With the rise in Covid cases across Bath and North East Somerset, local leaders today warned about the danger of a local lockdown if people ignore the rules on “hands-face-space” and social gatherings. Dr Bruce Laurence, B&NES director of Public Health, said: “We are treading a fine line and there is a real danger that we could see Bath and North East Somerset follow other areas which are now in the higher alert levels. So our message today is clear – it is only through each and every one of us taking action to prevent further spread of this disease that we can hope to stay outside the local lockdown measures. “We should all be prudent and cautious, but if we follow guidance, we need not be fearful. That means where people are applying good rules, it is safe to go out for essential activities like shopping in all parts of Bath and North East Somerset. Currently Bath & North East Somerset is on medium alert level and we must: Follow all the rules, including on hand-washing, face coverings, social distancing, and gatherings. Remember- Hands: Face: Space. If we have symptoms, self-isolate and book a test on119 or online at nhs.uk/coronavirus Follow instructions from Test and Trace The council will be reinforcing these messages through posters at bus stops, on Park and Ride Buses, online and in a letter to residents. Dr Laurence added: “We are at the medium level of alert and there is no strict rule about households mixing beyond the rule of six, but if we want to remain out of lockdown, we should all limit non-essential mixing between households as much as possible, and certainly avoid crowded places where people are not being careful about their behaviour. “Please ask yourself, whenever you are mixing with others or going out, is this necessary? Is this safe? Is the benefit worth the risk to me and to others? “Finally, as we approach Halloween and Bonfire night please avoid Trick or Treating or anything else that puts you, or others at risk.” Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, added: ““I want to reassure residents that where there are cases our public health team is working with Public Health England and those affected, to ensure the measures are put in place to control the virus. But we are in real danger of lockdown if people don’t follow the rules” “Our Hub on 0800 247 0050 can help with food and medication and provide support if you are vulnerable, isolated, lonely or anxious” The Hub, a collaboration between the Virgin Care, 3SG, NHS and the Council has SO FAR received over 8000 calls for help with over 2000 tasks such as helping with food and medicines carried out by volunteers To control the spread of coronavirus in B&NES the council: Works with Public Health England, health colleagues and individual settings to identify cases and clusters and put practical measures in place. Works very closely with the universities and colleges, who have comprehensive measures in place, to look after their student and to reassure wider community Is training people to be able to contact trace to support PHE Is gearing up to manage any increase in demand over winter Is supporting care providers and closely monitoring all our care homes particularly around PPE and advice Is working with schools, providing public health advice and guidance when cases arise Successfully contained one spike of 20 to 30 cases a few weeks ago in the Midsomer Norton area which was traced to a pub and a social group and was successfully contained Through its Environmental Health Officers, regularly tours city and town centres to monitor and intervene where necessary Is vetting any events planned in Bath and North East Somerset Has worked with partners to secure mobile testing units and the new walk-through local testing site in Bath Is closely monitoring business continuity arrangements to make sure services can cope with combined winter and Covid pressures. Is consistently sharing national and local public health messages across its communications platforms Has worked with business to open the city and towns safely Has put in measures in the city centre and high streets to help social distancing You can find the latest coronavirus figures for the area here https://coronavirus-staging.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map

