The Leader of Wychavon has paid tribute to the inspirational spirit of the district’s residents ahead of the National Day of Reflection on Tuesday (23 March).
Cllr Bradley Thomas said many lives had been saved because of the actions people had taken over the last year. He added the strength and determination of Wychavon’s communities to support each other had been inspirational.
The National Day of Reflection marks the one-year anniversary of the first national lockdown.
It is being spearheaded by end of life charity Marie Curie as a way of encouraging people to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of everyone who has died from Covid-19 and other causes. People are also being encouraged to reach out to those bereaved who may have lost someone to the virus, or to another cause, and have been unable to mourn properly because of coronavirus restrictions.
Official figures show 266 people in Wychavon have so far died where Covid-19 has been mentioned as a cause on the death certificate.
Residents are being asked to pause at midday on 23 March for a minute of reflection and to take a moment to reach out to someone bereaved. At 8pm people are being asked to shine a light from their doorstep or from their window, in memory of those who have died and those bereaved.
Cllr Thomas said: “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to every single person who has lost someone due to Covid-19, and also to those who lost loved ones due to coronavirus or for other reasons, but were unable to say goodbye or to grieve properly because of the restrictions.
“I am humbled by the amazing dedication of our local NHS, who have saved hundreds of lives through their actions. I am also grateful to all our residents who themselves helped to save many, many lives by staying at home and staying apart from each other, no matter how hard that was and continues to be.
“To those businesses that have played their part by closing their doors despite the hardship it has caused, I say thank you and promise we will help you rebuild.
“We are not out of the woods yet. We must be cautious as we come out of lockdown, but there are better times ahead.
“On Tuesday I urge everyone to pause at midday to reflect on how much we have been through this last year, remember lives lost and loved ones still grieving, and pledge to continue to work together as we rebuild from this pandemic.”
Wychavon has produced a short video to mark the anniversary of the first national lockdown, using items submitted to the Wychavon Covid-19 Memory Bank. Visit our Facebook page from 23 March to view it.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2021-03-22 14:55:082021-03-22 14:55:08Pause to remember lives lost to Covid-19
Cases have risen rapidly across our district since the end of the second Lockdown at the start of December. Worryingly, the impact of Christmas mixing is still to filter through into the figures.
The expectation is we will continue to see cases rise for the next 7 to 10 days. This will lead to further hospitalisations and inevitably deaths. This will add to the already significant pressure our NHS locally, and nationally, is under.
We cannot stress enough how serious the situation is and we ask you all to continue to play your part in encouraging our residents to stay at home and follow the rules and thank you for your efforts so far.
Infection rates are now reported daily on the Worcestershire County Council website and they are also broken down by local area. We will use this data to target communications in areas where we see cases remaining higher than elsewhere in the district.
Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire, has issued a message to the public encouraging them to play their part, which you can share on your own channels – Message from Dr Kathryn Cobain
Our Council Leader Cllr Bradley Thomas has also released a message which you can view here and are again encouraged to share and a video message has been prepared and will be released shortly on social media.
Communications We are ramping up our communications on social media and signs are being printed to put around our parks and public spaces urging people to stay apart and limit the time they spend outdoors. Our sign is attached if you would like to use it locally in your area.
The Government has produced the attached poster which briefly explains the rules which again you are welcome to use on social media. Again, please put this up on noticeboards and around your local area.
Attached is a Covid-19 advice leaflet which we have produced and intend to distribute as soon as possible to as many households as we can. You are welcome to put this on any local websites or social media groups.
We will be using supermarkets to get the bulk of them out but would also like some delivered locally door to door.
We will be asking our voluntary sector, but you as our town and parish council colleagues to help.
If you have contacts for local shops/stores that would be willing to take some of these leaflets then please email with the details and the suggested quantity.
Also, if you or your parish/town councillors are able and willing to deliver some of these door to door in your area, then please let Ian Dipple in the communications team know how many copies you will need and we will make arrangements.
People in need of help As always, if people need help accessing food or other essentials then please ask them to contact www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help. They will then direct them to support locally.
