Tag: #Covid19

You Need A Reasonable Excuse Else Stay Home

Stay Home. Save lives. The new variant of COVID-19 is spreading fast. If you go out, you can spread it. People will die. You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’.

You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.

What is a reasonable excuse?

Clicking on the links in the text below will take you the relative Government page with more detail.
The Government website states that a ‘reasonable excuse’ includes:

Work:

You can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home. This includes, but is not limited to, people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing that require in-person attendance

Volunteering:

You can also leave home to provide voluntary or charitable services. You must volunteer from home unless it is not reasonably possible for you to do so.

Essential activities:

You can leave home to buy things at shops or obtain services where necessary. You may also leave your home to do these things on behalf of a disabled or vulnerable person or someone self-isolating.

Education and childcare:

You can only leave home for education, registered childcare, and supervised activities for children where the child is eligible to attend. Access to education and children’s activities for school-aged pupils is restricted. See further information on education and childcare. You can continue existing arrangements for contact between parents and children where they live apart. If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can also form a childcare bubble.

Meeting others and care:

You can leave home:

  • to visit people in your support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one)
  • to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)
  • to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
  • to provide emergency assistance
  • to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)
  • for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

Exercise

You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.You should maintain social distancing. See the exercising section.

Meeting others and care:

You can leave home:

  • to visit people in your support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one)
  • to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)
  • to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
  • to provide emergency assistance
  • to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)
  • for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

Exercise:

You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.You should maintain social distancing. See the exercising section of this guidance online.

Medical reasons:

You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and for emergencies.

Maternity:

You can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth or, accessing other maternity services, or to be with a baby receiving neonatal critical care. There is NHS guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus.

Harm:

You may leave home, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).

Compassionate visits:

You may also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

Animal welfare reasons:

You can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

Communal worship and life events:

You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, to attend a funeral or event related to a death, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. Weddings, funerals and religious, belief-based or commemorative events linked to someone’s death are all subject to limits on the numbers that can attend.

Further reasonable excuses:

There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. See guidance on  . This applies to anyone campaigning for electoral events.

Medical reasons:

You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and for emergencies.

Maternity:

You can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth or, accessing other maternity services, or to be with a baby receiving neonatal critical care. There is NHS guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus.

Harm:

You may leave home, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).

Compassionate visits:

You may also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

Animal welfare reasons:

You can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

Communal worship and life events:

You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, to attend a funeral or event related to a death, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. Weddings, funerals and religious, belief-based or commemorative events linked to someone’s death are all subject to limits on the numbers that can attend.

Further reasonable excuses:

There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. See guidance on campaigning during the national lockdown. This applies to anyone campaigning for electoral events.

To view all the Government guidance on the National Lockdown – Click HERE.

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A Request Re: Bernards’ Place

Chris Edgerley is making excellent progress building the wall by the play area in Bernards’ Place.  He is asking if anyone has a large ammonite or anything that could go into the wall as a feature, you will see the picture of the stone carved horse’s head which was donated and has been placed in the wall and is very impressive.

Also. . .

The Treasurer of the Comrades Hall Committee has need of a smart phone to allow him to do his online banking.  If anyone has a redundant one they no longer need and could donate – please get in touch asap. Telephone David Leader on: 01308 868275 or 07867 608652.  Thank you.

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Energy Efficient Funding For Home Owners – Deadline Extended

Back in October 2020, Broadwindsor.org published a post about The Green Homes Grant.  It is a Government-funded voucher scheme designed to help with the installation of energy efficiency measures on homes in England to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.  This could be used for insulation, double glazing and a host of other things that will improve the energy efficiency of your home and your home’s value.

The scheme launched at the beginning of October 2020 and you only had until 31 March 2021 to get the installation completed, which was not be easy for everyone.  finding a local installer was another problem. The deadline has now been extended for a further 12 months until 31st March 2022. While you no longer need to rush to get involved, do factor in the time it takes to get quotes, apply to the scheme and get the work completed.

The voucher of up to £5,000 will cover at least two thirds of the cost of some energy-saving home improvements. Some homeowners on qualifying benefits can get a voucher for up to £10,000 towards the cost of these home improvements.
You cannot get the Green Homes Grant for newly built homes which have not been previously occupied.

To qualify for any financial support, you’ll need to install what the Government calls “primary” improvements. These are:

  • Insulation, including solid wall, cavity wall, underfloor, loft or roof insulation. Insulation for a park home is also included.
  • Low-carbon heating, including air-source, ground-source and hybrid heat pumps, solar thermal systems and biomass boilers, which provide renewable ways of heating your home.

Check if you are eligible HERE.