‘Your story can change our city and we’re here to make your voice heard’ This is the call out from Dream Space; an exciting new community-led project created by generosity network, Good for Nothing, which is inviting Bath residents (15 years+) to share their personal stories of the defining issues of our time - the social inequalities revealed through Covid-19, the climate crisis and racism. For a whole month until 15 November, with support from the National Lottery’s Emerging Futures Fund, the Dream Space team is giving Bath locals a platform to speak openly on these important issues. Film it, write it or speak it - it’s up to you. These stories will be brought together in a number of vibrant and inspiring ways to connect and empower Bath’s communities and inspire change. Good for Nothing Founder, Dan Burgess, explains how Bath residents, including students, can make their voice heard: “We all have a story within us, Dream Space is a place for sharing them. Feelings, fears, rants, insights, ideas, poems, songs, dreams. All stories are welcome. But they must come from personal experiences of living here in Bath and how that connects with either the social inequalities revealed through Covid-19, the climate and ecological crisis or racism. You can film it, write it or speak it - share via www.thedreamspace.co.uk or join one of our online open mic nights in November. (Tuesday 10th November - Racism, Thursday 12th November, The Climate Crisis, Tuesday 17th November, the social inequalities revealed through Covid-19). The only Dream Space rules we have are: be kind, empathetic, and respectful. It’s a creative experiment, and we would love everyone from community groups, students, parents and business owners to get involved.” Inspired by the powerful and moving protests that shook the city this year, this project is giving a voice to those who may not always be heard. Ruqia Osman, an anti-racism activist and Dream Space team member, explains why she views this new storytelling experience as positive and empowering for people in Bath: “We understand Covid-19 has highlighted a number of existing social and structural inequalities, touching the lives of every person in our city. But we don’t yet know the full story, as not everyone feels they can speak up. At a time when we have all felt or continue to feel isolated or powerless, we hope Dream Space will not only be a fantastic creative outlet, but also one which helps Bath residents feel more connected, understood and supported by one another.” Capturing stories from our city is just one part of the Dream Space project, as the team will also host a ‘Dreaming Session’ - an online / offline (Covid depending) gathering on Saturday 28th November to give residents an opportunity to share their ideas about how we can shape the future of our city. Dream Space team member and Bath local, Evva Semenowicz, highlighted why they have chosen to also offer a space for social imagination: “During lockdown, some of us were able to take the time to dream about or imagine what the future or ‘the new normal’ could look like, but within no time at all we were being rushed back into business as usual. We feel Covid-19, whilst bringing huge amounts of despair and disparity, presents a unique opportunity to co-create the future on a local level. “As the Dreaming Session will be informed by the stories we hear we don’t know what it will look like yet, but from our years with Good for Nothing, we do know that amazing things can happen when you bring like-minded and passionate people together in a safe, creative and explorative environment.” Recognising the impact these three complex issues are having on younger people in Bath, the Dream Space team are also keen to work with young emerging Bath talent to capture, curate and share what is heard and imagined over the next few months. Young people with social media, photography, filmmaking and blogging skills are being invited to join the Dream Space crew, along with local mentors who could help support them. To share your story or get involved with Dream Space please visit www.thedreamspace.co.uk or follow #DreamSpaceBath.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s low-emission gritting lorries will be out and about this weekend testing their systems in readiness for keeping roads safe and traffic moving this winter. The nine state-of the-art vehicles invested in by the council in 2019 will be undergoing test runs and route familiarisation for the drivers on October 24. The tests will ensure that the fleet is ready to spring into action when temperatures drop and poor weather conditions arise and are part of the council’s winter preparedness programme. The gritters are ‘all-wheel drive’, have a GPS-controlled automatic spreading system and mapping software that allows the driver to cover any route in any vehicle. On-board weighing means the gritters can measure and carry the optimum amount of road salt required to be spread for forecast conditions which saves time, fuel and reduces emissions. Councillor Neil Butters, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “If you see our gritting fleet out on the roads this weekend, please don’t worry – it’s not a sign that we are expecting bad weather. It’s crucial that we keep the roads safe and traffic flowing as we head towards winter, so we need to make sure the vehicles are in tip-top condition and are ready to be deployed at short notice. “Working alongside our partner Volker Highways we have a very experienced team ready to deal with whatever conditions winter throws at us. When the time comes, a lot of the actual gritting work will be carried out overnight as we do our utmost to keep roads safe and the road network running throughout the colder months.” In preparation for bad weather the council’s road salt storage facility has been topped up to capacity with 1,300 tonnes of salt. The 434 grit bins sited across the district for public use are also being refilled. More than 38 per cent of the road network is treated by the council during freezing conditions – a total of 263 miles of highway which is more than the national average. The gritting fleet can operate around the clock to ensure the maximum level of support is given to residential and business communities across the district. Residents are being reminded that the council is unable to supply salt directly to the public and should not attempt to enter council highways depots for safety reasons. During any severe winter weather, the council provides regular updates about the status of its services on www.twitter.com/bathnes Residents can play their part in helping the council to manage the road network during severe weather by reporting any problems by calling: 01225 3934041, emailing: council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk or via Twitter @ccbathnes For more information, including a winter advice leaflet offering tips on dealing with severe winter weather on highways and pavements, and Government guidance on householders clearing snow and ice outside their home, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/gritting

