DDC News - June 2020

 
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Stay Alert

With coronavirus lockdown measures adjusted this week, we continue to remind everyone to stay alert, control the virus, save lives.

From this week, a range of changes from central government includes news that six people can meet outside, including in private gardens and outside spaces, keeping a 2m distance.

From this week you can visit car showrooms and outdoor markets, and in line with arrangements made by your school, send your child to school or nursery if they're in early years, reception, year 1 or 6, if you couldn't before.

Please remember to follow social distancing measures at all times.

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Next Steps

The Prime Minister has announced that from Monday 15 June, government intends to reopen other non-essential retail - but only provided the 'five tests' are still being met and shops have been made 'Covid secure'.

Full details of the statement from the Prime Minister can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Dover District Council’s Cabinet met on Monday to consider a raft of budget measures in response to the financial challenge of Covid-19, including committing £2.5m to help town centres recover as the lockdown is eased.

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Service Updates

We have continued to work with communities and partners throughout the pandemic to provide a whole range of help and support, maintain key services, and keep people informed of service updates.

DDC public toilets reopen on 9 June. Deal Pier reopened on 25 May with new signs and a hand sanitiser station.  DDC reinstated restrictions on where people can walk their dogs on Monday.

DDC continues to offer free parking to NHS and care workers, as set out in clear directions issued by the British Parking Association for key worker concessions – for full details, please see our parking pages.

We are working with our leisure operators to reopen some of the facilities at Dover District and Tides Leisure Centres. Subject to government advice, we are targeting a re-opening in early July, although it is anticipated some restrictions of use will be in place.

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Waste and Recycling Crews Thanked

Our waste and recycling teams have maintained regular collections throughout these unprecedented times, and collected almost 5,400 tonnes of waste and mixed recycling between mid March and mid May.

The Leader of DDC sent a big thank you to our fantastic waste and recycling teams - and visited Veolia crews to congratulate them on their work throughout lockdown.

As part of our ongoing work to keep roadsides clean, our contractors Veolia are out and about this week clearing waste and debris from the A2. This follows news that more than 23 tonnes of waste and debris were collected from along the A256 in May.

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Looking Ahead in White Cliffs Country

DDC has launched a new campaign to help the local tourism industry bounce back after lockdown. The campaign, designed around Dame Vera Lynn's famous WWll rallying call 'We'll Meet Again', features a toolkit for local tourism and hospitality businesses.

DDC has submitted a round two bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the restoration of the Maison Dieu in Dover, including elements of the stunning decorative scheme by William Burges.

As more people get out and about in the district, a new video has been released by DDC inviting people to take a moment to explore the tranquil serenity and natural beauty of Kearsney Abbey in Dover.

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Getting Down to Business

This week, we've launched a new Discretionary Grants Scheme for businesses in the district that have not been able to apply for any other grant during the pandemic.

This follows news we've been working hard to support local businesses, including paying out £20m in business grants.

Some of the district's biggest businesses have been playing a key role in the nations's effort to tackle coronavirus.  Local businesses have also been adapting their businesses to take orders remotely and delivering to people's doors.

A Business Support Hotline has been launched, open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm, on 03333 602 300.

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Dover District Community Hub

During lockdown, DDC’s Community Hub has provided invaluable support to the local community thanks to the hard work of DDC staff, local charities and community groups, assisted by a dedicated band of over 200 volunteers.

Over the last ten weeks, the Hub has handled some 4,822 points of contact including: 4,888 meals; 2,166 deliveries of shopping and prescriptions; a wide range of errands, from dog walking to transport for hospital appointments; and 565 people helped with befriending. The Hub will now operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Great work by charities and community groups has also been supported by the COVID-19 Community Fund, supported by generous donations from the community. 

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VE Day 75

Did you get involved in The Nation's Toast to help honour the men and women of WWII - we've shared a special commemorative video to mark the occasion.

On Friday 8 May, Britain commemorated the 75th anniversary of VE Day, when the guns fell silent at the end of the second world war in Europe.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, VE Day 75 events and street parties had to be cancelled or postponed, but we were proud to still mark the occasion.

The Chairman of Dover District Council led the Nation's Toast in the district and residents celebrated at home. 

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Tell us what you think 

Welcome to the latest edition of your DDC e-newsletter.  We welcome all comments and feedback - please tell us what you think.  

Email pr@dover.gov.uk


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