONTROL THE VIRUS – SAVE LIVES!
We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:
stay at home as much as possible
work from home if you can
limit contact with other people
keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
wash your hands regularly
Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
SEE LATEST DETAILS HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
Stay at home. Save Lives. Anyone can spread Coronavirus.
Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
Wash your hands as soon as you get home
Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
Radnage Parish Council is constantly reviewing the advice received from the Government and updated legislation with information as to how we proceed over the coming weeks and months.
Currently, the regular monthly meetings of the Parish Council will be held remotely via video or audio until further notice. The Annual Meetings in May have also been postponed and new information will be provided as it becomes available.
The Radnage Village Hall – In line with current advice, THE VILLAGE HALL and PLAYGROUND is CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.For further information, please contact theBookings Clerk – 01494 485705 or theVillage Hall Manager – 01494 483675 Thank you for your co-operation
BURIAL GROUND CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC 26th MARCH
PLAYGROUND CLOSED 26th MARCH
2020 ELECTIONS – POSTPONED MAY 2021
CONTACT MAGAZINE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Planning applications received will still need to be considered by the Parish Council as the Wycombe District Council Planning Dept continues to deliver the best service possible in these exceptional times and will prioritise decision making to ensure that the system continues to function. As face-to-face meetings are not currently possible with our residents we encourage you to contact us with any comments that you may have, or make your views known on any planning cases via PublicAccess.
Visit: http://publicaccess.wycombe.gov.uk You can view, comment and track planning applications, perform advanced searches, read comments, track progress, view historic applications, view information and progress on appeals, view enforcement complaints and building control applications, and search applications that are received each week.
Applications currently under consideration will be posted here:
Applications considered to April 8th were as follows:
Case Ref: 20/05419/CLP – Boundary Farm
Sprigs Holly Lane – Certificate of lawfulness for proposed creation of
‘twin trod’ track with gate and fence.
Case Ref: 20/05498/FUL – Boundary Farm
Sprigs Holly Lane – Householder application for external alterations to
create ancillary accommodation to main dwelling (retrospective)
(alternative scheme to 10/05708/FUL)
Case Ref: 20/05278/FUL – OS Parcel
8524, Bottom Road – Application for erection of a wooden stable block
with tack/feed/tool room.
Case Ref: 20/05592/LBC – 1 Green End Cottages, Green End Road – Listed building application to
replace existing timber window frames at front and side with similar
traditional flush style timber window frames with slimline double
glazing and erection of porch to front.
Case Ref: 20/05787/FUL – Four Acres, Green End Road – Householder application for construction of front roof dormer window and detached carport/store.
————————————————-
As we find ourselves in unprecedented times which is concerning for us all if you need help or advice please do not hesitate to contact: Lin Freeth, Clerk to Radnage Parish Council, via: parish.clerk@radnage.net or 01494 485017 and I will try to help.
At this worrying time please be aware of your friends and neighbours who may need help and support and remember a phone call or email can make all the difference to someone who is feeling worried and concerned.
Update on the Coronavirus outbreak from Buckinghamshire Councils – a letter from Shadow Executive Leader Martin Tett
I would like to update you on what we are doing across the councils in Buckinghamshire in response to Coronavirus, what you can do to protect yourself and others, and how you can become involved in supporting your community. Firstly, my thoughts are with all people in Buckinghamshire who have been negatively impacted in any way by this crisis. These are difficult and very challenging times. This makes it even more important that we come together to support each other. We’re already seeing so much fantastic work going on across the county. The current situation will no doubt test and stretch our ability, but the council is committed to providing community leadership and support wherever possible.
What are we doing? The Coronavirus outbreak is of deep concern to everyone in Buckinghamshire. We are working together, across all the councils in Buckinghamshire, with Public Health England and the Department for Health and Social Care to tackle the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak to support our residents, communities, businesses and schools during this difficult time. We are closely following government guidance to provide accurate and up to date information. We are well-prepared for these situations and have robust plans in place to focus on keeping essential services running to look after our elderly, the most vulnerable, children, and safeguard local communities. As the impact of Coronavirus increases, we may need to make some temporary changes to some services. This is so we can protect people from infection and use our staff and resources where they are most needed. It is important that we communicate any changes to residents and ongoing engagement with communities will be a priority. Information about any service changes will be released to the press and published on our website www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk. We know that some of you will still want to get in touch face to face so, for now, we are keeping our main libraries and council offices open to answer your questions and provide advice. You can see which libraries are open at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries We are also keeping our country parks open with no parking charges so you can get out for some fresh air and stay healthy.
