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This is a special edition of Residents' News
Thursday 4 June 2020
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This is the latest edition of Residents' News
Since our last email found its way into your inbox, government has further eased some of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions. You can now meet friends and family at home and outdoors, provided social distancing rules are not broken.
There is a handy guide to what you can and can’t do on the government’s website.
Overall, the current ‘stay alert’ message remains. That means you should:
- stay at home as much as possible
- work from home if you can
- limit contact with other people
- keep your distance if you go out (two metres [at least six feet] apart where possible)
- wash your hands regularly
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
For the latest advice from government, visit its website. For health advice, visit NHS 111.
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Lockdown breaches result in prohibition notice
You may have seen in the local media that we had to take action last weekend because of pubs breaching coronavirus lockdown regulations.
Advice was given to two pubs in Harrogate town centre on Saturday after offences were witnessed by our enforcement team.
The licensee of one of the venues – the Coach and Horses – initially accepted the advice we gave, but then broke the regulations again on the Sunday.
We issued a prohibition notice to the pub and in doing so our staff were subjected to verbal abuse from customers.
Since then, we’ve begun a formal review of the pub’s licence. This process is open to the public and your comments can be recorded on our website.
Pubs (and all food businesses) are only allowed to open for takeaway food and drink so long as they follow very strict social distancing and trading guidelines.
“Take away” does not include allowing people onto the premises, setting up a temporary beer garden nor providing tables and chairs for customers to use.
In terms of social distancing rules, we have no powers to deal with any alleged breaches. Only the police have the ability to deal with large gatherings or people who appear to be ignoring the restrictions
The government’s lockdown restrictions will ease again on 15 June when non-essential retailers are allowed to open. We will enforce whatever regulations are in place at the time and take appropriate action.
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Children return to school
Some children have begun to return to primary schools across the district as the lockdown restrictions are eased.
Schools are the responsibility of the county council, so we’ve had no involvement in the arrangements for their reopening.
Government has issued guidance for parents and carers which you may find useful if a child in your home has returned to school or will do in future.
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Coronavirus support for vulnerable people
Vulnerable people in your family or household who have been self-isolating because of underlying health conditions are now allowed outside for exercise.
However, it’s still important they take care of their health. They should stay at home as much as possible, not go shopping, visit someone else nor attend a gathering.
Six community support ‘hubs’ are still available across the district to help if your family, friends or neighbours aren’t able to assist with things like shopping or fetching prescriptions.
Please contact our customer services team on 01423 500600 if you need support.
If you are told you must shield, there is advice on the government website including information about how you can register for food parcels if required.
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Non-essential retailers prepare to open
From Monday 15 June, non-essential retailers will be allowed to open once more.
This is the closest our high streets and shopping districts will be to ‘normal’ since the lockdown was imposed across the country in March.
It means you’ll be to buy a range of items beyond loo paper, food and medicine.
Outlets like barbers, hair salons and beauty parlours will still be banned from opening until the coronavirus restrictions are eased further. We think this will be in July.
We’ve secured over £141,000 from the European Regional Development Fund which we’re using to help small and independent retailers across the district to get ready for re-opening.
We’ll also use some of the money to pay for a campaign to encourage shoppers back to Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Masham and Harrogate.
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Getting your business ready to trade
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100th good cause signs up to THE LOCAL LOTTO
The 100th good cause signed up to be part of THE LOCAL LOTTO for the Harrogate district this week.
This is a fantastic achievement.
We’re also delighted that despite everyone’s focus on the coronavirus crisis, you continue to play the lottery and boost the work of the good causes.
Many of the registered charities have been really busy for the last 10 weeks providing support to our most vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
The good causes need ongoing financial support so they can continue providing their activities and services now and in the future.
60 pence from every £1 ticket of THE LOCAL LOTTO for the Harrogate District will go direct to local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.
Players have the chance of winning various cash prizes each week.
If you are a good cause or community group, you can sign-up to use THE LOCAL LOTTO to generate funds.
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Volunteers Week 2020
This week (1-7 June) is volunteers’ week across the UK. It’s the chance to celebrate the contribution volunteers make to society.
We know that there are many amazing people across the district who give up their time each week for dozens of good causes.
And, many of them are working harder than ever because of the coronavirus pandemic.
From all of us at Harrogate Borough Council we have just one thing to say to volunteers in the district: “you’re awesome”!
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Get fit – virtually – with Brimhams gyms
You’re now allowed to do as much outdoor exercise as you wish and it’s likely you’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather in recent days.
However, now the rain has returned, or if you feel the need to get your heart pumping a bit faster, our Team Brimhams colleagues continue to offer their virtual exercise classes using Facebook Live and Zoom.
Details of all the classes are on the Brimhams Facebook events page. No expensive lycra is required.
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Mini golf and table tennis is back!
We know this is the breaking news you’ve been waiting weeks to read.
You can now begin your training for Wimbledon 2021, test your putting skills with a round of golf or challenge a friend to a game of table tennis in Valley Gardens, Harrogate.
The tennis courts are also available for use in Ripon’s Spa Gardens.
We’ll do our best to make sure the facilities are open on a daily basis. Speak to staff in the sports pavilion in Valley Gardens or in the Sun Parlour café in Ripon for more information.
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