Author: Clerk

New Government Restrictions – What Has Changed

Please read the following information provided by Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) on behalf of the Government:

New Government Restrictions – What Has Changed

With the infection rate sharply increasing, the Government has announced new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of transmissions down. From Monday 14th September, you must not meet with people from other households in groups of more than six. This applies to both indoors and out, including private dwellings. Previously the Police Service could only disperse gatherings of over 30 people. The changes give enforcement power, providing the ability to disperse, fine and possibly arrest individuals in violation of the ‘rule of six.’ Consequently whilst some Town and Parish Councils were looking at returning to face to face meetings, they are now legally obliged to continue meeting virtually.

The only exceptions to the new ruling are Covid-19 secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues. They can still host larger numbers in total, but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups. This rule will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than six who will still be able to gather together. Educational institutions and work settings are unaffected. Organised team sports will also still be able to continue, as well as weddings and funerals of up to 30 people. From today, this limit will be enforceable in law.

HM Government will support Local Authorities and Police Forces to respond to breaches of Covid-19 secure guidelines. They will launch a register of newly qualified and recently retired Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) so that Local Authorities can recruit more quickly to fill any gaps. In addition, they will introduce Covid-19 Secure Marshals to help Local Authorities support social distancing in Towns and City Centres.

Businesses will have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace. From 18th September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days. Core Covid-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforced. The government also published simplified Covid-19 Secure guidance. HM Government have also restricted the opening hours of premises, initially in Local Lockdown areas, with the option of national action in the future. This has been introduced in Bolton, following a steep rise in cases, and will seek to restrict activities that may lead to a spread in the virus.

The Government plan to review a pilot for larger audiences in venues this month.

Planned sports pilot events will be limited to smaller, safer numbers, with strict conditions to ensure social distancing, and will not take place in areas where incidences of Covid-19 contraction are high. They will review this plan to return audiences to stadia and conference centres from 1st October.

 

Parish Councillor Vacancy

Pebmarsh Parish Council have a Parish Councillor vacancy. If you would like to apply or would like any more information please contact the Parish Council.

Contact details can be found on the contact section of the website or on the Parish Council Notice Board.

Road Closure In Pebmarsh

Pebmarsh Parish Council has been liaising closely with County Broadband regarding the lack of warning before the road closure on The Street in the village today.

After investigation, it has been identified that the contractors working on behalf of County Broadband failed to notice the closure correctly locally, this was an administration error for which County Broadband has apologised.

Signs have now been put up to enable residents to know the duration of the works and to highlight the business within the closure is open.  Access for emergency services will be provided at all times and the teams on the ground will work with residents to maintain access to home and business owners.

This has been taken very seriously within County Broadband and has been escalated to director level with their Contractors.

County Broadband apologises for any inconvenience caused today.

Planning Permission for Phone Mast

Many of you will have heard that the planning permission for the mast at Oak farm, has been rejected by Braintree District Council. This decision is very welcomed by the Parish Council, but unfortunately this is not the end of this matter.

The Parish Council has been in contact with the telecoms company to discuss their next steps and they confirm that at present they are still evaluating the refusal; however, either an appeal or a new application for a different site are both equally likely.

In order to prepare for either eventuality, the Parish Council need to put forward an alternative site (or sites) for the phone mast. We understand that the perfect site does not exist, but would like to find a location that has a minimal effect on the village.

To help with this, the Parish Council would like to kindly ask any resident who might have a suitable site to come forward; we will then collate a list of options for the telecoms company. If we do not find a suitable alternative site an alternative will be forced upon us in a location that will more than likely not be suitable.

If you feel that you might have a suitable site please contact one of the Parish Councillors or the Parish Council at pebmarshparishclerk@gmail.com (contact details and names of councillors can be found the contact page of our website on or on the Parish Council notice board).

FRAUD EMAIL ALERT!

There is a fraud email circulating and using the names of email contacts.

An email comes from what appears to be a contact of yours saying “are you free right now?”

you respond and get this reply…

“I am in a conference meeting right now as I would be working
till late midnight but need you to get me some gift cards.Could you
pick a few iTunes gift cards for me, i tried purchasing online but no
luck. When I’m done with the meeting I will reimburse you.

Kind Regards,
*your contact name here*

I have just received this email and I knew straight away this was a scam as I have seen it before – I am not sure how it works but I checked the email that it came from and it wasn’t even my contact’s email, It was executivecommittees171@gmail.com
Please ignore any emails asking for vouchers – I know people who have been unfortunately not realised it was fake and therefore lost a lot of money with this scam.

Coronavirus Update

PM announces easing of some lockdown restrictions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (Tuesday 23 June) set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs.

From Saturday 4th July, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.

From the same date, two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and people can enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites.

In order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.

Following a review, the Prime Minister has set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission.

“Close proximity” venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to remain closed for now. The Government is continuing to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.

While the infection rate continues to fall, the Prime Minister has been clear that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The Government will keep all measures under constant review and “will not hesitate to apply the handbrake, or reverse measures, should the virus begin to run out of control”.

â–º Central Government will publish Covid-secure guidelines for every sector that is re-opening so keep an eye on gov.uk for more details and we will cover these in our next e-newsletter too.

It is important to keep following these key points:

1. Keep washing your hands.

2. Stay 2 metres apart wherever feasible, and mitigate the risks at 1 metre where not.

3. Avoid public transport when possible, and wear a mask when not.

4. Get tested immediately if you have symptoms. More here. 

5. Self-isolate if instructed by NHS Test and Trace.

Follow social distancing advisory signs

Essex County Council and Braintree District Council have worked together to plan the installation of several social distancing signs while High Street and nearby improvement works are carried out by Braintree District Council.

Called ‘Safer, Greener, Healthier’, these schemes aim to provide bigger, safer spaces for  shoppers, residents, workers and visitors to maintain social distance.

Measures will be installed in Braintree from tomorrow Wednesday 24th June and will be constantly reviewed and altered if required.

The measures in Braintree are designed to help allow people to social distance while also encouraging more people to walk and cycle.

Learn more here.Â