How can you help? It’s crucial at times like this that everyone pulls together. In Bucks we are proud of our local communities and the voluntary and community work they do. I am truly humbled by the number of people and organisations coming forward and volunteering to help others in their towns and villages. We know people, particularly if they are in isolation, are going to need support with practical things like getting medicines, doing grocery shopping, or caring for beloved pets, as well as dealing with the mental effects. The voluntary and community sectors will have a key role to play in supporting people. If you are healthy and oking at ways you can help, take a look at our central community hub. This can be found on our new website at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus We are also looking for people with skills. Visit our website and complete the ‘I want to be involved’ form at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus If you are a vulnerable or older person who is self-isolating, or know of someone who needs help get in touch with us; visit www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
What you can do to protect yourself and others It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves, our families and others around us. 1. Try to stay calm – be prepared and plan for the self-isolation of yourself or others but avoid panic buying so that others are not faced with empty shelves. Supermarkets inform us that there are no shortages. I have written today to all the major supermarket companies in Bucks asking them to offer priority personal and online shopping to the elderly and key vulnerable groups. 2. Stay healthy – there are lots of ways to stay healthy. Get outside and go for a walk in one on our country parks or visit National Trust parks for free but do maintain a safe distance from other people. 3. Be alert to the symptoms and follow the government guidance – maintain good hygiene, reduce non-essential contact and stay at home if you have either: • A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back • A new continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly It is particularly important for people who are over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant to follow this advice as much as possible. Find out more here: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Support our NHS If you are worried about your symptoms it is important that you do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. This could spread the infection and put our doctors and health services at risk. Go to https://111.nhs.uk/ or if you cannot go online call 111. This is so we can keep phone lines free for those who need it most. The government have also advised that testing for Coronavirus is not needed if you are staying at home. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you are staying at home, but if you are concerned about your symptoms and need urgent medical help call 999.
Keep up to date Advice is changing all the time. There is a lot of information being shared about Coronavirus. There is a lot of misleading or even ‘fake news’, particularly online. Make sure the information you are following is from a trusted source – the government, NHS or Public Health England. For local information follow our social media via the twitter handle @BucksCouncil and keep an eye on our webpage www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus We are also writing to our vulnerable and older people who use our services to make sure they have the information they need to stay safe and well.
Supporting Bucks businesses I am aware that Buckinghamshire is a county of many businesses from the very large to the very small. These are very difficult times for companies and the many people who work for them. We are channelling support through the local Buckinghamshire business ‘hub’,Bucks Business First (BBF), as details are confirmed. If you are a company who wants advice on current local or government support, such as that announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, find out more via BBF at www.bbf.uk.com/covid-19.
The new Buckinghamshire Council The government’s postponement of local elections until May 2021 will not stop the launch of the new Buckinghamshire Council. All five existing councils will be replaced by the one, new Buckinghamshire Council on 1 April. Plans for this are well advanced and we are already working together as one team to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. Lastly, I am also immensely proud of the dedication of all the staff in our local councils, NHS, social care, police and other key services who are continuing to work tirelessly to keep people safe and secure. I would like to pass on my thanks for everyone’s work in these unprecedented times. Martin Tett Leader of the Shadow Executive
Update: 09 March 2020
Public Health EnglandBuckinghamshire County Council statement on confirmed COVID-19 case in Buckinghamshire
Specialists from Public Health England (PHE) are working with Buckinghamshire County Council and NHS colleagues following a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county.
The case had recently travelled to Italy. Alison Barnett, Centre Director for Public Health England South East, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with the latest confirmed case of COVID-19. This case is a resident of Buckinghamshire. Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.”
Buckinghamshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Jane O’Grady, said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and we are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Buckinghamshire are protected.
“If you have not been contacted by Public Health England as a close contact of the confirmed cases you do not need to take any action at this time.”
Health and local authorities are appealing for people to follow national Government guidance to prevent further spread of the illness and limit the numbers affected. This guidance includes taking basic hygiene precautions as the best way of significantly reducing the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands.
Current evidence indicates that most cases appear to be mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. Older residents or those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions may experience more severe symptoms.
Dr O’Grady added: “These are the same simple steps we all should be taking to avoid other illnesses such as flu which is also prevalent during the winter and it is important that residents help protect themselves and others.
“If you have recently travelled to an affected area or been in contact with someone who has, and you think you have symptoms associated with the coronavirus, you should not go to A&E or your doctor but self-isolate yourself at home and ring NHS 111 which has an online coronavirus service that can tell if you need medical help and advise you what to do.”
The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are: • a cough • a high temperature • shortness of breath Self-isolation means you should: • stay at home • not go to work, school or public places • not use public transport or taxis • ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you • try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection. For more information on the symptoms and steps to take, go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
For the latest advice on travellers returning from affected areas, plus guidance to schools and care homes, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Update from Buckinghamshire County Council: 06 March 2020
Health and local authorities are appealing for people to follow national Government guidance to prevent further spread of the illness and limit the numbers affected.
