16 April 2021

Book of Condolence for His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

The funeral of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will take place this Saturday (17 April) at 3pm in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. A national minute's silence will be held to coincide with the start of the funeral.

An online book of condolence is now open on Buckingham Palace’s website.

For your residents who do not have online access, please make them aware they can send a message of condolence to the Chairman’s Office, Room 102, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RQ.

Because of the current COVID-19 guidance and restrictions, people are being urged to please avoid gathering in public places: for example, rather than laying flowers in a public area, they may wish to display a floral tribute at home.

COVID-19 update

We are now in Stage 2 of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

This means all non-essential shops, indoor leisure facilities (gyms) and personal care premises can now reopen.

Groups of six people or two households can now meet outside, including in outdoor hospitality areas at cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.

Restrictions are easing, but we can’t ease up yet because the virus hasn’t gone away.

As new changes came in to place on Monday, we all need to keep doing our part to prevent the spread of this virus. Listen to Neil Williamson, Environmental Health Team Manager at Arun District Council talk about the importance of keeping safe as shops reopen as well as what we need to remember when we go out - Be patient, be kind. Be sure to look after yourself and others.

https://soundcloud.com/wscc-podcast/neil-williamson

Residents who choose to return to the shops, restaurants, high streets and outdoor venues, are asked to please plan ahead, keep travel to a minimum, be patient, give themselves time, and consider the needs of others.

Residents should follow the guidance at each location, and keep in mind the advice to ‘act like you have it,’ remember hands, face, space, fresh air, and keep West Sussex safe:

• Hands – wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and ideally warm running water often, and as soon as you get home. Use hand sanitiser or gel if soap and water are not available.
• Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult and you will meet people you do not normally meet.
• Space – stay at least two metres away from anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble.
• Fresh air – letting in air by opening a window can disperse COVID-19 particles, while fresh air outdoors dilutes the virus and you have more space to physically distance.

Symptom-free COVID-19 test kits that can be used at home are now available.

Home testing is now available to everyone in England as part of a government drive to encourage everyone who does not have coronavirus symptoms to get tested twice a week. Visit westsussex.gov.uk for information on how to access tests.

If you test positive you must self-isolate immediately, along with everyone in your household. As soon as possible, you should also book a follow-up PCR test.

If you take a PCR test within two days of the positive rapid test result, and the PCR result is negative, you will no longer be required to self-isolate.

If you test negative this does not completely rule out infection with COVID-19, as there can be false negative results. To protect yourself and others, you must continue to follow the current restrictions in place and remember: hands, face, space, fresh air.

Please remember we also have updates to the images we use across our social channels as well as posters. Please share this information with friends, family and people in your community who might not otherwise see it.

Thank you for your support and let’s continue to do all we can. Stop the spread of coronavirus. Act like you have it. #KeepWestSussexSafe

Vaccination Programme – next phase begins

From this week, people aged 45 and over are now eligible to receive their vaccination and will be invited to book an appointment.

Across the country, we are moving to the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme after reaching the target to offer all those in phase 1 of the programme a vaccination. Everybody in cohorts 1 to 9 – those aged 50 and over, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers – have been offered a vaccine, meeting the government’s 15 April target.

This group accounts for 99% of all COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic, so by offering them the vaccine, the NHS is helping ensure the most vulnerable are protected from the virus. Now, in addition to the groups above, people aged 45 to 49 across England can also now book appointments through the NHS booking service.

If you know people who are trying to book an appointment and there are currently no available slots on the national website or after calling 119, please encourage them to keep trying as more will become available over the coming weeks. Alternatively they can wait to be contacted by their local GP-led vaccination service.

Could you support a child?

Could you or any of your residents take an active role in supporting our children? Independent Visitors are people who give up a little time to spend it with a child aged between 8 and 17 who are cared for by the County Council. The emphasis is very much on having fun and building an attachment, whether it’s spending a couple of hours going for a walk each month or doing another fun activity together, it all makes a difference to a child.

We are currently looking to recruit more Independent Visitors and are hosting two online information events on 21 and 23 April for people to find out more.

Anyone interested in becoming an Independent Visitor can sign up for one of two sessions on Wednesday, 21 April at 7pm or Friday, 23 April at 11am at: http://ow.ly/3FDd30rCZL2

Find out more about the scheme hereor email independent.visitors@westsussex.gov.uk

Libraries are now open for browsing

West Sussex Libraries are now welcoming residents back through their doors for browsing and booked IT sessions.

To help residents and staff stay safe, COVID-secure measures are in place in all 36 West Sussex libraries. When visiting, residents need to wear a face covering, use hand sanitiser and follow the floor markings.

