Keeping Town and Parish Councils up to date

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TDC Town Parish Councils Coronavirus Title

Information, advice and support for town and parish councils

30 November 2020

Stick to the rules, ease NHS pressure, cut the R rate

Cllr Alan Connett

If MPs approve the Tier levels tomorrow, the Government is committed to reviewing them “on or around” 16 December and then regularly thereafter so there may be an opportunity to get into Tier 1.

There was virtually universal disappointment across Devon at the decision to place the county in Tier 2 and great concern for the impact it will have on local business.

On Friday, Council Leader Alan Connett wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to reconsider “at the earliest opportunity” the decision to place Teignbridge in Tier 2 from Wednesday and to give “the strongest consideration to placing Teignbridge in Tier 1, assuming our good practice and low infection rate continues.

hands face space

He described the decision to put Teignbridge into Tier 2 as an “injustice to our community and businesses”.

But Cllr Connett stressed it was important that we “focus on keeping our rates down, helping get our NHS through this critical period, and supporting our local communities to recover. “It’s not going to be easy – we’re already seeing big increases in claims for universal credit, council tax relief and hardship funds, and our economy is being hit hard.

small business saturday

“Small Business Saturday is a timely reminder of the importance of everyone doing their bit to support local traders and where ever possible shopping locally”.

“By continuing to work together, we may be able to reduce the rate and the pressure on the NHS and get into Tier 1.

Tier 2 alert level banner

The application of the new tier system is being made on a county basis and is based on the following five factors:

  • case detection rates in all age groups
  • case detection rates in the over-60s
  • the rate at which cases are rising or falling
  • positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
  • pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy

The opening of the Nightingale Hospital in Exeter is one illustration of the pressure on the NHS locally.

The key elements of Tier 2 are set out on the government's website the main elements of which are summarised below:

  • No socialising with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, 
  • No socialising in a group of more than six people outside
  • Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
  • Hospitality businesses selling take away food and drink can continue to do so in certain circumstances
  • Public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, subject to number restrictions. 
  • Places of worship are open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble
  • Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers 
  • Organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
  • Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with).
  • if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary.

A Tier 2 poster can be downloaded and displayed.  


Rob Harvey

Covid compliance officer joins Council

Rob Harvey, a recently retired police officer, has taken up the role of Covid Compliance Officer. He will be contacting Town and Parish clerks to introduce himself and will be patrolling local high streets and making himself known to local businesses, explaining the rules and feeding back to the Environmental Health team and Police as appropriate.

Increased enforcement powers

New powers are being given to councils to help make premises in their area Covid-Secure.  More details are expected but the new controls are likely to include:

  • Coronavirus Improvement Notices to give premises 48 hours to rapidly implement COVID-Secure measures
  • Coronavirus Restriction Notices to close premises that have failed to implement the necessary measures required by an improvement notice
  • Coronavirus Immediate Restriction Notices to close premises that pose a public health risk for an initial 48 hours to give the premises time to put in necessary safeguards.

These notices are designed to help councils to act decisively in requesting businesses to  comply with Covid-secure measures,as well as providing the means to close premises where they fail to do so or where they pose a significant public health risk.


Government Christmas bubble video link

Christmas bubbles

The Government's plans to ease social restrictions to allow friends and loved ones to reunite over the Christmas period were published last week..  

A video explaining what is and is not allowed over Christmas has also been published.

The  main elements of the guidance are:

  • You can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households
  • You can only be in one Christmas bubble
  • You cannot change your Christmas bubble
  • You can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting up in your Christmas bubble
  • You can only meet people in your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
  • You can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
  • You cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble
  • You should travel to meet those in your Christmas bubble and return home between 23 and 27 December
  • Anyone travelling to or from Northern Ireland may travel on 22 and 28 December

CVS update banner

Upcoming CVS activity and information

Teignbridge CVS has produced an update which highlights upcoming forums and learning events, government advice on volunteering, Covid-19 funding information, health and wellbeing information and much more.