This guidance includes taking basic hygiene precautions as the best way of significantly reducing the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands.
Current evidence indicates that most cases appear to be mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. Older residents or those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions may experience more severe symptoms.
Dr O’Grady added: “These are the same simple steps we all should be taking to avoid other illnesses such as flu which is also prevalent during the winter and it is important that residents help protect themselves and others.
“If you have recently travelled to an affected area or been in contact with someone who has, and you think you have symptoms associated with the coronavirus, you should not go to A&E or your doctor but self-isolate yourself at home and ring NHS 111 which has an online coronavirus service that can tell if you need medical help and advise you what to do.”
The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath
Self-isolation means you should:
• stay at home
• not go to work, school or public places
• not use public transport or taxis
• ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
• try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection. For more information on the symptoms and steps to take, go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
For the latest advice on travellers returning from affected areas, plus guidance to schools and care homes, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Details on testing are published daily at 2pm and includes a breakdown of negative and positive tests https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
Update from Buckinghamshire County Council: 05 March 2020
Buckinghamshire County Council is working closely with the NHS and
Public Health England (PHE) in order to be prepared to deal with the new
Coronavirus COVID-19.
Buckinghamshire County Council and the NHS have put in place measures to ensure the availability of services to local people and protect staff.
Further communications will be issued when appropriate.
Handwashing – The most important thing that everyone can do as an individual is to follow NHS advice on handwashing. This means washing your hands more frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This video shows the best way to wash your hands.
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
you think you might have coronavirus;
in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Contact 111 if you need to speak to someone.
General advice – Like
the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close
contact with an infected person via cough, sneeze or hand contact. You
can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if you do not
wash your hands afterwards.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Health and local authorities are appealing for people to follow national Government guidance to prevent further spread of the illness and limit the numbers affected. This guidance includes taking basic hygiene precautions as the best way of significantly reducing the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands.
Current evidence indicates that most cases appear to be mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms. Older residents or those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions may experience more severe symptoms.
Dr O’Grady added: “These are the same simple steps we all should be taking to avoid other illnesses such as flu which is also prevalent during the winter and it is important that residents help protect themselves and others.
“If you have recently travelled to an affected area or been in contact with someone who has, and you think you have symptoms associated with the coronavirus, you should not go to A&E or your doctor but self-isolate yourself at home and ring NHS 111 which has an online coronavirus service that can tell if you need medical help and advise you what to do.”
The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath
Self-isolation means you should:
• stay at home
• not go to work, school or public places
• not use public transport or taxis
• ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
• try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection. For more information on the symptoms and steps to take, go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
For the latest advice on travellers returning from affected areas, plus guidance to schools and care homes, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Details on testing are published daily at 2pm and includes a breakdown of negative and positive tests https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
As
I am sure you will be aware, the government has today issued its action
plan with details of the actions that it may carry out to prevent and
mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
The advice for anyone in any setting is to follow these 3 main
guidelines. Additionally, clean and disinfect regularly touched objects
and surfaces using your regular cleaning products.
If you have been in contact with someone with coronavirus or have returned from an affected area identified
by the Chief Medical Officer as high risk and you are feeling unwell
with a cough, difficulty breathing or fever, stay at home and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111.
Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and
hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose,
or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand
sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your
mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you
don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash
your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
It’s the time of year when more infection bugs and viruses circulate,
and keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can
take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
Dr Dal Sahota, local GP and Emergency Care lead for NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group advises:
“Washing your hands properly with soap and clean running water
removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other
people and objects, leading to illnesses such as food poisoning, flu,
colds or tummy upsets.
“Children are never too young to be taught how to wash their hands carefully, so make it part of their daily routine.
“It’s also a good idea to avoid touching your face or mouth with your hands especially when you have a tummy upset or cold.
“It’s also a good idea to avoid touching your face or mouth with your hands especially when you have a tummy upset or cold.
“No one wants to spread nasty infections to loved ones. This is
especially important for those at particular risk, such as: pregnant
women; elderly relatives; babies or anyone with an existing health
condition such as diabetes or cancer.”
Follow these simple rules every day even if you don’t have any sign
of a cold or other infection, and make sure you wash your hands:
after using the toilet or changing a nappy
before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
before eating or handling food
after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
before and after treating a cut or wound
after touching, feeding or cleaning animals
after manual work such as DIY or gardening
when you come in from work, shopping or travelling
Caroline Capell, Director of Urgent and Emergency Care for
Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership which brings together local
health and social care services said:
“If you sneeze or cough, make sure to catch it in a paper tissue,
then immediately dispose of the tissue in a bin, and wash your hands.