A limited pre-bookable IT service is also available in all libraries. The one-hour sessions need to be booked in advance, either by phoning or visiting your local library.

'Book to Recycle' update

Please make your residents aware that a booking system is now operating at six Household Waste Recycling Sites in West Sussex – Bognor Regis, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton, Shoreham-By-Sea and Worthing.

The objective of the scheme is to provide fair access to as many residents as possible in any given week, in a way that's safe for staff and visitors, and avoids disruption to local residents, businesses and the highway network.

Some sites have experienced a surge in visitors at the start of booking slots. Residents are being reminded that they can arrive at any time during their booking slot, they do not need to arrive at the start. So if they book for 10:30am – 11:00am, they may arrive at any point in this period. Residents are also reminded that while the majority of sites have 30 minute booking slots, the length of booking slot is different at Bognor Regis and Shoreham, where slots are 15 minutes each.

Residents can book a slot up to 14 days in advance and must book at least one day before you intend to visit the site.

To give feedback on the trial, please email: wastes.servicescontracts@westsussex.gov.uk

More information about the scheme and to book a visit.

New #KeepCalmGetAnAlarm launched

A new smoke alarm campaign has been launched by West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, encouraging residents to fit their homes with working alarms and linked detectors.

The campaign – which runs until mid-May – comes as a sad result of the fire service attending four fatal fires between December and March this year.

We would really appreciate it if you could help share the message with your communities – particularly those who live in rural areas. We have created a toolkit of resources full of resources, including graphics, social media posts and an article for you to use. Please note: the toolkit is best accessed through Google Chrome.

If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact us.

Local school steps back in time

April's edition of West Sussex Unwrapped explores 185 years of Eastergate School. The blog features archival school records from the collection, such as log books and admission registers. These fascinating documents reveal untold stories of Eastergate’s pupils and teachers, and traces the important changes in education throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Accompanying the blog is wonderful film footage of the modernised school in 1970 from Screen Archive South East.

West Sussex Unwrapped is a joint initiative between West Sussex Record Office and Screen Archive South East and offers viewers a mix of films, photos, documents and facts on a range of West Sussex topics.

Is this the right e-newsletter for you?

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18 March 2021

Issued by the Communications Team–publicrelations@chichester.gov.uk

www.chichester.gov.uk/coronavirus

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This briefing is to keep you updatedon the evolving situation around coronavirus (COVID-19) and the actions being taken in the district. It also includes general local updates.

Who does it affect?

• Residents and businesses within the district
• Chichester District Council staff and councillors
• Parish councils
• Community groups and charitable organisations

In this briefing

• Latest update

Local news

• Service status
• Vaccination programme in the Chichester District
• Help with financial support
• Business grants update
• Grants for energy efficient home improvements
• The Census is here — local support
• Places available on Chichester Wellbeing’s weight management course
• Stay up-to-date with other council news

National news

• Coronavirus testing for homecare workers
• Businesses encouraged to register for workplace testing
• New analysis of lateral flow tests
• Extensions to residential and commercial evictions ban
• UK transition news and support fund

• Share this newsletter with a friend

Latest update
Last week, the first step in the Government’s plan to ease coronavirus restrictions in England saw the return of over seven million children to schools and colleges. The Education Secretary has commented on this step and given an update on rapid testing in secondary schools and colleges:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-of-students-back-in-class.

The next stage of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown is due on 29 March. This will depend on whether conditions relating to the vaccine rollout, hospitalisations, infection rates and new variants are all still being met. Full details of the plans can be found atwww.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021#LDNSE.Everyone is being encouraged to continue to follow the current national restrictions in place, as well as remembering measures such as handwashing, social distancing and wearing face coverings. Thank you for doing your bit to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Yesterday, the Health Secretary gave a statement in which he provided an update on shielding and confirmed that more than 25 million people in the UK have received a first dose of coronavirus vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/health-and-social-care-secretarys-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-17-march-2021.The Government has also published a ‘frequently asked questions’ document in which Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, answers a range of questions about the vaccination programme. You can find this here:https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/03/12/covid19vaccines-faqs/. The Government also publishes the latest vaccination data here: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/. We have included a local vaccination programme update below.

Local News

Service status

The majority of our services are currently operating as usual. Our leisure centres, which are run in partnership with Everyone Active, are currently closed during the national lockdown, however the current indication from the Government is that leisure centres will be able to reopen for some activities from 12 April. This is just an indication at this stage and is subject to certain Government tests being met, but we will keep everyone updated on this. For more information, visit:https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/westgate-leisure-centre/

Our Novium Museum and Tourist Information Centre are also closed during the current restrictions, however people can enjoy a virtual visit of the museum at https://www.thenovium.org/virtualmuseum.

