News Updates from North Cadbury and Yarlington Parish Council
Government Grant
Residents on low income encouraged to apply for Government Green Homes Grants
To help people save on their heating bills and reduce carbon emissions, the Government are funding retrofit improvements to homes with low-income householders. In the South Somerset District Council area, procured by the SW Energy Hub, Happy Energy are delivering this work in partnership with E.ON Energy.
Endorsed by SSDC, under the Green Homes Grants Scheme, owner-occupiers will benefit from energy efficiency installations up to the value of £10,000 with nothing for them to pay towards the costs of works. Tenants of rented properties can also access grants of up to £5,000 for energy efficiency upgrades, but the landlord will be expected to contribute at least one third towards the cost of works.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the grants the residents of the property must have a low income (receive benefits or have the household income below £30,000 per annum) and the EPC for the property must be rated D, E, F or G. If there is no EPC for your property, you can still apply and it does not matter who your energy supplier is. To find out if your property has an EPC see https://find-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/
What do I do if I think I qualify?
If you are struggling to keep your home warm and you think you might be eligible for some help, you can submit an application at the following website https://www.heatsomerset.co.uk/
How long is the scheme running for?
The scheme is expected to run until March 2022, but will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
What will happen if I do qualify?
If you qualify, Happy Energy Solutions will survey your home to assess which energy efficiency measures could be installed.
The options will then be discussed with you for a final decision to be reached.
Case Study
78 year old Mr K was the first to benefit from the scheme. In receipt of Pension Credits and with health problems made worse by the cold, he lived in a well-insulated bungalow, but the only form of heating was electric panel heaters that were very expensive to run. Mr K's energy bills were £126 per month, despite only heating one room in his home. Paying his energy bills had become totally unaffordable.
Happy Energy Solutions, managers of HEAT Project, arranged for the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump central heating system and Solar PV, all of which were covered by the grants! The heat pump was grant funded under the Government's Green Homes Grants Local Authority Delivery programme and the Solar PV was funded with a grant through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
The EPC rating of the property has now improved from an F to a B to reflect the significant reduction in the household energy bills. Mr K's energy bills have reduced by an estimated £472 per year and a total of 3.1 tonnes of CO2 have been saved each year.
25th November 2021
Covid-19
Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
Covid-19 cases are still high in Somerset and, with the media focussing elsewhere and the fact the majority of adults have now been vaccinated, it would be easy to forget we are still in the middle of the Covid pandemic.
With this in mind, and particularly with a lot of Christmas events starting to take place, we need to make sure we keep ourselves and each other safe. Simple ways to do this include wearing a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, washing our hands and continuing to take regular lateral flow tests. Also, if people are unwell they should not mix with others and book a PCR test.
It is also very important to take up the offer of a vaccination – it is preferable to book these prior to attending a vaccination centre via this website. Slots are released into the national booking system as they become available, so you do have to refresh the system if the site you want does not appear.
Finally, in our Covid Catch-up film this week we highlight the excellent work undertaken through the Vaccination Buddy programme in Somerset. The team of trained 'Buddies' speak directly to those people across our many diverse communities who may have questions or concerns regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. We also emphasise the importance of first, second and third doses of the vaccine.
The film can be viewed here.
I wish you a pleasant weekend
George Haslock
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
Mobile: 07765043226
Email: ghaslock@somerset.gov.uk
South Somerset District Council is inviting residents to Get Digital
South Somerset District Council is delighted to invite residents and businesses to join us on Zoom for our 'Get Digital' event on Thursday 2 December at 2.30pm.
You can book your space on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-somerset-get-digital-tickets-208454552177.
It will be a chance to explore a range of topics from what connectivity is available now and in the future, how digital technology can have a positive impact on an individual's wellbeing and what free support is available to people looking to improve their digital skills. The event will be presented by some excellent speakers including Connecting Devon and Somerset, Wessex Internet, Jurassic Fibre, Konnect Europe, Yeovil College and Spark Somerset.
