Ramsbury & Axford On-line

COVID-19 CASES IN WILTSHIRE ARE STILL HIGH

IT IS MANDATORY TO WEAR MASKS IN SHOPS AND INDOOR VENUES

OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

WASH YOUR HANDS GET VACCINATED

GET BOOSTED

SEE INFORMATION FROM WILTSHIRE COUNCIL BELOW

TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND STAFF PLEASE CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK IN VILLAGE SHOPS AND OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING EVEN OUTSIDE. THIS VIRUS IS DEADLY AND TRANSMITS VERY READILY.

Local hospitality venues now open

Ramsbury British Legion open for tea/coffee cake sandwiches Mon-Sat 10am -2.00 Sun 10am-4 pm

The Bell contact 01672 520230 for details

Crown and Anchor lunch and dinner contact 01672 520335 for details

Phoenix wood fired pizza every Thursday in the Memorial Hall car park 16.45-20.30 contact 07990 872585 07941 803194 for details

Farr’s fish and chips Memorial Hall car park Wednesdays 16.30-20.30 07394 523623 for details

The Library is now open Monday 2-4 Wed 10-12 and Sat 10-12. The library needs volunteers in order to stay open. If you think you could help contact Jane Hunt, Volunteer Coordinator for Wiltshire Libraries on 01225 713792 jane.hunt@wiltshire.gov.uk

Hills Stores Charity Shop now open as usual 10-12.30 Tues Wed Thurs Sat morning 2-4.30 Tues Thurs afternoons

LINK can organise lifts for medical appointments, shopping, collect prescriptions etc. Ring 520111 for details

No 48 bus service is operating as usual

The Post Office will deliver essentials to vulnerable and isolating residents in Ramsbury & Axford Please ring 520229 for details

The allotment site is closed to all but plot holders

Play areas are open

Ring Sheila Glass 07979327505/520409 if you need help with shopping, prescriptions etc.

The Recreation Centre is open for sensible socially distanced exercise, tennis, bowls,football,cricket etc. please contact relevant clubs for details

IT IS NOT A DOG EXERCISE AREA(EVEN IF YOU PICK UP) PLEASE ACT RESPONSIBLY THE GRASS IS A RECREATION AREA

Please take care to avoid passing infection-if you have any symptoms -fever, cough, headache loss of taste or smell, isolate yourself for 14 days. Elderly people and those with medical conditions-diabetes, COPD, asthma, heart disease, immunocompromise are more at risk from serious complications so take particular care around these groups. Wash hands regularly if you have been out or use hand sanitiser and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

If you have vulnerable neighbours who you think may need help and you are well you could print off a note and use to make contact without risking infection.Deliveries of shopping etc should be done with no contact. If the person/s being helped are ill defer taking payment until the quarantine period (14 days) has passed and there are no longer symptoms. Telephone contact, especially for those who live alone, can help to alleviate loneliness and help pass the time.

If you have problems with shopping or obtaining supplies ring 07979327505/520409 or 520045 parishcouncil@ramsbury.org or candsglass@btinternet.com and we may be able to help.

Volunteers from the Parish Council have planted up tubs at the village entrances.

14 January 2022     Latest Wiltshire COVID-19 cases There were 6,799 confirmed positive cases in Wiltshire in the seven days prior to 11 January 2022, bringing the total number of positive cases since the start of the pandemic to 88,515. Case numbers in Wiltshire continue to be among the highest in our local region. The rate of cases per 100,000 in Wiltshire increased from 1,120.7 last week to 1,348.8, which is below the current case rate in England of 1,862.9 (GOV.UK data as of 10 January 2022 at 4.20pm). Whilst the case rate in Wiltshire is below the national average, it has increased again, so we all need to play our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. You can help to keep you and your loved ones safe by: Washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds with warm water and soap Wearing face coverings where required Receiving your first, second and booster COVID-19 vaccine by booking an appointment online, or finding a local walk-in vaccination clinic where you can just turn up on the day Self-isolating immediately and getting a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms If meeting others indoors, ensure fresh air is circulating, even opening a window for 10 minutes every hour can make a big difference COVD-19 brings a greater risk to pregnant women and their babies. If you’re pregnant, please don’t delay. Get vaccinated or boosted now. #WiltshireTogether   View the latest COVID-19 data for Wiltshire on GOV.UK   View the latest GOV.UK guidance and updates on restrictions       Beware of fraud relating to COVID-19 pass We’re aware of a scam in circulation where criminals are asking for payment for the NHS COVID-19 pass. These fraudulent messages are being sent via text message and email. Do not give them any personal or financial information, the NHS COVID Pass is free and the NHS will never ask for payment or any financial details.   More information on the NHS COVID-19 pass and how to get one       Budget proposals for 2022/23 announced Our proposed budget for 2022/23 has been published, outlining how we will bridge a budget deficit of more than £27m, while ensuring residents, businesses and communities still get access to vital and high quality services while delivering our new Business Plan priorities. We will continue to invest in the improvement and maintenance of the county’s infrastructure, with £308m due to be spent on capital projects in 2022/23. However, to close the budget gap, while ensuring that vital services are provided, we are proposing a number of measures. They include a 1.99% general increase in council tax, plus a 1% council tax levy to be spent solely on adult social care, increases in some other fees and charges, and a reduction in Wiltshire Council staffing budgets. No final decisions on the proposals have been made, and prior to being discussed and debated at Full Council on 15 February, the budget will be scrutinised by various groups.   More information on the proposed 2022/23 budget   Read the draft Business Plan now       Join us live for our latest public update   We’ll be hosting a live online COVID-19 and 2022/23 budget public update on Tuesday 18 January from 5:30pm.   Join us to find out the latest local information about COVID-19, and more details on the budget proposals for 2022/23 which have now been published.  Leading the webinar will be Leader of Wiltshire Council Cllr Richard Clewer, Chief Executive Terence Herbert, Director of Public Health Kate Blackburn and Corporate Director Resources and Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) Andy Brown. If you would like to submit any questions about COVID-19 or the budget proposals to be answered at the event, then please send them to communications@wiltshire.gov.uk no later than midday on 17 January.   You can view the webinar on 18 January at 5:30pm by using this Microsoft Teams link at COVID-19 and 2022/23 budget webinar.  If you’re unable to make it, we will post a replay on our YouTube channel the following day.       Final reminder for primary school applications Is your child starting primary school or moving from infant to junior school next September? If so, please make sure you have applied for a school place by midnight tomorrow (Sat 15 Jan). Any applications received after this deadline will be considered late and your child won’t be offered a school place until after the first round of on time applications have been submitted.   Apply for a primary or junior school place for your child now       Discover your history with the launch of updated Wiltshire Community History website Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre has launched an updated version of its Wiltshire Community History website. With a more modern feel, the site gives you the opportunity to gain a greater understanding and connection to the place where you or your ancestors lived. The website is free of charge to use and has information such as maps, population figures, newspaper and printed map coverage, listed buildings, local authors and registration districts, as well as a series of FAQs for each community.   More information on the updated Wiltshire Community History website     Keep up-to-date with improvement works Contractors working on our behalf are carrying out road resurfacing and associated works in a number of towns across Wiltshire. You can also see the full list of all roadworks taking place in the county by visiting the One Network map and typing ‘Wiltshire’ into the search box.     Share

