TOWN & PARISH BRIEFING 11.06.2020
TOWN & PARISH BRIEFING
JUNE 11, 2020
Here is your weekly update on South Somerset District Council news, including meetings, Coronavirus Support and more from the past 7 days.

You can also keep up to date on news with our website www.southsomerset.gov.uk or click the button below.
Online Meetings
Coronavirus Support
The Coronavirus Support section on our website is there to support the community, give health advice and keep you updated on all things COVID-19.

Featured News
Advice on support bubbles, places of worship and businesses

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced various changes to the current social distancing measures. Mr Johnson announced the following adjustments can be made in the coming days: Non-essential businesses will be allowed to reopen from Monday....

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
Somerset Waste Partnership - Recycling sites: plastics...

Somerset's recycling sites will accept more materials. From Monday 8 June, all 16 sites will take plastic pots, tubs and trays; waste wood (man-made or natural); small household electrical items (such as toasters); and paint. This is as well as...

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
Be aware of NHS Test and Trace scammers

Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service is warning residents to be aware of scammers looking to exploit the new NHS Test and Trace service. The government system, which launched last week, is designed to reduce the spread of...

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
Chard Regeneration Continues - new leisure centre takes...

Great progress is continuing to be made on the construction of a new leisure centre at the Boden Mill site in Chard. Work resumed safely in April on the site as contractors were able to return to the site following Covid-19 risk assessments.

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
See the local producers providing for communities

More than 150 local businesses have already signed up to be part of our online directory of food and drink businesses during the Covid 19 period....

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
Somerset Activity and Sports funding available

We're happy to promote a message from the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership which has received funding from Sport England to help keep people most affected during this pandemic physically active, or ready to get or resume activity. The...

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www.southsomerset.gov.uk
Further advice
You may also find the guidance on the Local Government Association website helpful at this time


If you need posters or other resources (including new Stay Alert messaging) for your communities at this time, you can create a free account and download resources from Public Health England

Further support and news

Facts and figures

District councils are providing the frontline support that businesses and residents need during the Coronavirus crisis. This includes


Reopening High Streets

A working group - led by SSDC’s Economic Development team - is continuing to engage with local businesses, town councils, Councillors and residents to utilise the funding available to make visiting our high streets as safe as possible. A range of measures will need to be considered for public safety including; re-opening toilets, removal of street furniture, road closures, temporary barriers and signage.
 
More information will be released shortly, if you have any urgent enquiries relating to this project please e-mail econdev@southsomerset.gov.uk


Survey - Electric vehicles

We are consulting the local people of Somerset on their environmental behaviours and attitudes towards Electric Vehicles (EVs). This survey will close Monday 22nd June 2020. Upon completion of the survey, you will have the opportunity to be entered into a £25 amazon voucher prize draw!
Find the survey here: http://orlo.uk/k3MuP
We advise that you should respond to this survey with your normal attitudes and behaviours in mind, outside of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Responses from this survey will be analysed and then used to inform a wider Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy for the county of Somerset.


Statement regarding Coronavirus tests at Musgrove Park Hospital

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement today regarding an issue affecting COVID-19 test results (including fale positive results) for some inpatients at Musgrove Park Hospital. The full text can be read here:


Show your business is Covid secure

Show your business is COVID-19 secure by displaying notices (you can download here: https://industrialstrategy.frontify.com/d/55EzeVU6rhza/covid-19-business-support#/keeping-your-business-safe/showing-you-re-covid-19-secure ) in the workplace.
They will show employees, customers and other visitors that your business has followed the ‘back to work safety’ guidance. You can also download more assets for use on print and digital channels here: https://industrialstrategy.frontify.com/d/55EzeVU6rhza/covid-19-business-support#/keeping-your-business-safe/showing-you-re-covid-19-secure .
Face masks mandatory at NHS Hospitals

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that all staff in hospitals in England will be provided with surgical masks which they will be expected to wear from 15 June. NHS staff already wear face masks in clinical areas within 2 metres of a patient, but the new guidance applies to everyone working in all areas of the hospital.
Members of the public are strongly urged to attend hospital wearing a face covering, but a face mask will be provided in emergencies. DHSC is working with the social care sector to implement a similar approach

Waste crime

The Environment Agency is urging households to play their part in preventing waste crime during the coronavirus pandemic.
There are some easy steps the public can take to take to avoid unwittingly contributing to waste crime – more details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-urged-to-play-their-part-in-preventing-waste-crime