Cllr John Clark, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "Digital connectivity and the associated skills are becoming increasingly important for both businesses and individuals. Throughout the past 18 months, we have all adapted and found ourselves using technology more frequently. We are committed to supporting South Somerset communities and businesses to get online. We work closely with infrastructure providers but understand that this is only one piece of the digital puzzle and that digital skills are equally as important."
South Somerset District Council and all of our speakers look forward to meeting you online on 2 December.
If you have any questions please get in touch by emailing us at econdev@southsomerset.gov.uk.
19th November 2021
Rights of way report November 21
Please find below a copy of the Rights of Way which will be discussed at next weeks Parish Council meeting.
Please find attached a press release that I would be grateful if you could circulate to your councillors and residents and to help them to become more involved in the shaping of the new Unitary council for Somerset
Please find attached this week’s Covid-19 update for Somerset on behalf of the Engagement Board.
Although we have seen a reduction in Covid-19 cases in Somerset this week, they are still high so we need to remain vigilant and do what we can to keep each other safe. Simple ways to do this include wearing a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, regularly wash hands and continuing to take regular lateral flow tests. Also, if people feel unwell or have any symptoms they should self-isolate and book a PCR test. It is also very important to take up the offer of a first, second or third (booster) vaccination.
Finally, in our Covid Catch-up film this week we discuss the importance for us all to accept the offer of a third, or booster, vaccination when we receive it.
The film can be viewed here.
I wish you a pleasant weekend
George Haslock
Communications Officer
Public Health
Somerset County Council
Mobile: 07765043226
Email: ghaslock@somerset.gov.uk
We work with lots of wildlife trusts, community woodlands and community farms around the UK, supplying them with free trees for their nature reserves, rewilding projects, etc.
Would you like free trees from us for any of your tree planting projects? We generally supply a minimum of 150 trees for projects but we can be fairly flexible.
Or do you know of any tree planting projects in Somerset, or nearby regions, that would like free trees from us in 2021/2022?
We're happy to provide free trees for many years beyond that too.
The trees are all UK native species, grown from UK seed and can be supplied with free shelters, stakes, weed mats, etc.
You'll find lots more info, our criteria and our tree request form below
https://eforests.co.uk/freetrees
While we prefer to work with nature reserves / community woodlands / community farms, we can possibly supply trees for private landowners that you work with that have public access to their land.
Many thanks,
Andrew
Andrew Haining
1st November 2021
Update on Highway Works in South Somerset Area, Week Commencing the 01st November 2021.
I am writing to update you on the latest progress of SCC highway works in the South Somerset Area, for the week commencing the 01st of November 2021.
For your information, I attach the planned programme of works. Works highlighted in red indicate that this is a new scheme introduced into the works programme. Dates highlighted in red indicate a change to the original dates that have previously been detailed.
Additional 'live' information can be found on our webpage by following the link, www.travelsomerset.co.uk.
Should you wish to discuss any particular scheme in more detail, please contact this office at your earliest convenience.
You may not be aware, but the recognised platform to view planned works on the highway is via One.Network. This website gives users a visual overview of present and future works, including road closures taking place within Somerset. The system also shows the advertised diversion route for road closures.
Users can search by town, road and date. It also provides other useful driver information. Automatic email alerts can be set up by users so you can receive daily or weekly alerts of new works in a user defined area. One.Network can be found at https://one.network/public and users accounts are free to create.
The weekly report I distribute focuses solely on SCC and SRA works. The One.Network platform provides a complete overview of all planned works, including those undertaken by third parties and utility companies.