The UK Health Security Agency has announced that from Tuesday 11 January, people who receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for coronavirus will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. Anyone who receives a positive LFD result should also make sure they report the result on GOV.UK. This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19. There are a few exceptions to this revised approach: People who are eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP) will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR if they receive a positive LFD result, to enable them to access financial support.  People participating in research or surveillance programmes may still be asked to take a follow-up PCR test, according to the research or surveillance protocol. Lateral flow device (LFD) tests are taken by people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone experiencing one of the three official COVID-19 symptoms – a high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – should stay at home, self-isolate and take a PCR test. In line with the reduced self-isolation approach announced on 22 December, anyone who tests positive will be able to leave self-isolation seven days after the date of their initial positive test if they receive two negative LFD results, 24 hours apart, on days six and seven.   View the full announcement on changes to PCR test requirements     Changes to pre-departure tests for travellers entering England from overseas The Prime Minister has announced that pre-departure travel COVID-19 tests to enter England from overseas will not be required from 4am on Friday 7 January. The requirement to self-isolate on arrival in England until receiving a negative PCR test result will also be lifted. Instead, people can take a lateral flow test on day two after arrival to England. If the lateral flow test is positive, people will be required to self-isolate and take a PCR test to identify any new variants.       Self-isolation guidance The self-isolation advice for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) recently changed. It is now possible to end self-isolation after seven days, following two negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart. The first LFD test should not be taken before the sixth day. This guidance also applies to children and young people who usually attend an education or childcare setting.   In summary: You must self-isolate as soon as COVID-19 symptoms develop, or when you receive a positive test result if you do not have symptoms. Two negative lateral flow tests are required to end self-isolation: the first to be taken no earlier than day six, followed by a second test result 24 hours later. Please consider the time of day you take your day six test. If you are aiming to return to work or school on your day seven (assuming two consecutive negative LFD results) you will need to take your day six test early in the morning as there needs to be a gap of at least 24 hours before taking the day seven test. If both of those tests are negative,  and you do not have a high temperature, you can stop self-isolating immediately. If the day six test is positive, further tests can be taken on subsequent days but you must receive two negative tests, 24 hours apart, in order to end self-isolation. If ending self-isolation after day seven due to negative lateral flow test results on consecutive days then please limit contact with others wherever possible until after the formal 10-day isolation period would have finished.   View the latest COVID-19 data for Wiltshire on GOV.UK       Latest Wiltshire COVID-19 case numbers The highest number of cases are being seen in the 20 to 49-year-old age range. The three major local hospitals in the area, Royal United Hospitals in Bath, Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury Hospital, have temporarily suspended visiting with some exceptions, due to high local transmission of the virus. Great Western Hospital and Royal United Hospital have also declared an Internal Critical Incident due to a sustained high level of demand of COVID and non-COVID patients. At Great Western Hospital COVID inpatients of suspected or confirmed cases has increased by more than 80% since Christmas Eve.   Ways you can play your part in easing the pressure and reducing the spread: If meeting others indoors, ensure fresh air is circulating by opening windows Washing hands regularly for 20 seconds with warm water and soap Wear face coverings where required Receiving a first, second and booster COVID-19 vaccine by booking an appointment online, or finding a local walk-in vaccination clinic where you can just turn up on the day Take regular lateral flow tests, particularly if planning to meet groups of people from outside of your household Self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.   View the full advice on GOV.UK   View the latest GOV.UK guidance and updates on restrictions     Lateral Flow Tests at council-run collection sites Due to the current national increased demand for lateral flow test kits, we have very little stock at our Wiltshire Council-run collection sites at Devizes Leisure Centre, Bourne Hill in Salisbury, Monkton Park in Chippenham, Springfield Community Campus in Corsham, Calne Leisure Centre, The Vale Community Campus in Pewsey, and the Nadder Centre in Tisbury, however due to demand we cannot guarantee how long the sites will maintain stock. We have placed an order for more stock but due to national supply issues, at this stage can’t say when that will arrive at our sites. In the meantime, we encourage you to use any tests you may already have at home before collecting more. If you don’t have any, please only collect the amount of kits you need. We will keep our Coronavirus webpage updated with any developments. Please use this LFD postcode checker to find out where you can find other supplies of lateral flow tests. You can also order test kits for home delivery on the national website GOV.UK: Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests, this is updated periodically with more test kits usually becoming available throughout the day. This is a fast moving situation and we really appreciate your patience and understanding, particularly with our staff working at the sites.     Please play your part in supporting our local hospitals Our local hospitals are urging everyone across our region to play our part in supporting them during an extremely busy period, by making the right choices. Hospital leaders have said local people can help to reduce pressure on services in three specific ways: Helping loved ones who are well enough to leave hospital, to recover at home or in another suitable care setting, so that beds are available for those who need to be cared for in hospital. Visiting www.111.nhs.uk for healthcare advice when it is not an emergency, to ensure you use the most appropriate service for your needs and so that those who really need to be in A&E can be seen as quickly as possible. Calling 999 only when it is a genuine life-threatening emergency, so that ambulances are able to respond quickly to those who require emergency care. The NHS 111 online service is able to give advice, including to those who think that they might need to visit a minor injury unit to treat issues such as broken bones and burns, while pharmacists can help with minor complaints including coughs, colds, ear ache and rashes.       Plenty of availability for COVID-19 vaccinations The NHS continues efforts to protect the region against the Omicron variant, and is urging people to get their booster jab as we enter the New Year. Thousands of extra vaccination appointments have been made available to make sure everyone has the chance to get their booster vaccine or their first, second or third dose (for those with a weakened immune system) as soon as possible. Walk-in vaccination services are on offer at a variety of centres including Bath Racecourse, Salisbury City Hall, Marlborough Leisure Centre, Bourne Retail Park in Salisbury and Steam Museum in Swindon. View locations and times for walk-in vaccinations. Appointments are also available to book online using the National Booking Service or by calling 119 for people who would prefer a guaranteed time slot and a choice of locations. If you’ve not yet had your booster, first or second dose, please do come forward and take advantage of the extra appointments available.   More information and how to book a COVID-19 vaccination

