Coronavirus update: 24 July 2020

Hello Everyone,

I hope you and your families are keeping well. From midnight tonight the wearing of face coverings in shops and supermarkets will become mandatory. It is great to see our town centres begin to open as restrictions are lifted. It is important that you support them as they rebuild their trade after lockdown. Please ensure that you follow the simple rules around social distancing and comply with this requirement to wear a face covering to keep everyone safe. We will be supporting businesses with enforcement and non-compliance can carry a fine of £100 .

As a council we are committed to supporting business recovery as they bounce back from the lockdown disruption. A new Fast Track Pavement Licence has now been introduced which will cost £100 and be valid for 12 months, that can be used to put removable furniture on the road adjacent to business premises. Applications can be made for pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants or other drinking establishment, and premises for the sale of food for consumption on or off the premises. A link to the fast track pavement licence application can be found here.

Leisure centres and swimming pools can reopen from 25 July if they were ready to and they can meet the strict government guidelines. The priority for the Council and our leisure operator, Fusion is that all our residents, customers and staff are protected from the virus, and that customers can have full confidence that the centres are entirely safe to use. This means that the centres will not reopen from the 25 July, and when they do reopen, it is likely to be in a phased way.

Finally I hope with the fine weather that many of you will be able to get out and enjoy our wonderful parks and open spaces over the weekend.  Please remember that the lighting of fires and barbeques is prohibited in public spaces across the borough.  Also please remember to be sensible and practice social distancing when out and about.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and please stay safe.

From tonight face coverings are mandatory in shops and supermarkets, as well as on public transport.

Yesterday the Government announced face coverings will also be required when buying food and drink to take away from cafes and shops. If seated inside the premises to  consume food or drink that has been bought, then face coverings can be removed in order to eat and drink on-site. They must also be worn in banks, building societies and post offices.

Exemptions include people who have trouble breathing, children under the age of eleven and anyone who finds it difficult to manage them correctly.

Advice on how to wear and make a face mask can be found on the Government's website.

There is a range of local testing options available to you, including a mobile testing site with a mixture of walk in and drive-through appointments available on Monday 27 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.   

We know this is an extremely challenging time for our residents and that the coronavirus pandemic has affected many aspects of your day to day life.

We want to better understand how your life has been affected, how you are feeling now, what support services you are accessing and how Council services can help support your recovery over the coming months.

Please also share your opinions on how the Council has responded and what we could do better.   

This survey is completely anonymous and you don’t have to answer every question. Your views are really important in helping us understand the issues and will inform and influence what we do.   

Complete the survey here.

Hounslow Council has launched a new campaign, the Care for Hounslow campaign, to inspire residents to consider a paid career in social care.

The campaign celebrates the vital role of care workers, long-term career opportunities and the variety of work the sector offers. It also dispels some of the myths that people may have about working in the sector.

This campaign is part of the Council’s commitment to provide good employment opportunities for Hounslow residents and it encourages the providers it works with to pay the London Living Wage.

The benefits of working with Hounslow Council providers include:

• Many providers pay the London Living Wage – currently £10.75/hour minimum
• Flexible hours
• Diverse and inclusive environment
• Work local and walk or cycle to work
• Career progression opportunities
• A safe working environment including the provision of full PPE 

For more information visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/Care4Hounslow

Osterley Library is to reopen its doors on Monday after being closed since March due to lockdown requirements. Health and safety measures will be in place which include; social distancing, frequent cleaning, a limit on the number of people entering at once and reduced opening hours.

The library will be open 10am-3pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Parents and carers in Hounslow are being urged not to miss out on a free early years education place for their child in September.  

The free early education places can be accessed in day nurseries, pre-schools, school nursery classes and with childminders. Despite these early years settings opening their doors on 1 June, the number of children accessing their free early education place has been low. Read more

Hounslow Council has so far awarded £146,000 worth of funding to 18 voluntary organisations and community groups from the Thriving Communities: Hounslow Response Fund.

Age UK; Let’s Go Outside and Learn; East London Advanced Technology Training; Mulberry Centre; Creative Spaces; Mums, Bumps and Babies; Purple Elephant; ILAYS; Our Barn Community and Heston Big Local are some of the groups who have received funding to help alleviate the impact of coronavirus and support the borough’s residents.

The projects that have been awarded will help over 8,000 residents of Hounslow and will address several issues that are being faced by many of our residents including:

• Mental health
• Digital Exclusion
• Isolation
• Food poverty
• Employment issues
• Domestic Violence
• Youth provision

Read more about the Thriving Communities: Hounslow Response Fund here.