Regards
Neil McWilliams
Highway Service Manager
Somerset County Council
South Somerset Area Highways Office
Mead Avenue
Houndstone Business Park
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8RT
1st November 2021
Christmas Fayre
Dear Clerk,
On Monday 15th November, St Margaret's Hospice Care will be holding their annual Christmas Fayre. This will be taking place at the Tithe Barn, Haselbury Mill, Haselbury Plucknett, a beautiful Christmassy venue where all are welcome to attend. The Fayre will be held in order to raise as much money as we possibly can to go towards the care of our patents and their families, who are facing a life-limiting illness throughout Somerset.
We would really appreciate you help by displaying the attached poster to promote our Fayre and in the hope that more people will attend.
You may not know that St Margaret's Hospice cares for more than 3,800 patients and families each year, and it is our ambition to reach more local people who need our support. We rely on the generosity of groups like yourselves to make that happen.
We really hope that you are able to help us promote our upcoming Christmas Fayre and wish us the best of luck in raising vital funds for your local hospice.
Thankyou from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
Yours sincerely,
Kerry
Kerry Baillie
Community Partnerships Fundraiser
Tel: 01935 709480
Ext: 2496
1st November 2021
Briefing note from David Fothergill
Please find attached the briefing note for November from David Fothergill, Leader of Somerset County Council for sharing with your councillors and residents.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published its new report on what can local councils do on climate change (Attached).
The What can local councils do on climate change report aimed to paint an accurate picture of how climate change is being tackled by local (parish and town) councils and identify the challenges they face. In doing so, NALC can better understand how to support local councils in creating more sustainable communities.
The research found that 38% of participating councils had already declared a climate emergency and a further 8% were pending declaration. An identifiable trend of the report found that councils who had made such declarations were more likely to take positive action on climate change.
However, local councils overwhelming challenge is that they feel too small to affect change due to a lack of expertise, finance, and power to act. 69% of councils needed guidance to apply for grants and subsidies, and a further 58% reported a need for improved skills and training.
NALC is committed to guiding and supporting local councils in accessing funding, expertise and power to influence to tackle climate change within their communities.
NALC collected data from local councils across England over four months through an online survey of 211 respondents.
Find out more about NALC's climate change work
PS: What an amazing response from Somerset Clerks and Councillors !
All the best
Simon
Simon Pritchard
Assistant CEO
Somerset Association of Local Councils Limited
Company Address: Edgar Hall, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6SB
Company number 11942896 registered in England and Wales
My Normal Working Days are: Monday & Friday
Email: simon@somerset-alc.org.uk
Hi All
Please find attached our latest monthly newsletter with dates of drop in session for the MAS service, locations, dates and venues of our lip reading classes, Breaking news re Channel Four subtitle issues and article on protecting your hearing . Please feel free to share.
Kind Regards,
Stewart Weston
Somerset Mobile Advisory Service
Somerset MAS Information Advice Officer
deafPLUS / visionPLUS
2, Queens Parade
Bath
BA1 2NJ
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group report to the Parish Council 27th October 2021
Work done so far.
Pre-submission Consultation with Residents and Stakeholders.
This started as planned on 16th July and closed on 31st Aug.
Just over a hundred comments forms were received back in addition to other letters and emails, all of which have now been considered.
In the light of these the Pre-submission Plan is being updated and modified where appropriate.
When this is completed, it will be presented to the Parish Council for approval.
Following that it will be submitted to SSDC Planning Authority for their consideration.
Andy Keys-Toyer
25th October 2021
Update on Highway Works in South Somerset Area, Week Commencing the 25th of October 2021.
Good afternoon all.
I am writing to update you on the latest progress of SCC highway works in the South Somerset Area, for the week commencing the 25th of October 2021.
For your information, I attach the planned programme of works. Works highlighted in red indicate that this is a new scheme introduced into the works programme. Dates highlighted in red indicate a change to the original dates that have previously been detailed.
Additional 'live' information can be found on our webpage by following the link, www.travelsomerset.co.uk.
Should you wish to discuss any particular scheme in more detail, please contact this office at your earliest convenience.