Telephone support for Teignbridge residents 

At the recent meetings with Town and Parish Councils, questions were raised about befriending and the support that is available to people over the telephone.  The CVS has shared a list of key providers in the local community who are able to offer one to one support over the telephone for residents in their local area. If you cannot find support to meet your need please contact Teignbridge CVS.


Leisure centre app download image

Leisure centres re-opening

Our Leisure Centres are able to reopen from Wednesday 2 December,when Devon moves into Tier 2.

They will continue to operate in a Covid secure way which means pre-booking gym, swim and exercise classes via our Teignbridge Leisure App or your online account. Customers must arrive at the time of the activity, self-swipe on arrival to support the track and trace Initiative and to confirm your attendance with us.


South Devon Food Alliance web header

South Devon Food now online

A new website has been set up which brings together a range of food providers, foodbanks, community larders, hot food providers and more, supporting residents in South Devon.

It also includes useful resources and a contact link to CVS for those who need support but don’t know where to go.


Ubuntu logo

BAME Covid counselling service

Devon based not-for-profit Health and Wellbeing Social Care Social Enterprise UBUNTU Counselling Services has obtained funding from Devon County Council and the National Lottery to provide a specially targeted service for BAME communities in the county.

UBUNTU Counselling Services offers Multicultural Counselling, support and education. They are providing a free-of-charge, flexible service to reflect the needs of individuals, working remotely using phone, email, WhatsApp, Zoom and Skype. Sessions range in length from 10 minutes to an hour.

Find out more


Made in Devon  logo

Free Made in Devon membership opportunity

Fifty Devon businesses have the chance to join trading standard’s Made in Devon scheme with their first year of membership free.

Scheme membership will enable businesses to demonstrate that any claims made about a product’s Devon origins have been checked, vetted and verified by officers from Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards.

The scheme is an extension to Buy With Confidence, a trading standards scheme which helps to protect consumers by guaranteeing that its members trade in an honest and fair way.


Avian Flu advice

Following the introduction of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in England, DEFRA has advised that it will not be collecting dead birds in areas where they already have confirmation of Avian Flu.

But having not defined an 'area', it is important that cases of suspected bird flu in both living and dead birds are still reported to DEFRA.

In the case of suspected sick living birds, the number to call is 03000 200 301. Contact with sick birds should be avoided.

Where dead birds are found (including householders/businesses with dead birds on their own land) contact DEFRA on helpline 03459 335577 or by emailing defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. They will give advice as to how the caller can safely bag and dispose of dead birds.


Spending Review 2020

The LGA’s On-the-Day Briefing summarises the key announcements for councils and provides an initial LGA view of yesterday’s spending review.  The LGA media briefing provides its perspective of the review.


Teignbridge Council meetings to remain virtual 

It has  been agreed that we will continue to hold our meetings virtually until the annual council meeting, reviewing the position at the end of March early April 2021..  The calendar of meetings with links to papers and our YouTube channel are on our website.

Where to find the latest guidance

Teignbridge digital logo

Local advice and support

Teignbridge Coronavirus web pages: a range of information including the latest government advice, service changes, financial and community support and business help.

Covid helpline: it can help local residents who are feeling isolated, unable to access food or other services or even just not sure where to go for help or advice. Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 5pm; Fridays, 8.30am - 4.30pm. Call 01626 215512 or email us.

Covid Hardship Fund: people struggling to make ends meet due to Covid-19 could be helped by our Hardship Fund to pay for basic necessities including household essentials, utility bills or travel costs.

Business support: the latest information and keep up to date on all Government Covid-19 support schemes 

Customer Support Team: contact them on 01626 361101 during office hours, Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 5pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm or use use our website’s 'contact us' link.

Follow the riles and get the R number down

Government guidance

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Got symptoms, isolate and take a test
every mind matters
domestic violence hotline