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10 July 2020
A message from the leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran
A big thank you to the vast majority of residents and businesses who behaved responsibly last weekend during the reopening of pubs, restaurants and a range of other premises. I’m pleased and proud to say not a single incident was reported to the police.
As life continues to gradually return to some sort of normality, this kind of responsible and considerate approach is exactly what our high streets and businesses need. With more relaxations of lockdown this weekend, and more businesses reopening, let’s continue in this vein.
As the re-lockdown in Leicester, and other cities around the world, reminds us, no one should start getting complacent. Coronavirus is still out there and lives are still at risk. We must all continue to follow the rules, be considerate of others, protect our vulnerable residents and control the spread.
The police and Council enforcement officers will remain out and about, visiting businesses to advise how they can operate safely and monitoring public spaces for people breaching the guidelines. Many places are still not open, or have strict limits on how many people can enter, so make sure you check ahead before travelling out.
This month saw the first meeting of the Hounslow Recovery Programme Board, chaired by myself and including senior figures from Heathrow, health and community partners, educational establishments, Brentford FC, the Metropolitan Police, and major businesses and developers.
Its mission is to help lead the borough through the tough months ahead. Only by working together can we effectively support our communities, protecting jobs where we can and seizing new opportunities. This board embodies the spirit of collective focus and collaboration, of passion and enthusiasm for the people of Hounslow, that we need. You can read more about the Recovery Board here.
Have a great weekend, and stay safe.
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Stay safe this summer
We can all play our part in reducing the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, keeping the R number down and enjoying our summer safely.
Here are the top tips:
- Keep your distance from people outside your household
- Avoid being face-to-face with people if they are outside your household or support bubble
- Keep your hands and face as clean as possible
- Keep indoor places well ventilated
- Avoid crowded spaces
- Work from home if you can
- If you have to travel (for example, to work or school), think about how and when you travel
- Wear a face covering on public transport and in busy enclosed spaces like shops
- Avoid shouting or singing close to people outside your household or support bubble
- Reduce the number of people you spend time with in a work setting
- Wash your clothes regularly
- When at work or in business or public premises, follow the advice on site
You can find more information here.
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Stay safe on the high street
Anyone planning on heading out to the borough’s shops, pubs or restaurants this weekend should make sure they follow the guidance and stay #shopsafe.
Please continue to follow current social distancing guidance when travelling to or visiting our local shops. To control the risk of infection and shop safe, residents should:
- Check before you go! Not all places that can now open are open, and those that are may have very strict limits on customers
- Follow the signage and guidance in the high streets, shopping centres and shops
- Keep a safe distance from one another
- Shops are operating on a ‘one-in-one-out’ system - please follow the rules
- You are advised to wear a face covering inside the shop, if you can't keep a safe distance from other people
- Don't touch items that you don't intend to buy
- Use contactless payments where possible
- Don't visit shops if you have symptoms - please stay home
- Wash your hands the moment you get home or arrive at work
- Travel by bike or car and avoid public transport where possible
- If using public transport, you must wear a face covering
Additional signage has been installed in shopping areas to remind people to maintain safe distances.
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Outdoor pools can start to reopen from tomorrow
The Government has outlined the measures that will allow outdoor pools to reopen from tomorrow and indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities to reopen from 25 July.
The gyms and leisure centres in Hounslow will not be reopening pool facilities straight away from tomorrow as it will take a bit of time to reopen some facilities in line with this new Government guidance and to ensure the right measures are in place to maintain social distancing and safe use.
Residents should keep an eye on our website and social media channels to find out when the local leisure facilities in Hounslow will reopen.
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Outdoor performance arts with social distancing to restart from tomorrow
The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, announced yesterday that performing arts can now take place outdoors from tomorrow with a socially distanced audience present.
This means that outdoor theatres, opera, dance and music can resume from tomorrow so long as they take place outside and with a limited and socially distanced audience.
The Government will also work with the sector to pilot a number of small indoor performances with a social distanced audience to help inform plans about how best to get indoor venues back up and running.
You can find out more about this announcement and the new guidance on the Government’s website.
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Beauty salons, nail bars and tattoo studios are able to provide some services from Monday
Beauty salons, nail bars, tattoo and massage studios, physical therapy businesses across the borough are allowed to reopen from Monday (13 July).