You may not be aware, but the recognised platform to view planned works on the highway is via One.Network. This website gives users a visual overview of present and future works, including road closures taking place within Somerset. The system also shows the advertised diversion route for road closures.
Users can search by town, road and date. It also provides other useful driver information. Automatic email alerts can be set up by users so you can receive daily or weekly alerts of new works in a user defined area. One.Network can be found at https://one.network/public and users accounts are free to create.
The weekly report I distribute focuses solely on SCC and SRA works. The One.Network platform provides a complete overview of all planned works, including those undertaken by third parties and utility companies.
Regards
Neil McWilliams
Highway Service Manager
Somerset County Council
South Somerset Area Highways Office
Mead Avenue
Houndstone Business Park
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8RT
Funding to help tackle violence against women and girls has been awarded to North Somerset Council and Somerset County Council.
The neighbouring councils have made a successful joint bid to the Home Office Safer Streets Fund for £324,449.
The bid is an innovative and collaborative proposal by the two councils covering the whole Somerset policing area. It presents an opportunity to work together and achieve positive outcomes in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) crimes across the area.
The plan sets out a two-tiered approach involving:
Prevent - to change behaviour and stop incidents occurring such as VAWG education and awareness in schools, communications campaigns, research and engagement within communities, and
Protect - to strengthen the response where these incidents are prevalent, such as a safe haven scheme and enhancing the CCTV camera network and street lighting.
In assessing the joint bid the Safer Streets Fund Team commented: "We were impressed this bid effectively demonstrated analysis and drivers of the problems in your target area and identified a suitable response to tackling the issues, deliverable within the 2021/22 financial year.
"We look forward to working with you on this round of funding and believe it can make a real difference in tackling crime and helping individuals and communities to feel safe in public spaces."
"I believe the funding and work proposed will have a massively positive impact across the area and is a much-needed injection of cash in an area that has been long neglected and needs even more investment to make women and girls feel safer and better protected on our streets," said Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services.
"This is predominantly about stopping these crimes happening at all through education in schools, multi-media communication campaigns and engaging with local communities, as well as making our public areas safer for women and girls by providing safe havens and improving street lighting."
Somerset County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, Cllr Clare Paul, said: "I would like to congratulate North Somerset Council and Somerset County Council on successfully securing round three of the joint bid and hope that the outcome from this work will help reduce VAWG and increase women and girls' safety in public places.
"With this work we want to understand and address the root causes of why women may not feel safe on the streets. We look forward to building an evidence base for what works on reducing VAWG crimes and improve local data on such crimes."
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford added: "Additional support to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls has never been so important. I am delighted to see Somerset and North Somerset being awarded Home Office Safer Streets funding.
"Collaboration and partnership working at local level is key as are clear steps and measurable actions for our organisations so transformation can happen. I am extremely supportive of the preventative programmes being undertaken within local schools, which seek to promote healthy relationships between young people.
"This preventative work is supported by increased surveillance in public spaces to make them safer for women and girls. Statutory agencies and organisations need to take responsibility to make public spaces safer for women and girls by implementing such preventative and protective strategies. I look forward to supporting the local authorities' work."
18th October 2021
Latest testing advice for Somerset residents
Somerset's Public Health leaders are advising people to retest if they are still displaying Covid-19 symptoms after receiving a negative PCR test result. The advice follows today's national announcement regarding the suspension of a laboratory processing Covid-19 PCR tests.
In recent weeks there have been concerns around a number of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a Lateral Flow Device (LFD).
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England, today released a statement to announce that testing of PCR samples at Immensa Health Clinic Ltd in Wolverhampton has been suspended following NHS Test and Trace investigation.
UKHSA say that while investigations are underway into the precise cause, NHS Test and Trace estimate that around 400,000 samples have been processed through the lab since September. The vast majority of which will have been negative results, but an estimated 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results between 8 September and 12 October, mostly in the South West of England.