It’s the best way to deal with germs for any cold, cough or flu-type
virus or other common infection like a tummy bug. If you don’t have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm rather than into your
hands to help stop the spread of illness.
“When travelling, if you don’t have immediate access to hot water and
soap, use hand sanitiser instead. It’s useful to carry some with you
when you are out and about.
“But if you are concerned about being unwell why not check your
symptoms on the free app – Ask NHS, or contact 111 by phone or online www.111.nhs.uk – it’s the quickest way to get the right health advice or the appointment you need with the local NHS.”
October 27th This autumn half term Buckinghamshire Council want to ensure that families across Bucks, with children eligible for free school meals, know how to access the wide range of support that is available. Buckinghamshire has a strong voluntary and community sector which is active in supporting vulnerable families. Our ‘Helping Hand’ team can help direct people to the support that is right for them. This may be from the voluntary or community sector or direct from the council. If anyone is worried about food over half term, and not sure what help is available, please contact the council’s ‘Helping Hand’ support line on 01296 395000, and someone will be ‘on hand’ to help you. This programme is funded by joint support from the Government’s Hardship Fund provided to local councils over the summer and Buckinghamshire Council.
Martin Tett, Leader of the Council, said “We don’t want any child in Buckinghamshire to go hungry this holiday. As a council we are committed to ensuring that does not happen. We know how fantastic our communities are with supporting each other during times of crisis, there is lots of local support available. We also know it isn’t always that easy to know where to turn, so I would encourage anyone with a child who is eligible for free school meals and is worried, to contact us so we can ensure they can get access to the support they need. We are here and can offer that practical help, including links to supermarkets if needed too.”
October 14th Dear Resident, I know it’s only a week since I last wrote to you but, unfortunately, we are seeing a situation of increasing urgency here in Buckinghamshire, so I wanted to update you again. The last week has shown another rapid rise in the number of cases across the county; we now have 87 cases per 100,000 people in Buckinghamshire compared with the 22 cases per 100,000 that I wrote to you about last week. This means our rates have increased dramatically, quadrupling in a little over seven days.These numbers are changing rapidly so please go to our website for our latest data in detail. You can also see the number of cases in your postcode area at this link too. I know that overall, the number of cases here in Buckinghamshire is still lower than in some other parts of the UK and this is relatively good news. However, it’s the fast rate at which cases are growing here that is the cause for concern. We do not want to follow in the footsteps of areas in the north of England. This would mean potentially the further curtailment of our personal freedoms, reduced ability to meet with friends and loved ones, and a damaging impact on the local economy and jobs. At present the infection is still predominantly in young people but this is beginning to change and we are seeing it more prevalent in older age categories too. In the north of England, they are seeing hospital beds and intensive care units again filling with COVID patients and we do not want to follow suit. I am aware that this paints a very gloomy picture but I want to be sure that we communicate the very latest information to you all as often as possible so that you can continue to make informed choices about your activities. So, I am writing again today with a clear message. Please do what it takes to keep yourselves and your friends, your family and your local community safe. This means following the current guidance in place for Buckinghamshire at all times. We still have a chance to get the virus back under control here in Buckinghamshire so let’s do all we can to reverse the current trend of this rise in infections. Reducing the riskI cannot stress this enough: we all need to play our part. We are at our most vulnerable as we enter the cold wet weather of late autumn and winter. The virus is most easily transmitted ‘person to person’ indoors. Our best defences against this virus at the moment are distancing and hygiene. The virus passes extremely easily between people so please avoid close contact with people you don’t live with. Follow the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance at all times and protect other people by self-isolating immediately if you, or someone you live with, has symptoms: Keep at least 2 metres/6 feet from anyone you don’t live withThe fewer people we see, the less chance we have of catching and spreading coronavirus, so please think hard about how you prioritise meeting up with othersWash your hands regularly and thoroughly, for at least 20 secondsWear a face covering where required unless you’re exemptIsolate if you or someone you live with develops coronavirus symptomsBook a test for anyone in the household with symptoms (call 119 if you can’t do it online)
What are the rules for Buckinghamshire? As you may well be aware, the government has introduced its new ‘3 tier’ local COVID alert system. Buckinghamshire is currently classified as ‘medium’. These are the main rules that apply here: – You cannot socialise in groups of more than six, indoors or outside – Businesses and venues can remain open as long as they are COVID secure – Businesses like pubs and restaurants must close at 10pm and must operate table service – Customers in such venues must wear face coverings (unless exempt), only removing them whilst eating and drinking – Work from home if you’re able and in agreement with your employer – Wear a face covering in all places that it’s required by law like shops, unless you are exempt – When travelling, plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes. – Walk and cycle where you canIsolate if you or someone you live with develops coronavirus symptoms, or if you have been asked to do so by the NHS Test and Trace system – Everyone should also continue to follow social distancing rules, maintaining a distance of 2 metres/6 feet from anyone you