Coronavirus update from your councillors (no. 3)
This is your latest update from your Green councillors. We’re still working in lockdown, having meetings via zoom (see above!) and continuing with important Council business like planning and scrutiny. We have also been trying to ensure the voices of residents are heard during the crisis and pushing for measures to support social distancing on our streets – good news on that front below.
Our thanks to everyone doing their bit during the pandemic, particularly our fantastic key workers and anyone doing volunteer work or supporting their neighbours – but also everyone who has been making efforts to stay at home and keeping to social distancing measures.
Please feel free to contact us with any issues, questions or problems with council services or the City's response to coronavirus you may have – we are still here to support you. Scroll down for more local news.
You can reach us at:
Councillor Carla Denyer: cllr.carla.denyer@bristol.gov.uk, 07469 413306
Councillor Clive Stevens: cllr.clive.stevens@bristol.gov.uk, 07584 370434
(And you can catch up with the previous issue of this e-newsletter here.)
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Update from the government
On Sunday the Prime Minister set out a recovery strategy to gradually lift lockdown restrictions on a conditional basis. While the government’s slogan has changed, it is still vital we stay at home as much as possible to protect our family, friends and neighbours, and if outdoors that we stick to social distancing guidelines.
Some of the key changes are:
- People who cannot work from home may now return to the workplace this week, but are being asked to avoid using public transport where possible [link].
- The government have also introduced a new five-tier Covid-19 alert system – the warning system will show five levels of threat from the virus from level one (green) to level five (red). A Joint Biosecurity Centre will be responsible for detecting local spikes so restrictions can be quickly re-imposed.
- The government has relaxed restrictions on spending time outdoors, providing people stick to social distancing guidelines. Those who fail to adhere to social distancing rules face higher fines.
- The government is aiming to bring all primary year groups back to school before the summer holidays, for a month if feasible [link].
- The Treasury has confirmed that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough funding) will remain open until the end of October.
- Quarantine measures for those coming into Britain by air will soon be introduced.
The government’s ‘roadmap’ for gradually lifting restrictions can be found here
Bristol Update
Most waste and recycling services resume
Bristol’s Reuse and Recycling centres will be reopening to the public from Monday, 18 May. New measures will be put in place to assist with social distancing. To try and prevent a rush of people all going at the same time, the Council are putting some restrictions in place, such as an odd and even number plate system, which means people will only be able to visit on certain days. The advice for now is to only visit the sites if absolutely necessary and otherwise hold off until a later date. Find out more information here.
Garden and bulky waste collections have also restarted in Bristol – click here to find out more.
Road improvements to help social distancing
Councillors have been hearing from lots of residents that they want more space to exercise while maintaining social distancing. There have also been police reports of more speeding from drivers during lockdown. To help people exercise safely and reduce the spread of coronavirus we pressed the Mayor to implement some simple measures in Bristol like widening pavement space in busy areas, creating temporary bike lanes and filtering measures to slow traffic in residential areas. Thanks to pressure from local residents, transport campaigners, Greens, and even the Government, the Council have now put out a package of transport improvements which should help tackle some of the problems we’ve raised.
Of course the devil will be in the specific details, and work needs to start as soon as possible to prevent a dangerous and polluting surge in cars on the road, but we think this is a significant first step.
We expect the Council will be introducing a way for local people to submit proposals for changes needed in their areas, but for now please continue to get in touch with us if you have suggestions, so we can make sure important issues aren’t being overlooked.
Cycles for Key Workers
Sustrans and local bike shops have teamed up to help frontline workers cycle to and from work safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to find out more and for a map that can help key workers find bike offers and services in their area.
Coronavirus scams - how to spot them and stop them
There’s been worrying reports of a significant increase in scams trying to exploit people’s fear of coronavirus. Which magazine has produced a useful guide to help you spot and avoid potential fraudsters.
Coronavirus support hub for older people
A support hub has been launched to help older people and their families in Bristol cope with the impact of coronavirus. This can provide help and support with a range of things, including practical things like advice on finances, benefits and allowances, help with shopping orders and delivery, and emotional and social support. You can call the helpline on 0117 929 7537 (open 9-5 Monday-Friday) or send an email to admin@ageukbristol.org.uk.
Tests available
The government has released details of its testing programme. You can get a coronavirus test if you are:
- An essential worker (including NHS and social care) with symptoms – full list of essential workers here
- Over 65 with symptoms of the virus
- Unable to work from home (e.g. plumber, shop worker) and have symptoms
- Having symptoms of coronavirus and live with any of those above
As well as this the government are testing social care workers and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms), and NHS workers and patients without symptoms. You can apply for a coronavirus test here – there’s the option of a ‘drive through’ service at Bristol Airport or a home test kit (limited supply for now).
Coronavirus support - recap
What everyone needs to know
It’s important to stress that despite some minor relaxation in restrictions, the main advice is still that people should avoid any contact with people outside their own household and follow social distancing at all times when outside.
If you have to go out stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people. Wash your hands as soon as you get home. Do not meet others, even friends or family as you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
If you are at higher risk from coronavirus – which includes older people, people with health conditions, and pregnant women – you should take extra steps to reduce your chances of catching it.
Guidance on social distancing
Read more about what you can and cannot do
NHS health advice on coronavirus (COVID 19)
Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus
Food parcels and medical help for the most vulnerable
The Government is working with supermarkets to help deliver food parcels to the most vulnerable who are unable to leave their homes. Those in need should register for support on Gov.uk or call 0800 028 8327. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care that may be needed.
Bristol City Council information
You should be able to find help and information on Bristol City Council’s website. This includes information for vulnerable citizens, health advice, financial advice, information for businesses and information on changes to local services.