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This is a fast moving situation and we really appreciate your patience and understanding, particularly with our staff working at the sites.     View service changes and our office opening times over New Year     New single number for all housing queries   We are introducing a new single number for housing enquiries from the New Year.   From Tuesday 4 January, our Housing Advice Service will have a single entry point for all enquiries. On that date all old numbers, including different numbers for different areas, will stop working and people can ring through on one number 0300 456 0106. If you regularly contact our housing team, please make sure you save this new number to replace any old numbers you may have saved.   The service provides tailored advice to those with housing issues or who are at risk of homelessness and deals with those facing eviction or possession action, affordability issues and paying rent or mortgage, or the suitability of existing accommodation, among other housing problems. You can also contact the team by email homeless@wiltshire.gov.uk.   Our Homes4Wiltshire team can continue to be contacted on 0300 456 0104 for all enquiries relating to joining the housing register.   More information on housing services     Please play your part in supporting our local hospitals Our local hospitals are urging everyone across our region to play our part in supporting them during an extremely busy period, by making the right choices. Hospital leaders have said local people can help to reduce pressure on services in three specific ways: Helping loved ones who are well enough to leave hospital, to recover at home or in another suitable care setting, so that beds are available for those who need to be cared for in hospital. Visiting www.111.nhs.uk for healthcare advice when it is not an emergency, to ensure you use the most appropriate service for your needs and so that those who really need to be in A&E can be seen as quickly as possible. Calling 999 only when it is a genuine life-threatening emergency, so that ambulances are able to respond quickly to those who require emergency care. The NHS 111 online service is able to give advice, including to those who think that they might need to visit a minor injury unit to treat issues such as broken bones and burns, while pharmacists can help with minor complaints including coughs, colds, ear ache and rashes, and        Plenty of availability for COVID-19 vaccinations over the New Year weekend The NHS continues efforts to protect the region against the Omicron variant, and is urging people to get their booster jab as we enter the New Year. Over 512,000 people have taken up the offer of the booster across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire since it became available in November. This means 77% of eligible people have received their booster jab against a target of 80% by the end of the year. Vaccination centres are open every day this week and throughout the New Year bank holiday weekend and thousands of extra appointments have been made available to make sure everyone has the chance to get their booster vaccine or their first or second dose or third doses (for those with a weakened immune system) as soon as possible. Walk-in vaccination services are on offer at a variety of centres including Bath Racecourse, Salisbury City Hall, Marlborough Leisure Centre, Bourne Retail Park in Salisbury and Steam Museum in Swindon. View locations and times for walk-in vaccinations. Appointments are also available to book online using the National Booking Service or by calling 119 for people who would prefer a guaranteed time slot and a choice of locations. If you’ve not yet had your booster, first or second dose, please do come forward and take advantage of the extra appointments available.   More information and how to book a COVID-19 vaccination       The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub over the New Year   People who are self-isolating due to a positive test who don’t have friends and family to help can contact The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub. The hub can: Put people in touch with community groups who can help collect and deliver essential supplies such as shopping or medication. View information on local groups Signpost to sources of financial support and food banks Provide support for those experiencing loneliness Help speak to the right people who can provide information on available schemes including Claiming financial support under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The hub is available on 0300 003 4576 for people to call or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk. On working days the hub is open from 8.30am to 5.20pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 4.20pm on Fridays. For urgent needs outside of working hours and between 1 January to 3 January people can call the Emergency Duty Service on 0300 456 0100. The hub will be open for normal business hours on  30 December and 31 December.