don’t live with. You can read the full detail about the local COVID alert levels on the government’s website. Advice for the clinically vulnerableI know that this is a particularly worrying time for those people who have previously shielded from the virus. The government has changed its approach with regard to people who are extremely clinically vulnerable and has advised that shielding is not needed yet, in spite of the increase in cases nationally. Instead the advice is intended to be less restrictive than the previous shielding programme and the government has advised it will only introduce shielding in the very worst affected local areas. This means people are only required to shield if they receive a letter advising them to do so. Clearly people should use their own judgement if they feel particularly vulnerable and they may wish to take extra personal precautions. This government advice in part recognises the efforts to make shops and other venues COVID secure and, of course, allows people to make individual choices about how they go about their daily life. You can check the government’s website for the updated advice to clinically vulnerable people and please also check our own Buckinghamshire Council online support hub to find out where you can access extra help if you need it. I know I can count on the people of Bucks to make the right choices. No one wants to catch this horrible illness and, just as importantly, we all want to protect our vulnerable friends and neighbours so please let’s all keep going and do everything we can to reduce the infection rate here in Buckinghamshire. Look after yourselves and each other. Stay safe and protect Bucks, Martin Tett Leader of Buckinghamshire Council
October 7th Update from Martin Tett As you will have seen on television and heard on the radio, coronavirus cases are rising again across the country. This is particularly apparent in the north of England and Scotland, where increased restrictions on everyday life have been re-introduced. To avoid similar restrictions needing to be being introduced here I would like to offer some more advice and information. This is particularly important as we move towards colder and darker weather – which naturally makes us all want to stay indoors more. While we still remain in a much better position here in Buckinghamshire than in many other parts of the UK, with lower detected infection rates than in the north of the UK for example, we are increasingly concerned about the rate that cases are rising within the county and in particular within the former South Bucks district area. So now is the time for us to take action. Pulling together and taking responsibility for what we do as individuals will give us the best possible chance of getting on top of this. If we don’t, we all could be in for a really tough time over the coming months. Latest data for Buckinghamshire We now have a weekly case rate of 22.8 cases per 100,000 residents. This is from positive test results in Buckinghamshire in the 7 days leading up to 26 September. That is up from 16.9 cases on the previous week, a rise of 35% across Buckinghamshire as a whole. You can see this data in more detail, including the number of cases in your local area, by checking our website. We are seeing more cases in some areas than others in Bucks. There are currently more cases overall in the Wycombe area than in other parts of Bucks, but more people live there. We also know that cases are currently rising more rapidly in the former South Bucks and Chiltern District areas than in other places. The former South Bucks District area has the highest rate of cases per 100,000 people, currently standing at 35.5. To put these figures in perspective, all of these are far lower that many areas in the north of England which have rates of over 200 per 100,000. Our numbers are however moving in the wrong direction and we must not be complacent. What can we do? We all have a part to play in stopping the spread of the virus. Our best defence is to follow the most basic rules – Hands, Face, Space. – Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. – Wear a face covering as often as possible where advised or required such as in shops or restaurants (while you aren’t eating and drinking) unless you are exempt. – Keep a minimum of two metres (6ft) away from anyone you don’t live with or with whom you’re not in a support bubble. – Book a test if you develop coronavirus symptoms and make sure you and anyone else you live with isolates immediately (call 119 if you can’t book a test online). – If you have a smartphone, download the NHS COVID-19 app which supports the test and trace system.
The more each one of us does to limit the risks, the harder we make it for the virus to spread. The available evidence suggests that the virus is being spread by meeting people we know, particularly indoors. I am not suggesting that we stop meeting family or friends or going out to restaurants, however there are some simple steps we can all take:
– Consider limiting the number of people you come into contact with – the fewer people we see, the less chance we have of catching and spreading coronavirus. – The risks are much higher indoors. I know the weather has been terrible of late and we’ve had an additional battering from the rain and floods, but, where possible – can you wrap up and meet others outdoors instead of inside. For example, consider going for a walk with friends? – Always stick to the rule of six – none of us should be meeting in groups of more than six people, including children. – When you go to the pub or a café or restaurant, make sure you follow the new rules at all times by wearing a face covering, unless you’re eating or drinking and not mingling with other tables even if you see someone you know. Stay seated and move around the venue as little as possible. – Some areas bordering Buckinghamshire currently have higher numbers of cases – if you go somewhere outside Bucks for work, to shop, to eat or see people, take a look first at what’s happening in that area. You might want to ensure you take extra measures to protect yourself and others.
Please think hard about how your own choices might impact others. Unfortunately, this is how the virus works. We all have a part to play in protecting the people in our communities who are most at risk from the virus. Our community spirit here in Bucks is incredibly strong, so let’s keep that up and look after each other.