In line with the national guidance, our sports pitches are due to be available to hire from 29 March. An update on all of our services can be found athttps://www.chichester.gov.uk/councilservicestatus

Vaccination programme in the Chichester District
The vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength, with three quarters of a million vaccinations having now been given across Sussex. The NHS are now inviting those aged 55 or over who haven’t yet been vaccinated, to book their jab at https://nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119. Those clinically extremely vulnerable, those with underlying health conditions, and unpaid carers are also currently eligible for the vaccine, and you can find our more here:https://www.sussexhealthandcare.uk/keepsussexsafe/sussex-covid-19-vaccination-programme/. We will continue to share updates from the NHS as we receive them, and these can all be found on our website athttps://www.chichester.gov.uk/covidresidentsupport.

It’s worth noting that the NHS is sending texts to some people to invite them to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. These may come from a local NHS service, or from ‘NHSvaccine’. Remember the NHS will never ask for copies of your personal documents to book an appointment. When you have received your vaccination, please continue to follow the Government guidance.

Help with financial support
The coronavirus outbreak has affected everyone and many people are experiencing financial difficulties as a result, but we are here to help. From help to pay a Council Tax bill to support for people struggling to meet their rent payments, there are a number of ways in which we can help people who are struggling to pay their bills during this difficult time. Residents can find more information and useful links athttps://www.chichester.gov.uk/helpwithfinances, or contact our team by emailingbenefits@chichester.gov.uk

If you receive financial support from us and your income has changed as a result of the coronavirus crisis, don’t forget to let us know as you may be entitled to more support. You can update your details here: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/article/29353/Change-of-circumstances.

Anyone who is concerned that they may lose their home as a result of not being able to meet their rent or mortgage payments can contact our Housing Advice Team by emailinghousingadvice@chichester.gov.uk or calling 01243 534734.

Business grants update
If your business has been affected by coronavirus, we’d urge you to check whether you are eligible for any of the Government grants available, and apply, here:https://www.chichester.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport

The Government has confirmed that the Local Restrictions Support Grant deadline has been extended until the end of March 2021 for business that have been required to close during the current national lockdown, and haven’t yet applied. There is also a grant scheme for businesses that have not been required to close but that are still affected by the current national lockdown.

Further Government business rate grants, ‘restart grants’, are due to take effect from 1 April 2021. We are waiting for further guidance but as soon as we can, we will update our website athttps://www.chichester.gov.uk/businessratesannouncementswith more information.

Grants for energy efficient home improvements
We’re pleased to tell you that the council has successfully bid to extend the Government’s Green Home Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme in the Chichester District. This means that eligible homeowners, including park home owners, will receive fully-funded support of up to £10,000 for energy efficiency improvements in their homes. Residents can apply for this funding if they have a household income of less than £30,000 and their home has low energy efficiency.

The funding can be used for a range of improvements and low carbon heating measures, including solid wall insulation; loft insulation; first-time energy efficient double glazing; first-time gas central heating and air-source heat pumps; and, smart heating controls. Private and social landlords will be able to access up to £5,000 with a one-third contribution. Find out more and apply for a grant at https://www.warmerhomes.org.ukor call 0800 038 5737. For advice on how to reduce your energy bills, visit:https://www.chichester.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/topics/healthy-home/wellbeing-home.

The Census is here — local support
This weekend is Census Weekend. Run by the Office for National Statistics, the census is a once-in-a-decade survey that helps all kinds of organisations — from local authorities to charities — to plan and provide the services we all need.

If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter with a unique code enabling you to complete your form online. You can go to https://www.census.gov.uk or ring 0800 141 2021 to request a paper form if you need one. In our area, West Sussex Libraries are able to help people complete their census forms. To access this support, you can book an appointment by phone on 0330 222 3455 or visithttps://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/need-help-completing-the-census

If you have questions about the census, there is anonline help hub —https://census.gov.uk/help — as well as a national Census Support Centre: 0800 141 2021, where you can also get help with completing your form.

Places available on Chichester Wellbeing’s weight management course
Chichester Wellbeing’s free weight management and exercise course, Weigh Better Life, returns from the week commencing 19 April for 12 weeks. Weigh Better Life takes a holistic approach to weight loss, exercise and general wellbeing to ensure lasting changes for life. The course is aimed at sustainable weight loss and exercise habits, rather than a diet, and the approach is rooted in nutrition and science and delivered by a trained nutritionist. The course is FREE for residents of Chichester District with a BMI of between 25 and 40, and spaces are limited. You can find out more about the course, in this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJvOPBrecM. To secure a place, email:info@chichesterwellbeing.org.uk

Stay up to date with other council news

Keep up to date on all the latest council news by visiting our Latest News page: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews. Here, you can find:

• news on how we’ll be offering extra support to help improve property standards and reduce excess cold in the district;
• information about how we will be applying for grant funding to help protect coastal homes as part of the council’s Beach Management Plan;
• the announcement that the Chichester Community Development Trust will be creating a health and wellbeing hub thanks to funding released by Chichester District Council;
• an update on how the Season of Culture 2022 partnership project to celebrate arts and culture across the district is moving ahead with the appointment of a dedicated project manager;
• this week’s District Dispatch column from the Leader, and
• previous issues of our newsletter that you may have missed.