All-ability cycling is an inclusive cycling session that is open to all ages, abilities and disabilities. It is a fantastic way for everyone to have fun, gain more independence and enjoy a sense of freedom.

We have a diverse range of adapted bikes to suit all abilities including side by side bikes, hand cycles, recumbent cycles and trikes. We encourage riders to try several different bikes during the sessions to find a bike that best suits them. Our experienced instructors will be on hand to help.

• Sessions will strongly adhere to COVID-19 social distancing rules and bikes will be sterilised between riders.
• Sessions take place in Inwood Park, Hounslow on a dedicated cycle track for inclusive cycling.
• There is a disabled toilet onsite. 
• Helmets, high-visibility tabards and support straps are provided to ensure cycling is comfortable for all.
• Support workers for individuals are welcome. 

Session will be taking place on 8 August, 10 August, 16 August, 17 August and 22 August.

Each day will consist of four x 45-minute sessions starting at 10.30 am.

Please book onto one session to guarantee a spot. Drop-ins are welcome but please note you could have to wait up to 45 minutes for the next session if fully booked.

Find out more here.

In June Hounslow Council launched a review of licensing policy in the borough. 

The Council would like to hear from residents, license holders, schools and other public authorities and stakeholders both in Hounslow and neighbouring boroughs. Read more about the proposed changes and consultation here. This weekend is the last chance to share your views as the consultation closes on Monday 27 July. 

To share your views on Hounslow Council's draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-25, complete the consultation survey here.

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 Advisers.  

There will be around 200 CEMs recruited across England and Wales and the application window is now open, closing on 31 July 2020. Applications for Community adviser roles will open on 3 August. 

The role of the CEM and Advisers 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 .  

You can find out more of the ONS website.

The London Transport Museum Depot in Acton Town, which is rarely open to the public, will be throwing open its doors for a special 10-day summer family fun season for the first time from 19 August.

Families living in Hounslow can enjoy 1/3 off adult and child tickets when they book their timed tickets online and we are keen to let people know they can benefit from the offer if they are thinking of visiting.

Find out more and book on the London Transport Museum website.

Plogs' are a regular local community walk or run combined with a rubbish pick ups.

The next Plog-olution will be at Hounslow Heath on Saturday 25 July 1 - 2.30 pm

With two routes available, anyone, no matter regardless of fitness level, can take part and help clean up Hounslow.

Sign up here to join either the 2km walking route, great for those who want a gentle walk and those with young families, or the 5km running version.

Due to Government social distancing guidelines advance booking is compulsory in order to take part. Each group will have no more than 10 people each with social distancing of over one metre.

All equipment will be provided including gloves and litter pickers. All equipment will be disinfected before and after the event. 

This week, Bell Square has announced it will be hosting three socially-distanced free Saturday afternoon gigs with three festival-favourite bands.

It’s something different from what Bell Square usually does because of coronavirus restrictions, but they’re really excited to be back with a series of events to put smiles on the faces of people in the heart of Hounslow and bring our community together again.

The shows include: 

Saturday 8 August, 2 - 3.30 pm 

Natty Congeroo and The Flames of Rhythm

Saturday 15 August, 2 - 3.30 pm

Thrill Collins

Saturday 22 August, 2 - 3.30 pm

Bikini Beach Band

For more information visit https://www.bellsquarelondon.com/whats-on

Watermans Art Centre are delighted to announce that the Cinema, Gallery, Restaurant and Bar will be reopening on Wednesday 5 August.

Read Watermans Director, Jan Lennox, letter to customers regarding the reopening here.

You can share your views on how the Centre should open safely for customers and residents by completing this short survey.

With the summer holidays now in full swing, we've put together a useful pool of resources for some inspiration over the next 6 weeks. 

Events and days out in Hounslow 

Whats on in Hounslow  local activities and events across our borough 

Hounslow Urban Farm learn all about farm animals 

Syon Park Gardens visit the beautiful historic gardens 

Chiswick House Gardens enjoy 65 acres of gardens 

Arts and crafts - get creative this summer 

Hobbycraft offer lots of free printable resources for kids craft activities 

CBBC offer lots of online creative resources for free 

Physical activities - stay fit and healthy  

Move More exercise and physical activities   

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

New Small Group and 1-2-1 Football Sessions at Gunnersbury Park  Brentford FC Community Sport Trust are running new football sessions at the new facilities at Gunnersbury Park. For more information and to book visit brentfordfccst.com 

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

Brentford  FC Community Sports Trust  have added some new free fitness sessions including Tabata, Morning Stretch and Yoga for Beginners

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.