Dear Resident

It’s really heartening to see the pictures this week of the first people receiving their COVID-19 vaccines and I’ve got a short update below on how the vaccine is being rolled out in Buckinghamshire.

However, the main message of this update is to remind everyone that unfortunately, while the end is in sight, there is still a long way to go and as we move deeper into winter, it’s essential that we keep all playing our part in the collective responsibility of trying to keep the virus at bay.

We have already seen a concerning rise in cases again in Buckinghamshire following the lockdown and I don’t want to risk Buckinghamshire moving into tighter restrictions. We’ve seen cases go up from 117 per 100,000 people to 141 cases per 100,000 people in the space of a week. This is quite frankly moving in the wrong direction if we wish to move down to Tier 1. You can find the latest local data on the COVID dashboard on our website. It’s vital that as we all prepare for Christmas, we enjoy the festive season safely and keep following the rules.

You might also want to consider limiting your social contacts from this weekend to reduce your chances of having to self-isolate over Christmas – if you are self-isolating over Christmas it would mean you cannot be part of a Christmas bubble.

I know how hard it is and how desperate we all are for a return to a more normal existence, not least as we can see that on the horizon now, but we must keep going with strict adherence to social distancing, hand hygiene and mask-wearing if we are to avoid putting more pressure on an already very busy time for NHS services.

Please check out the extensive information, advice and guidance on the Government’s website and remember that at the moment, Buckinghamshire is under Tier 2 restrictions, so please make sure you’re familiar with the rules currently in place locally.

Vaccine update

Locally, the NHS will be starting to deliver the coronavirus vaccine in Buckinghamshire, in line with the government’s priority list of which people will get it first. If you’re expecting a vaccine, I know you will be keen to find out more but please don’t contact your doctor or the NHS to ask about it, as they will get in touch with you directly when it’s your turn. Supplies of the first vaccine to be authorised are limited, so please be patient.

There is more information about the COVID-19 vaccine on both the Government and the NHS websites, so please take time to click on these links and read through these pages if you want to find out more. We will keep you updated as plans for the vaccine programme progress here.

Helping Hand – how we’re helping vulnerable residents through Christmas

The pandemic has hit us all in different ways and life’s been especially tough for families who were already struggling to make ends meet. We are helping the most vulnerable families to put food on the table through the school holidays with our Helping Hand scheme which has launched this week.

Families already eligible for free school meals will be able to claim food vouchers across the Christmas holidays via schools, and many thanks to our schools for their hard work in helping us get the vouchers ready to go to families before the end of term.

We’ve also set up a Helping Hand helpline for anyone worried about food or warmth over the Christmas holidays. Please call 01296 531 151 or email helpinghands@buckinghamshire.gov.uk if you are struggling and need our help.

Bucks Business Grants

We’ve paid out almost £4m in grants to local businesses that have been badly hit by the coronavirus restrictions. We have helped almost 900 businesses with our Additional Restrictions Grant and nearly 2000 businesses with our Local Restrictions Grant. There is help out there for firms that have been affected by the four week national lockdown so please get in touch if you think you are eligible for this support.

The Additional Restrictions Grant scheme we are also running can help businesses from any sector that have seen their income drop by more than 30% as a result of coronavirus measures. It’s quick and easy to apply for both grants online via our website. Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant close on Friday 18 December so please apply now if you haven’t done so already.

Don’t forget – if you’re on a low income and have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, but you cannot work from home, you may be eligible for a support payment. To find out more check these details on our website.

Staying safe at Christmas events

COVID safe Christmas events are planned in our town centres this year and I’m glad we are managing to strike a balance between getting out and supporting local businesses while having these safety measures in place. There’ll be free parking in some locations and car parks in our town centres in the run up to Christmas including Sat 12 and Sat 19 December. Please check the information on site at each parking location and please note, this won’t apply to every car park, so do look at the signage when you arrive.

More details will be posted on the Buckinghamshire Council website in the coming days so take a look online at locations and dates where you can park for free in the run up to Christmas.

There’s festive music from traditional bands, free film screenings, and other treats in store for Christmas shoppers in our main town centres – look out for the details in your local area.

Merry Clickmas! Please shop local

Our local businesses have had a really tough year so please take time to look beyond the well-known national websites this Christmas and see if any local firms can fulfil your gift-buying needs! Many Bucks businesses are also offering ‘click and collect’ services so please do shop local where you can and check out our Merry Clickmas webpage for more details.

Where to find information on how council services are running

Some of you have asked for up to date information on how services like leisure centres and libraries are currently running. The best way to find this out is by taking a look at our website and to follow our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).

It’s very hard for me to include everything everyone wants and needs to know in these emails so please do use these resources if you have any questions or queries.

Please stay safe, and remember to follow the rules when shopping local!

Martin Tett

Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

Dear Resident,

First of all, thank you all very much for the efforts you have made to observe the current lockdown. I know that it has been tough for many people particularly when they have missed seeing family and friends. The good news is that we are beginning to see the benefits from this lockdown with some falls in infection rates across Buckinghamshire.

As I’m sure that you are aware, yesterday the government announced the restrictions that will apply to different parts of England when we leave the current lockdown next Wednesday (2 December). The government’s view is that Buckinghamshire, and indeed most of the south of England, should be in what is called ‘Tier 2’. This is based on a variety of key measures as defined by Public Health England. The Tiers define what we are allowed to do and not allowed to do. Nearby Slough is however in Tier 3 with further, tougher restrictions.