Work to repair Bath’s historic Cleveland Bridge is set to start in the spring/summer of 2021 following the approval of listed building consent by councillors. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee gave consent for work on the Grade II * bridge at its meeting yesterday (Oct 21). The bridge is a crucial link in the strategic road network between the A46 and the A36 and it carries approximately 17,000 vehicles. As the Highway Authority, the council is directed by the Department for Transport (DfT) to manage the Primary Road Network and has a statutory duty to keep its highways structures safe. While the bridge has been routinely maintained over the years, a survey has shown it needs major repairs including the replacement of some of the major structural elements. Due to the extensive nature of the refurbishment, Bath & North East Somerset Council applied for financial assistance from the Government through the Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund. The application was approved in February 2020 and the Department for Transport is contributing £3.5m to the repairs. Because of the need to repair structural components, as a precautionary measure an 18-tonne weight restriction was implemented on the bridge in February this year to reduce loading on the structure. As the council manages the Primary Road Network, by law it would not be able to introduce a permanent weight restriction without consulting with neighbouring authorities, who have in the past objected to such proposals. Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport services, said: “If we do not repair and strengthen the bridge and it continues to deteriorate, the bridge may have to be closed to all traffic which would have serious consequences for everyone who lives and works in the city. “This decision by the planning committee now allows us to plan for the next stage. While preparation for the repairs has been affected by the pandemic we are working with the appointed contractors to come up with safe ways of working on the bridge as well as mitigating the impact of a temporary closure while the work is carried out next year. “The council has worked jointly with Wiltshire Council lobbying Government for an alternative strategic route to the South that would reduce the number of HGVs coming through Bath and we will continue to pursue this.”

Five of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s parks have been recognised in this year’s Green Flag awards for meeting the highest quality standards used as an international benchmark. Alexandra Park, Bloomfield Green, Hedgemead Park, Henrietta Park and Royal Victoria Park have all won the international mark of quality for being well-managed. The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the standard for their management across the UK and around the world. Alexandra Park has undergone major improvements to the viewpoint and play area and new planting has been carried out at Hedgemead Park and Bloomfield Park. The Friends of Henrietta Park has also been helping the council’s parks team to renovate the pond at the park and planning improvements for 2021. A survey carried out by the council in May found that 61.5% of responders valued parks more since Covid-19, with Royal Victoria Park having seen a huge upturn in visitor numbers this year. Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “It’s wonderful news that five of our parks have achieved these international quality standards, despite having to close for six weeks in Spring due to coronavirus and with fewer staff available due to self-isolation and shielding. A huge congratulations to our parks team and thanks to our cleansing team for their support. “I’d also like to thank all the Friends groups which support us to keep our parks tidy and well maintained for everyone to enjoy. Parks have been even more important to people’s health and wellbeing during coronavirus, as proven by the increase in visitors we’ve seen locally. I’m pleased that our beautiful parks are encouraging people to get outside and enjoy green spaces.” Anyone wishing to join a Friends group can find out more by following this link. Volunteering in Royal Victoria Park Botanical Gardens restarted in September and details can be found on the Botanical Gardens page. Local charity Bristol and Bath Parks Foundation recently launched a new campaign, #LoveYourPark, to seek donations to support the volunteers who care passionately about local green spaces including litter pickers, nature lovers, and community ambassadors. Find out more about the campaign here Find details of all our parks here. Please remember to follow social distancing rules when visiting. Find out more about the Green Flag Awards at https://greenflagaward.org/

Latest update from the Carers’ Centre Get your FREE Flu vaccination This year, it’s more important than ever that as many people who are eligible for a flu vaccination have one - and as a carer, of any age, that includes you. Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also those around you, including the people you care for and the health and social care staff you come in to contact with. Visit the NHS website or talk to your GP or local pharmacy for more information. You can call our support line for further advice on flu vaccinations, or any other caring concern you may have. Contact us on 0800 0388 885 (Monday–Friday, 8.15am–3pm) or email support@banescarerscentre.org.uk. New winter programme Our latest Caretime will be with you shortly, detailing our winter promise to you, new breaks and get togethers as well as information on our support line. Download a copy now or click the links below to view the information on our website! Download Caretime Sign up for our winter breaks! Whether you want to make your own skincare products, enjoy a visit to No. 1 Royal Crescent or join in with our virtual Christmas extravaganza, we hope there is something in the programme for you! Click below to see everything that’s on offer. Book a break Planting Project at Green Park! A last minute break offer not included in Caretime.... If you enjoy being outdoors and meeting new people why not join Bath Parks Foundation on 10th, 21st or 24th November and help transform Green Park into a space for the local community! Find out more Get Together Online We have 2 online cafés hosted by Carmen, who will make sure you feel welcomed and supported. Join her on a Monday or Saturday morning. Book a cafe Get Together in Person We now have 2 indoor get together's running at Southdown Methodist, Bath and Mardon's Social Club, Westfield. Click below for more details. Book a space 'Phone Get Togethers We are currently piloting connecting carers via telephone. We hope to launch this new style get together soon. Register your interest below! I'm interested! Have your voice heard We are always looking for ways you can get involved in shaping services, including within the Carers' Centre, locally and on a national scale, with the aim of improving lives for all carers and getting the crucial recognition and understanding you deserve. Find out more about the current range of opportunities to do this on our website: Find out more