Keep up-to-date with improvement works Contractors working on our behalf are carrying out road resurfacing and associated works in a number of towns across Wiltshire. You can also see the full list of all roadworks taking place in the county by visiting the One Network map and typing ‘Wiltshire’ into the search box.     Share Tweet Forward

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StreetLink helps rough sleepers StreetLink enables members of the public to send an alert, via the StreetLink website or mobile phone app, when they see someone sleeping rough. The alerts are then passed to the relevant council or outreach team, which use the information to find the person and connect them to local support services that can help to end their homelessness.   More information on how you can help rough sleepers in Wiltshire     Wiltshire Council react to Cleveland Bridge decision   Following this week’s decision by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet to move forward with proposals to charge HGVs over 12 tonnes to use the A36 Cleveland Bridge in Bath, we’ve reiterated our strong objections to the plans. While the decision doesn’t necessarily mean that the proposals will go ahead, it does instruct officers to work on the proposals “subject to undertaking further feasibility work and being able to develop and implement a workable scheme”. If approved, the plans would send additional HGVs on to Wiltshire roads, increasing traffic volumes and adversely affecting air quality in West Wiltshire towns and villages.   More information about the proposals and our strong objections to the plans       Private fostering We’re asking you to get in touch if you think a child in your community is being cared for by someone who is not a direct relative, so they can be aware of the support and help available. People who are looking after young people under 16 may also not realise they are private foster carers and the need to let us know about the arrangements.   More information about private fostering

Booster vaccinations now available for all adults over 18 years old We are supporting the national mission to ensure as many people as possible get their booster jab, to give them the best form of protection against COVID-19 variant Omicron. The Prime Minister has announced that all adults in England will be offered the COVID-19 booster vaccine before the end of the year, having brought the Government’s plan forward by a month due to the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading. From today, Wednesday 15 December, booster vaccines are available to all adults over the age of 18, as long as three months have passed since a person’s second jab. The vaccine programme is run locally by the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, working closely with partners including councils and the voluntary and community sector.     How can I get my booster vaccination? There are several ways to get your booster jab. Book online or call 119: The best way to get your vaccination at a time and place that suits you is to book ahead. You can book a vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy, or call 119 Wait to be contacted by the NHS or your GP: You can wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them Visit a walk-in vaccination site: You can go to a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment, however you may face long queues and need to travel a further distance. People who work for an NHS trust or a care home will usually get their booster dose through their employer.   Book your COVID-19 vaccination or booster jab     Who is eligible for a booster vaccine? A booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine. It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. You can get a booster dose if you had a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago and: you are aged 18 or over you are aged 16 or over with a health condition that puts you at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 you are a frontline health or social care worker you live or work in a care home you are aged 16 or over and are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19 you are aged 16 or over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis). People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.   View eligibility for a COVID-19 or booster vaccination     It’s busy – please keep trying, be patient and kind System leaders are asking local people to be patient while they get everything in place, as the NHS continues to deliver the largest vaccination programme in the country’s history. There continues to be very high demand for boosters as the number of eligible people increases. Although some people have had difficulties booking their booster appointments, NHS staff are working extremely hard to support local communities and increase availability so please be patient. Please show them the respect and kindness they deserve. Vaccination centres are very busy. If a local venue isn’t showing on the system, it may be full – please check again later as appointments are being added all the time.     Have any questions or are unsure whether to get vaccinated? If you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity for a vaccination, whether a first dose, second dose or booster jab, it’s not too late. If you’re unsure or have any questions, please do find out more information on the NHS website or speak to a healthcare practitioner. COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will help boost your immunity and also protect those around you this winter and festive season.   More information on COVID-19 vaccinations   Frequently Asked Questions on the local NHS CCG website     Please keep playing your part Please also continue to follow these measures to help keep you and your loved ones safe: wash hands regularly wear face coverings where required take regular lateral flow tests, particularly if planning to meet groups of people outside your household take a lateral flow test for seven days if you’ve been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and you’re not displaying any symptoms self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test when displaying any COVID-19 symptoms if meeting people indoors ensure fresh air is circulating.

