Thursday 14 April 2022
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.
Councils and communities are welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Devon
A small number of Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Devon, or are expected to arrive in the next few days, as their visas are granted, and local communities are ready to welcome them.
More than 300 people in Devon have so far put themselves forward as sponsors, and are matched with people now applying for visas.
Alongside Devon’s district and city councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils, we have all, as Team Devon, been making sure preparations are in place.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks are being made on all adults over 16 years old already living in the host household, as well as checks regarding vulnerability and safeguarding, to ensure that people and families arriving from Ukraine are safe. And councils are checking sponsors' accommodation to make sure the property that people are moving into is safe.
"The checks are underway, and we're moving through them as fast as possible, prioritising where families have already arrived or are about to arrive,"
said Councillor James McInnes on behalf of Team Devon.
Team Devon launched a website containing key information for sponsors and guests about the Home Office process, alongside other local information such as how people can access schools, health services, and any financial support.
How you can help:
Exposure to Russian and Belarusian suppliers
All local authorities are being asked to scrutinise their work with service providers for any commercial ties with suppliers from Russia or Belarus, and review their supply chains to identify, and look to cease, any links with Russian and Belarusian suppliers.
Cyber awareness resources for Members
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the level of cyber threat remains heightened across the globe, with an increased likelihood of attacks spreading beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia. In addition, there is also evidence of cyber-criminals deploying scam campaigns in an attempt to take advantage of the situation, including using scam emails as part of a fake fundraising campaign for Ukraine.
The increased threat to local authorities has also been demonstrated by a recent cyber-attack affecting Gloucester City Council, which has been linked to Russian hackers. The initial entry-point of the attack is reported to have been a malicious email, as is commonly the case.
There is a range of DCC resources available to assist Members with spotting suspicious messages and other types of concerning activity:
In addition to the above, a short cyber security eLearning course on phishing is available through the MetaCompliance platform and all Members are encouraged to complete this if they have not already done so.
The guide linked below shows step-by-step instructions for accessing the course, titled ‘Cyber Security Awareness Training - Part 1’.
If you have any difficulties accessing the MetaCompliance platform, please let us know by emailing MetaCompliance@devon.gov.uk.
Are you taking your DCC device on holiday?
If you are going on holiday and you wish to take a DCC device with you, please ensure you have contacted ICT beforehand.
If you plan to take your DCC laptop, mobile phone or iPad abroad you need to submit a "taking a hardware device abroad" ICT request. You will also need to ask ICT to add roaming.
To make a request, go to MyScomis ICT self-service, search 'taking hardware' and then 'request'.
Supporting COVID-19 vaccination during Ramadan
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan began at the start of April and continues until the evening of Sunday 1 May 2022. It's an important time for Muslims and involves a month of fasting, worship and community celebration.
Muslims in Devon are being urged to get their first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to help keep themselves and others observing the holy month safe. Scholarly leaders and the British Islamic Medical Association have stated that it is permissible to have the COVID-19 vaccination while fasting during Ramadan and confirmed that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast, nor does it contain pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products.
If you are still unsure whether you should have the COVID-19 vaccine during the holy month, please speak to your local Imam for guidance. You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or find your nearest walk-in clinic via the NHS website.
Get your child vaccinated over the Easter holiday
All children aged five and over are now eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccination. Bookings can be made online or by calling 119. Please note the vaccination is not being given to this age group in school.
Spring boosters, who’s eligible?
The Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has advised that people who are higher risk of severe illness, resulting from coronavirus, should be offered a spring booster.
We’ve heard a few examples of people turning up for their spring booster only to hear that they weren’t eligible at this time. The confusion seemed to be around the definition of 'immunosuppressed'.
How to live safely with COVID-19
As April started, so did a new phase of living with COVID-19, where the virus will be managed like other respiratory illnesses.
The government has published important advice for people with symptoms of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19; people with a positive COVID-19 test result and their contacts; and advice on safer behaviours for everyone.
Guidance has also been published to help employers reduce the spread of respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and flu in the workplace. You can read it on the government website.
It sounds like a lot to take in, so we summarised it in this special edition of our newsletter. If you missed it, you can catch up online.
Reminder: if you feel unwell don't come into an office
Leadership Group advise anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or who develops symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with others – in the same way you would if you had the flu or vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you are well enough and can do so, please work from home.
Visitors to care homes in Devon asked to help fight infection
The percentage of care homes in Devon with coronavirus outbreaks has risen in the last few weeks, as nearly half the 316 care homes now have two or more linked cases among staff and residents.
With the majority of cases amongst members of staff, care homes are finding it very difficult, and they’re urging visitors to work with them to reduce the risk of infection.