Money is the last thing we want to talk about to strangers. By the time we do, it's often because we've reached breaking point. Clean Slate's Money Health-Check service helps people, whether they say they are struggling or not, to uncover ways to become better off. This means support workers don't need to be expert in spotting the signs that people are sliding into hardship, debt or homelessness. If you're speaking to them, consider them eligible. This one-minute video shows how the Money Health-Check works. The process uses an online Quiz and it works as a triage, using yes/no questions, not delving into participants' financial circumstances. 'No' answers trigger guidance towards steps that have benefited recent users by at least £316, (average based on disclosed amounts, Jul-Sep 2020, B&NES). To refer people, go to cleanslateltd.co.uk and click Make a Referral. We have won Awards for All funding in B&NES to help prevent homelessness by working with: People needing emotional or mental health support; People facing relationship or family breakdown; People using drugs or alcohol to cope. These are always the reported triggers of homelessness, over and above financial problems. The pressures of the pandemic and lockdown mean everyone could be at risk. The online Quiz has been developed, in partnership with the Good Things Foundation and Mastercard, to promote digital skills and confidence by embedding links to self-help digital tools. The Clean Slate team, however, will guide them through learning how to make use of them. We look forward to receiving your referrals.

The CAF Resilience Fund exists to help charitable organisations in England that support the people hardest hit by Covid-19. Through hundreds of targeted grants, this fund will support those working with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as those living in deprived areas, those supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and people with disabilities. Both registered and unregistered charitable organisations, including community interest companies and social enterprises, can apply for the CAF Resilience Fund. This fund will initially distribute £20 million made up of grants ranging from £10,000 to £100,000 to deliver rapid relief from the impact of Covid-19. The amount of grant awarded to a charitable organisation will be based on the reasons behind the request for help and the organisation’s annual income before the pandemic hit. Charities applying must be based in the UK and deliver their services in England, and must be able to spend the grant money before 31 March 2021. The funding for the CAF Resilience Fund has been generously provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as part of its Community Match Challenge funding scheme, and kindly matched by the Covid-19 Support Fund, created by the insurance and long-term savings industry. The causes and communities that the fund aims to help include: People living in poverty Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities Children and young people People with physical or learning disabilities People experiencing mental health conditions Older people Communities facing health inequalities Patient groups with unmet health needs (physical or mental) People facing domestic or other abuse Unemployed people Homeless people People experiencing loneliness and isolation People pushed into crisis because of Covid-19 Refugees and migrants Other vulnerable people or communities What are the qualifying criteria? For a charitable organisation to be eligible to apply they should be able to meet the following criteria: Submit a completed application by no later than midday (GMT) on 10 November 2020 Deliver their services in England Be able to demonstrate last reported income between £50,000 and £10,000,000 The organisation was established on or before 31 August 2019 Be focused on the interests and needs of at least one of the designated groups and causes Be able to supply details of a valid UK bank account Be able to spend all the grant funding before 31 March 2021, and supply documentary evidence to demonstrate this expenditure (this could include headed receipts, verifiable banking statements and salary bills) – these costs should relate to the period 1 October 2020 to 30 March 2021 For non-regulated charitable organisations there will additional requirements that differ from those for UK registered charities or organisations registered with HMRC as an exempt charity. Find out more about what supporting information you need here. Please note that we can only accept one application per organisation. For more information about this grant programme, access the full list of Terms and Conditions. Apply now

