Friday 26 November 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.
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
Our Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 was endorsed by Cabinet on Wednesday 10 November and will go to Full Council on Thursday 2 December. The plan describes our ambitions and priorities for the people and communities of Devon. It sets out how the Council will ensure Devon recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to evolve, adapt, and transform so that we can deliver the best possible services over the next four years.
You can read the “beta” version of our Strategic Plan here.
Should the Strategic Plan be approved by Councillors, our intention is to publish an annual plan and progress report at the start of each financial year, to show communities how we will be focussing on what matters to the people we are here to serve. We will officially launch the Strategic Plan in the New Year when there will be the opportunity to feedback on what our plan means for you, and to share your views on the action we need to take to achieve our priorities.
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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.
COVID-19 case rates in Devon now among the highest in the country
Case rates in Devon have continued to rise, with Torridge now reaching more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 of population - one of the highest case rates in the country.
Elsewhere in the county there are local pockets where case rates are rising significantly, with Devon's average rate overall still higher than the England average.
"I urge everyone who is eligible for a booster or third vaccine, who hasn't yet had it, to take it up as soon as they can," said Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health.
"The latest Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission (REACT) study shows how effective the vaccine is at preventing people from becoming seriously ill from having the virus."
Meanwhile, the number of patients in Devon hospitals with coronavirus has risen, with 168 COVID-19 inpatients now in Devon, up from 111 in early November.
NHS Devon say the increase in community infections is impacting on staff, as almost 600 NHS staff in the county are off work due to coronavirus - accounting for nearly one in four NHS staff absences.
Dr Paul Johnson, Chair of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said:
"There has been high demand for booster doses and I want to thank the tens of thousands of people in Devon who are attending our vaccine clinics for the jab each week. We are continuing to open thousands more booked appointments, in addition to pop-up clinics.
“However, as the temperature drops and we are more likely to mix with people inside, it is important to remember that Devon currently has some of the highest COVID-19 rates in the UK.
“Please continue to socially distance, wear a mask when mixing with people inside and open a window where possible.”
Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health explains why North Devon and Torridge are seeing rising case levels.
 New advice on when it's necessary to take a rapid lateral flow device test
Last week, the government announced when people in England should take rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests. Previously, the advice has been to take LFD tests regularly twice a week. But the new advice is that people in England should be taking a LFD test on days when they are more likely to catch or spread COVID-19. For example:
- when they will be in a high risk situation that day, such as mixing with other people in crowded indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air
- before they visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness, if they were to get COVID-19
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:
"Testing continues to be a key element of Devon’s local outbreak response.
"Around one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms, but may still be infectious and able to give the virus to others.
"Rapid lateral flow tests help identify people with the virus, so that they can self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test."
Research shows LFD tests are a reliable test for COVID-19. They give a quick result and do not need to be sent to a lab.
Even if you're vaccinated, you could still catch the virus or pass it on. Doing LFD tests regularly helps to protect yourself and others.
LFD tests are available from Devon’s Community Testing Service at a range of locations across Devon, your local pharmacy or they can be ordered online for home delivery.
If you test positive for COVID-19 using an LFD test, you should self-isolate immediately and request a follow-up PCR test.
Unpaid carers should know their rights and how to access support
It was Carers Rights Day on Thursday 25 November, bringing organisations together to help unpaid carers know their rights and find out how to get the support they are entitled to.
The pandemic has had a massive impact on the lives of carers, affecting access to services, the ability to juggle work and care and much more. And it's important that carers understand their rights and are able to access the support that is available to them as soon as they need it. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.
Young carers self assessment – organisations can have their say
The Young Carers Multi-Agency Steering Group operates in Devon and Devon County Council is a member, working with young carers and support organisations to be able to support young carers in across the county.
The Steering Group has designed a short self-assessment survey to agree actions to take to support organisations across the system to better support young carers and their families. The date to complete it has been extended until the end of November. Please encourage any organisations or carers who have not yet filled this in to complete it.
Do you know of any young carers?
Devon Young Carers is commissioned to provide support for young carers in Devon. If anyone knows of a young carer they can signpost or make a referral with the consent of the young person and can get in contact through the website, email or call 03456 434 435.
 Stopping young people going hungry this Christmas
The pandemic has had a financial impact on households across Devon, and we’ve seen a rise in the number of young people becoming eligible for free school meals. Nearly 18,500 children in Devon now qualify for free school meals - 2,500 more children than this time last year.
We've recently secured just over £5 million from the government's Household Support Fund to help people who are struggling to pay for food, fuel and utilities this winter. One of the things we're doing with it is making sure that young people, who are eligible for free school meals, don’t go hungry this Christmas.
We're also using the money to help pay for another Holiday Activity and Food scheme, which provides a range of activities and meals for children and young people who receive free school meals.
Christmas hampers planned for Devon's care-experienced young people
Devon’s children in care nurses are fundraising to provide a Christmas hamper of treats for our care-experienced young people. Last year they provided 100 hampers for young people and this year hope to provide even more. If you would like more information please contact Janet Fraser.
Schools are doing their bit to halt the spread
Most areas of the South West have positive coronavirus case rates above the national average for England. In Devon, it’s the high case levels particularly among the secondary school and college-age population that are driving the infection.
Schools, however, are doing their bit to halt the spread.
Most of our secondary schools in Devon have reached the government’s threshold – they have five or more linked cases of coronavirus – which triggers plans for additional actions, in line with the government’s guidance.
