Coronavirus (Covid-19) update -
27 November 2020
Welcome to the fortnightly Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents and businesses with important information.
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East Devon will be under Tier 2: High alert restrictions from Wednesday 2 December
The Prime Minister and HM Government have announced the plans to manage Covid-19 through the winter in England. The current national restrictions will end next week and will be replaced from Wednesday 2 December by the return of different tiers.
East Devon will be under Tier 2: High alert local restrictions. This means that:
- You must not socialise with anyone indoors who is not in your household or part of your support bubble, at home or in a public space.
- If you are outside, you can meet in groups of six people from different households.
- Everyone who can work from home should do so.
- You should reduce the number of journeys you make, avoiding busy times and routes on public transport, and car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubbles. Walk or cycle instead if possible.
- Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and must close by 11pm.
- Some businesses such as non-essential retail, leisure and sports venues can reopen providing they are COVID-secure.
- You must continue to follow Tier 2 restrictions if you travel to a Tier 1 area. You should avoid travel to a Tier 3 area other than where necessary, for example for work, education, medical treatment or to carry out caring responsibilities.
Full details of Tier 2 restrictions are available on the government's website.
 You can read more information about the Government's Covid Winter Plan and local restriction tiers including what you can and cannot do in each tier in England.
East Devon Coronavirus Community Support Hub is here to help you
Our East Devon Coronavirus Community Support Hub remains in operation to provide help and support during this time.
If you, or a friend or family member are clinically extremely vulnerable, or in need of help and support during the Coronavirus restrictions, we have a dedicated team who can help if you are:
- Feeling isolated
- Unable to access food or other services
- Not sure on where to go for help and advice
Please complete the online form on our website, or give us a call on our special helpline which is 01395 571500 for more help.
We are available to help from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
 Grants for businesses affected by the current national restrictions
East Devon businesses which have been required to legally close according to Government instruction during the current restrictions, can apply for a Local Restrictions Support Grant. These include businesses providing non-essential retail; personal care facilities; hospitality venues and leisure/entertainment.
We have received more than 1200 applications. So far, we have processed more than 800 and paid out more than £1.1m. Please bear with us as we continue to verify and process the high number of applications.
Check if your business is eligible and apply at eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants.
For other East Devon businesses which have been affected by the current national restrictions, an Additional Restrictions Grant was approved by East Devon District Council’s Cabinet this week. Businesses cannot claim both grants. We expect this grant to go live in December, so please do not contact us about it. Please subscribe to East Devon business news to receive information on this as soon as it becomes available.
Get ready for #shoplocal
We’re gearing up to promote our amazing East Devon shops and businesses starting next Wednesday 2 December. Look out for news on how you can get involved to encourage people to #shoplocal. As part of this, please join #SmallBizSatUK
Small Business Saturday - Saturday 5 December
Grab this great opportunity to join a national marketing campaign. Promote your small business on the small business finder website, get a free marketing pack and be part of the celebration on social media: smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
Help us to help you – complete a 10 minute survey
We are working to support safe shopping in high streets and neighbourhoods. To make sure we respond to the needs of East Devon’s business community in shopping areas, we are asking local businesses to complete a short survey
Tell us your views on how to provide safe and welcoming public spaces to encourage shoppers back and how we can support businesses in the most effective way. Help us create a safer environment, instil customers’ confidence and encourage visitors to our towns. The survey closes on 10th December 2020. If you have any questions about the survey, please email: PlaceandProsperity@eastdevon.gov.uk
UK Transition: DEAL or NO DEAL, changes are coming
Join this free webinar to hear more about the issues around the UK Transition alongside practical guides about what will change. Fri 11 Dec, 10-11am.
Adapt and Thrive – business support
Get free 1 to 1 business advice or join our free workshops to help YOUR business thrive.
Follow East Devon Business on social media: @EastDevonBiz on Twitter; @EastDevonBusiness on Facebook; East Devon District Council on Linkedin
If you look after someone, who looks after you?
 Since COVID-19, the number of unpaid carers in Devon has increased by almost 50% to approximately 130,000 (source: Devon County Council). It has never been more important to identify and support carers than now. Devon Carers are passionate about helping those who support others.
Devon Carers is an organisation who support unpaid carers to maintain their own health, wellbeing and independence to care safely, confidently and effectively.
