- No half measures this half term
- Updating the electoral register
- Let's Talk Transport
- Call for road safety ideas
- Responding to Cornwall's housing crisis
- Leisure centre consultation
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- Orange Button Community Scheme
- Home insulation scam warning
- Time2Move Holiday Programme
- Important support
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No half measures this half term
This half term Cornwall Council’s Public Health team is asking residents, businesses and visitors to stay vigilant and keep up the good work to ensure COVID cases stay as low as possible during the break.
Here are some top tips to help everyone have a happy and health break:
- Hands – wash with water and soap or sanitise regularly
- Face – thank you to everyone who is still wearing face coverings
- Space – it’s always best to keep your distance from people where possible and avoid crowds
- Fresh air – being outdoors as much as possible and being in well-ventilated areas will help you stay virus free
- Test – if you’re travelling away or visiting Cornwall, use Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) regularly the week before you set off and don’t travel if you have symptoms or test positive
PCR tests:
- If you feel unwell with classic COVID symptoms, get a PCR test.
- If you feel ill but think you might have another winter illness or aren’t sure it’s COVID, you can now get a PCR test even if you don’t have the three main symptoms.
- If you feel unwell, limit your contact with other people and book a PCR test on the GOV.UK website.
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Updating the electoral register
Cornwall Council staff will be visiting thousands of homes across Cornwall over the coming weeks as the electoral register is updated.
The annual household canvass ensures the electoral register can be kept up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered to vote so they can be encouraged to do so.
Households that didn’t complete the annual canvass forms that were sent out via post and email may receive a visit from a member of the Council’s staff in the coming weeks.
Anyone visiting your home on behalf of Cornwall Council will be able to show you their ID card.
The easiest way to register to vote is online via the GOV.UK website.
Anyone with questions about the electoral register can contact the local registration team by calling 0300 123 1115.
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Let's Talk Transport
Cornwall Council has refreshed Cornwall’s Transport Plan and wants to know what local councils and people in your area think about it.
Since the plan was first published in 2011 some big changes have happened to our society, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recognition that we face a climate change crisis. These and other factors will affect how people travel and goods are moved. The Council has updated the Transport Plan taking into account these changes, so that transport is well planned for the next decade.
Now the Council wants to know whether people think the plan is ambitious enough to deliver its vision:
Transport in Cornwall will strive to be excellent and carbon neutral. Our transport system will connect people, communities, businesses and services in a way that enhances quality of life, is reliable, efficient, safe, healthy and inclusive. People will choose to travel in ways that will have a low impact upon the environment and other people.
To see the draft plan and give your views on the refreshed Transport Plan, visit the Let’s Talk Transport pages. The survey will be open until 24 December 2021.
Please share this information with people in your area.
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Call for road safety ideas
Is there a road safety issue in your neighbourhood? Could it be fixed with a relatively small amount of funding?
The Vision Zero South West road safety partnership has launched its Call for Ideas in communities across Devon and Cornwall.
There is a total funding pot of £100,000 to support community-led road safety initiatives that will make a real difference to local communities.
For more details on this scheme, or to apply, visit the Vision Zero South West website. The deadline for submissions is 1 November.
If your proposal requires Highways permission, please speak with your highway manager as a first point of call before submitting it:
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Responding to Cornwall's housing crisis
Cornwall Council is developing a Housing Crisis plan to respond to housing pressures in Cornwall, including the issues around availability and affordability. It will set out a series of actions to be taken by the Council and housing partners, working with communities and residents.
Please encourage residents in your area to help shape the plan and the actions by answering seven questions about immediate housing issues via Responding to Cornwall’s Housing Crisis. The consultation closes at midnight on 29 October.
There’s also still time for residents to share their feedback on Cornwall Council’s Housing Strategy, which looks at the priorities for homes for the rest of this decade and provides a framework for other plans, strategies and projects. The Housing Strategy survey is open until 5pm on 8 November and can be completed via Let’s Talk Homes.
