Coronavirus (Covid-19) update - 9 July 2021
Please find below our latest Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents and businesses with information we hope will be of interest to you.
In this issue...
- Revealed: Exmouth skatepark to get £365k Olympic standard revamp
- Devon NHS under pressure: Only go to the Emergency Department if it's life-threatening
- Job vacancies: Drivers needed
- Update on the Clyst Valley Regional Park masterplan
COVID-19 restrictions set to end
The Prime Minster has announced that COVID-19 restrictions are set to end in England and life will soon return to close to normal, with people's judgement being key in learning to live with the virus.
Step four of the government's roadmap out of lockdown is expected to start on Monday 19 July, subject to a final review of the data on Monday 12 July.
The news comes as a sufficiently high proportion of the population are vaccinated against COVID-19 to significantly weaken the link between infections and severe disease and death. The government say this means that the country can learn to live with coronavirus without the need for the stringent economic and social restrictions which have been in place since March 2020.
But the pandemic is not over. Cases are currently rising, as are hospitalisations and, sadly, deaths, and they will rise further as society reopens. So we are being asked to remain vigilant, make informed decisions and act carefully and proportionately to manage the risks to ourselves and others.
This new phase in the government's response to the pandemic moves away from restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives and towards managing COVID-19 by advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk.
There is also a helpful explainer in a video with all the information you need.
 COVID-19 restrictions are due to be lifted on Monday 19 July, but that does not mean that the risks from COVID-19 have disappeared. Instead it marks a new phase in the government’s response to the pandemic during which people need to manage the risks to themselves and others as the country learns to live with the virus.
The government recommends the following:
- Meeting in well-ventilated areas where possible, such as outdoors or indoors with windows open
- Wearing a face covering where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet in enclosed and crowded spaces
- Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
- Covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze
- Staying at home if unwell, to reduce the risk of passing on other illnesses to friends, family, colleagues, and others in your community
- Considering individual risks, such as clinical vulnerabilities and vaccination status
People are still urged to get vaccinated and to self-isolate and get tested if they have symptoms. It will remain a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if they test positive or are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace. They also want everyone to continue to download and use the latest version of the NHS COVID-19 app to help reduce the spread of the virus.
You may choose to limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with in order to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, particularly if you are clinically extremely vulnerable. It is important to respect and be considerate of those who may wish to take a more cautious approach as restrictions are lifted.
 Design produced by Maverick Industries Ltd.
An Exmouth skatepark will soon be ungraded to become an Olympic standard training facility thanks to a whopping £365,000 cash injection.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) is now working in partnership with Exmouth Town Council as well as a local consultation group to improve Phear skate park for visitors and residents alike.
EDDC has contributed £240,000 towards the project and the town council has agreed to allocate £125,000 towards it, making sure all the requests made by the consultation group,(made up of 30 local skatepark users) are met.
The construction phase is expected to take approximately 21 weeks to complete and are expected to be completed by the end of October.
The park will accommodate people of all ages and abilities. It allows newcomers to learn and develop as well as having extremely technical sections that will engage and test competent riders. There really is something for everyone!
Check out this video which shows how enormous the space is.
 The ridge running from Dart’s Farm, Topsham north towards Winslade Park giving fine views of
the Lower Clyst valley, Exe Estuary and Haldon ridge
The Clyst Valley Regional Park is half the size of Exeter. Strategy 10 of East Devon District Council’s Local Plan gives this area protection. The Park will be high quality green spaces linked by trails. We want to create the best regional park in the world.
The masterplan was approved by East Devon District Council's Strategic Planning Committee on 27 April.
It now needs the support of developers, landowners, statutory agencies and the public to deliver agreed projects. Follow the below link for more information.
Specially adapted, all-terrain wheelchairs which will be free to hire will soon be made available for disabled residents and visitors wanting to enjoy Exmouth beach.
Planning permission for a dedicated storage facility, which comes as part of a special town council initiative that aims to provide disabled people with greater access to the beach, has now been granted by East Devon District Council.
Construction and fitting out the building at Queen's Drive is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.
It is hoped the facility will be open by the beginning of August.
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People in Devon are being urged to only go to their local emergency department in immediately life-threatening cases.
The NHS in Devon is under severe pressure at present due to several factors, meaning GP surgeries, hospitals, community health services, mental health services and social care are all extremely busy.
High numbers of emergency attendances, combined with the need for some health and care staff, or their children, to self-isolate and the impact of Covid-19 admissions are affecting services.
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 Each year Electoral Registration Officers are required to contact every household within their area to check whether they have the correct people registered to vote. This process is known as the 'annual canvass'.
We intend to initially contact households from the end of July to late August, so please look out for the canvass communication from us.
You may be asked to respond and either confirm the information we hold is correct, or advise us of any changes. If you are asked to do this, please do so as soon as possible using one of the automated options you will be given. We are also trying emails this year so keep an eye out in your inbox!
 Homeowners and renters across East Devon can now get free advice on how to save money and make their homes more energy efficient.