If you think you are an unpaid carer, or know someone who is, please get in touch with Devon Carers to find out more: https://devoncarers.org.uk/ or 03456 434 435
Financial Hardship Fund remains open
If you have been affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic and are unable to access funding or support elsewhere the Financial Hardship Fund may be able to assist.
Present Makers 2020 exhibition launches online
New online shop from Thelma Hulbert Gallery
 Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) has announced that their latest exhibition: Present Makers 2020 is now online. Take a look at their online shop showcasing South West contemporary craft and design including glass, wood, textiles, prints, ceramics, lighting and jewellery. Ideal for Christmas shopping!
THG MAKER SHORTS
MAKER SHORT 1 Rosie Brewer ‘Taming the wildwood’
To highlight the Present Makers exhibition, THG is showcasing makers’ practice in a new series of ‘MAKERS SHORTS’. Following on from their popular NATURE SHORTS series, these short, fly-on-the-wall films give an intriguing insight into the maker’s space, revealing their fascinating methods and skills.
Watch out for a new Maker Short every Wednesday throughout the exhibition, online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
LED Community Leisure centres are getting ready to reopen safely on Wednesday 2nd December
 We are delighted to inform you, that following the latest government announcement, LED will be re-opening several Leisure Centres on Wednesday 2nd December.
Gym sessions, group exercise classes, swimming and other activities will be bookable online via the LED Leisure app or website.
Clyst Valley Regional Park – make it yours!
 It’s time for you to help us plan for a future that is better for people and nature: where more high quality public greenspaces are accessible to all; where water quality is restored, rivers are naturalised, and carbon is saved helping to regenerate woodlands; where our highly valued local food, drink and recreational businesses are supported through these challenging times, and jobs created; and where historic buildings are saved for the public to enjoy.
Have your say on a draft masterplan for this new Regional Park.
Watch our short film to be inspired by the possibilities.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @ClystValleyPark
Community projects in Axminster get a welcome boost from East Devon District Council
Two popular East Devon community projects in Axminster will receive nearly £10,000 from East Devon District Council, and £2,000 from Devon County Council in crowdfunding campaigns worth more than £25,000.
The decision was made by East Devon District Council’s Community Grants Panel and by Devon County Council to give grants to both of the following projects to enable them to reach their crowdfunding targets and make their projects happen.
The successful projects in Axminster to be awarded grants by the panel were:
Waffle – On the Move project and Pippins Community Centre.
East Devon District Council still has £70,000 of funding available to local community projects through Crowdfund East Devon. To find out more:
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/grants-and-funding/grants-available-from-us/crowdfunding/
If you are interested and would like crowdfunding training, please email: jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk
Dates of next East Devon virtual Council meetings
Over the next fortnight the following East Devon District Council virtual meetings are taking place:
- Asset Management Forum on Tuesday 1st December at 9.30am
- Planning Committee on Wednesday 2nd December at 10am
- Arts and Culture Forum on Thursday 3rd December at 10am
- Full Council on Wednesday 9th December at 6pm
- Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 10th December at 6pm
The meetings can all be viewed on our YouTube channel by searching for 'East Devon District Council' or by subscribing.
Gardening over the weekend?
As autumn turns in to winter and the leaves are falling off the trees and the garden needs a tidy up why not subscribe to our green waste service. Let us take away your green waste and save a trip to the recycling centre.
Visit www.eastdevon.gov.uk/green for more information
Look out for our recycling and waste hanger to update you on seasonal changes to collection services
 Wild Exmouth Nature Training Grants
Small grants are available for training to help wildlife or nature projects in the town. Grants of up to £150 will help Exmouth residents meet the costs of specialist training courses to help them develop and deliver action for wildlife in Exmouth.
East Devon District Council, through its Wild Exmouth project, is administering this new grant fund to help Exmouth residents cover the costs of specialist training courses to action wildlife projects in the town.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how the grant will enable them to deliver a project which engages residents to improve spaces for nature in the EX8 area. Successful applicants will work in partnership with the Wild Exmouth team on publicity for the project and submitting a project report within 6 months of the award.
Visit eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside/wild-exmouth to find out more and apply for a grant.
 To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
 
Trusted sources of advice and information
Please make sure that you only follow advice from trusted, official sources:
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