The latest guidance published by the government eases some previous restrictions. But care home providers say restrictions at a local level are still in place.
Lucy Bull, a Director of the Devon Care Homes Collaborative said:
“National guidance has changed, but we ask visitors to continue following care homes’ visitor policies.
“If you are planning to visit, please call ahead to check their procedures. Even if the home is in outbreak, the guidance supports some key visits, so it is worth a conversation with the home. And if you don’t feel well on the day, please postpone your visit until you feel better.”
Our new youth parliament has been elected
The team met for the first time on Saturday 2 April to discuss their priority issues. These issues are, in part, based on the results of the Make Your Mark ballot and local election results as well as other countywide surveys that have been recently conducted with young people.
If you think you can help the Youth Parliament team to deliver their manifesto, or if you’d like to work with Youth Parliament, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch by emailing ukyouthparliament@devon.gov.uk.
Free holiday time activities and meals this Easter
Hundreds of children across Devon aged five to 16, who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, begin an action-packed Easter holiday this week, as part of Devon County Council’s government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The programme provides free activities and healthy meals during school holidays, and the council has joined up with activity providers to arrange the activities across Devon.
Activities include a range of sports and coaching opportunities; indoor and outdoor play activities; outings to local parks and beaches; magic and circus skills; arts and crafts; music; cooking; theatre workshops; yoga and mindfulness, and a lot more.
Activities are free, and all come with a healthy meal provided.
Atkinson Secure Children’s Home maintains its unblemished record as a good home
On their visit to Atkinson Secure Children's Home in February, Ofsted inspectors gave the home a resounding ‘good’ on all fronts. This includes the progress and experience of the children living in the home; the quality of their education and learning; their health; how well the children are helped and protected; and how effective the home’s leaders and managers are.
Wellbeing support offered through Devon’s recovery programme
Free wellbeing support offered to help with Devon's COVID-19 recovery. Businesses and employees in Devon are now able to access free wellbeing support through a new initiative we've launched as part of our £6 million COVID-19 recovery programme.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said:
“The last couple of years of the pandemic have been tough on everyone, and businesses and their staff have had to contend with the most severe impact on economic conditions for generations. This initiative is a good opportunity for Devon-based businesses, employees and individuals to benefit from the tools, techniques and inspiration we need to prioritise and develop our wellbeing and resilience during the pandemic recovery period. Looking after your wellbeing is vitally important and if we look after ourselves and each other we can benefit personally and professionally.”
Help your food bank 'bank the food' they need most
|
|
Food banks often struggle with effectively communicating their realtime supply and demand needs to their donors.
BanktheFood is a new app which links food banks to donors at the most crucial time; when donors are at the supermarket.
|
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
You may start seeing “Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust” (or “Royal Devon”) used in our communications. This follows the merger of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust on 1 April 2022.
While the overall name of the Trust delivering healthcare in Devon is changing, hospitals and community services will continue with their existing names.
Devon County Council and Stagecoach South West launch brand new night buses across Exeter
Stagecoach South West and Devon County Council have announced a partnership to launch four new night buses services on Friday and Saturday nights, connecting residential fringe areas to Exeter city centre from this Friday (15 April).
Night buses will be introduced to popular corridors across the city, keeping residents connected to places of work and evenings out. Services will run hourly in each direction on Friday and Saturdays, to provide additional buses after the usual evening schedule from midnight right through until 4.00am. The night service will be launched across the following routes:
- Route A connecting Alphington with Thornpark Rise via the City Centre
- Routes E1/E2 connecting Exwick with the City Centre via the RD&E Hospital
- Routes I/J connecting Whipton with Countess Wear via the City Centre
- Route L connecting Pinhoe with the City Centre
In addition to four extra trips on route E1/E2, the night journeys will also be re-routed to serve the RD&E hospital from 11.57pm, offering a late night connection for hospital staff.
Stress Awareness Month: Thinking about reducing your drinking but not sure where to start?
April is Stress Awareness Month. Have you ever reached for a beer or glass of wine after a stressful day?
Even though you might think a drink can help you relax, regularly drinking more than the low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units a week to deal with feelings of stress can interfere with what your brain needs for good mental health as well as disrupt our sleep, making stress harder to deal with.
Top 10 Fairtrade Easter eggs for 2022
Planning on treating someone, or yourself, to some chocolate this Easter? Why not go for one of the top 10 Fairtrade eggs?
When you choose Fairtrade chocolate, you know that the farmers and workers who produced the cocoa in it received an additional Fairtrade Premium on top of the price of their crop, meaning they can invest in their communities and combat climate change.
Members' Area
Don't forget your 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 to help answer any queries you may have.
|