Education, employment of Training (EET) destinations for Key Stage 4 students
The Department for Education has just released the national data for the 2019/20 academic year and we are pleased to be able to share that 94.6 per cent of our Year 11s moved successfully into post-16 education, employment or training in September 2020.
This puts us in the top quartile of all local authorities nationally. This is a real testament to the energy and commitment schools, further education colleges, and other colleagues, put into ensuring our young people had the information and support they needed to plan, and take up, their destinations for the following academic year, despite the challenges of the first months of the pandemic.
Change to guidance on vaccinations for under 18s
The government has revised the guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations for under 18 year olds who are not in clinical risk groups.
Previously, the advice had been that under 18s should not have their vaccination for four weeks following a positive PCR test. That's now changed, with under 18s now asked to not have their vaccine until 12 weeks following a positive PCR test.
For those who have recently had their vaccine, after four weeks but within 12 weeks of a positive PCR test, that's OK – the vaccines are safe. But for those under 18s who are yet to take up the vaccine, you will not be given the vaccine until 12 weeks following a positive PCR test.
16 and 17 year olds to receive vaccine second dose
16 and 17 year olds, who are not in an at-risk group, are to be offered a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is advising.
The second vaccine dose should be given 12 weeks or more following the first vaccine dose.
For those who have had COVID-19, the second dose should be given 12 weeks or more following their positive PCR test result.
Visit the NHS website for more information about booking vaccination appointments.
Find out more from Ian Hobbs, Senior Commissioning Manager-Market Management
Appreciative Inquiry to celebrate the importance of adult social care
Join us for an Appreciative Inquiry to celebrate the importance of adult social care in Devon on Friday 3 December.
We’ll be bringing together system leaders, care providers, care workers and colleagues from the health, care, and voluntary sector to address the current workforce challenges surrounding adult social care and discuss how it could be better.
The event will also be a live webcast so that the wider public and anyone who is interested can observe. The event is one part of what will be a sustained campaign in the coming year to better reward and value our care workforce.
Care workers urged to take up COVID-19 booster vaccine
Domiciliary and care home staff, who had their second coronavirus vaccinations at least six months ago, are being encouraged to come forward for their booster vaccinations at the earliest opportunity, to maintain protection against the virus for themselves as well as those they care for.
Frontline social care staff can book their vaccination through the National Booking System or by contacting 119, and they can make appointments at either the mass-vaccination centres or there are a number of community pharmacies offering boosters.
Appointments can be booked from five months following their second jab, for slots from six months. There are also a number of permanent walk-in centres and pop-up sites at locations around the county, that care staff can access.
 Money available to help support people during self-isolation
With the high rate of positive coronavirus cases across Devon right now, there are growing numbers of people required to self-isolate.
For many, with minor symptoms and people to help them, ten days self-isolating is OK. It’s workable. But for others, self-isolating can be very difficult, especially if they live alone, they’re unwell, or have other responsibilities outside the house.
We've made small to medium-size grants available to local voluntary and community groups, which can help people during their self-isolation period – groups that can support with:
- getting food and other supplies
- caring responsibilities
- practical things, like dog walking
- mental health and wellbeing, including loneliness and boredom
It's to help people with the practical, social or emotional support they need, so that they can self-isolate properly, and so that they don’t potentially pass the virus onto others.
You should self-isolate if you have symptoms and test positive with a PCR test; and if you're asked to self-isolate, because you're a known contact to someone who has tested positive and you're not vaccinated; or ahead of a medical procedure.
Grants typically can be up to £5,000 for small projects, and up to £20,000 for larger projects. Applications for larger projects will be considered.
Information and eligibility for the grants is available on our website.
Or to discuss an application, contact hannah.reynolds@devon.gov.uk
 Newton Abbot 20 update
The Newton Abbot 20 informal consultation, looking into the viability of a 20mph speed limit in the town, concluded this week – and although we are still counting the number of responses both paper and digital, we are pleased to report we have had a good response given the technical nature of the consultation.
The results are now being collated and analysed and they will be discussed with the working group.
The next stage will be the advertisement of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). This process represents the final stage of the consultation which has also included the Speed Perception Survey last summer.
Depending on the outcome of the consultation and the TTRO process we would hope to launch the scheme in the spring, depending on the democratic process.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps officially opens the reinstated Dartmoor Line, pictured with Cllr Andrea Davis, right. Photograph by Jack Boskett
A new era begins for the Dartmoor Line
Saturday 20 November marked the return of regular train services on the Dartmoor Line between Exeter and Okehampton for the first time in almost half a century.
The first regular passenger service to Okehampton since 1972 departed at 6.32am from Exeter St David's, arriving into Okehampton at 7.10am. Two-hourly seven-days-a-week services will be operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) with journey times between Okehampton and Exeter, including stopping at Crediton, taking approximately 40 minutes.
The Dartmoor Line – which received £40.5m of government funding in March – is the first former line to reopen under the government’s Restoring Your Railway programme. Read all about it on our website.
 Supporting Fairtrade across the county
Did you know the number of people who live in a Fairtrade Town in Devon has increased from 215,850 in 2018 to 392,972 in 2020?
We can announce that our Fairtrade community status was renewed on 4 November 2021 for a further two years.
Find out how we continue to promote the benefits of Fairtrade and encourage individuals, communities, organisations and companies to act in support of Fairtrade, on Inside Devon.
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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