Financial journalist & TV Presenter Martin Lewis produced a short video in October to try and explain things easier…

Read more about the Green Grant scheme HERE.

If you are eligible, apply for your Green Grant HERE.

When launched, as well as the tight six month deadline, finding an installer was also a problem:

  • More installers have been added, with the Government stating more firms are being added every day.
  • You should only see firms operating within a 30-mile radius of your home now 

Air Source Heat Pumps are one of the low carbon heating solutions included in the scheme and Dorset Energy Solutions are proud to be an MCS certified Contractor who is also TrustMark approved.  If you qualify for installing an air source heat pump, please get in touch with them to arrange a site visit where we can assess the property and provide you with a free quote.  Visit their site HERE.

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Graph Compares Pressure On Hospitals

This is published in a desperate plea to silence the non-believers, those who think Covid-19 is a ridiculous conspiracy theory and to those who think the rules don’t apply to them. There have been 1,290 deaths from Covid-19 in the UK over the last 7 days. The average number of people dying in the UK over the last week is 1,218 and is still rising.

The graph below shows the total number of adult critical care beds occupied in London only over a typical winter. Beginning with the winter of 2013-2014, it is then compared with the total number of adult critical care beds occupied at this current time.

These figures are not just numbers or statistics  – these are human lives: our family members, our friends, our neighbours.
Heartfelt condolences to all those who have suffered loss.

Please stay at home and stay safe.  If you must go out, wear your mask, practice social distancing and follow the Government guidelines. If you need support, it is out there.  If you can’t find it – please contact this website and assistance of direction will be given.

In August 2020, Broadwindsor.org also published a comparison graph showing the global deaths due to various causes and Covid-19.  You can view that graph HERE.

This is Covid-19 and not the flu! Please Stay Home Protect the NHS and Save Lives.

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£800 Million In Dormant Assets Scheme

Last week, the Government announced a major expansion of the Dormant Assets Scheme to support the UK as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme, which allows banks and building societies to donate funds to good causes and charities from dormant accounts, will now include assets from the insurance and pensions, investment, wealth management, and securities sectors.

More than £800 million will be made available to continue supporting urgent work to tackle youth unemployment, expand access to emergency loans for civil society organisations and help improve the availability of fair, affordable credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.

This funding is in addition to the £150 million unlocked in May 2020 to help charities’ coronavirus response and recovery. Read more HERE.

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Help With Green Waste Needed

Chris Edgerley is making good progress working on the wall at Bernards’ Place.

There is some green waste that needs to be disposed of and they are appealing to anyone in the village community with green waste bins, which have space in them to bring them to Bernards’ Place so they can get rid of some of the waste.

Please telephone David Leader on: 01308 868275 or 07867 608652

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Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – Jan 2021

Here is our local Councillor Simon Christopher’s interim report submitted to the Parish Council’s meeting last evening.

“As I write this, the number of Covid patients in Dorset hospitals is 340 ( Source Sam Crowe, Public health Dorset. 8th January 2021). A great deal of my report will be devoted to Covid matters.

Common Water Lane
I am aware of the damage to Common Water Lane and the verges.
As Councillor David Leader is aware, I have sent considerable emails and had phone calls with Dorset Police and officers of Dorset Council in connection with Common Water Lane.

  • Comments of Dorset Police/Alex Bishop

My understanding from Dorset Police is that there are two points in regards to the action Police can take in these matters.

  • First is the reaction to reports made to police of specific incidents, such as investigations. Alex Bishop advises me that neither the moving of the bale, nor the damage to the finger sign have been reported. He stated that over the course of the last few months that Common Water Lane has had these issues, the police have had very few reports of any offences being committed.  Any police response to a report that vehicles are on the lane, will be triggered via the threat, risk and harm protocols they have in deciding how to allocate resources.  I understand that it is unlikely police officers will attend unless there is an urgent need to attend.
  • The second is proactive policing, such as area patrols. Dorset have advised me that some officers have attended Common Water Lane here and there whilst they have been on night duty, but it is difficult for them to spend much time there as there are other incidents to attend to.

2) Comments of Dorset Council Legal Team – Philip Crowther, Legal Business Partner. 

