Friday 29 October 2021
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.
 Meeting friends or family on Halloween or Bonfire Night? Meeting outdoors is safer. If you meet indoors, let fresh air in.
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 Devon safe. While cases are high, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why the government is keeping key protections in place.
#RespectProtectEnjoy #DoItForDevon
Case rates in Devon, and nationally, are rising, with England having one of the highest rates of coronavirus in Western Europe.
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, argues that we need step up the prevention measures to avoid any re-introduction of restrictions as we head towards winter.
"The vaccination programme is going well, with booster jabs progressing among our older and eligible population and vaccinations now available for 12 to 15 year olds via schools and vaccination centres.
"But with rising case numbers in Devon, and nationally, we need to double-down on our efforts now to stop cases increasing.
"The vaccination, while extremely effective, can not be used in isolation as a measure to combat coronavirus.
"Rising case rates now, as we head towards winter, indicate a changing level of risk. The more cases there are in the community, the more risk there is to us personally of catching and spreading it to our families and friends."
Read the full story on the news pages of our website.
CCG Members' briefing - coronavirus vaccination in Devon
Please see below for the latest coronavirus vaccination briefing for Members from NHS Devon, Devon’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG):
You can view current and previous copies on the Provider Engagement Network (PEN) website.
 Do you know how to report online abuse and unacceptable behaviour?
Devon County Council’s Unacceptable Customer Behaviour Policy provides guidance on what to do if a service user, their family or a member of the public is abusive to staff or Members.
The guidance covers:
- What to do ‘in the moment’ if faced with unacceptable behaviour: record, request, remove, report
- Report forms, including a report form for online abuse (social media)
- A ‘customer notice’ which can be displayed or handed out as a leaflet
- What to do if the abuse continues
- Where to get further advice and support
Quick links:
Civility in public life call for evidence
The Local Government Association (LGA) calls for evidence in respect of abuse and intimidation of councillors.
The LGA has asked us to share this relevant information from the LGA Chief Executive’s bulletin (22 October 2021), in case you have not received it:
Once again, the LGA heard troubling and upsetting accounts of abuse and intimidation experienced by councillors when the Executive Advisory Board debated this issue this week.
The LGA has established a significant programme of work, guidance and support around the issue of civility in public life.
As part of that work the LGA is also launching a long-term 'call for evidence' about the extent, nature and impacts of abuse and intimidation through the personal experiences of councillors. This evidence will support the long-term work of the LGA to highlight good practice that councils can learn from, call for other legislative changes, and challenge key partners like the police to consider their role in preventing and responding to abuse and intimidation.
Members: If you have experienced abuse or intimidation from the public, please do complete the survey.
COVID-19 test scam alert!
A scam text message has been doing the rounds this week, saying:
'NHS: You have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. You must self-isolate for 7 days and order a PCR Testing Kit.'
It then directs you to a link designed to look genuine at first glance, but take a closer look and you'll see that it doesn't link to the real NHS website. And if you click on the link, it could then ask you to pay for a testing kit.
This is a scam. If you receive a text like this, please delete it. Do not click on the link or respond to the message.
You can find out how you would be contacted by the genuine NHS Test and Trace online.
All you need to know about flu
We published a special vaccine-themed Connect Me update this week with all you need to know about flu. You can read it here.
It’s especially important that eligible children aged two or three years old, (on the 31 August) are offered the flu vaccine this year.
For most children, the vaccine will be given as a spray in each nostril, which is very quick and painless. And it can be given at your GP surgery, usually by the Practice Nurse.
All pregnant women are also eligible for the free flu vaccine. There’s evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of complications if they get flu, particularly in later stages of pregnancy.
Find out more about the flu jab in pregnancy.
How to do your bit to help the NHS this winter
The NHS and Devon Public Health are urging people to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and flu viruses by following a few simple steps.
It follows an almost doubling in the number of patients in Devon hospitals with coronavirus since the beginning of October. And the NHS expect those numbers to rise.
This, on top of existing pressures in the local health and care system, is why the public are now being reminded that they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down.