Booster vaccinations Yesterday the NHS confirmed a huge expansion of the booster programme, with the National Booking Service now open to all those aged over 40 to book their jabs. The dose interval has also been shortened from six months to three months, with those eligible now able to book a month in advance – two months after their second dose. If you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity for a vaccination, whether a first dose, second dose or booster jab, it’s not too late. If you’re unsure or have any questions, please do find out more information on the NHS website or speak to a healthcare practitioner. COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will help boost your immunity and also protect those around you this winter and festive season.     Book your COVID-19 vaccination or booster jab   View eligibility for a COVID-19 or booster vaccination     New national measures announced on 8 December Face coverings From Friday 10 December, face coverings will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship as well as continuing to be a requirement in shops and on public transport. There will be exemptions in venues where it is not practical to wear one, such as hospitality settings and when exercising. People will be required to wear face coverings in Wiltshire Council buildings including our main hubs, libraries, the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, and leisure centres (but not while exercising).   For schools, face coverings should be worn in communal areas in all settings by staff, visitors and pupils or students in year 7 and above, unless they are exempt. Pupils or students (in year 7 or above) should continue to wear face coverings on public and dedicated school transport, unless they are exempt.   Work from home if you can From Monday 13 December, those who can do so are advised to work from home. NHS Covid Pass requirements From Wednesday 15 December, and subject to parliamentary approval, the NHS Covid Pass on the NHS App will become mandatory for entry into nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather – including unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees. People will be able to demonstrate proof of two vaccine doses via the app. Proof of a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted. Testing and self-isolation Testing will also be a vital tool in controlling the spread given the likely increased transmissibility of Omicron. The Government intends to introduce daily contact tests for contacts of confirmed positive cases instead of the ten-day self-isolation period. Currently, close contacts of anyone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant are required to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether they have been double vaccinated. People identified as close contact of or a suspected case of Omicron, will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace. Everyone should test using a rapid lateral flow device, particularly before entering a high-risk setting involving people you wouldn’t normally come into contact with, or when visiting a vulnerable person. Lateral flow devices remain free of charge and can be collected from local pharmacies using a collection code or ordered online for free home delivery.     View the Government announcement of Plan B and the new measures   Order free lateral flow tests       Changes to international travel arrivals and red list countries Travellers heading to the UK, who are aged 12 and over, are now required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 lateral flow or PCR test, a maximum of 48 hours before travelling. All travellers arriving into the UK are also required to take a PCR test on or before day two, and self-isolate until they have received a negative test result. The PCR tests can be purchased from private providers – free NHS tests are not valid for this purpose.   As a result of the new variant, the government’s red travel list has been updated, and can be viewed at: www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories.   View the latest government guidance on COVID-19   Share Tweet Forward   Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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Help us to recycle more by reducing contamination Placing the wrong items in your blue lidded recycling bin leads to contamination and means that some waste materials that could be recycled have to be disposed of in landfill. You can help us to stop this by only placing the correct materials in your blue lidded bin.   Materials that can’t be recycled in your blue lidded bin are:   Plastic carrier bags and film – Take this to your nearest supermarket recycling point.   Black plastic food trays – should be placed in your rubbish bin.   Pots, pans and baking trays, knives, tools, car parts, scrap metal and metal or plastic paint pots should all be taken to your local Household Recycling Centre   You can also help to reduce contamination by rinsing, squashing and put the lids back on plastic bottles and food cartons before placing them in your blue lidded bin.   Find out more about recycling in Wiltshire       Be prepared for flooding this winter With this winter forecast to be milder and wetter than usual, we want you to be as prepared as possible for an increased risk of flooding. We work closely with the Environment Agency, and town and parish councils to ensure communities are as resilient as possible when dealing with potential flooding, and to help them prepare effectively.   Help to Grow – new course added in February 2022! We have partnered with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) to deliver the government-backed Help to Grow: Management course for Wiltshire SMEs. The next Wiltshire-based programme starts on 15 February 2022.   The programme includes 50 hours of in-depth training, one-to-one business mentoring and the opportunity for you to grow your business, fast.   The 12-week programme is 90% subsidised by the government, with a cost of just £750 for your business. You can take part around your existing work commitments and access learning through a blend of online and face-to-face sessions.   Find out more about the Help to Grow course   Free weight loss and fitness programme in Salisbury! We’re working with AFC Bournemouth to offer a free 12-week weight loss and fitness programme. If you’re 18 or over and live in the Salisbury area, then get in touch! The course is held weekly on a Wednesday evening, from 12 January to 30 March. Sessions are held at Sarum Academy School in Salisbury from 6:30pm-8pm. For more details please email gee.grou@afcb.co.uk or steve.cuss@afcb.co.uk.       Keep up-to-date with improvement works Contractors working on our behalf are carrying out road resurfacing and associated works in a number of towns across Wiltshire. You can also see the full list of all roadworks taking place in the county by visiting the One Network map and typing ‘Wiltshire’ into the search box.

r ight     We’re ready for winter Our fleet of 24 gritters is on hand to be deployed for when the road temperatures require them, with salting taking place whenever road temperatures near freezing. We have 13,000 tonnes of salt in stock, strategically placed throughout the county in six storage sites. We also have weather stations in key areas that provide real-time information and assist in producing accurate forecasts to ensure gritters are sent out at the right time.   More information on how we’re prepared for winter       You could benefit from home energy efficiency improvements   Through Government funding, we are supporting a programme of work to help deliver free home energy efficiency improvements to eligible customers.   If your household income is under £30,000 a year and you live in a home with a low energy performance rating (EPC D, E, F or G), you may be eligible to apply for up to £10,000 of free energy improvements to your home.   These home improvements could include: Insulation Solar panels Double glazing (for single glazed homes) A new front door (to replace old wooden doors) Find out more and see if you are eligible for the scheme.   Also, find out what more you can do as an individual to help lower your carbon footprint.   Find out more more about the free home energy efficency improvements       We’ve resumed our annual canvass process   This November, canvassers will be posting a reminder notice through letterboxes to residents who have not yet responded to the canvass form sent a few weeks ago. Canvassers will not knock on doors, they will simply post the reminder card. If you receive a reminder, please follow the clear instructions to confirm your details.   More information on the annual canvass process