My understanding from Philip Crowther is that Dorset Council is responsible for maintaining Common Water Lane, including the verges because it is a vehicular highway.  My understanding is that Dorset Council has various powers which it could in theory use to stop irresponsible 4×4 drivers damaging the verges.  I believe the Parish Council Chairman has been given the reasons via email why a number of those powers are very difficult to use in practice.  My understanding of the action that is most likely to succeed is that Dorset council have the power to erect fences or bollards to prevent vehicles using the verges.  However any fences or bollards must not interfere with any agricultural fence or gate or with an access to private properties. I understand that fencing was erected some years ago with some success albeit that it had to be left open at each end to allow access for the landowner to cut their hedges.  This was done with the Friends of Common Water Lane (The Friends) and it allowed the verges to recover in a fairly short time.  Mike Westwood (Dorset Highways) is happy to discuss working with the Parish Council and the Friends to look at erecting fencing or bollards again.  It is my understanding that this is the solution which carries the most chance of resolving the problem. The need to consider the issues around maintaining  any fencing and/or bollards would have to be discussed.

3) Comments of Senior Ranger (West & Coast) Russell Goff

I understand from Russell Goff that he is happy to be the liaison if the Friends would like to go down the fencing route as they use excellent contractors.
Russell also suggests that perhaps a joint press release from the parish highlighting this antisocial behaviour and damage may, in the short term prevent further damage.
My understanding is that a covert wildlife camera in order to catch those responsible in the act could be installed. The Council would need to know what the law is regarding using the footage gained from this.

Here is the the Government’s latest advice for parents and carers:  Click HERE to access.

Stay At Home

Long Description – Government information for Parents and Carers

Schools and colleges in Dorset remain open for critical workers and vulnerable children, details of who is included is HERE.  Other children will move to remote learning.

Early years settings, special schools, alternative provision and learning centres in Dorset can remain open to all children. We are updating our Childcare directory, please contact your provider if you have specific enquiries.

Free school meals update – 5 Jan

Dorset Council is working with schools to make sure families who need it (including those who receive free school meals) can receive food vouchers if they are not in school. If your child gets free school meals their school will give you details. Find out more HERE.

School transport in Dorset update – 5 Jan

All school transport, including SEND transport, will continue to run. This may be reviewed in future if routes aren’t used.

Home learning resources for parents and carers

Schools are offering remote learning to families, HERE are some extra resources to help families, we are updating these at the moment too.

Dorset Council has worked closely with schools throughout the pandemic to support school leaders. Our schools have been open throughout for children of key workers and children with additional vulnerabilities.

Leader of Dorset Council Spencer Flower said: “We are proud of our schools, colleges and early years settings and our education leaders in Dorset and will continue to support them.”

Lockdown

You will perhaps have already seen that Dorset Council is calling for front line public sector workers to be prioritised for vaccines.

This is a particularly concerning time for our most vulnerable children and families and this continued period of restrictions will no doubt be having an increased impact. Right from the start of this pandemic all partners have been committed and continued to work incredibly hard to support the children and families.   A reminder that the government guidance on safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care can be found HERE.

Children’s Centres update

Our Children’s Centre core sites will remain open for the services listed below:

  • health service appointments where required
  • family time
  • parenting assessments
  • where childcare is provided

Parenting groups will however have to move online.

IT equipment for families who are homeschooling

We are working in partnership with our school colleagues to ensure that children can access learning wherever possible through mobile devices in Dorset. The DfE have significantly increased the number of devices available for secondary schools to order for vulnerable children. We’re assisting school colleagues in getting these orders processed and out to families. A similar approach is expected for our primary school colleagues, we are awaiting information on this. Meanwhile we have been made aware of some issues in Dorset of children not being able to access IT equipment and are dealing with these on a case by case basis. Currently we’re looking at whether we can repurpose some of our old machines and issuing wireless routers to enable children to get on line. I am once again incredibly impressed by the strength and resilience shown across our Early Years, Schools and Colleges.

Finally, on a financial note.

Dorset Councillors were advised that despite an overspend during the year , the delivery of more than £10 million of savings from the reorganisation had been achieved.  The executive director of corporate development has highlighted a general point about collecting council tax, in that at present we are in exceptional times and officers were tracking but not actively pursuing collections given the  economic frailty. The needed to wait until a more normal time to actively pursue.  Officers are forecasting around £13million worth of Council Tax and business rates could be at risk but would continue to be monitored.

Stay Safe.”

Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor for The Marshwood Vale.
https://www.simonchristopher.info/

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Bernards’ Place Wall Prepared

Parish Councillor David Leader, Chairperson of the Comrades Hall committee led a work party yesterday afternoon and issued the following statement together with the photographs:

“I have just got back from today’s work party at Bernard’s Place. We started working in freezing temperatures but it did warm up to minus 1. Today we were preparing the wall for renovation. This challenging project is being undertaken by Chris Edgerley who is providing all his time free of charge saving the hall committee many hundreds of pounds. We simply can not thank him enough.