Impact on services
We are keeping our public toilets and playgrounds open in-line with government guidance. We intend to maintain key services, as we have done throughout this pandemic, and have plans in place to redeploy staff to support that ambition if needed.
Parking in all of our car parks is now free until further notice. On-street parking restrictions and time limits in waiting bays remain in place and will be enforced.
We are, for the time being, no longer offering face to face pre-booked appointments in our reception but remain available by email or phone.
Libraries are offering limited services and Household Recycling Centres remain open.
Use of village and community halls The guidance on the use of village and community halls has been updated. While most must close there are a small number of activities, they can still be used for in a Covid-19 Secure way, this includes hosting blood donation sessions, as polling stations etc.
If you do not directly operate your town or village hall, then please pass this on to the relevant people.
Lateral flow testing – can you help?
Worcestershire public health is urgently looking for places to undertake rapid result Lateral Flow Testing of asymptomatic people.
In order for them to be able to do this they need your help. Please could you let them know if you have any indoor space available such as a community centre, village hall or sports hall, that could be used to support their extended testing programme. In order to enable their testing teams to use the indoor space you have it needs to:
Have toilets
Be accessible to wheelchair users
Have heating
Have parking or be near facilities where parking is available
Be available for use until the end of March 2021
If you think you have a space that might be suitable please let their logistics team know on :
They can then discuss it with you and decide if the property is suitable. There would be no obligation to use it if you or your organisation did not want to once you know more details.
Please pass this on to any contacts you may have locally that could help.
Vaccination info
The Covid-19 vaccine has begun to be given to people in this area in accordance with the nationally set priority list.
If you find people are asking you about when they may receive the vaccine, the message is that the NHS will contact people in priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine and they should not contact their GP practice, or local hospital, directly asking for an appointment.
Below is a table setting out the order of prioritisation and a statement explaining how this has been reached.
Covid-19 vaccine scam
The police have made us aware of a scam relating to the vaccine.
People due to receive the vaccine have received a text messages, claiming to be from the NHS, telling them they need to complete a form for their first vaccine and providing a link to a very official looking site. They are then asked to fill in an official looking online form looks and after completing it, they are then asked for their bank details.
This is a scam, and a despicable one at that. In other versions of the scam people are being cold called and being asked to pay a charge for the vaccine.
You do not need to provide your bank details to receive the vaccine and there is no charge. The NHS will not ask you to send a text or push a button on a keypad to confirm you want the vaccine.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2021-01-07 14:52:322021-02-19 07:55:47Wychavon District Council COVID Update
Today, the Government announced Worcestershire will go into Tier Two category of restrictions, once the current lockdown finishes on December 2nd.
Worcestershire has worked very hard during the lockdown to reduce the number of cases of Covid-19 in the county.
We have seen some good progress, which has resulted in the county avoiding tier 3 restrictions. We now need to continue the good work and bring the number of Covid-19 cases down further.
From Wednesday 2nd December, everyone in Worcestershire will need to observe Tier Two restrictions.
Tier Two restrictions include:
you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’.
businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs.
pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
These restrictions are considered necessary because the infection rate remains too high. The virus doesn’t stay in a single area but spreads where people are mixing. It is very important that we all now follow these new rules, to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and stop the virus spreading further.
Dr Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health for Worcestershire said:
“I would like to thank you all for your continued hard work in helping to stop the spread of Covid-19. During these recent restrictions, we have seen some positive signs that Covid-19 cases are starting to stabilise in the county.
The tier we will be in from December 2nd, will be reviewed every two weeks so it is important that we keep these figures heading in the right direction. Therefore, we need to continue to follow the measures in place to protect us all. We need to keep following the rules and keep building on the hard work we have done so far.
This is a real opportunity, to take control of the virus, get our figures down and reduce the risk of transmission, especially with Christmas around the corner.
It is up to us all now to keep going with the good work, by social distancing, by wearing a face covering, by washing our hands regularly and limiting our contacts.”