One dose is being offered to children aged 12 to 15 to give them the best protection against COVID-19. This includes children who turn 12 on the date of vaccination. School immunisation teams will visit your child’s school to give the vaccine. 12-15 year olds are also now eligible to be vaccinated and you can now book a vaccine for your child online.     Book your child a vaccine here     Back to School – don’t forget to take a test It’s easy for us to pass on Covid-19 or flu-like viruses without knowing This winter there are two essential vaccines you’ll need to protect yourself and your loved ones.   Find out more about vaccines     Two Wiltshire Council environmental projects will appear at the COP26 conference As delegates from around the world meet up from Sunday in Glasgow for COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, two of our projects will be exhibited at the COP26 event, showcasing some of our efforts to reducing carbon emissions in the county. The first of the two projects to feature at the conference is our Community Environmental Toolkit, produced in conjunction with Natural England, which gives local groups the tools they need to improve habitats and the natural environment in their area.   The other project to be displayed is the Salisbury River Park, a collaboration with the Environment Agency, with support from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) and Salisbury City Council. The project will create a green link through the centre of the city, bringing major environmental improvements and mitigating against flooding.    receive these emails?

Local test and trace service still in operation Our local COVID-19 contact tracing partnership is still taking place. It supports the NHS Test and Trace service and steps in should the national team be unable to reach a person in Wiltshire who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you get a phone call from 0300 456 0100, please pick up as this will be our contact tracers looking to pass on information and advice.      Vehicle used for fly-tipping being destroyed   Council destroys vehicle used for fly-tipping For the first time ever, we’ve destroyed a vehicle that had been used for fly-tipping, sending a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Wiltshire. The tipper truck was safely stripped for reusable parts before being destroyed and sent for recycling.  The offender was fined just under £7,000, including costs at the time, and it was then that the magistrates authorised the tipper truck to be destroyed.   To report fly-tipping in Wiltshire       Get Online Week Get Online Week (18-24 October), is a week-long celebration of digital inclusion. Our libraries across Wiltshire offer free access to WiFi, computers and scanners. In 2019/20, they provided 91,772 hours of supported internet access on the public computers.   More information on the online support available in our libraries

year-olds       You report it, we sort it with MyWilts   Have you downloaded our reporting app MyWilts? If not, what are you waiting for? You can report a number of issues at your fingertips, without having to call us or visit one of our hubs. These include: Abandoned vehicles Weather emergencies Fly tipping Overflowing litter bins Graffiti and more   Download MyWilts on the App Store   Download MyWilts on Google Play   Visit MyWilts on our website       Tell us your favourite book   As part of Wiltshire Year of Reading, we are producing our very own ‘Wiltshire Top 100 Books’ to encourage adults and children to try reading different books. We’ll compile a five book list, four for different school age groups and one for grown-ups.   Put forward your suggestions now       Last chance to have your say on our Climate Strategy consultation   The consultation on our Climate Strategy and Our Natural Environment Plan, the Green-Blue Infrastructure Strategy, ends on Sunday (17 October), so please take the time to have your say before it’s too late. The Climate Strategy will shape the next five years of our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions as we aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, so it’s really important that you let us know your views. Please also tell your friends, colleagues and communities, and share our posts on social media to help spread the word.   Find out more and have your say now       Childcare during October half-term holidays We’ve worked with local childminders and activity providers to create a childcare and activity directory to help you find childcare during the October half-term school holidays.

Stop the spread this winter The flu virus kills almost 11,000 people and hospitalises tens of thousands more in England in an average year. It’s more important than ever to get your flu jab this year.    Find out if you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine now       New simplified travel system now in place   The UK’s new travel system has come into force with countries and territories categorised as either red or the rest of the world. It also means that if you’re fully vaccinated and returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, you can do so without needing to complete a pre-departure test (PDT), a day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period.   Full details on the new travel system       Is your child starting school next September? The window to apply for your child to go to primary or secondary school in September 2022, is now open. The quickest and easiest way to do this is by applying online. The deadline to apply for a primary school place is 15 January 2022. The deadline to apply for a secondary school place is 31 October 2021.   More information about applying for a primary and secondary school place

vaccine and 16-17 year-olds can book online Children aged 12 to 15 can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Most will get their vaccination at school. Consent will always be sought from parents or carers. Also, 16 and 17-year-olds can now book their first COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.   More details on the COVID-19 vaccine available to 12-15 year-olds   16-17 year-olds can now book online       Wiltshire leisure centres back under council management   We have now brought all leisure centres previously managed by Places Leisure back under our own management. We will now operate 20 leisure centres across the county and will be providing a consistent service across Wiltshire. Approximately 420 staff and 11,000 members have been transferred to the council.   We aim to provide a consistent service throughout our leisure centres, which will help to support and improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our customers, as well as trying to get more of the community active.   More information on all leisure centres in Wiltshire back under our management         Stop smoking this October Stoptober is back, the major annual event to encourage smokers to quit for 28 days in October, with the aim of stopping smoking permanently. If you’re a smoker and want to quit, help is available.   More information about Stoptober and the support available       Preparation for Adult Life Guide for children and young people with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND) We have been looking at how to improve the information provided to our young people when considering growing up, moving into adult life and making decisions for the future. If you have a family with an SEND child, please look at our Preparation for Adult Life guide which has information on the support available as your child grows up. Once you have read through the guide please let us know your thoughts by completing the survey. The feedback we have from the survey will help us to we are sharing useful information so people can move on to adult life successfully.     Goals with AFC Bournemouth Keep fit, improve your health and fitness and lose weight with our free 12-week course in Salisbury.   The sessions involve exercises suitable for all, run by AFC Bournemouth and a half-hour interactive session with a health improvement coach, covering topics on nutrition, portion sizes, eating out, behaviour change and how to maintain healthy habits for life. They course gets underway on Friday 22 October at 6:30pm-8pm and runs until Friday 21 January. However, there won’t be sessions on 24 and 31 December.   If you’re aged 35+ and want more information about the programme and to sign up please contact: Gee Grou gee.grou@afcb.co.uk 07990 336272 or  Steve Cuss steve.cuss@afcb.co.uk 07973893594     Keep up-to-date with improvement works