The Council have set up an email addresses to respond to any Covid-19 enquires that are not answered on the website – email coronavirus@bristol.gov.uk
The We Are Bristol freephone number is 0800 694 0184. This number is to help the city’s most vulnerable citizens, including getting food and other essentials, delivering medical items and arranging follow up support with different organisations. The number is currently operating 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Friday and 10:00am-2:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Mutual aid groups on Facebook and WhatsApp
Across Bristol people are helping each other by delivering shopping to those stuck indoors, helping with dog-walking or just offering support and companionship remotely. There is a mutual aid Facebook group for Bristol. Once you have joined this, the top post has links to each postcode group (e.g. BS6 group, BS10 group etc), for more local support. Many streets have also set up WhatsApp groups – information on these is available through the Facebook postcode groups.
Offer help
As well as support through local groups, there are other ways to help by becoming a volunteer. If you would like to volunteer to support others across the city please sign up to Can Do Bristol. Bristol also needs to recruit more care workers to help with this crisis. If you would like to apply to be a care worker you can do so through Proud to Care Bristol. If you would like to give financial assistance to the many charities and organisations supporting people affected by coronavirus across Bristol you can donate to the coronavirus 2020 response fund.
Domestic violence
There are worrying reports of increased domestic abuse during the lockdown. Police advice is that if people need to leave their households to seek safety they should do so. Bristol City Council has more information on support for those suffering domestic advice and how to report it.
Deputy Leader of the Green Party Amelia Womack has organised a cross party letter calling on the Government to make emergency funds availablefor councils and devolved administrations to set up emergency shelters for victims.
Council Tax relief
If your financial circumstances have changed and you need help paying your Council Tax you may be able to apply for Bristol City Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Or you may be able to reschedule some of your payments to a plan that you can manage. There is information on the Bristol City Council website or you can call the customer services line on 0117 922 2900 for support and advice.
Supporting local businesses
For those who are able to, there are many local businesses who are offering deliveries and need as much support as possible. If you want to support them you can view a map of the independent businesses delivering during the lockdown. Other useful sites include Good Sixty who deliver from dozens of independent businesses by bike, Indie Kitty which enables you to purchase vouchers for future meals to help support your favourite independent food and drink outlets and Bristol Food Union who help signpost to local businesses. Bristol also has a map showing where essential shopping can be picked up.
Mental health in isolation
Public Health England has published guidance on practical steps people can take to look after their mental wellbeing and specific guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. They have also produced the Every Mind Matters platform which has specific advice on maintaining good mental wellbeing during the current situation.
Bristol Transport
There are now reduced bus services running across Bristol so make sure that you check the timetable if you have to leave your home for an essential reason. There is also free parking for NHS and care workers across Bristol at many of the car parks that are open.
Libraries in lockdown
Bristol’s libraries may be closed but they have a wide variety of online services that can be accessed from home – ebooks and audiobooks, as well as 1000s of daily newspapers and magazines. There are also online events for children and adults: lunchtime lectures, quizzes and book clubs, and a children’s story time streaming online three afternoons a week. Find out more here and visit the libraries services here.
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Street improvements and repairs
Many Green councillors are using their daily exercise to look for and report street issues that require maintenance or improvement, and if you want, you can do it too! There are two different platforms for this – Fix My Street and Improve My Street.
Fix My Street is to report street issues that need repair – damaged kerbs, potholes, drains, etc.
Improve My Street is to report road street issues that need improvements – a new pedestrian crossing, segregated cycle route, clearer signage, changes to parking, etc.
Plus, you can use this form to let the police know about speeding offences.
Photos from one of Carla's 'street improvement' walks last week.
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Local support in Clifton Down
We continue to support local residents with issues through this difficult time. Alongside the usual stuff we have been doing coronavirus-specific work including helping tenants deal with unsympathetic landlords, signposting residents and local businesses to financial support, and lobbying national and local government for changes to make people’s lives better.
The two issues we've had most correspondence about this month are:
Road improvements to help social distancing
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Many local residents wrote to us asking for road space reallocations such as pavement-widening and dedicated cycle lanes to make social distancing easier.
For over a month Greens have been pressing the Mayor on this. The Council have finally announced some changes (details here and here), which are an important first step in the right direction. However, Cotham Hill (pictured) is not in the list. So we will keep lobbying because we know it’s important for everyone's safety, and for local businesses.
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Holes in the safety net
Every day we hear about more 'holes' in the safety net. Here are just two examples:
People who changed job in late February / early March have 'fallen between two stools' and are not eligible to be furloughed. Despite this affecting a significant number of people, the issue has not been resolved by government yet. To find out more go here.
Language schools (of which we have several in Clifton Down) are not eligible for business rate holidays or grants like hospitality businesses are, even though they are affected just as much if not more, given that most of their students visit from overseas. We have been in contact with several employees of a local school to help them lobby for change and find support in the meantime.
Plus - are you on Instagram?
Carla now has a profile, you can find her here.
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Bristol News
Due to lost income from the impact of coronavirus it seems possible the Council could face a financial black hole of as much as £82 million. Green councillors have called on the government to provide more funding and support to councils so we can continue to provide crucial services. The Mayor has also called on the government for more funding and guarantees.
Bristol’s Muslim community are having to adapt to an unprecedented Ramadan. Many of the important parts of the festival such as voluntary work, communal feasts and prayer at mosques have all been put on hold due to the lockdown rules. Large congregations such as the Grand Iftar on St Mark’s road would be unsafe to go ahead.
Finally, Green councillors have called for a new local emergency workforce to be formed to “contact trace” new cases of coronavirus. A local system of testing, contact tracing and quarantine would help Bristol to take control of the virus, save lives and help prevent a further lockdown.
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