20 November 2020
Public: coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Devon on our website
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
Do it for Devon
Stick with us and keep following the guidance to keep everyone safe and well.
We need the support of local residents and visitors to keep following the guidelines with social distancing, washing hands and hand sanitising, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, avoiding busy places and keeping gatherings to groups of up to six people.
“Keep our wits about us”
A new plea from Devon’s Director of Public Health
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health (Designate) has issued a new plea.
"There’s so much to distract us at the moment with one thing or another, and a lot of it positive. We have Christmas approaching and talk of families being able to come together.
"We have new rapid test pilots happening across the country, Devon included, enabling people to see their loved ones in care homes and to hold hands for the first time in a very long time.
"We hear optimistic news about not one but several vaccines coming fast down the track, and the NHS mobilising plans to roll out a vaccination programme across the country.
"All this, while approaching the final weeks of our current national lockdown restrictions, subject to what the Government decides.
"It’s positive news, and we may be feeling like we're in the final chapter of this pandemic. However, I would not be doing my job as Director of Public Health if I were not to inject a strong measure of caution, with a dose of cold facts.
"Case numbers in Devon are still rising, especially in the working age population. There, we’re seeing spread continuing to grow.
"A closer look shows us that contacts are spreading in social or communal settings within the workplace. We’re talking staff rooms, kitchens, corridors, car parks – the bits of our day to day life where we’re more easily distracted, and our attention slips.
"It’s the kettle, the fridge, the door handles, the face-to-face chats too close to each other, the sharing of space often indoors with poor natural ventilation. We have to stay aware and alert to those risks.
"There is cause for optimism, without doubt. The challenge to us all – my plea to you – is that we do not let our enthusiasm to return to normal actually set us further back."
Continue reading here.
Virtual Committee Meetings to continue
Procedures Committee, which was held on Wednesday 18 November, has committed to holding all Committee meetings virtually, until the expiry of the regulations (on 7 May).
We are confident we can run all scheduled committee meetings over the next few months. In addition, we are hoping to acquire a new piece of software to live stream the meetings.
We are following the clear advice from our Director of Public Health, Chief Executive and the Government to work from home where possible, avoid travelling into County Hall and of course set the best example possible. As always, we will continue to review the guidance, good practice and of course any emerging situations in relation to the ongoing pandemic, but the commitment to remote meetings up until the elections gives us all clarity in terms of how we will be working for the next few months.
Support for Members
In previous messages, we have outlined the support that is available for Members and staff. If you would like to talk to someone about your situation and how you’re feeling, we invite you to book a one-to-one conversation with a member of the HR team. In the sessions we can explore what is affecting your wellbeing and identify activities which might help. These conversations will take place online through Microsoft Teams and will last about an hour. If you would like to book a meeting please email Marion Geare and offer three options of days and times that are convenient for you.
There’s a wealth of information and resources around wellbeing on the Inside Devon pages. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to see what’s available.
If you would like extra help with using IT systems and Office-365, you’ll find lots of information on Inside Devon. To keep us working smarter together, our Change Team offer regular remote support sessions to help you do your job effectively. They also have a KnowledgeShare site on SharePoint. If you have any specific questions or needs that aren’t covered on these pages, please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
If you would like to discuss practical tips about staying in touch with your communities, maybe through online surgeries or engaging with your parishes, or if there’s anything else you would like to discuss, please contact us and we will be happy to help you consider new ways of working. Please email marion.geare@devon.gov.uk
 Interim Devon Carbon Plan is coming soon
Devon Climate Emergency is hosting an online public webinar series where you can find out more about different themes in the Interim Devon Carbon Plan. The plan and consultation go live on Monday 7 December 2020. You’ll hear from some of the Task Force members and guest speakers talking about some amazing projects going on in Devon to help reach net-zero. There’ll be breakout rooms and a chance for you to ask questions.
Posters for parishes and towns:
The Interim Devon Carbon Plan is the roadmap to addressing the climate emergency and creating a net-zero Devon where people and nature thrive. We want to hear the views of businesses, community groups and all individuals. Download and share the posters for your parish and town noticeboards.
Watch these one-minute videos
-
Who is Devon Climate Emergency (DCE)? This one-minute video is a good starting point for those organisations who feel their network may not have heard of DCE before or be aware of the partnership.
-
What is the Interim Devon Carbon Plan? This short one-minute video explains what the Interim Devon Carbon Plan is (and mentions that it will be updated to a Final Devon Carbon Plan in 2021 after the Citizens’ Assembly, which was delayed because of COVID-19).
 Members-only webinar
Members can sign-up now using this Zoom link to register for the Members-only webinar on the Interim Devon Carbon Plan launch, on Monday 7 December at 4.00pm.
Dr Virginia Pearson retires
Vaccine news welcomed but caution advised
News of a vaccine becoming available was welcomed by Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, but she advises caution.
"It’s exceptionally good news," she said, "but it is still early days, and while the announcement is tremendously positive, there is still a lot of work to do nationally before a programme of mass vaccination is possible."