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Leisure centre consultation
There is still time for local councils, residents, community groups and other interested parties to have their say about Cornwall Council’s draft Leisure Resources Strategy, which includes proposed changes to the operation of leisure centres in Cornwall.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the leisure sector across the country, and the loss of income due to the pandemic is having a long-term impact on how leisure services in Cornwall can be provided in future.
You can find out more on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website and complete the online survey. Paper copies are available by calling 0300 1234 100. The consultation closes on 31 October.
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Orange Button Community Scheme
People who are struggling with mental ill health, having thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or family member can now 'push the button' when they see someone displaying a distinctive orange badge and ask for information and support.
The Orange Button is worn by people who have undergone mental health first aid or suicide prevention training. While they are not able to counsel someone, they can help people find relevant services.
To find out more about the Orange Button Community Scheme, visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/orangebutton and please help spread the word in your area.
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Home insulation scam warning
Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team is warning residents to be wary of home insulation scams.
Here’s what to think about when considering works to make your home more energy efficient:
- Be wary if you’re approached following a cold call. While some businesses do legitimately use these methods to find new customers, always do your own research, including looking at independent online reviews.
- Speak to reputable independent advisors, such as Community Energy Plus, to work out which energy efficiency measure is best for your home, the likely cost, and what funding you may qualify for.
- When dealing with a business, make sure they tell you who they are and which source of grant funding they are intending to access. Challenge any vague statements which suggest they are ‘working for the Government’ or ‘working for the Council’.
- Genuine installers will offer a fair price for the work. While they may be prepared to be negotiate a little, be suspicious if a salesperson or ‘surveyor’ offers a very large discount.
- There is no law that states that homeowners will be fined if they fail to make improvements to the energy efficiency of their home.
To report a scam relating to energy efficiency, or for further advice on your legal rights, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
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Time2Move Holiday Programme
Please share this with organisations in your area.
Active Cornwall is looking for sport, physical activity and cultural providers including community halls, schools, coaches and private providers to deliver paid and funded activity on the Time2Move Holiday Programme this Christmas.
The Time2Move Holiday programme offers fun, engaging activity with a free meal for all children and aims to support children and families who may be affected by the triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity.
Following successful summer events throughout Cornwall, plans are now coming together to run the initiative in the Christmas holidays.
As part of the programme providers of activities, including those with suitable spaces such as schools or community halls, are being invited to come forward and offer their services where funding is available to support providers.
Find out more and apply here or email Time2Move.HolidayProgramme@cornwall.gov.uk for more information.
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Important support
For vaccine questions, please email nhskernowccg.ciosc19vaccine@nhs.net or visit the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group’s website.
Please send all other coronavirus related enquiries or issues to Cornwall Council’s dedicated email address covid19@cornwall.gov.uk. Residents can also ring 0300 1231 118 for any COVID-19 related queries.
You can see the latest COVID-19 data for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Cornwall Council’s website.
Cornwall Council has a dedicated telephone line 0300 1234 334 specifically for residents who are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group.
Find out more about Cornwall Association of Local Councils at www.cornwallalc.org.uk or email enquiries@cornwallalc.org.uk.
Anyone who needs help can request a volunteer by ringing Volunteer Cornwall on 01872 266988 or emailing requestforhelp@volunteercornwall.org.uk.
Community volunteers can register with Volunteer Cornwall on their website or by emailing mid@volunteercornwall.org.uk. Volunteer Cornwall will match people who ring up needing help with the community volunteers in their local area – or, if they have more complex needs, with specialist services.
Support for those living with domestic abuse is available from Safer Futures. People can make a referral online, email saferfutures@firstlight.org.uk or ring 0300 777 4777. There is also refuge and support via the Cornwall Refuge Trust website and their 24 hour helpline 01872 225629.
There’s information about support for those facing hardship or redundancy, including help with food, benefits and council tax, on the Do you need a helping hand? page on Cornwall Council’s website.
Find out more about the support available for businesses here: Support for businesses and Growth Hub.
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