Councillor John Smith, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board added: “These new measures represent a renewed opportunity to get our numbers down even more. If we keep working together to follow the rules, we will keep the people of Worcestershire safe and reduce the transmission of the virus.”
https://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/127272060-3366563743392527-3924418840583437776-o.jpg18611316Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2020-11-27 10:37:552020-11-27 11:52:40Tier Two restrictions for Worcestershire from 2nd December 2020
Worcestershire County Council is creating a #HandsFaceSpace video campaign to encourage people to follow social distancing rules – wash your hands regularly, wear face coverings and keep a safe distance – and they need your support.
The campaign is focused on asking people to create short videos to tell us why sticking to the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ guidance matters to them.
We want you to share your story by sending us a 50 second max, selfie-style video (landscape if possible), explaining why the government’s #HandsFaceSpace guidance matters to you personally. Maybe your loved ones have been shielding, or getting your business going relies on everybody following the guidelines? Perhaps you haven’t been able to regularly see your grandchildren, or you’ve really missed meeting up with friends?
We want to encourage more people to follow the guidelines and will be sharing your video across our website and social media channels.
Use a smartphone and if possible, record your video in landscape
50 seconds max
Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, we just want to hear from you
Please don’t read from a script, just chat normally.
We’d like personal stories, to help others understand why it matters to everyone to follow the guidance.
Don’t worry about the public health messages, we will add a slide at the end of the video, which reminds everyone of the hands, face, space message.
Video files are usually too large for email so we suggest sending them to us using www.wetransfer.com. Just follow the instructions on screen to attach your file and in the ‘send to’ box use the email
Sharing your #HandsFaceSpace message will help us to continue keeping people safe. Many thanks for your support
Crowdfund Worcestershire has been launched by Worcestershire County Council to help local organisations gain funding through the Spacehive crowdfunding platform – www.spacehive.com/movement/worcs
Worcestershire County Council has a funding pot of £85,000 available through Crowdfund Worcestershire to support organisations in their bid to help in the county’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic – https://www.spacehive.com/movement/worcs/supporters
This is an opportunity for organisations that have project ideas, which need financial backing, to create a project on Spacehive and pitch for a pledge via the Crowdfund Worcestershire platform by 30th September 2020, clearly outlining how they may be able to help maintain progress in these five key areas:
o Food Poverty – predominately focused on families.
o Social isolation/befriending – looking at virtual community connections / or adapted schemes that comply with social distancing.
o Return to work – helping people prepare for a return to work or helping them into work.
o Maintaining our volunteering offer – helping to create a legacy of community and volunteer action post Covid-19.
o Healthy Communities – activities to improve the health and wellbeing of your local community.
Projects may also qualify for pledges from the County Councillor’s Divisional Fund.
In addition, organisations in Malvern Hills and Wychavon will also have the chance to tap into pledges for community based transport projects. This funding, via the same Spacehive platform, will be led by Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils and there’s pledges of up to £50,000 up for grabs for this first round.
If you would like to find out how you can create a project and access funding please register for the FREE on-line events taking place on the 13th August and 4th September by visiting https://www.spacehive.com/movement/worcs/news Project Creator Workshop and click on BOOK A PLACE.
The last few months have seen an intensive cross-organisational and whole community approach to the Covid-19 pandemic which has brought immediate and challenging circumstances for us all to overcome.
I wanted to write to you personally to thank you all for your hard work and dedication during this time, supporting Wyre Piddle residents many of whom have been increasingly vulnerable and in need of additional help throughout this difficult period. We are by no means at the end of this journey, but as restrictions start to ease nationally and life for many starts to return to a new sense of normality, my council colleagues and I wanted to use this time as an opportunity to seek your feedback and experiences over the last few months. As volunteers and a community, you have witnessed and supported first-hand some of the greatest challenges in our community. For many of our residents, the implications of Covid-19 will be long-lasting and it is my priority to ensure that we continue to work together for the foreseeable future to support all individuals and families in Wyre Piddle. We would like to capture your thoughts and views and these will start to form the basis of planning the immediate and long term future arrangements.