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visited Mercy in Action, a Bath-based charity running a successful food pantry on Lower Bristol Road. Wera Hobhouse said: “Mercy in Action are doing amazing work supporting our hardest hit families. Many have struggled through lockdown, but some are now facing a crisis. Constituents have told me that they will prioritise rent and bills over food if they are struggling which is deeply worrying.” The charity is working with FareShare South West who provide food that is oversupply from production for their food pantry, called Action Pantry. Mercy in Action Director Allison Todd said: “Unlike a food bank, where you have a restricted number of visits and get a box of food, our Action Pantry members pay £3 to join and can then come and choose food to suit their needs. Members are usually referred to us by other services, or Bath and North East Somerset Council.” Started 25 years ago to support street children in the Philippines, Allison and her husband John have since expanded Mercy in Action in the UK. Under the banner Petra, they have five houses for homeless young mums. They now have 26 charity shops across the west of England, of which 23 have reopened after lockdown, including the one in Bear Flat in Bath. John Todd said: “All the shop donations we receive come to our site on the Lower Bristol Road. First they have to be quarantined for 72 hours, so that any trace of Covid-19 is rendered harmless. Then they can be sorted. Sorted items are then returned to the shops for resale. It’s a very sustainable way of doing things. Very little leaves here as waste, and the income generated pays for all the services we offer, such as the food pantry.” Allison Todd said: “It’s such a shame that so many children are going hungry. Many families can’t survive on a single low-wage salary especially when a family member has additional needs. One parent has to be at home. A lone parent in such a position has no options at all. Many of our local schools also have expensive uniform requirements, which can make putting a child through school very costly. So we offer as much support as we can, for example by running the children’s clothing section of the pantry. We are extremely grateful to St John’s Foundation for funding the essential core costs of Action Pantry.” Bath MP Wera Hobhouse said: “We saw Universal Credit claims rocket by 86% in Bath and North East Somerset during the first three months of lockdown and we’re staring at the cliff-edge of furlough coming to an end. We know that Citizens Advice are preparing for a 60% increase in debt enquiries, and that we’re in a mental health crisis. So the vital work of charities like Mercy in Action, and all those involved in BaNES 3SG, is going to become more important than ever. I want to commend the tremendous contribution made by all their staff and volunteers to our community.”

Help us to help others The Lions Club of Radstock & Midsomer Norton has been serving the local community for the last 43 years, and during that time many local charities and good causes have benefitted from its work. The funds that it raises are used, not for its own benefit, but for that of the community. During and since the UK lockdown the club has donated more than £3000 to local causes and charities, helping them to continue to operate through these difficult times. In the same period, like many other charities, fund raising has, more or less, come to a halt meaning that we have been unable to replenish our charity fund, and we are now asking for your help. By purchasing the quiz for £2.00, not only will you be helping us to continue our future support of the local community, but you also have the chance of winning £50 and you have until Friday 27th to get your entry back to us. 1st prize is £50, 2nd prize £30 and 3rd prize £10. Lions will be selling the quizzes and can be purchased from the Lions at the Farmers Market in Midsomer Norton, if you don’t see us there you can go to our website www.rmnlions.org.uk and order it from our online shop. Why not have a go, it’s a bit fun and you will be helping us to help others.