National news

Coronavirus testing for homecare workers

The Government has updated the guidance setting out how homecare agencies in England can order regular tests for their homecare (domiciliary care) staff:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-homecare-workers. The update includes a guide to registering test kits for homecare workers. For more information, homecare agencies can sign up to Department for Health and Social Care’s webinars:https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1405251&tp_key=79f1786e36

Businesses encouraged to register for workplace testing

Over 48,000 businesses have now registered their interest in the Government’s free workplace testing programme, which uses rapid lateral flow tests that can give a result in 30 minutes. Businesses are encouraged to register by 31 March, even if they’re not yet open or are not able to start using the tests straight away. Businesses can register athttps://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests

New analysis of lateral flow tests

The Government has published new analysis showing that lateral flow tests have a specificity – a measure of how good the test is at detecting true negative cases – of at least 99.9% when used in the community:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lateral-flow-device-specificity-in-phase-4-post-marketing-surveillance. NHS Test and Trace has conducted the analysis of rapid testing using data from community testing, rapid testing in educational settings and asymptomatic test sites.

Extensions to residential and commercial evictions ban

The Government has announced an extension to the ban on bailiff enforced evictions for residential tenants, in all but the most serious circumstances, until at least 31 May:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-support-for-commercial-and-residential-tenants. The requirement for landlords to provide six-month notice periods to residential tenants before they evict will also be extended until at least 31 May. The Government has also confirmed that the ban on commercial evictions will be extended for a further three months to 30 June.

In line with this, the Government has updated the guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-the-possession-action-process-guidance-for-landlords-and-tenants

UK transition news and support fund

Smaller businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them adapt to new customs and tax rules when trading with the EU:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/20-million-sme-brexit-support-fund-opens-for-applications.Small and medium sized businesses that trade solely with the EU, and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes, are encouraged to apply for the grants. To be eligible, businesses must import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Separately, the Government has set out a new timetable for introducing import border control processes:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-focuses-on-recovery-from-covid-with-new-timeline-for-border-control-processes-on-import-of-goods. It will now introduce full border control processes on 1 January 2022, six months later than originally planned, to provide businesses with further time to prepare for changes at the border and minimise disruption.

Share this with a friend

As the situation around coronavirus changes, it’s important that people across our district have the most up-to-date information possible. Please encourage your friends and family to sign up to this newsletter so that we can all be prepared and play our part in the fight against the virus. Sign up at http://www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts

March 2021

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WORK AND PLAY IN YOUR NATIONAL PARK

THIS MONTH:

• Inspired by nature Find out how hundreds of families have been enjoying nature-based activities on their doorstep over the past year – and many have now picked up environmental awards.
• Happy South DownsThe National Park continues to provide a much-needed uplift and, as lockdown is due to ease over the coming months, find out the little things you can doto keep nature happy.
• Celestial beautyFind out the winners of the National Park’s first astrophotography competition.
• Got 100 seconds? Learn about the stunning film shining a light on our varied National Park landscapes.

As always please send your comments and ideas to newsletter@southdowns.gov.uk

Click here to read a PDF version of South Downs News

Our chalk streams teeming with life

Chalk streams are home to some incredible fauna and flora and a new project aims to raise awareness of these globally-significant habitats. Sophie Evingar, from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, gives an update.

Prestigious design awards return

The Sussex Heritage Trust’s annual awards have been launched, with a call for new entries for the prestigious architectural and landscape scheme. Find out more about this National Park-backed scheme.

Children to help design revamped wildlife garden

Aspiring young designers and naturalists are being invited to submit ideas for a new feature in a revamped nature space.

The South Downs National Park Trust is helping to support the development of Rolls Royce’s wildlife garden. Learn more.

Pollinators and people get helping hand from grants

Creating a new nature hub, bringing a “lost village” back to life and surveying important buried archaeological remains are among the exciting projects to benefit from a National Park fund. Learn more about the funding boost.

A toad-ally brilliant community effort!

A village has rallied round to help save the local population of toads that embark on a treacherous migration every year. Elaina Whittaker-Slark, Lead Ranger for the Western Downs in Hampshire, reveals more.