Financial support if you’re isolating If you are on a low income and have been told by the NHS Test and Trace system to self-isolate but you can’t work from home, you may qualify for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment. Check our website to see whether you qualify and apply.
If you can’t apply online please contact your local Test and Trace Support Payment team:
Stay safe, protect Bucks The last thing any of us wants is for any freedoms to be curtailed even more because of this virus. We want to keep our businesses open and our economy strong. We want to carry on being able to see friends and loved ones safely.
To do these things we all have to use our basic common sense when going about our lives. Please make sure you’re all aware of the current guidance and what we all need to do as we try to control the virus and turn the current rise in infections back round. I cannot stress enough how vital this is as we move into winter.
We really are at another critical point in the pandemic so please, I urge you to take on board what I’ve written to you today, and above all, keep looking after yourselves and each other.
Stay safe,
Martin Tett Leader of Buckinghamshire Council
September 24th The situation in Buckinghamshire We are fortunate that at the moment in Buckinghamshire the number of new coronavirus cases is much lower than in other parts of the country. However, cases are still rising here. Our latest data indicates that our weekly rate of cases is 12.5 people per 100,000 here in Buckinghamshire. You can see all the most recent data on our website. While these current figures are relatively reassuring for Bucks residents, we know that things can change extremely quickly – this is how the virus works. We have seen in other parts of the country significant transmission that can be linked back to the actions of just one or two people. Because there are more cases in the UK overall, the risks are much higher to all of us than they were a few weeks ago, so while we are in a good position here in Buckinghamshire, it’s now critical for us to pull together and stick to the guidance at all times. We want to keep things under control here, to keep enjoying seeing our friends and family safely in groups of no more than six, and to keep our businesses open. The latest national guidanceAs most of us will know, this week the Prime Minister set out a series of new measures for England that we must all follow, regardless of where we live. Sticking to these new rules is essential if we are to curb the rise in cases. None of us wants to go into a more stringent lockdown and by sticking together on this and all doing our bit we still have a chance to avoid it. Here are some of the main elements of the announcement: From today (24 September) all pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm. This doesn’t mean last orders, it means everyone out of the premises by 10pmAll pubs, bars and restaurants must offer table service onlyIn line with the ‘rule of six’, bookings will only be allowed for up to six people per table and tables cannot mingleWhere possible, people should now work from home in agreement with their employer, where they are able to do soPeople who work in shops and in cafes, bars and restaurants, should all wear face coverings unless they are exemptCustomers in pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants should also wear a face covering except when seated at a table to eat and drink, or if they are exemptFace coverings should also be worn by all taxi drivers and passengers unless they are exemptBusinesses, schools, colleges and universities will stay openThe ‘rule of six’ remains in place and will be enforced where needed. People must not meet in groups of more than six people apart from some specific circumstances like weddings and funerals There are now bigger fines and tougher penalties for both businesses and individuals who don’t comply. For example, people gathering in groups of more than six could be fined up to £200 You can read in full detail the national coronavirus guidance on the Government’s website. Please bear in mind that some parts of these pages are still being updated to reflect the latest changes, so do keep checking back to make sure you’re fully up to date. Support if you’re isolatingIt is vital that if you or someone you live with develops symptoms of coronavirus that your household isolates immediately. You should also try to book a test for anyone who has symptoms – more on testing below. From Monday (28 September) if you don’t isolate when you should be, then you will be breaking the law and could face a fine. There will be payments of £500 available to support certain people on low incomes who cannot work from home and who will face a loss of earnings if they cannot work because they’re isolating. There is more detail about this scheme on the government’s website and we will also provide more information about how this will work when the details are finalised. NHS COVID-19 app – advice to residentsThe new NHS COVID-19 app launches today. This is the ‘official’ NHS Test and Trace app designed to track the virus and to bolster the Test and Trace system. People with smartphones will be able to download and use the app on a voluntary basis, if their phone’s operating system supports it. It will mean you can get an alert if you’ve been near another user who’s tested positive for coronavirus. You will also be able to log symptoms, book a test if you need one and will get advice on whether you need to isolate if you’ve got symptoms or have been in contact with someone who’s tested positive. Users will also be able to use the app to ‘check in’ at any venue they visit, such as a pub, restaurant or a church. The app works on an anonymous basis – it tracks the virus, not the user, using Bluetooth technology. You can find out more at www.covid19.nhs.uk. NHS COVID-19 app – advice to businessesIf you run a business or organisation with a physical location that is open to the public, you should display a poster with a QR code for users of the NHS COVID-19 app to ‘check in’. This is really quick and easy to do – just use the link below. This list of venues that should display the QR codes includes: All hospitality venues, like pubs, cafes and restaurantsAll council buildingsLeisure and culture venues‘Close contact’ businesses, like hair salons and nail barsPlaces of worshipCommunity halls and