Bath’s Clean Air Zone is set to launch on Monday 15 March 2021 as the first charging clean air zone in England outside of London. It will not charge private cars. The Clean Air Zone was due to be switched on in November but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bath & North East Somerset Council considered air quality, traffic levels and the impacts of COVID-19 on local businesses and the economy, before agreeing the new start date with the government. It means Bath will be the first city in England to launch a charging CAZ outside London, which has a similar ultra-low emission zone. However, the date will be monitored to account for any significant developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The council is currently contacting more than 9,000 local businesses to help them establish whether charges will apply to their vehicles, and how to access the support on offer. Drivers affected by charges are also advised to check the council’s website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ for a list of local exemptions and whether they might be eligible for financial support to upgrade their vehicle or fleet. The financial support scheme aims to support people regularly affected by charges with grants and interest-free finance to help them upgrade to compliant vehicles. Local businesses and individuals, including those in neighbouring authorities that have premises and/or regularly drive in the zone, can apply. For example, eligible van drivers could stand to receive up to £4,500 in grants, plus interest-free finance, to help them upgrade to a similar, compliant vehicle. Larger grants are available of up to £20,000 for HGVs and £35,000 for buses and coaches. In light of COVID-19, the council has amended the scheme so that if eligible businesses fail their initial credit check, they can re-apply once their finances have improved. In addition, these drivers would be able to apply for exemptions on their non-compliant vehicles for up to two years. There are also a wide range of exemptions available for hard-to-replace or special vehicles, and to support disadvantaged groups and vital services in the city. Discounts are also available for drivers of larger, higher emission motorhomes and horse-transporters (private heavy goods vehicles) who can pay £9 instead of £100 provided they register with the council. Applications for all local exemptions and discounted vehicles will open in November. Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, said: “In 2017 the government directed us to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide in the city in the shortest possible time. Technical work showed that a charging zone was the only measure that could achieve compliance in the time frame we were given. “The council consulted widely on this and agreed to introduce a class C charging CAZ with traffic management at Queen Square, charging all higher emission vehicles, except private cars and motorcycles, to drive in Bath’s city centre. “However, there is no getting away from the fact that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on many businesses and this will be an additional cost that they have to consider. We have worked hard to secure a considerable package of financial and other support to help business owners and I would urge them to get in touch, talk to us and find out how we can help. “We all want clean air and the zone is a step towards our wider ambitions for Bath and North East Somerset to address air quality and tackle the climate emergency.” Councillor Sarah Warren, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency, added; “It is timely that we are able to make this announcement on Clean Air Day. Traffic and pollution levels reduced during lockdown, but they are rising again in the city centre. We must address this, and our deadline to improve air quality and reduce NO2 levels to within legal limits remains 2021. “Tackling pollution is a priority for us if we’re to improve people’s lives and address the climate emergency. The CAZ will improve air quality, but we also need to tackle the other problems arising from traffic, and these will be tackled in our plans for Liveable Neighbourhoods.” The clean air zone will operate in the city centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Charges will apply to pre-euro 6/VI diesel and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles, except private cars and motorbikes. Higher emission taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, LGVs and vans (including pick-ups and campervans) will be charged £9 a day while higher emission buses, coaches and HGVs will be charged £100 a day. The council is now urging residents and businesses to check their vehicles to see if they’ll be charged. Drivers can do this using the government’s central CAZ service at www.gov.uk/cleanairzone. All they need is their vehicle registration number. A central CAZ support service is also available on 0300 029 8888 to assist those with any questions on their vehicle’s compliance. Drivers affected by charges are also advised to check the council’s website at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ for a list of local exemptions and whether they might be eligible for financial support to upgrade their vehicle or fleet. The council secured a total funding package of £23.452m to implement the scheme and provide supporting measures, such as the financial assistance scheme. This is made up of £18.381m of capital funding, comprising £7.094m for implementation of the scheme and £11.287m for supporting measures. This total funding award aligns with the earlier settlements received by both Leeds and Birmingham. Full information on Bath’s clean air zone, including charges, a map of the zone, exemptions and financial support can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ

The deadline for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s online consultation on its ambitious proposals for liveable neighbourhoods has been extended to give residents more time to have their say. Liveable neighbourhoods are an important part of the council’s plan to tackle the climate and ecological emergency and to improve health and wellbeing across the area. The council has developed three strategies which it wants people’s views on and would form the basis for liveable neighbourhoods. They are: Low traffic neighbourhood strategy Residents’ parking schemes strategy On-street electric vehicle charging strategy Liveable neighbourhoods aim to reduce the dominance of vehicles in residential areas while maintaining vehicle access to homes and businesses and prioritising residential parking. This can be done through a range of measures including vehicle restrictions, traffic calming and one-way streets. The online consultation has been extended by four days and will now run until Sunday 18 October. Residents can read a summary of the plans and take part in the online survey at www.bathnes.gov.uk/liveableneighbourhoods. Councillor Joanna Wright, joint Cabinet Member for Transport Services said: “Our liveable neighbourhoods proposals are so important to improve air quality, create better conditions for walking and cycling and help people to rely less on their cars. If adopted they would help improve people’s health and wellbeing as well as tackle the climate and ecological emergency. We want as many people as possible to give their views on our strategies, so we’ve arranged to extend the deadline for a few more days before we must begin considering the responses. Please have your say if you haven’t already.” Liveable neighbourhoods usually group residential streets together across a 1km2 area around key amenities, such as schools, shops and surgeries, and bordered by a main road. To reduce through traffic and rat-running, a range of vehicle restrictions can be used. This ranges from modal filters such as bollards and attractive planters to one-way streets, traffic calming, speed restrictions and also residents parking schemes to reduce commuter parking. There will be opportunities for communities to request individual liveable neighbourhoods once all three strategies are finalised and the project is launched. Those with no internet access can request paper copies of the summary and survey by calling council connect on 01225 39 40 41. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no public events in this instance.