Only services that do not involve work in the highest risk zone – directly in front of the face – will be made available to clients. This means that treatments such as face waxing, eyelash treatments, make-up application and facial treatments, should not be provided until Government advice changes, due to the much greater risk of transmission.
Please check that these local businesses are open in the borough before you travel.
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Report any flouting of the rules
Although more premises are open and we are moving towards some sense of normality, we still need to be cautious, follow the rules and be considerate of others.
The Noise Enforcement team will be out and about on Saturday night from 10pm-2am. You can contact the team via this form or call 020 8583 2222.
For public disorder incidents, you can contact the police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.
There will be an increased presence of enforcement teams and the police across the borough to ensure that rules are being respected and they will be checking pubs and restaurants to make sure they’re compliant with the guidelines.
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Chancellor’s announcement on jobs and businesses
The Chancellor delivered his Summer Economic Update in Parliament this week, which outlined a package of measures to support jobs and businesses
The key highlights from his announcement include:
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Job Retention Bonus: To help firms keep on furloughed workers, UK Employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is still employed as of 31 January 2021.
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Kickstart Scheme: A new £2 billion scheme will also be launched to create new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. Those aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, will be eligible. Funding available for each six-month job placement will cover 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week – and employers will be able to top this wage up.
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Employment and support schemes: A total of £1.6 billion will be invested in scaling up employment support schemes, training and apprenticeships to help people looking for a job.
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Eat Out to Help Out: To encourage people to safely return to eating out at restaurants the Government’s new discount scheme will provide a fifty per cent reduction for sit-down meals in cafes, restaurants and pubs across the UK from Monday to Wednesday every week throughout August 2020.
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VAT: The rate of VAT applied on most tourism and hospitality-related activities will be cut from twenty per cent to five per cent.
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Stamp Duty: A temporary increase to the Nil Rate Band of Residential SDLT (Stamp Duty) from £125,000 to £500,000 has been introduced until 31 March 2021.
Full details of the announcement can be found here.
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Eat out to help out scheme
The Government’s new discount scheme will provide a fifty per cent reduction for sit-down meals in cafes, restaurants and pubs across the UK from Monday to Wednesday every week throughout August 2020.
Eligible establishments are those in which food is sold for immediate on-premises consumption. This could include:
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public houses that serve food
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restaurants and cafes within tourist attractions, holiday sites and leisure facilities
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dining rooms within members’ clubs
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workplace and school canteens
Local businesses that are eligible in the borough are being encouraged to register for this scheme. This scheme will incentivise customers to eat in restaurants or other eating establishment by giving them a discount which businesses can claim back from the Government. The scheme is UK wide and customers will be able to see who is taking part on GOV.UK.
Eligible businesses can register for the scheme from 13 July 2020. Registration will close on 31 August.
You can find out more about the scheme and how to register on the Government’s website.
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NHS Test and Trace and getting tested for coronavirus
NHS Test and Trace - how does it work?
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NHS Test and Trace tracks down close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of infection.
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NHS Test and Trace’s team of tracers will contact all individuals with a positive test result asking them to share information on their close contacts in the 48 hours before symptoms started until seven days after symptoms started.
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Test and Trace then anonymously alerts contacts identified advising them to self-isolate for 14 days to help stop the spread of the virus.
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If you have any symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you must self-isolate and book a coronavirus test. If your test comes back positive you have coronavirus and must continue to self-isolate for at least seven days, or until you feel better.
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If you are a close contact of someone with coronavirus, or if NHS Test and Trace has told you that you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, you must self-isolate for 14 days. If you develop symptoms during this time you must get tested.
Got coronavirus symptoms? Register and book a test
There is a range of local testing options available to you, including a Mobile Testing Site with a mixture of walk-through and drive-through appointments available on Sunday 12 July and Wednesday 15 July at the Private Car Park on Hanworth Road, TW3 3TY. For more information, please click here.
NHS Test and Trace is an essential part of the Government’s response to stopping the spread of coronavirus and to save lives. Get tested and do your bit to protect your friends and family.
Travel advice
Stay safe and follow the travel advice this weekend. If you do need to use public transport, please continue to avoid travelling during the peak times on weekdays of 5.45 - 8.15am and 4 - 5.30pm if you can.
Everyone should wash or sanitise their hands at the beginning and at the end of their journey and carry hand sanitiser with them if they can.
You must wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth for your entire journey, including in stations, unless you are exempt.