venues To make and print your QR code poster please use this link. Vulnerable residentsAt the moment, the government has not changed any advice for residents who were previously shielding, so those residents do not need to start shielding again at the moment. I understand that this is a very worrying time for everyone, and especially those more vulnerable to the virus. Please take time to read the advice for the clinically vulnerable on the government’s website. We also have our information on our website on how to find help and support if you need it. Anyone who is worried about whether they or a vulnerable friend, relative or neighbour can look after themselves can call our Adult Social Care Team on 01296 383 204.When to book a coronavirus testThe difficulties with getting a test have been well-documented in recent weeks and I thank all the residents who have written to me about their experiences. I know many of you are doing the right thing, following the advice, and trying to book a test if you or the person you’re booking for is showing symptoms. Please continue to do this if you have symptoms. Unfortunately, although the capacity to carry out tests has risen significantly, recent demand has been higher still and there’s a national shortage of processing capacity at the national laboratories. This means that bookings have been capped locally to allow the labs to get through all the tests they need to process nationally. New processing centres are being built around the country but for now, unfortunately, the best advice we can give is to remind you that you should only book a test for someone who has symptoms and that if the system is showing no availability, it’s best to wait and to try again. Test availability can become available at different times during the day. I appreciate that this is far from ideal and I understand the frustration and disruption this is causing. We sincerely hope that these issues will be ironed out in the coming weeks and we hope that the new app will also be a significant step forward in helping to track the virus. Follow the basics Our biggest defence against the virus is also the simplest. Please keep going with the three basic principles – Hands, Face, Space. Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 secondsWear a face covering where it’s neededKeep a distance of at least 2 metres from anyone you don’t live with or anyone outside your support bubble, if you are in one I know how hard this is, feeling like we are taking a step back but if we all stick by these guidelines then we give ourselves the best chance of making these measures work, and of getting the ‘R’ rate down without having to take any more stringent measures – which is what we all hope for. So please, let’s all do our bit and let’s all look after each other. As ever, stay safe and protect Bucks, Martin Tett Leader of Buckinghamshire Council
Update from Martin Tett – August 2020
Dear Resident,
I hope that many of you are enjoying the opportunity for a break during August. Personally, I have had a couple of weeks Staycation in the northeast of England and have been interested to see how seriously people are taking ‘social distancing’ in holiday locations. It is good to know that so many people are still aware that COVID remains a problem and that we all need to ‘stay alert’ as we transition back safely to life in the ‘new normal’
The local picture I’m also pleased that the number of coronavirus cases remains relatively low here in Buckinghamshire but as we can see from local lockdowns in other parts of the country and abroad, that can change at any point, so please let’s carry on doing everything possible to keep the virus at bay here.
Cases have risen in some areas close to Buckinghamshire so it’s essential we keep following the rules and keep up with the basics; regular and thorough hand-washing, wear your face coverings when needed and keep a safe distance from people outside your household. Thank you again to everyone for keeping this up.
If you travel to or have connections to areas where cases are rising, please be extra vigilant with social distancing and hand washing so that we can continue to protect Buckinghamshire.
Many of us are socialising more but it’s really important we all remain mindful of the rules and guidelines about seeing others. For example, if you go to a restaurant or pub indoors, you can only meet in groups with a maximum of two households – and those households should still socially distance.
We’ve had a few comments from residents who’ve asked us to remind people about how to wear a face covering correctly. It’s important that your face covering goes over bothyour nose and your mouth. This can be tricky for people with glasses as they can mist up but please ensure that the nose remains covered.
As we mentioned last time, the single use coverings aren’t recyclable so please throw yours away properly when you’ve used it. Do think about making or buying a reusable mask.
Again, thank you so much for observing the rules and wearing face coverings where they’re needed, such as in shops and on public transport. A full list of where you need to wear a face covering is here.
Also, bear in mind that some people are exempt from wearing them, and the reason isn’t always obvious. There is no need for people who are exempt to obtain special ‘certificates’ or pay money or make donations to obtain ‘exemption letters’.
However, you can use a special ‘exemption card’ to show to people if you wish to do so. These can be shown on a phone or you can print one out – you can find these on the government’s website in the section under ‘Exemption cards’.
Get a test no matter how mild your symptoms are
One of the most important things you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to book a coronavirus test as soon as you develop any symptoms, no matter how mild.
It’s much better to get a test for a mild symptom and find out sooner rather than later if you have COVID-19 than to wait and see if things get worse.
A high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a change or loss in your sense of taste or smell; any of these symptoms mean you need to book a test immediately and stay at home to isolate. There are a number of local test sites in Buckinghamshire in the coming days (Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Marlow and High Wycombe). You will be told your nearest site available when you book.
