COVID-19 Update
Council News
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) update
Residents who are at the most risk from coronavirus – those who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable – are being asked to take extra precautions during the new national lockdown. This group of people is not as large as the group identified under the previous shielding scheme; for example, there is not the need for everyone over 70 to stay at home.
Everyone who is in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable category has been sent a letter from Government to advise them what they need to do to stay safe. We are working with Cambridgeshire County Council to follow this up with a further letter/email/text with local information about support available. This will include how support can be accessed from local community groups.
In South Cambridgeshire:
- 6,500 people are in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable category at the moment
- 3,200 registered on the national support website, or by phone, in the first phase of the virus
- Of those who registered, 750 people had a need for some form of support (many of which were helped by community groups)
Along with colleagues at the County Council, we will also be calling people on the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable list who are most vulnerable and received support last time. This is so we can be sure they have what they need. Part of that conversation will make it clear we will share their information with a community group if support can be provided by them, such as shopping or the collection of prescriptions.
As we are now over seven months into the pandemic, the national systems such as online supermarket priority are far more developed. People are also much more aware of the amazing support available to them in their community. As this is the case, we do not plan to share the data we provided to community groups during the initial lockdown. We would encourage groups to remind everyone in their village they are still there to help, including using the grants we have offered to send an updated leaflet, if possible. We will be contacting you about people who say they need your help.
Co-op Food Fund
Co-op Food Fund grants of £2,000 to £10,000 are available to local charities, community organisations, parish and town councils, school PTAs, churches and other religious organisations for local programmes that tackle food poverty. Eligible expenditure includes food banks, holiday hunger schemes, redistributing surplus food, providing access to balanced meals and upskilling people on low cost meal solutions. The deadline to apply is 13 November 2020.
Business support
It’s going to be another tough time for local businesses, and our Business Support team is ready to help. If any of your local businesses are unsure about what they can/cannot do as part of new lockdown measures, or if they need support or advice on where to go for financial assistance over coming weeks and months, please remind them that they can contact our Business Support team. Email for general support and guidance, or for queries relating to Local Restriction Support grants.
We are also encouraging businesses to sign up to our regular business newsletter and check out our webpages for all the most up to date information and business advice.
Finding Employment
https://thec3.uk/finding-employment
Barton Parish Council
If you need some guidance, help or a friendly voice then please contact :-
Sarah Pitchford