Exemptions include people who have trouble breathing, children under the age of eleven and anyone who finds it difficult to manage them correctly. Face coverings should also be worn by everyone in taxi and private hire vehicles for the duration of your journey.
To support people who are exempt from wearing a face covering, TfL has introduced an exemption card that can be printed off and carried with you, or displayed on your phone, which you can show if you are asked why you aren’t wearing a face covering.
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Exiting shielding
From this week, the guidance has changed so anyone shielding can meet in groups of up to six people from outside their household – outdoors with social distancing. If you live alone (or are a lone adult with dependent children under 18), you will be able to form a support bubble with another household.
From 1 August, there will no longer be a requirement to shield, and the advice will be that you can visit shops and places of worship, but you should continue maintaining rigorous social distancing.
The Government support offer has been extended: those shielding can still get a food box, care and/or medicine delivery until 31 July if they want them and have registered online by 17 July.
If you’re exiting shielding, or know someone who is, please start to make alternative arrangements for food shopping as soon as possible before the service pauses on Friday 31 July.
The Council's Community Hub and voluntary organisations across the borough are still here to help our most vulnerable residents.
You can find out more about these changes and the support available on our website.
Read the full announcement on the Government’s website
You can read the full guidance here.
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Chiswick library will reopen on Monday
Heston and Feltham library reopened this week and Chiswick library is set to reopen on Monday as part of the phased reopening of the libraries in Hounslow.
We have put a range of health and safety measures in place to minimise risk for staff and members of the public. These include social distancing, frequent cleaning and limiting the number of people in the building at one time.
The libraries are operating with reduced hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and visitors can access a ‘browse, borrow and return’ service only.
Library computers are not be available for the public to access immediately. However, this service is under review and will be offered at a later date as part of the phased reopening programme.
While physical library buildings have been closed, Hounslow Libraries has continued to provide the Library at Home service; delivering books, DVDs and puzzles to vulnerable residents who are isolating in their own homes during the coronavirus pandemic.
The School Library Service has also continued, enabling all schools across the borough to have access to a wide range of library books.
You can visit our website for more information about library services and the reopening programme.
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Cabinet Question Time
As part of our efforts to reach and engage with more people, we’re holding our first ever online Cabinet Question Time on Thursday 16 July, from 7pm. You can quiz Hounslow's Cabinet on matters that are important to you. Send in your questions beforehand by emailing communications@hounslow.gov.uk or ask them live when you tune in.
For more information including how to log onto the event please visit our website
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Recovery Board to support borough through tough months ahead
This month saw the first meeting of the Hounslow Recovery Programme Board, chaired by Cllr Curran and including senior figures from Heathrow, health and community partners, educational establishments, Brentford FC, the Metropolitan Police, and major businesses and developers.
Its role is to help support communities and businesses through the major economic and social impact of coronavirus, which could see a 40 per cent decline in Hounslow’s economic output over the next few months, with thousands of jobs at risk. Find out more here
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Cruise ship travel guidance
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.
The Government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.
If you have future cruise travel plans, you should speak to your travel operator, or the travel company you booked with, for further advice.
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Free hospitality training for anyone that is unemployed in the borough
Action West London is offering a free on-line hospitality course for unemployed people in the borough to get back into the hospitality industry.
Learners will have the opportunity to complete a Level 2 certificate in Food Hygiene.
To book a free seat on the course, you must meet these requirements:
• Must have been in the UK for over 3 years
• Learners must be over 19 years old as of the 31st Aug 2019
• Must be a resident in the UK for that last 3 years (UK/EEA national)
• Must be unemployed and not already on a course
• Must be able to read and write as the course is workbook based
• Must have access to laptop/PC (not tablet or mobile phone) and have basic IT skills (Skype, ZOOM, Word)
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Register for free English courses
Elatt learning community is offering free English classes which are starting in September for people from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background including refugees. The classes will involve online and face-to-face activities. Technology support will be available to help with joining online sessions.
Visit the Elatt website for information about the courses.
For further information you can contact Phoebe on 07402 448 426 or email phoebe@elatt.org.uk
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Census Engagement Manager job opportunities
The Census is undertaken by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and happened every ten years.
In March 2021, the next national census will be undertaken. Its focus is an inclusive one – to broaden the understanding of modern society.
The Census provides facts about our society, such as number of people, where they live and what they need. This in turn helps local authorities to allocate the correct resources and prioritise their activities based on future needs of the area.