Visitors to Milsom Street in Bath are being encouraged to make the most of the historic street’s stores while shopping safely, with the introduction of a series of improvements and activities in the run up to Christmas. Bath & North East Somerset Council is working with Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID) and local traders to give the city’s most famous shopping street a boost. Temporary access restrictions to enable social distancing mean that Milsom Street now gives priority to pedestrians and is closed to all vehicles except buses. It’s created a more pleasant environment for shoppers supporting social distancing. The street will see a number of interventions over the coming weeks: an ‘I love Milsom Street’ banner now hangs proudly across the street, new planters and hanging baskets have been installed, and the area will be made even greener with the installation of mini-parklets incorporating seating and planting before Christmas. The team behind Bath Carnival are creating three shop window art installations, two of which promote the safe use of our High Streets to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The colourful window displays are designed to attract footfall and any selfies taken can be tagged with #lovemilsomstreet. Stu Matson, Director of Bath Carnival said: "It's been great bringing a splash of colour to Milsom St after lockdown and partnering with NightJar Events has allowed us to be really adventurous with the designs, incorporating large scale balloon garlands and bespoke macramé into our installs. “Wherever possible we've used recycled or repurposed materials, including a second-hand mannequin courtesy of Primark, an old set of scrubs from a local nurse and a host of upcycled materials from Scrapstore Bristol.” Milsom Street will also host pop-up shops and a Christmas food stall and there will also be a socially distanced entertainment pitch. Councillor Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources, said: “Milsom Street is such a key shopping destination and it’s important we support its traders by promoting it as a safe and welcoming environment. The planned improvements and events will create a fantastic atmosphere in the build up to Christmas and I have no doubt will encourage people to explore and enjoy everything Milsom Street has to offer. “Of course, we must all play our part to stop the spread of Covid-19 and over the coming weeks we’ll be placing adverts on buses and erecting posters at bus stops reminding people to socially distance, wear a face covering when required and to wash their hands while enjoying the local high street.” With the cancellation of Bath’s Christmas market this year due to the pandemic traders say its vital shoppers support them during the festive season. Nickie Portman, from Portman Boutique, said: “We love and are so proud to have our boutique on one of the most beautiful streets in Bath. Milsom Street is the heart of Bath.” Allison Herbert, Bath BID CEO, said: “Milsom Street is an important landmark and we are pleased to be working with partners to ensure that it is better placed to withstand the current challenges. We look forward to working with the council to develop a long-term future for Milsom Street which will ensure that it continues to provide an attractive and engaging place to visit.” Many of the activities in Milsom Street are funded by the West of England Combined Authority’s Love our High Streets funding. West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “This is a great example of how our Love our High Streets programme is helping to revitalise our High Streets and ensure that they remain at the heart of our local communities. I am really pleased to see these further activities in Milsom Street which have progressed by working with local businesses.” The project has also received funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Reopening the High Streets Safely Fund.

Covid-19 has had an impact on all of us and now more than ever the work of support groups to help with wellbeing is vital. If you are part of a formally organised support group you may fall into the list of exemptions which means you can continue to meet and get the help you need. The law says when seeing friends and family you do not live with you should meet in groups of six or less and in England, this limit of six includes children of any age. However the list of exemptions include support groups. The guidance says you can meet in support groups of up to 15 people – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support. This includes support to victims of crime, recovering addicts, new parents, people with long-term illnesses, those facing issues relating to their sexuality or gender, and those who have suffered bereavement. If you do attend a support group it is critical that everybody observes · HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds. · FACE - Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. · SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors).

Are you looking for a new job or wanting to progress in your current role? Carol Matthews and Simon Graham, Future Bright Careers Progression Coaches from Bath & North East Somerset, will help you to: -Assess your transferable skills for future or current employment -Build your confidence with interview preparation and an action plan -Learn about online resources and local employment support services Everyone will leave with an action plan about their next steps .There will also be an opportunity to ask our Coaches questions. This event is open to all members of the public. Future Bright is managed by the West of England Combined Authority and delivered by local councils in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Sign up here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boost-your-career-webinar-14th-october-tickets-120526769813 futurebright@bathnes.gov.uk

Localgiving Foundation has announced that it is accepting applications for £1m grant funding available for organisations who are delivering critical work to support people and communities in response to COVID-19. Funding is available for organisations working in England and projects must meet one of the following themes: - Provide services and support for vulnerable people, for which there will be increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 crisis - Support people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis - Connect communities and support communities to work together to respond to COVID-19 If you are a Localgiving member, simply log into your account and start the application via banner on your dashboard. If you are not a Localgiving member, you will need to sign up to Localgiving and once you’ve completed your registration you’ll be able to make an application. Successful organisations will be added to their match fund campaign, which will be launching on Tuesday 27th October, and donations received through the platform will be matched using the £1m Coronavirus Fund. There is no limit to the amount of the grant that you can receive. The £1m Coronavirus Match Fund will work in two stages: Between 10:00 on 27th October 2020 and 09:59 on 3rd November 2020 donations will be matched up to £75 Between 10:00 on 3rd November 2020 and 12:00 on the 9th November 2020 donations will be matched up to £5,000 Charitable organisations will be able to access an unlimited amount of funding through the campaign. Donors will be eligible to have one donation matched per charity during the first stage of the campaign and one donation matched per charity during the second stage of the campaign. Read more here