Devon leads £2 million bid to end holiday hunger
A major operation is under way in Devon to combat holiday hunger for children this Christmas. We are leading the operation to organise networks of providers across the county, using a £2 million Government grant to support vulnerable children and families in the most effective way.
Over the next few weeks a range of community kitchens, holiday clubs, charities and local businesses will be enlisted to coordinate help and support for those who need it the most in every district in Devon. They will ensure that every child entitled to Free School Meals will be able to get free food over the Christmas holiday, during the Easter half-term and the Easter holidays. You can read the full story on our News Centre.
More information about financial and food support for families and individuals in Devon is available on our website.
Support to Devon carers is recognised nationally. “It’s already a winner”, says Councillor Andrew Leadbetter
A pioneering new project that supports unpaid carers has been heralded nationally and is shortlisted for a prestigious care award.
It involves dedicated staff from Devon Carers, a service commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon CCG, working closely with hospital teams to identify situations where carers are involved, and where support for those carers is needed for patients to return home safely, or prevent hospital admissions.
First piloted at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the Carers Hospital Service is now also running in North Devon and Torbay hospitals.
Health and care workers urgently needed this winter
People of all ages and backgrounds are urgently needed to care for vulnerable people across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay this winter.
Those who are caring, compassionate and committed are being called on to register their interest in a variety of healthcare assistant roles across the county on the Proud to Care Devon website, even if they have no previous experience.
Applicants who have left the profession, recently found themselves out of work and recent college leavers are also being encouraged to register, as are those who have not previously considered a career in care.
Funding available to support communities
We've temporarily reopened our ‘COVID-19 Fund’ to help provide valuable resources to organisations working in communities that have been affected by the second national lockdown.
The money will help voluntary and community groups safely address some of the issues that are arising because of the lockdown, including support for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
The funding can be used to support things like the safe delivery of essential goods and services to those who are vulnerable; support for accessing online information; helping people to stay connected and informed; measures to support mental health and wellbeing and transport-related initiatives that support safe community responses to the outbreak.
To find out more, including how to apply, please visit our website.
Devon awarded £1.3 million Active Travel Funding
Devon County Council has been awarded almost £1.3 million in the latest round of Emergency Active Travel Funding to create more space for cycling and walking.
Thank you for complying with national restrictions
Devon County Council Leader, Cllr John Hart, who is also Chairman of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, has thanked Devon residents for responding positively to the national lockdown restrictions, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
The latest figures show traffic movement on the roads is down 30 to 40 per cent, and public transport use has also fallen.
A message from our Chairman, Cllr Stuart Barker
Our Chairman thanks staff for all they are doing to help stop the second wave of COVID-19, keeping the people and communities in Devon safe.
"The people of Devon have all faced tough challenges throughout the pandemic; closing businesses and schools, not seeing loved ones, cancelling holidays and celebrations, missing family occasions and staying at home every day. It has been a hard time for everyone, but through our efforts we have helped to protect the NHS and, most importantly, save lives.
"We now need to work together once again to follow the guidelines and get through the winter period safely, so that one day soon we will again be able to do all those things we love, with the people we love."
|
Thank You Social Workers is a special event from the Social Worker of the Year Awards charity to thank social workers and social work teams in England.
On Thursday 26 November between 4.00pm – 5.00pm the Social Worker of the Year virtual live event will take place for social workers across the UK.
Registration for tickets is now open for the special ‘Thank You Social Workers’ event which will reflect on the unique challenges and give recognition to the bravery and dedication of social workers and social care teams throughout COVID-19.
It will feature inspiring messages from celebrities, interviews filmed with frontline social work practitioners and first-hand stories told by young people and adults who have been supported by social workers during the pandemic.
As a proud Programme Sponsor, Devon County Council features on the official programme which commemorates the year through stories and is an opportunity to showcase Devon as a fantastic location to have a career in social work. Being a sponsor at this event is a fitting tribute to our adults and children’s services who have gone the extra mile throughout the pandemic to support the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Social care teams were invited to contribute to the event through sharing their own stories and experiences of working during these challenging times.
Our Social Care Reablement Team feature on the Social Worker of the Year blog alongside other inspirational colleagues from across the UK .
Follow @SocialWorkAward on Twitter and see updates from the evening, as they happen.
 |
Click to watch the consumer service video
New advice ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Trading standards is advising online consumers in Devon, Somerset and Torbay to only buy from ‘reputable’ traders, and to refer to a new advice video if they experience any problems.
The new advice video has been commissioned by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute ahead of ‘Black Friday’ (Friday 27 November) and ‘Cyber Monday’, (Monday 30 November), the two big pre-Christmas shopping days this month.
The COVID-19 lockdowns have led to a rise in consumer spending online and 87 per cent of UK consumers are estimated to have purchased a product online. The public spends around £2bn a week on online purchases.
However, according to Citizens Advice Consumer Service the sharp increase in online spending has also led to a near doubling of complaints. People are having a range of problems when shopping online, including issues relating to scams and defective goods, and concerns about parcel delivery.
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
|