Please send your thoughts and views to myself at .
Once again, thank you for everything you have been doing and are continuing to do.
Myself and fellow Parish Councillors look forward to seeing and speaking with many of you throughout the summer and beyond as we start to think about how we emerge from this crisis and onto the road to recovery.
Many Thanks and Kind Regards
John Paul
Chairman
Wyre Piddle Parish Council
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2020-07-03 10:22:172020-07-04 05:51:23Message from the Chairman of Wyre Piddle Parish Council- John Paul
As stated previously, 97% of Primary Schools are open for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils. Up to 60% of eligible pupils attended last week but due to staffing and space constraints, some smaller schools have re-opened on a part time basis.
Plans are being finalised for the phased return of pupils in year 10 and 12 in secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges across the county from Monday next week (15 June). Risk assessments have been taking place on a school by school basis to ensure pupils and staff will be returning to school safely.
Face-to-face birth registrations by appointment only resumed this week at four sites across Worcestershire – Worcester (County Hall), Bromsgrove, Redditch and Kidderminster, and by the end of Saturday, the offices will have registered 226 births which is a fantastic achievement.
The Regional Testing Facility at Worcester Warriors can process approx. 600 tests per day. Capacity is managed within the DHSC system, with availability being released to meet demand as required. Review of “pop-up” locations underway as businesses and sites start to re-open.
10 of the 11 Household Recycling Centres in Worcestershire are now open. As expected, these are extremely busy and therefore additional traffic management measures have been put in place.
The level of infections in Care Homes in Worcestershire remains stable and in line with levels across the West Midlands. All staff and residents in Care Homes with positive cases of COVID-19 have been tested.
The Test and Trace service is live. A team of Environmental Health Officers and Public Health Practitioners will provide this locally in Worcestershire. The COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan is being developed
Plans under way to facilitate the phased re-opening of Libraries next month. Risk assessments being undertaken to ensure social distancing rules can be observed.
Pressure continues to ease on the Acute Trust with the number of active cases and new admissions still falling. Only 29 new cases have been identified in the past 10 days.
No significant issues with PPE. Now responding to calls for PPE from Dental Surgeries in light of plans to re-open next week.
Plans to support businesses as we begin to enter the economic recovery phase are being developed jointly by the County Council, the District Councils and partners. Government grants continue to be distributed to ensure businesses benefit from the additional funds.
Key Service Areas
Adult Services
Increasing concerns re the financial viability of Care Homes linked to a reduction in admissions.
As with school capacity issues, adherence to social distancing guidance will impact on Day Care capacity provision.
Worcestershire County Council Care Home Support plan has been published and is available at:
COVID-19 restrictions have enabled a review to commence on how service provision could be delivered differently in future.
In addition to Libraries, exploring opportunities to re-open Museums and Registration Services.
Children’s Services
Awaiting several guidance notes from the Department for Education on:
Home to School Transport
Summer Activity Clubs
Autumn Term commencement
There remains a level of parental anxiety surrounding the phased re-opening of schools, which accounts for the lower turnout than expected.
To ensure social distancing measures are in place, it is estimated that there will be a significant reduction in pupil capacity, although this will obviously vary by school.
Attendance at school is still to be voluntary and online learning will continue to be available pupils not in schools.
Home to School transport being provided to those entitled to subsidised transport. Whilst too early to say, it is likely that transport expenditure will increase
Community Services
The Here2Help Contact Centre has scaled its opening times to reflect the reduction in calls for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions paper being developed relating to testing within the community.
Economy & Infrastructure
Highways surface dressing and maintenance returning to “Business as Usual”. Construction work on the county’s major infrastructure projects are restarting.
The vastly improved Kidderminster Rail Station opened 6/6/20
In accordance with recent guidance from Transport Minister Baroness Vere, contractors are required to comply with the Highway Sector’s recently issued Site Operating Procedures which require personnel with symptoms to stay at home and sets out clear hygiene and travel procedures for those attending site.