ONS will be looking for lots of people to help them, including over 30,000 field staff who are key to the success of Census 2021 including Census Engagement Managers (CEMs) and Community Advisors.
The first roles ONS are recruiting to are CEMs. There will be around 200 CEMs recruited across England and Wales and the application window is now open, closing on 31 July 2020.
The role of the CEM is to build links with a diverse range of local community organisations, charities and local leaders and for this reason ONS would like to recruit people from the local area who have a good knowledge of Hounslow .
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No place for hate
Our Hate Crime Advocacy Service is still open and accepting referrals in this lockdown period. The service provides support to anyone in Hounslow who has experienced hatred, hostility or prejudice based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.
Coronavirus has presented additional challenges for everyone but experiencing hatred can make life harder and isn’t something you have to go through alone. Whether it’s a stranger that’s yelled hateful comments, acts of criminal damage or a neighbour who’s made hate fuelled threats toward you and your family, experiences of hate can make you feel unsafe and anxious.
Our dedicated Hate Crime Advocate can provide confidential advice and support with:
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Safety planning
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Emotional support
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Anonymous reporting
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Support through the civil and criminal justice systems
If you’re in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.
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Entertainment and culture to enjoy at home
We are undefeatable campaign
The OneYou Hounslow team have launched a new campaign that offers a range of new activities to help and support anyone living with a long term health condition to get moving in ways that works for them. Find out more here.
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The Summer Reading Challenge, presented by The Reading Agency, is delivered in partnership with public libraries and funded by Arts Council England.
The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays, providing lots of fun and enjoyment as well as helping to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’.
Find out more about the Challenge here.
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Are you looking to read something new?
You will find the world's great literature here, with focus on older works for which copyright has expired.
OurParks has been providing outdoor physical activity sessions in Redlees and Hanworth Parks in Hounslow. Since the end of March all classes have temporarily moved online. Over 10 classes are currently available for free online per day on their Facebook Live and Youtube Live social media channels. New lunchtime sessions are now available so you can access a range of sessions at any time of the day.
Watermans no ticket cinema
The Films of Celine Sciamma with guest speaker Charlotte Saluard
Sign up to the Free Zoom talk and discussion for Monday evening at 8pm.
Charlotte Saluard joins Jon Davies for the first in a special season of guest speakers at our fortnightly cinema club, No Ticket Required. Charlotte Saluard has been Head of Programming and Exhibition at Cine Lumiere at the Institut Francais, then head of distribution at Modern Films. She is now at Curzon Theatrical and joins us to discuss the films of Celine Sciamma and how 21st-century French cinema has dealt with the issues of our times, using 2004 film Girlhood and 2019’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire as a starting point.
La Haine back in the 90's opened many eyes to the problems of inner city living in France. Girlhood is that and more, because the themes of race, identity, gender and culture are all out under the microscope. Contrasting this, is Portrait of a Lady on Fire considering many similar issues through a historical lens.
This event is part of Film FeelsConnected, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network. Explore all the films and events at filmfeels.co.uk
Register on the Watermans website here.
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Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
New for adults, young people, children and families;
NHS Active 10 10 minutes of brisk walking is an achievable way to add more activity into your day. Brisk walking is simply walking quicker than usual, at a pace that gets your heart pumping. It's a great way to get outside and improve your health.
Couch to 5k is a weekly running programme designed by the NHS for complete beginners. The Couch to 5K app gives you a choice of coaches and helps you track your progress.
Positive Movement runs 3 weekly online sessions as part of the Model City programme in Bedfont, Feltham & Hanworth. The project aims to improve mental well-being and combat social isolation in the community through fitness and sport.
OurParks are running 10 online classes per day via Facebook Live and Youtube Live. New lunchtime sessions have also been added so you can access a range of sessions at any time of the day.
Hounslow1-2-1 Cycling Sessions in conjunction with Bikeworks, are for anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough. Free ‘Dr Bike’ bike servicing is also available, click here for the schedule.
NHS Fitness Studio has some great new workout routines that you can do anytime, anywhere including, aerobics, belly dancing, pilates and yoga.
Outside Inside is a new local project that will use the natural world to inspire, to encourage new skills and old interests, and to bring people together remotely and safely to share their experiences. You will find 10 nature-based activities on the Lets Go Outside and Learn website, these will be added to over the next few months.
Latest information and advice
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