Wall at Bernards PlaceToday we cut the overgrown hedge on the top of the wall back, cleared built up soil and removed loads of ivy. The wall is falling down and we have had to cordon the wall off to prevent any accidents. Please do not go inside the cordon. It is clearly marked with cones and tape.

All the essential work was carried out by Chris, Stefan, Amanda, Daren, Margaret, Sally, Bob, John and myself. To these intrepid volunteers I extend a massive thank you, community spirit at its best.

All the work was carried out with rigid social distancing. Hope everyone has a good weekend and stays safe in these difficult times.

With kind regards

David Leader
Chairperson, Comrades Hall”

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Local Employment: Symonds & Sampson Are Recruiting

A New Year – a new career?

Local property agents Symonds & Sampson have five positions available.
All applications must be in by 31st January 2021. However, be aware that if they receive a high volume of applications, the closing date may be brought forward. To avoid disappointment therefore they suggest submitting your application promptly.

Based in Beaminster-Bridport-Axminster area.

Full time, Home based Property Manager to join their Property Management Department.
Immediate start.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Maintaining good relations with Landlords, Tenants and Contractors
  • Handling Telephone enquiries
  • Diary and Database management
  • Responding to emails
  • Raising works orders and processing invoices
  • Managing, booking and attending property visits
  • Processing rent payments
  • Deposit dispersal

KEY SKILLS:

  • Good level of customer service skills – verbal and written
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritise workload
  • Self-motivation and the ability to work within a team
  • High level of computer proficiency including Microsoft Office
  • Full driving license and use of own vehicle required

EXPERIENCE:

  • Property management experience
  • High level of computer literacy including experience of software packages (training will be provided)

REWARDS:

  • Salary – Competitive salary commensurate with experience
  • Holiday – starting at 28 days per annum including bank holidays and increasing with long service
  • Hours – Full Time to include some Saturdays
  • Pension – A work based pension scheme

Please e-mail your CV and covering letter to Rachael James rjames@symondsandsampson.co.uk

AristotleThe other 4 positions are:

Based in Burraton Square, Poundbury:

Full time Trainee Accounts Assistant to support their busy accounts team. An enthusiastic and conscientious individual with knowledge of Sage and other accounting software. Experience is not required  but some relevant skills are preferred. For more information, click HERE. Please e-mail your CV with a covering statement to Andrew Carless acarless@symondsandsampson.co.uk

Based in Burraton Square, Poundbury:

Rural Graduate Trainee/Newly Qualified Surveyor. Suited to a a graduate trainee or newly qualified surveyor The role offers a wide range of experience across many aspects of rural surveying and farm agency. It will also provide the opportunity for the right candidate to progress through APC and/or CAAV to further develop their career.  For more information, click HERE. For a confidential discussion please contact Will Wallis on 07833 453482.

Based out of Wimborne:

RICS Registered Valuer to be able to cover the whole of Wessex Region. It is essential that the candidate is RICS qualified; a Registered Valuer; holds a Full UK Driving license and has 2-4 years PQE. For more information, click HERE.

Based in Ilminster, Somerset:

Estate Agency Manager to join their award-winning Residential Sales team. his opportunity would suit a highly motivated, entrepreneurial person with a proven track record of at least five years in residential agency, preferably within the Somerset area. For more information, click HERE.

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Collecting From Broadwindsor Community Stores

A message from the three wonderful ladies who organise our village shop’s Click and Collect service:

“As we go into lockdown again, we want to reassure you that we are continuing to do our best to ensure our customers, staff and volunteers are safe, as we have done at Broadwindsor Community Stores since March 2020.

We will continue to offer our Wednesday Click & Collect service via broadwindsorcommunitystores.co.uk.

However, all collections will now be from Comrades Hall, except a 4pm collection from the shop reserved for working customers who cannot get to the hall before 1pm.

We anticipate that more people will want to use the service, so to provide a safer environment and to maintain a steady flow of customers, collection slots will be at fifteen minute intervals starting at 11:30am and finishing at 1pm.

Please pick up from the side door where we will hand over your order at the entrance. Some customers’ orders are quite large and they will need to take several bags to their car, so can we please ask all customers to wait until the previous customer has finished their collection before entering the porch by the side entrance. May we also ask you to wait in the doorway rather than come into the hall while we get your order ready? 

As the Click & Collect service is as safe as can be and meets the needs of the vast majority of people we are not offering a full delivery service as we did in the Spring. However, if you are clinically vulnerable and have been advised to stay in your home,  please get in touch with us so we can arrange a delivery. The easiest way to do this is simply email: bwshop.orders@gmail.com

Let’s get through this together best we can. Stay safe.”

– Nat, Sandra & Teri

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