under our management       New dedicated out of hours line for domestic abuse We are operating a dedicated line from 5pm weekdays and all over the weekend for people who want to report concerns or seek help. The new dedicated out of hours line is 01225 775276 and will take over from the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, which has kindly provided additional out of hours telephone support to Wiltshire residents over recent months.   More information on the new out of hours line for domestic abuse     Respiratory illnesses in children on the rise Young children typically pick up coughs and colds during the cooler months of the year, but the NHS are seeing more children with respiratory illness now. The main signs and symptoms to look out for are: Laboured/rapid breathing Dehydration (sunken eyes, drowsy or not passed urine in 12 hours) Drowsiness (excessively sleepy)   More information on the signs and symptoms of respiratory illness       Could you change the life of a local child? We’re asking “empty nesters” and people wanting a change of direction to consider fostering to help provide homes for the numbers of children and young people coming into care. Fostering is extremely rewarding for both the foster carer and child.   Find out more about fostering       Let’s ‘Step it Up’ this Recycle Week! This Recycle Week (20-26 September), we’re urging Wiltshire communities to keep recycling as much as they can to help fight climate change. The theme for this year’s Recycle Week is ‘Step it Up’, which encourages us to make positive changes to recycle more to reduce carbon emissions. In Wiltshire, the council managed 221,254 tonnes of waste in the financial year 2020-21, of which 42%, or 93,860 tonnes, was recycled, composted or re-used; and 98% of that was managed within the UK.   More information about Recycle Week     Still time to sign up for final Climate Strategy consultation engagement event   The final online engagement event, at 7pm on Thursday 30 September, is an opportunity for you to find out more about the consultation and ask questions, ahead of taking the consultation surveys. Along with the online engagement sessions, we are also holding drop-in sessions in libraries on the following dates: 27 September, 10am to 12 noon, Chippenham Library 7 October, 10am to 12 noon, Trowbridge Library   More information on the climate strategy and sign up for engagement event       Keep up-to-date with improvement works

Autumn and Winter Plan published The Government has published its Autumn and Winter COVID-19 Response Plan and we’re asking you to continue to do what you can to protect one another and local health services at a challenging time.

Read the Autumn and Winter plan now

Free home energy efficiency improvements   If your household income is under £30,000 a year and you live in a home with a low energy performance rating (EPC D, E, F or G), you may be eligible to apply for up to £10,000 of free energy improvements to your home.   These home improvements could include:InsulationSolar panelsDouble glazing (for single glazed homes)A new front door (to replace old wooden doors)

Find out if you’re eligible

Building Bridges programme is available to support you into education or employment  The programme gives you the confidence and experience you need to be able to progress towards, achieve and sustain ongoing employment. As part of the programme, a dedicated key worker is assigned to you to develop a personalised plan to help address your barriers and support you every step of the way, at a pace you feel comfortable with.

Find out more about the Building Bridges programme

Government has published its COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Plan What are the aims of the plan? The Government has published its autumn and winter COVID-19 response plan and we are asking you to continue to do what you can to protect one another and local health services at this challenging time. Within the plan, the Government states that the country is learning to live with COVID-19, and the main line of defence is now vaccination rather than lockdown. The Government’s plan is to prepare the country for future challenges, while ensuring the NHS does not come under unsustainable pressure. It wants to achieve this by: Building defences through pharmaceutical interventions: vaccines, antivirals and disease modifying therapeutics. Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmission: Test, Trace and Isolate. Supporting the NHS and social care: managing pressures and recovering services. Advising people on how to protect themselves and others: clear guidance and communications. Pursuing an international approach: helping to vaccinate the world and managing risks at the border.       Booster vaccines and vaccines for 12-15 year olds Booster vaccines will be offered to those who received a vaccination in phase 1 of the programme. 12-15 year olds will be offered a first dose and the NHS will work with school immunisation teams to implement this.       Regular asymptomatic testing using lateral flow tests will continue to help find cases and break the chains of transmission. It will be particularly focused on those who are not fully vaccinated, those in education, and those in higher-risk settings such as the NHS, social care, and prisons. You can find out more about asymptomatic testing on our website.       Flu vaccination To help support health services, at an already busy time, a free flu vaccination will be available for more people than normal. It will be available to the previously eligible groups, which includes primary school children, 65 year olds and over, vulnerable groups, and pregnant women. Eligibility for a free flu vaccination this year will also be extended to include secondary school children and 50-64 year olds.       Vaccine certificates Mandatory vaccine‑only certification (or ‘COVID passports’ as they’ve been called) will not be implemented from the end of September where large crowds gather, but this does remain a contingency option.       What can you do to keep yourselves and others safe? Wear a mask in enclosed indoor spaces Wash or sanitise hands regularly Isolate and book a PCR test if you have any COVID-19 symptoms Get the vaccine when offered to you Take regular lateral flow tests to help break transmission Try to stay at home if you’re feeling unwell Let fresh air in if you meet people indoors Download the NHS COVID-19 app     Full plan We have just provided a brief summary, and we encourage you to take a look at the full plan that can be found online. Our reaction to today’s plan can be found on our website.