Workforce and Training
Working from home will be the norm for the foreseeable future. We remain committed to ensuring staff are supported and that any action we take is mindful of wider considerations such as future transmission risk, social distancing measures, school closures, childcare needs and transport/travel concerns.
Self-assessment of home workspaces is now under way and all requests for additional equipment will be delivered by 12 June.
Communications
Developing messages around Test and Trace
Working with the Worcestershire Association of Carers, celebrating National Carers Week.
Finance
£2.7m funding allocated to support Test and Trace.
The return to MHCLG on our expected spend / lost income due next week, with an increasing concern over Social Care and Home to School Transport.
COVID-19 STATISTICS
Official statistics and information are available on the link below:
WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION, HELP AND ADVICE?
Reminder that the Here2Help website www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help is the first point of contact if people want to offer assistance or gain support. The other option is the telephone contact number which is staffed 8am-6pm 6 days a week – 01905 768053.
Carers who support a family member or friend who require support should contact the Worcestershire Association of Carers on www.carersworcs.org.uk or call the Helpline 0300 012 4272.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2020-06-15 06:18:462020-06-15 06:18:46Worcestershire County Council Update- COVID 19- June 12th 2020
You can keep up to date with all our public messaging by following our social media accounts or checking the coronavirus update pageon our website.
If you are aware of anyone who is vulnerable and in need, please make sure they fill in the form or call the number on the Worcestershire Here 2 Help website.
If have any concerns or need specific support related to the Covid-19 outbreak you can contact or ring 01386 565168.
Test and Trace service
The new NHS Test and Trace service launched across England on 28 May. This means that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents.
The service will help trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
Update on council services
Our Customer Contact Centres in Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore remain closed. You can still use our online services or contact us by phone.
The Exceptional Hardship Fund has been temporarily replaced with the Covid-19 (coronavirus) Council Tax Hardship Fund 2020-2. Visit the page for further information Exceptional Hardship Fund.
All children’s play areas are closed. Our parks remain open but you must follow social distancing rules.
Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore Leisure Centres are closed.
Public toilets – Broadway Activity Park and Pershore High Street (due to maintenance issues) are closed.
Libraries (run by Worcestershire County Council) are closed. You can still download free audio books.
Committee meetings are being held virtually.
Our bulky waste collections have re-started. Garden waste and waste and recycling collections are unaffected.
Car parking – all of Wychavon’s Pay and Display Car Parks are now free to use. NHS Staff and health care staff can also park for free in any on-street parking bay, for any length of time, while carrying out essential duties, as long as they are displaying evidence of employment. See our parking page for more information.
Household recycling centres
The HRCs in Droitwich and Hill and Moor are now open and operating in line with the social distancing requirements.
Residents are being encouraged to check the website for full details of the social distancing measures, opening times and other restrictions before they visit an HRC. These measures include a ‘one in, one out’ access policy, no staff assistance to remove items from vehicles so those visiting need to be able to remove their own waste, and additional services such as compost sales and charity reuse points will be closed until further notice.
Sites are expected to be very busy so residents may have to queue for a long time before they are able to access the site as only a limited number of cars will be allowed in at any one time. Worcestershire County Council has worked with colleagues in Highways and will have traffic management in place where possible and will monitor this to try and keep disruption to the network to a minimum.
Support for businesses
By the end of May we had paid 2,347 of business grants to Wychavon businesses totalling £27.4 million.
In addition we have been given £1.5million of discretionary grant funding to help businesses not eligible to receive either the cash grant for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses or the small business grant.
Guidance has been issued by the Government and the types of business that are expected to benefit from this new funding are:
Businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces. Examples could include units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators which do not have their own business rates assessment
Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment
Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates
Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.
Businesses must also demonstrate they have been significantly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Visit our website for more details and how to apply. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 19 June 2020.
Our Covid-19 information business page contains lots of other information and advice for businesses including reopening businesses safely, making shops Covid-19 safe, links to government guidance for different types of businesses and other sources of financial support.
Crowdfund WYCHAVON launched
All community groups operating in Wychavon can apply for funding as part of our Spacehive crowdfunding platform. Crowdfund WYCHAVON has now been launched and the deadline for expressions of interest is 15 June.