Frankly, I am disappointed that we are now in Tier 2. I had hoped that we would return to Tier 1. However, the government is determined to continue to maintain the pressure to control this horrid virus. Each council area will be reviewed after 14 days to see if the Tier that they are in should change. I am determined that Buckinghamshire should set itself the objective of returning to Tier 1 as soon as possible. This goal is important, not just for our own personal freedoms but also to protect our businesses, economy and jobs.

Therefore, it is really important that I ask you to observe the new Rules and let’s work together across Buckinghamshire to reach Tier 1 as soon as possible.

You can see the latest figures on our website including the number of cases in your local area.

The situation in Buckinghamshire

We are seeing the number of cases starting to fall in Buckinghamshire. The latest data shows that the number of cases per 100,000 people in Buckinghamshire is now 125.7, having fallen from 161 the previous week. You can see the latest figures on our website including the number of cases in your local area.

In Tier 2, these are the main rules that will be in place in Buckinghamshire from Wednesday 2 December:

• You cannot socialise with anyone you don’t live with indoors.
• People should work from home where they’re able to, in agreement with their employer.
• ‘Rule of 6’ applies outdoors – don’t meet in groups of more than six people and only meet people you don’t live with outside.
• Businesses and venues including places of worship can open and operate in a COVID-secure manner, other than those still closed by law, e.g. nightclubs.
• Our Leisure Centres and Libraries that were closed during lockdown will reopen operating with COVID-secure measures check our website for full details).
• Pubs and bars will stay closed unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. They must close by 11pm, with last orders at 10pm.
• Organised sport outdoors can continue and some indoor sports can also take place if it’s possible for people to avoid mixing with others they don’t live with – see more detail below.
• You can travel and stay overnight somewhere but you should continue to follow the Tier 2 rules wherever you go.
• You should avoid travel to an area in Tier 3 unless it’s necessary.

You can find out more about what the rules are in each Tier on the government’s website.

‘Hands, Face, Space’ applies at all times:

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
• Wear a face covering where required unless you’re exempt
• Keep 2 metres (6 feet) away from anyone you don’t live with

It’s a relief to see that the case numbers are starting to fall across Buckinghamshire but it’s essential we remain mindful of the virus at all times, and the ease with which it spreads. We risk being moved into a higher Tier if our case numbers rise too much again, and that is something we desperately want to avoid here in Buckinghamshire.

Remember – if anyone in the home develops symptoms of coronavirus then the whole household must isolate immediately (which means not going out or seeing anyone else).

You must book a test for anyone with symptoms as soon as possible (phone 119 if you can’t book online or book via the NHS COVID-19 app).

How we’re helping vulnerable families this winter

The last few months have been especially hard for local families that were already struggling to make ends meet, and we launched our ‘Helping Hand’ programme over the October half term to make sure any family finding it hard to put food on the table during the school holidays could be supported.
I’m pleased to let you know we’re now extending our ‘Helping Hand’ programme across the whole of winter.

With funding from the government’s Winter Grant and working with our partners we will ensure that vulnerable children in Buckinghamshire will be warm and well-fed this winter. The Helping Hand programme includes issuing food vouchers to all children who have free school meals so they can be fed through the school holidays. Any family that is struggling will be able to call a dedicated Helping Hand advice line if they need extra support, our website and helping hands team will offer support and advice. Our 16 Community Boards will also be working with partners to support local activities.

We will provide more detail about this scheme in future updates.
And can you help us give vulnerable local children a better Christmas?As you may know, each year we run an annual Christmas present appeal for children in Bucks who might otherwise not get much, or anything at all, at Christmas. This year’s campaign  run, as ever, by Buckinghamshire Councillors Paul Irwin, Mark Shaw and Ashley Waite – is underway and like everything else, we’re having to do things a bit differently this year due to the pandemic. For the first time, we’ve started a JustGiving fund to get presents bought and delivered direct. And for people who would prefer to choose a gift themselves for a child in need, we can provide details of where to send it, or where you can drop it off.

Your generosity in previous years has made a huge difference to Christmas for some of our most disadvantaged children. I know this year has been tremendously hard on us all, but if you are in a position to donate a present, it would be hugely appreciated. All the detail you need is here on our website.

Bucks Business Grants

In case you missed it last time, I want to make sure all our businesses are aware that through Bucks Business Grants, we’ve got two support grant schemes open at the moment. The Local Restrictions Support Grant is for businesses that have had to close because of the restrictions. This is linked to rateable value and offers financial support for businesses that are closed due to the restrictions.

If your business doesn’t qualify for the Local Restrictions Support Grant but has still suffered significant losses as a result of the latest restrictions, you might be eligible for the Additional Restrictions Grant. This grant is for any business, including the self-employed; it’s not linked to rateable value and you don’t have to have premises. Applications for this one-time payment grant – for businesses of any sector – are open until Friday 18 December.

Please take a look at this section on our website for the full details and how to apply.

More tips for staying well this winter

Supporting our frontline health services, including A&E and GPs, allows them to continue to run smoothly now and when the COVID-19 vaccinations begin. Please remember to ‘know where to go for help’ if you feel unwell or need medical attention. Visit our Ready for Winter pages here and do your bit to help protect NHS services this winter.

Stay safe and protect Bucks,        

Martin Tett
Leader, Buckinghamshire Council