Welcome to our new look newsletter which we will send out via email every couple of weeks or so. The focus of the newsletter is unashamedly Weston-super-Mare and, in particular, our ward Weston-super-Mare Central. We hope this is useful.
Please share with your friends if you think they’d be interested. Thanks.
Mike and Robert
Council services update
All three recycling centres have now re-opened with an ‘odds and evens’ system in place. You can read about how this all works on the council website. New kerbside collection calendars are also now available to download and to attach to your noticeboard/wall/fridge.
The council continues to administer the business grant schemes for the estimated 3,500 eligible businesses in North Somerset. The most recent figures I have are that the council has processed 3,151 claims and paid out over £38 million.
The council are contacting 1,200 hospitality and leisure businesses this week to help them prepare for possible re-opening in July.
Tackling seafront rubbish
There was a real issue with the amount of rubbish left on the seafront during the warmer weather recently, particularly after the government decided to lift stay-at-home restrictions, so lots of people hit the seaside.
We took action to get additional bins put in along the seafront and also helped develop some new hard-hitting new signage to try and encourage the right behaviours. The council is also looking at how to step up enforcement action, so watch this space.
Facebook Live Q&A
Together with his Executive colleagues, Councillor Mike Bell will be leading a Facebook Live Q&A on the North Somerset Council Facebook page this Thursday (11 June) at 6pm. Join us then to ask your questions to our Executive, live on the night, or watch the recording back after the event.
Covid-19 and the regional R number
There has been some discussion about the regional R number in the south west and what it means for us here in North Somerset. Two academic studies last week said that in the south west the R number is at or around 1. The government's scientific body SAGE says it is not above 1 anywhere.
Here are a few reflections:
➡️ The academic studies are models and not necessarily accurate, they reflect a range of possibilities.
➡️ The studies are based on case numbers from two weeks ago, so do not necessarily reflect the situation today.
➡️ The south west is a big region from Gloucestershire to the Isles of Scilly, so any regional R could conceal a lot of variation.
➡️ North Somerset, as a result of the Weston Hospital Covid-19 outbreak, has had a lot of detailed analysis by Public Health England which gives us very accurate, up-to-date and local information.
➡️ That evidence shows that community cases - that is those outside the hospital and care homes - are falling, not rising. There is no evidence of a spike in North Somerset or Weston outside the hospital setting.
➡️ The virus hasn't gone away and as the government continues to ease the national lockdown, please keep following the guidance:
🏡 Stay home as much as possible
💼 Work from home if you can
❗ Limit contact with others outside your household
↔ Keep 2 metres apart from people you don’t live with
🖐 Wash your hands regularly, for 20 seconds with soap and water
😷 If you can, wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. From 15 June, you must wear a face covering on public transport and in hospitals.
⚠ Self-isolate if you, or your household, has symptoms and get tested
Here is a useful and balanced BBC report about the R number and things to be aware of.
Weston-super-Mare Town Council
Weston-super-Mare Town Council has done some great work supporting North Somerset Council with the Covid-19 response, including helping to coordinate volunteer efforts in our community.
The Town Council has helped connect nearly 1,000 residents in need with help and volunteer assistance.
Contacted more than 1,600 residents classed as “clinically vulnerable” to offer support and advice.
Delivered a postcard signposting support services locally to more than 47,000 local homes.
Helped secure more than £16,000 in grants to support local volunteer efforts.
Get in touch with your local councillors
Contact Councillor Mike Bell on 07881 320 279 or email mike.bell@n-somerset.gov.uk or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact Councillor Robert Payne on 07904 026 096 or email robert.payne@n-somerset.gov.uk or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
North Somerset Together has been set up to help residents who have no support from family or friends and who are socially isolated. They can access the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond by visiting www.n-somerset.gov.uk/together or ringing 01934 427 437.