Supporting our communities to respond to the coronavirus pandemic isn’t just about dealing with the immediate crisis. It also requires a long-term commitment to helping our residents and businesses recover from the impact of the virus. Helping our local economy and our communities to rebuild is important to our overall recovery plan for the district.
We want to get behind projects that have the support of the community and make a positive difference, we believe that Wychavon’s community groups are a key part of this. We have pre-selected some groups and organisations that we know are providing important services and support and would benefit from additional financial help to allow them to continue their vital work.
To support groups to reach their target, we will pledge up to 50% to each group, funding a maximum of £200. The remaining funds will need to be pledged by members of the community and other interested funders, over a six week period unless the total is reached sooner. Groups will receive support from both Wychavon District Council and Spacehive to generate interest and access other sources of funding.
Expressions of interest can be completed here. If successful, a group’s crowdfund will be live shortly afterwards and will run until 31 July.
If you have any questions, please email
Changes to electoral canvass
The Government has extended the date revised electoral registers need to be published by in response to coronavirus.
The annual electoral canvass starts in July and will pose some difficulties this year due to social distancing rules, availability of volunteers and concerns about door-knocking. As a result, the Government has amended the final date for the publication of this year’s revised registers from 1 December 2020 to February 2021. This will give councils more time to complete their canvassing and maintain the accuracy of their registers.
And finally …..
Don’t forget to check our Support for community groups and charities page for the latest sources of funding support available to community groups and charities affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. We are adding new sources of funding regularly.
You can now spend more time outdoors and enjoy a wider range of activities for any length of time, but you must still follow social distancing rules.
The rule changes include spending time outdoors with one member of another household, one-on-one, as long as you stay 2 metres apart at all times.
Some activities where social distancing is possible, such as tennis or golf, are now allowed as long as people stay 2 metres apart at all times.
You still cannot gather with more than one person from another household.
You also cannot:
Go on holiday
Visit and stay overnight at a holiday home or second home
Visit the homes of friends or family, unless it’s to help a vulnerable person for medical reasons or to take a child to another household with whom parental responsibilities are shared
You can now drive to a destination for recreation, irrespective of distance, in England. The rules are not the same in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
If you get to a destination and you find it is so crowded that you cannot stay 2 metres apart from people, then please go somewhere else where you can.
Seek help if you are in medical need
The NHS is still open for businesses for anyone who does not have a coronavirus related medical need. The way you access this help may be different, but help is still available.
Read more advice about getting medical help at home. In a genuine life-threatening emergency you should still call 999.
Council services
Contact Centres – these remain closed for face-to-face queries but we are still available on the phone or by email. We are reviewing this in light of the Government’s announcement this week and are making preparations to reopen when the time is right.
Public toilets – these remain closed but we are making preparations to reopen them with social distancing rules in place. We hope to make an announcement next week
Play areas – these remain closed but our parks are open
The Government has also given some advice that people should use face coverings (not medical masks but a scarf or homemade fabric covering) when on public transport or in some shops or other enclosed public spaces.
We are starting to see used tissues and disposable gloves, masks etc appear in the recycling we are collecting from households.
Please do not put these items in with your recycling. It creates an infection risk for the workers at the sorting facility. It may also mean we are unable to recycle whole loads of recycling.
If you or someone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus then you should put used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths in rubbish bags. Then put the bag into a second bag and tie it securely. Store it for three days before putting it in your black bin.
If on a sack collection, follow the same process and store bags separately from bags of standard household waste for three days. They can then be put out for collection together on your usual collection day.
You can dispose of other household waste as normal.
Covid-19 Memory Bank Project
The Covid-19 outbreak is undoubtedly a significant moment in human history. We are keen to capture information about what happened locally to inform future generations. That is why we have launched the Covid-19 Memory Bank.
You are encouraged to send in messages of goodwill you have received from neighbours, rainbow pictures you have drawn in support of key workers, messages of thanks you have left for key workers or received, diary entries you may have made during lockdown, video blogs, photographs, video footage, poems, songs or artwork.
