Keeping residents up to date

View this email in your browser

Masthead

Information and support as we come further out of lockdown 

17 July 2020

Reopening our leisure centres

gym

Our staff are looking forward to welcoming customers back to our leisure centres and indoor pools this month. 

We will start opening our leisure centres from 25 July, phasing in each opening across several days to give staff the chance to share any learning across the centres as we open.  We are currently bringing staff back from furlough and giving them the training they need to make sure everyone stays safe. Keep up to date with the latest information on our Teignbridge Leisure website and social media accounts.

Our leisure services team has also produced a video for returning customers, with lots of information on what the new service will look like, and telling them everything they need to know about how we’re making it as safe as possible for people to return to our leisure centres.  This will also be on the website soon.

Keeping you safe at our centres

We need to return in a safe, efficient and economical way.  As demand for services grow, more activities will return to the programmes, and in turn, opening hours will extend.  

Before you return to the gym, pool or classes, please make sure your contact details are correct to support the government's track and trace initiative. You can do this by logging into your online account. 

We will be following social distancing to make your visit as comfortable but enjoyable as possible. What we have in place:

  • One way system throughout our centres.
  • Screens will be placed around our reception areas.
  • Clear signage and directional signage.
  • All activities to be pre-booked online.
  • Most bookings can be made in advance on our website, court bookings can be made over the phone.
  • Please bring your membership card with you to check-in on arrival (sessions are inclusive of time to check-in, participate and exit the facility.  Therefore, you will not get the full hour to just exercise)
  • All sessions will be booked and paid in advance, we will not be processing any cash on site. 
  • Sanitation stations located around our centres.
  • We have followed all risk management protocols for Legionella and ventilation management so we are tested and safe for reopening.
  • An enhanced cleaning regime. 
  • Accessing and leaving the site will follow a one way system.
  • The site will not be open for walk-in bookings.

Our Teignbridge Leisure website has lots of Q&As around keeping yourself and others safe, and what to expect when you come back for the first time.


Face coverings

Wear a face covering to help stop Covid-19 spreading

Next Friday (24 July) face coverings must be worn in shops as well as on public transport on the basis that wearing one may reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets, helping to protect others.

The government has produced updated guidance which explains the importance of wearing a face covering, when you must wear one and how you can make your own

Find out more


LOMP

Acting to control future outbreaks

Today's coronavirus briefing from the Prime Minister sets out plans to give more powers to local authorities to introduce measures, including the option for a local lockdown, to reduce the risk of and contain local outbreaks of coronavirus.

Teignbridge District Council has been involved at all stages of planning and shaping local plans alongside Devon’s other district councils and Devon County Council.

We are in a very good position to respond quickly and efficiently to any local outbreak, and have good data and monitoring systems that will give us an early warning of any potential increase in the rate of transmission, enabling us to take swift preventative action to reduce further escalation.

The Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) provides an outline for managing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in Devon to protect residents and support the most vulnerable. It sets out measures to prevent any further local outbreaks of coronavirus in Devon as well as action to respond rapidly to any outbreaks, limiting further spread.

We’re also looking at how best we can support businesses and communities to get back on their feet after the pandemic, and what our role will be in this process, and this involves helping us understand how people have been affected and what their future plans are.


Building up council tax arrears?

Recognising the financial pressures the pandemic has placed on residents we have not taken any recovery action in recent months in relation to unpaid council tax.

Faced with a multi-million pound shortfall this year as a result of extra costs and lost income, it is important that we recover the money due to the council.

In the coming weeks we will be writing to all residents in arrears encouraging those who can pay to clear any debt and asking those in financial difficulties to get in touch so we can support them to access help that may be available. Individual circumstances will be taken into account with each case and our aim will be to support residents by agreeing realistic payment plans which can be reviewed as circumstances change.

So if you receive a letter please don’t ignore – either pay any arrears or get in touch so we can ensure you are getting the support you need.


Devon newspaper

Watch out for Devon newspaper 

Devon County Council, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office have commissioned a one-off newspaper on behalf of Team Devon, for news and information related to coronavirus across all of Devon’s districts

Some 300,000 households will be receiving it through their doors in the coming days, targeted at households that we know are less likely to have digital access to news and information.

Take a look


Let's Move challenge

Let's move challenge

Let’s Move is a new place-based digital challenge and campaign which launched earlier this month and runs for seven weeks.  Its supported by Active Devon, Devon County Council and Travel Devon.

It celebrates Devon’s wonderful communities and all that it means to be active in our beautiful county. Let’s Move provides an opportunity for you to join and support your community while being active daily. ‘Community’ could be your town, village, borough, parish, city or even ward.

The challenge is open to everyone who resides in Devon, irrespective of age or background plus there are some fantastic prizes to be won, so join in to avoid missing out!

There's even a Teignbridge facebook group which you can join.

Find out more


books

Tips for encouraging children to read

With many children missing out on going to school over recent months due to coronavirus, the Government has published some tips on how to encourage children to read more. Check them out and help your children to enjoy the pleasures of reading and to see that books are not just for sitting on a shelf and appearing in zoom TV interviews!


Virtual committee meetings next week

Each meeting can be viewed live on our YouTube channel and committee papers can be viewed in advance on our website.  Each meeting is promoted on social media, 90 minutes before the start and once streaming live on YouTube a direct link is posted on our social media channels.

Monday 20 July Licensing Act 2003 Committee  09.15 am
  Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee 2 10.30 am
Tuesday 21 July Executive 10.00 am
Wednesday  22 July Standards Committee 10.30 am

 

The video of each meeting remains available to view after it has ended.


weather and tidy

could it be a scam

Council tax scam warning

A scam is currently underway which offers residents a council tax refund in order to obtain payment details. Calls are being made from withheld/unknown numbers, stating that the home owner is due a refund and bank details are required to process it.

If you receives a text message or phone call like this, delete and block the sender or end a call.  Do not provide any bank or personal details. As a council we never ask for bank details over the telephone.

If money has been transferred to the scammer in the last 24 hours, recipients of the scam are advised to contact the police immediately by calling 101 and to report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If a scam email is received it should be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk

Guidance on dealing with scams is provided by Citizens Advice at by the Scams Action line (0808 223 1133) or Trading Standards

R number stay alert

The latest government advice on staying alert and safe

Click on the images below for more information about each


wash hands starfish
every mind
test and trace