Here’s what you can do:
- ensure you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster dose if you are eligible
- have the seasonal flu vaccination
- continue to follow social distancing measures, wear a mask where appropriate and wash your hands frequently
- avoid visiting people in hospital if you have sickness or diarrhoea
- self-isolate and take a PCR test if you have symptoms of COVID-19
- carry out regular lateral flow tests
 Young people aged 12 to 15 are being offered the coronavirus vaccine
The NHS is writing to parents and guardians of 12 to 15 year olds, inviting them to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment on the National Booking System or by calling 119.
Parents or guardians can choose where their child receives the vaccine - either at a vaccination centre, or at their school. Parents or guardians can also attend the appointment to a vaccination centre with their child, and consent will be sought on the day.
If the 12-15 year old prefers to have their vaccination at school, they should wait for the school vaccination team or school to contact them.
The Devon vaccination centres are at:
- Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ
- Greendale Vaccination Centre, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter, EX5 1EW
- English Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ
- Barnstaple Leisure Centre, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, Barnstaple EX31 2AP
More information on our website.
Lateral flow reminder to pupils before heading back to school or college
Secondary school and college pupils are reminded to take their lateral flow tests the evening before they return to the classroom.
Any pupils not showing any symptoms of coronavirus should take the test prior to return. But anyone who has developed symptoms over the half-term holiday must self-isolate and arrange a PCR test.
Lateral flow tests can be collected for free from your local pharmacy, but remember that pharmacies now ask for a collection code. Registering for a collection code is very easy and instant.
Could your local school Make Do and Mend?
 Devon households to get £5m to help with food, energy and water bills this winter
The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact on family budgets, and many people are finding it especially difficult now as we move into colder winter months.
The government has announced a new Household Support Fund to help those most in need this winter. It will be available until Thursday 31 March 2022, and Devon's allocation of it will be just over £5 million.
The fund is designed to support households in most need with food, energy and water bills, and other associated essential costs.
We're working with the eight district councils in Devon, and other partners, to make the funding available as quickly as possible. Details for how households can access the funding will be available as soon as it is confirmed.
 Support schemes offered through Devon’s economic recovery programme
We are offering three new support schemes as part of our economic recovery programme.
Digital Advantage Devon helps businesses use digital technology to reach new customers, increase sales and customer satisfaction and to save time and money. It provides up to 12 hours of free digital training and advice, with expert trainers delivering a combination of interactive digital workshops and tailored one-to-one support for individual businesses.
The Taking Business Digital pilot project aims to support every aspect of business in a digital world, delivering events, seminars, training and one-to-one support. It explores everything from digital marketing and local procurement to supply chains, importing and exporting, and customs procedures.
Get Set Adapt Devon supports businesses to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and grow by offering a diagnostic review to determine recovery strategy and tactics, and any further support a business may need. One-to-one sessions with a specialist business advisor will provide a bespoke action plan for recovery and growth. There are also tailored workshops and masterclasses based around business resilience, business models and other key areas. It also includes online learning with 24/7 access to interactive learning modules and a resource library.
All of the programmes are offered free of charge to businesses based in the Devon County Council area.
Our Trading Standards team win national award for supporting farmers during pandemic
Devon County Council awarded Macro Employer of the Year in regional stage
Devon County Council won the Macro Employer of the Year Award (5000+ employees) at the South West Regional Apprenticeship Awards last week. We were also highly commended in the Recruitment Excellence Category.
The online event was co-hosted by Amy Kyme, Assistant Apprenticeship Advisor from our Apprenticeship Team, in her role as Chair of the South West Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (SWYAAN). Find out more!
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Node launches to support businesses and grow local economy
A new enterprise centre that aims to create jobs and boost the local economy in Barnstaple has been officially opened by Devon County Council Leader, Councillor John Hart.
Known as Node, the coworking and office space is the flagship development at our Roundswell Enterprise Park and we have part-funded it with the European Regional Development Fund and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. Node will support small to medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, freelancers and local workers in Barnstaple and the surrounding areas of North Devon and Torridge.
 Don't forget the clocks go back at 2.00am on Sunday 31 October as British Summer Time ends.
As well as remembering to put the clocks back, we’re reminding road users: pedestrians, cyclists motorcyclists, and horse riders to "be bright, be seen" in the dark and in poor weather conditions when visibility is reduced.
Members' Area
Don't forget your new Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to aid you in your role as a Devon County Councillor. Key documents from the Council's various service areas, including induction resources, are posted in the Document library, and the Who's who? highlights the best person for you to contact for an efficient resolution.
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.
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