The subject can be anything from how you felt during this time to the way the community pulled together, the weekly clap for our carers event, response of key workers on the frontline and the challenges or joys of home schooling.
If you have lost a loved one to this virus, you are also invited to submit a photograph and/or tribute to them.
The information received will be used in a future art project or exhibition and then handed over to the archive at The Hive or locally for preservation.
You may have seen media reports of schools being asked to reopen for some pupils from 1 June. Those of you with school age children will no doubt have many questions. The Government has published an FAQs list. Read more about the Government plan for reopening schools.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
If you are self-employed then the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is now open for applications. Everyone eligible will receive a grant by 25 May or within six days of a completed claim. Grants are worth 80% of average monthly trading profits.
If you are struggling financially then we would advise you to make a claim for Universal Credit, Council Tax Support and other benefits you may be eligible for.
If you are of working age and already receiving Council Tax Support you will get a one off reduction of up to £150. This will be applied automatically to your bill.
You can apply online for Council Tax Support if you are struggling to pay your bill.
Even if you are not eligible for Council Tax Support, you still may be able to defer your payments for a short period, or spread them over 12 months instead of ten.
Please contact our team by emailing or call 03004 560560 to discuss your circumstances and they will do their best to help you.
Support for businesses
We have paid out support payments totaling more than £25.7million to more than 2,200 businesses. If you are a business and have yet to apply, find out if you are eiigible and more information on our Business Rates Reliefs page.
The Government’s furlough scheme is now open meaning businesses can apply for help to pay up to 80% of the wages of staff.
There is a range of funding support available to community groups and charities who are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak themselves or who are working to support vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19. This includes funding support for arts, heritage and sports projects and grants for organisations supporting vulnerable people.
Visit our Support for community groups and charities page for more information. We update this page regularly so please keep checking back if there is nothing available for your charity or group currently.
Help for those in need
If you are in need of support and do not already have help from friends, family, the voluntary sector or adult social care then please fill in the form on the Worcestershire Here 2 Help website.
Beware fake or unlicensed medicines
There are an increasing number of products being advertised to the general public claiming to either help prevent or treat Covid-19. These include ‘divine cleansing oils’ and ‘antiviral misting sprays’.
Please find below an update on the reopening of a number of our Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s) from Monday 11 May.
We will be communicating the following information to the public at 12pm today and I would like to ask that you do not communicate this information until then.
We will be opening 7 of the 11 sites and these are:
* Bromsgrove (Quantry Lane)
* Malvern (Newlands)
* Pershore (Hill & Moor)
* Redditch (Crossgates)
* Stourport (Bonemill)
* Tenbury
* Worcester (Bilford Road
This recognises the additional resourcing required to operate the sites in line with the new requirements, e.g. social distancing.
It is important to note that journeys to HRCs must only be undertaken if your waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means.
I need your help to try and get the message to residents that this means they should only be visiting if the waste cannot be stored at their home without causing risk of injury, health or harm. There is no other reason the journey will be considered a legitimate purpose for travel. If the waste can be temporarily stored, recycled or disposed of in a way that does not pose a risk to safety or human health, then this should be done.
We are encouraging residents to check the website for full details of the social distancing measures, opening times and other restrictions before they visit the HRC. These measures include a ‘one in, one out’ access policy, no staff assistance to remove items from vehicles so those visiting need to be able to remove their own waste, and additional services such as compost sales and charity reuse points will be closed until further notice.
We expect the sites to be very busy so residents may have to queue for a long time before they are able to access the site as only a limited number of cars will be allowed at any one time . We will have traffic management in place where possible and will monitor this to try and keep disruption to the network to a minimum.
http://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svg00Wyre Piddle Clerkhttp://www.wyrepiddlepc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/wyre-piddle-logo.svgWyre Piddle Clerk2020-05-08 06:30:182020-05-08 06:30:18Worcestershire County Council announces the re-opening of a number of Household Recycling Centres from 11th May