r   10 September 2021     Latest Wiltshire COVID-19 cases #WiltshireTogether       All care home workers to be vaccinated From 11 November 2021 the law will require all professions working or visiting care homes to be fully vaccinated. If you work in a care home or wish to visit one, you must also have received at least your first jab by 16 September 2021.   More information on all care home workers and visitors to be vaccinated     Help the NHS as it prepares for extremely busy weekend Please only visit your local hospital if absolutely necessary this weekend as all parts of the local health and care system remain under significant pressure.   A combination of staff absences and increasing numbers of coronavirus cases, coupled with a huge surge in people wanting same-day urgent and emergency care, has resulted in hospitals and the ambulance service experiencing demands for their services not normally seen outside of the middle of winter.   Calling 999 or visiting a hospital emergency department for anything less than a genuine, life-threatening emergency takes already-stretched healthcare workers away from their sickest patients, who are most in need of urgent medical assistance.

Consider your healthcare options Hospitals in the area are incredibly busy at the moment. Please try and use the right health and care service for your needs, which may be to self-care or to visit a pharmacy. The ambulance service is for people with genuine life-threatening emergencies when 999 should be called immediately. Thanks for your support.   More information on healthcare options       Climate change affects us all: Have your say on our Climate Strategy Engagement began this week on our emerging Climate Strategy, which sets out how the council – and Wiltshire as a whole – can tackle climate change over the next five years. We all need to reduce our impact on the climate by cutting carbon dioxide emissions. This means making some changes to the way we all live our lives – and that’s where our Climate Strategy comes in. The engagement runs until 23:59 on Sunday 17 October, and you can comment on the draft strategy document, and attend online and in-person engagement sessions to ask questions and find out more.   More information about the Climate Strategy, sign up for engagement events and take the survey

Thanks as always for your support.       Changes to self-isolation requirements The law on self-isolation in England has now changed. Close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases no longer need to self-isolate if you are either: Double jabbed Under 18 Instead you should take a free PCR test. Book a test here     Visit the Government website       Vaccines available for 16-17 year olds Vaccinations are now available for 16 and 17 year olds find the nearest walk-in clinic on the Grab a Jab website. Bookings are not required, just turn up and receive a 1st dose of vaccine. There are specific vaccinations clinics listed for this cohort throughout Wiltshire.   Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site       Consider your healthcare options

Thanks as always for your support.       Find a walk-in coronavirus vaccination site   If you’re aged 18 or over, you can get a vaccine from a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site without an appointment. A small number of walk-in vaccination sites are also now available for people aged 16 and 17. More sites should become available over time. View a guide and more information on COVID-19 vaccination for eligible children and young people.   Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site       All care home workers to be vaccinated Anyone entering a care home for work or volunteering will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 11 November 2021.   This will help to protect those most at risk from the virus.   Full details on the changes to regulations for care home workers     Our statement in response to the situation in Afghanistan   Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Military Civilian Integration, said: “We are monitoring the difficult and distressing situation in Afghanistan and are awaiting government guidance as the situation unfolds. Here in Wiltshire we have always been ready to help those who need a safe place to stay and we will respond as necessary when guidance is published. This includes offering support to interpreters and those trying to reach a safe haven. We are already looking to provide homes for at least two families and there may be more in due course. “Wiltshire has a strong military presence and we recognise the extraordinary efforts of our service personnel who have served in Afghanistan as part of the UK efforts to bring peace to the region. We know the latest news may be difficult for our local military communities and we are here ready to support them at this time.”       Do you have a 16-year-old?  HMRC are urging parents to confirm whether their child is staying in full-time education or training beyond 16, in order to continue receiving Child Benefit payments. If your child is staying in education beyond 16, you need to update HMRC by Tuesday 31 August, or your Child Benefit will be stopped.   Update your child benefit records now       Online content created by our libraries during the pandemic reaches 200,000 views! In the first lockdown, our libraries moved many of their activities online, and this popular content on the library Facebook pages and the Wiltshire Libraries YouTube channel has now received over 200,000 views. Since libraries reopened, staff have been continuing to provide online rhyme times, story times, tea and chat sessions, book reviews, author talks and ‘how to’ guides, which can be found at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities.   Library teams are also delivering the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries until Saturday 4 September. Children aged 4 to 11-years-old can sign up to the challenge to read six or more books during the holidays and receive rewards along the way. There is limited availability so families are urged to join up while stocks last.   More info on our online library content     The Fulltone Music Festival is coming to Devizes The Fulltone Orchestra, created and lead by Musical Director Anthony Brown, is a 65 strong orchestra of some of the top musicians in the South West. There’s lots of top live music planned on The Green in Devizes, so if live music is your thing, be sure to check out the Fulltone Music Festival taking place on 28 August and 29 August.   More information on the Fulltone Music Festival       Keep up-to-date with improvement works Contractors working on our behalf are carrying out road resurfacing and associated works in a number of towns across Wiltshire. You can also see the full list of all roadworks taking place in the county by visiting the One Network map and typing ‘Wiltshire’ into the search box.

Cabinet approves next steps for Wiltshire Local Plan The 10 step plan follows a consultation period held between 13 January – 9 March, of which we had more than 3,500 responses from residents. We are currently on step four, which involves preparing the draft version of the plan. Once this draft is considered by Cabinet, we will carry out a public consultation which will be another chance for you to have your say. The key elements of the Local Plan focuses are on proposals for the scale and distribution of housing and employment growth across Wiltshire and climate change.   More information on the Wiltshire Local Plan

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