EDDC would like to introduce residents to the Exeter Community Energy (ECoE) which provides confidential and tailor-made advice and practical information on keeping your home warm.
The friendly Energy Advisers at ECoE, which is being supported by EDDC's Financial Resilience and Housing Benefit teams and Environmental Health, do not make cold calls or sell products.
The aim is to help residents save money and stay warm in their homes. The energy advisers will give you
- General advice
- In depth telephone advice assessments
- Make Home visits
- Drop-in energy advice clinics
- Host Energy Cafes via Zoom
- Talks and Webinars
They will help you with:
- tariff checks and supplier switching
- applying for the Warm Home Discount
- registering for Priority Services
- energy and water saving tips and advice
- grants for insulation and heating
- heating control advice
- smart meters
- referrals for help with benefits and debts
To arrange a free impartial advice call or home visit, Call 0800 772 3617 or
Email healthyhomes@ecoe.org.uk
East Devon District Council launched a new, free publication called “The ‘plant hunters’ guide to the Devon Veitch Legacy” at Devon County Show last week.
A handbook for finding native, international, ancient and exotic trees in Devon, particularly in East Devon. The publication is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The book was launched from the St Bridget Nurseries stand at Devon County Show. St Bridget Nurseries prides itself on its own Veitch heritage, raising and selling Veitch specimens. St. Bridget Nurseries purchased the famous nursery of Robert Veitch & Son of Exeter in 1969 and today it is a subsidiary of St. Bridget Nurseries.
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 Do you have an apprentice?
 If so, you have a legal responsibility to ensure you’re paying them at least the National Minimum Wage. Mistakes can be easy to make but there is help and advice available to get it right. When paying your apprentices make sure you’re not making the following common minimum wage mistakes:
- If an apprentice is aged 19 and over and has completed the first year of their apprenticeship, they are entitled to the higher minimum wage rate for their age group
- An apprentice can only be paid the apprentice rate of £4.30 once they have officially started their apprenticeship and not after it ends
- All training time must be paid no matter whether this takes place at work, college or elsewhere - the training can even be outside normal working hours
Employers can get help and advice by visiting the Check your pay website and calling the Acas Helpline on 0300 123 1100
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) enables EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period at 11pm on 31 December 2020, and their family members, to obtain a UK immigration status.
So far more than six million applications were made before the 30 June deadline, marking an astonishing success in protecting the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK.
However if you still need to make a late application, where there are reasonable grounds for having missed the deadline, you can!
Further information about the EU Settlement Scheme can be found on the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme webpage.
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If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
East Devon District Council also produce regular newsletters and news on different topics, in the last week we have issued the following which may be of interest:
Newsletters:
Over the next fortnight the following East Devon District Council meetings are taking place.
14 July
15 July
20 July
21 July
22 July
Any public meetings held online, or held in the Council Chamber between 10 May 2021 to the date that social distancing ceases will be streamed live to the Council’s YouTube channel, and in the event of difficulties these will be streamed on our Facebook page instead.
Our Recycling and Waste contractors Suez are also looking for experienced LGV Drivers to join their team.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact James Gatter at Suez on 01395 234500.
Driver / Loader
Contract type - Permanent
Working Pattern - Full time
Location based - East Devon, Exeter
Hours per week - 41.25
Salary - £11.52 per hour + bonus
 New exhibition marks the first collaboration between THG and The London Group
 Intriguing new exhibition marks the first collaboration between Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) and The London Group.
In Plain Sight: The London Group is an exhibition of major new works from The London Group in a range of mediums including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and film. Each artist in the exhibition has hidden something of their choice in a new piece of work. The aim is to entice gallery visitors to look much harder and closer than usual at each work to detect what is hiding 'in plain sight'.
In Plain Sight: The London Group & Thelma Hulbert and her London Group Friends
27 August - 30 October 2021
- Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Coordinating programme:
- 28 August, 2-3pm 'History of The London Group' talk with Tim Craven, followed by Private View, 3-5pm.
Art After 1950 - lecture series with art historian John Francis
- 8 September, 10.30–12.00: Art in Advertising
- 15 September, 10.30–12.00 : Landscape tradition
- 22 September, 10.30–12.00: Expressionism
- 6 October, 10.30–12.00: The Art of Protest
- 13 October, 10.30-12.00: John Francis in conversation with Tim Craven of The London Group and independent researcher Deborah Smith
£10 per talk (£8 concessions - students/THG Friends) Book a ticket
 Seaton Wetlands Holiday Club filling up fast!
With a summer holiday abroad on hold for many, our summer holiday club is the perfect solution to ensure your child enjoys an outdoor summer to remember.
Led by our experienced Education Rangers, your child will learn about wetlands wildlife, make natural crafts, use tools, cook on campfires and play.
The club for 7-11 year olds runs for two weeks from the 2nd and 16th August, you can book per day or for all week!
Book now for an adventurous outdoor Summer Holiday Club this August! Call 01395 517557
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:
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday, 23 July 2021.
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