I know many people have gone abroad for their holiday, or it might be that you’re overseas for another reason. The Foreign Office is still advising against all but essential travel to many countries, but there is a list of exemptions. You also need to know whether or not you should quarantine either on arrival or when you get back to the UK.
As many of you know, this advice can change quickly so if you are considering going abroad make sure you’re up to date with the latest advice.
Feeling low? There’s support available 24/7
We’ve all had to adjust to a difficult situation in recent months and this has taken a toll on how people feel in many different ways. If you’re struggling with your mental health in any way, then please use the free helpline, available 24/7. Adults: 0800 783 0119 or 01865 904 997 Children and young people: 0800 783 0121 or 01865 904 998 There’s also more help available on the Healthy Minds Bucks website. Last chance to apply for coronavirus business grants There are just under two weeks left for Buckinghamshire small businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors to apply for coronavirus business grants. Applications will close on Friday 28 August. We have already paid out £83.9 million to 6,399 eligible businesses, helping to ensure the survival of shops, cafes, hotels, restaurants and pubs. If you know of any local business that may qualify, please tell them to visit our business grants web page for details about eligibility and to apply. COVID-19 honours – who’s been your hero? There’s still plenty of time to think about who should be recognised for their outstanding and exceptional contribution during the coronavirus pandemic response. These are official government honours which will be given out to individuals or groups for their efforts during this crisis. We know that across Buckinghamshire the efforts of many people and groups have been heroic and it would be brilliant for people in our local area to be recognised. Have a think about who you’d nominate – maybe a key worker or someone who’s organised a community response. People have helped in so many different ways. Take a look at the new COVID-19 honours nomination form on the government’s website if you want to nominate a person. The deadline for applications is Friday 25 September.
LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY Our physical health can have a big impact on how we feel. The lovely weather has returned and is great for a cycle ride. There are plenty of places you can enjoy cycling that are off road and many are also child-friendly routes.
Worried about a vulnerable friend, relative or neighbour? Our Adult Social Care team is checking in with all vulnerable residents we are aware of by making many regular phone calls and by supporting in other ways too. Please tell us if you know of someone who might need our help by calling the Adult Social Care team on 01296 383 204. Please also carry on using our online community hub for details of how to find support in your local area.
In this edition, you’ll be able to find information on childcare, school transport, VJ Day and recycling. We’ve also got news on Buckinghamshire Lottery, fostering, adult learning and lots more. We’d love to hear what you think of this newsletter – so please reply and let us know!
The
Buckinghamshire Unitary Council commenced
as planned on 1st
April.
All
202 current Shadow Authority Councillors became
councillors of the new Buckinghamshire Council until May 2021
Existing
Shadow Executive members form
Buckinghamshire Councils new Cabinet until the elections in May 2021
March 2020 update –
The elections here in Buckinghamshire, planned for May 7th, have been postponed for one year due to the Coronavirus outbreak. They are expected to be held on 6 May 2021. This will mean a delay for Bucks to get a new elected Council and for the 5 local district and county councils to join together.
The new Buckinghamshire Council Chief Executive, Rachael Shimmin, said:
“We are actively in discussion with the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government about how we handle the year ahead and
will consider a number of options next week.”
—————————————————————————————————————–
From 1 April, Buckinghamshire Council will replace the county and district councils that currently serve you.
The new
Buckinghamshire Council will replace all five of the district and
county councils in Buckinghamshire, and over the coming weeks and
months you’ll start to see some changes as you come across the new
look council.
What does the
new council mean for me?
The
same services, better together. For most people there will be no
change to the day-to-day services you use. This includes bin
collections, looking after our elderly and young people, libraries
and parking. The focus for the future will be on improving these
services as a new council together.
One
council. Getting in touch with the council will be simpler
because you’ll only need to contact one council for all the
services currently provided by the county and district councils.
Face-to-face
advice, support and information from your council through a
network of 17 local Council Access Points based at the heart of your
local community – in current council offices and libraries across
the county. The five council offices in Aylesbury (Walton Street and
The Gateway), High Wycombe, Amersham and Denham will be ‘access
plus’ points, geared up to handle more complex enquiries.
Stronger
links with local communities. Buckinghamshire Council
councillors will work closely with local people and community
organisations to understand and respond to the key issues affecting
their local area through 16 Community Boards.
Who will be my local councillor on the new council?
There will be 147
councillors elected to Buckinghamshire Council. Elections for the new
council will take place on 7 May 2020. Until these newly elected
councillors take up their posts, your current elected members from
the five existing councils will continue to serve your communities.
How can I find
out more?
For regular news and updates, follow @BucksCouncil on Twitter and Facebook or find out more at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk.