For those cases that were some time ago there is no need for further action.
NHS Test and Trace is however contacting the people who were tested more recently and could still be infectious to advise them to take another PCR test. Close contacts who are symptomatic will also be advised to take a PCR test in line with normal practice. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should book a PCR test. Those with a positive LFD test should also get a follow up PCR test to confirm they have Covid-19.
This has been confirmed as an isolated incident attributed to one laboratory and all samples taken after 12 October are now being redirected to other laboratories.
Professor Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health for Somerset County Council, said: "This is an unfortunate incident that will have affected a significant number of PCR test results across the South West. At present, we are being advised that NHS Test and Trace will be in touch with people that could still be infectious to advise them to take another test.
"However, if you are in any doubt at all about yourself or a loved one still displaying symptoms and tested before 13 October, please retest using either a home PCR testing kit or by getting a PCR test at one of the local testing sites."
Councillor Clare Paul, Cabinet Member for Education and Public Health, said: "People should feel reassured that there are no technical issues with the LFD or PCR test kits themselves and no issues at any testing sites; people should continue to test as normal. All other labs are working normally.
"Our advice remains, if you are showing any symptoms of Covid-19 or have a positive LFD test please stay at home and self-isolate for ten days to avoid infecting others and get a confirmatory PCR test within 48 hours."
If you will lose income by completing the self-isolation process or staying at home looking after a child who is self-isolating, you can apply for a support payment by visiting: Claiming financial support under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UKHSA's full Statement can be viewed here: Testing at private lab suspended following NHS Test and Trace investigation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you are concerned about how this might affect you or your family, please call the Somerset County Council Covid-19 support line on 0300 790 6275 or visit Get help (somerset.gov.uk).
18th October 2021
Highways Update Jan 21
Update on Highway Works in South Somerset Area, Week Commencing the 11th of October 2021.
I am writing to update you on the latest progress of SCC highway works in the South Somerset Area, for the week commencing the 11th of October 2021.
For your information, I attach the planned programme of works. Works highlighted in red indicate that this is a new scheme introduced into the works programme. Dates highlighted in red indicate a change to the original dates that have previously been detailed.
Additional 'live' information can be found on our webpage by following the link, www.travelsomerset.co.uk.
Should you wish to discuss any particular scheme in more detail, please contact this office at your earliest convenience.
You may not be aware, but the recognised platform to view planned works on the highway is via One.Network. This website gives users a visual overview of present and future works, including road closures taking place within Somerset. The system also shows the advertised diversion route for road closures.
Users can search by town, road and date. It also provides other useful driver information. Automatic email alerts can be set up by users so you can receive daily or weekly alerts of new works in a user defined area. One.Network can be found at https://one.network/public and users accounts are free to create.
The weekly report I distribute focuses solely on SCC and SRA works. The One.Network platform provides a complete overview of all planned works, including those undertaken by third parties and utility companies.
Regards
Neil McWilliams
Highway Service Manager
Somerset County Council
South Somerset Area Highways Office
Mead Avenue
Houndstone Business Park
Yeovil
Somerset
BA22 8RT
Somerset County Council has now published their Bus Service Improvement Plan for Somerset (the Somerset BSIP).
It is still described as a draft but for it to have been made public, it must have the backing of both the officers at SCC Highways and Cllr John Woodman. the Cabinet Member for Transport at Somerset County Council.
It's a tough 100+ page read. It's certainly packed with lots of useful statistics and interesting analyses, but the important thing is whether it delivers an ambitious and practical improvement plan for our buses in Somerset. You can access it below
Very much welcome your thoughts.
It is being considered by the SCC Scrutiny Board on Tuesday October 12th at 10am - 2pm. You can join the meeting via Teams. Link on this page: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/how-the-council-works/joining-an-online-meeting/
Please find attached the sixth and final edition of the Recycle More Messenger, the regular briefings keeping you up to date with the roll-out of Recycle More which launched in South Somerset four months ago.
Collections services have, thankfully, been getting back on track in recent weeks which has helped the service bed-in after the difficult initial weeks.
We now have some estimates of the difference Recycle More is making in your district – around 130 extra tonnes of recycling each week – a great achievement to be built on in the months to come.
We hope you have found these updates useful. Please make use of the SWP website for information and advice about waste reduction and recycling – practical steps we can all take to protect our environment and help tackle climate change.
Last year Somerset recycled and reused more than 137,000 tonnes of waste, saving 123,000 tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of taking 47,321 cars off the road for a year or planting 738,216 trees.
Nearly 98% of recycling stayed in the UK, including 99.4% of plastics we collected.
Vaccination Buddies are still here to help people to make informed decisions about their COVID-19 vaccination; they can even help Portuguese and Polish speakers!
In Somerset, the majority of adults have now had both their Covid-19 jabs, but there are some people who don’t feel comfortable with the vaccination. Have you encountered people who have questions and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine that you haven’t had the time or knowledge to answer? Or maybe you have some questions yourself? We can help!
Our team of Vaccination Buddy volunteers can offer 1-2-1 advice over the phone to anybody in Somerset who is worried about having the vaccine, or maybe their second jab.
Vaccination Buddies come from all walks of life and can speak a range of languages including Dutch, Portuguese, German, Polish, Italian and French. They have undergone full training from Public Health at Somerset County Council. They cannot however, offer medical advice.
You can request a phone call with a Vaccination Buddy VIA THIS FORM. (Referral forms also available in Polish and Portuguese. )We will then get in touch to arrange a suitable time.
Please print and share the attached posters in English, Portuguese and Polish. The further they go, the better!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Helen
Helen Fielden
Vaccination Buddy and Covid Community Champion Coordinator
T: 07535 800944
27th September 2021
Joint message from the Chief Executives of all five councils in Somerset
The five councils in Somerset have jointly responded today to the Government regarding their views on potential electoral arrangements for the proposed unitary council for Somerset.
In July, the Secretary of State announced that the five existing councils in Somerset would be replaced by a single unitary council. As part of that process, he is reviewing the number of elected members and wards/divisions for the unitary council.
The approved business case proposed that, subject to involvement from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), the unitary council would have 100 elected members in 100 single member wards/divisions, with a clear requirement that the Boundary Commission undertake a review in the first term of the unitary council to determine the future number of councillors.
The Secretary of State has subsequently asked the five councils to review the proposal and has asked for views regarding a lower number of members – potentially around 85 in total.
This is not a formal LGBCE Electoral Review, but in response to the Government's request, the Chief Executives of all five councils have been given an opportunity to provide views on potential electoral arrangements for the unitary council. They have assessed five options and provided opinions on them as can be seen here. Elected members of all of the existing five councils in Somerset have also had the opportunity to submit their views.
This is the Government's process and the Secretary of State will decide which proposal for the unitary council's electoral arrangements will be laid before Parliament in early 2022.
20th September 2021
THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE BEACONS - 2ND JUNE 2022
Due to the fact that this is likely to be the last chain of Beacons to be lit in the reign of Her Majesty The Queen, we would like to make it the largest and the most dramatic the world has ever seen, so your valuable assistance throughout Somerset in helping us achieve this would be extremely appreciated.
I would be grateful therefore if you would kindly distribute the above at your earliest convenience please, to ensure those wishing to take part have plenty of time to make their plans.
My day to day liaison at Buckingham Palace for this aspect of the Jubilee is Caroline Creer. Please feel free to call her on 0207 930 4832 should feel it necessary, or call me at any time on 07737 262 913 from 8am through to 8pm Monday through to Saturday evening.
We do hope that you will be able to assist us with the above.
My warmest regards,
28th June 2021
Local Government Association Model Member Code of Conduct