Message from the BSW CCG: This year, it’s more important than ever that as many people who are eligible for a flu vaccination have one. Flu can lead to incredibly serious, sometimes fatal, health complications among vulnerable groups such as older people and those with health conditions that put them at risk. Getting vaccinated not only protects the individual but also those around them, including the health and care professionals working hard to look after us in extremely challenging conditions. More people than ever before are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination this year, and the NHS are encouraging all of those people to take up the opportunity. Visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk for more information on who is eligible for a vaccine and where it is offered. Your GP or local pharmacy will also be able to advise whether you are eligible, and you can book an appointment with them too.

The government has made funding available to local authorities to support individuals with food and essential supplies, where the need has arisen because of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Bath & North East Somerset Council and St John's Foundation are using some of this funding to make £15,000 available to support organisations who deal with the problem of food poverty in the B&NES area. This will include the following schemes: - food banks - food clubs - food pantries Throughout the lockdown period, many of these organisations have gone above and beyond their remit in supporting residents of B&NES who needed help with food, and they have worked hard to create a safe environment so that residents in crisis could continue to be supported. Along with St Johns Foundation, we recognise this and believe that there is an ongoing need for long-term support to address the causes of food poverty. Apply here What are the grants for? Grants of up to £3,000 are available to enable organisations and statutory services in B&NES to deliver support to households where residents are at risk of hunger and malnutrition. We will give preference to projects that seek to both address immediate need, and reduce future vulnerability to food insecurity and food poverty. This funding can be used to fight food poverty in the following ways: - Providing good quality, nutritious food. This will preferably be fresh and provided via surplus or wholesale sources and public donations, where possible. - Providing equipment for food storage and cooking for participating households or organisations. - Covering additional staff costs for staff directly involved in the provision of food to residents. - Contributing to additional costs to accommodate social distancing rules For example, cleaning materials and their safe disposal, extra space and surface areas etc. - Funding associated activities for projects wanting to broaden their food-based offer with more holistic support to residents affected by COVID 19. - Supporting projects addressing the long-term causes of food poverty. This could be helping households increase their income, improving people’s employability skills, or connecting people to local support networks. Who can apply? This funding is for organisations only. Individuals cannot apply directly for help. Your organisation is eligible to ask for funding if the following applies to you and your work: - You are an established local organisation involved in the provision of food to residents of B&NES, either free of charge, or on a membership basis for a nominal fee. - Your organisation has an established governance structure. Typically, this might include the following: - You are an existing statutory service, or are registered with either the Charity Commission for England & Wales or the Scottish Charity Regulator. - You have a bank account in the name of the organisation. - You have a minimum of four unrelated trustees. - You have been established for a minimum of 18 months. - You provide goods or services to people in need regardless of age, disability, gender or sexuality, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. - You are open to working in partnership with the B&NES Food Poverty Steering Group. - You are able to provide suitable and timely reporting on the work you are doing and its impact. - Your staff have been trained in food hygiene to the equivalent of Level 2 standard, if they are providing food (this training could be paid for using the grant). - Your operation complies with current government guidance for COVID-19. How do we apply? You can apply online for these grants until the closing date of 5pm on Thursday 22 October. You will be notified about the outcome of your application in the week beginning 26 October. If you have any enquiries about the grants funding, contact Damian Peak by email or by calling 01225 396 613. Apply here

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This months update from Viv and the team at Time Bank Plus in Bath: Another month in this strange year of 2020. As the weather changes and Covid restrictions start to kick in again, it’s more important than ever that we stay in touch, keep active and connect with others in whatever ways we can. We at Time Bank Plus will do our best to keep things going, whether it’s Zoom groups or Covid-safe activities such as walks or gardening. And we welcome any suggestions or offers of help for new online groups or other initiatives. If you aren’t already in our Whatsapp group, do join us. It’s such a good way to keep in touch with each other, share information or ask for help. Just email timebankplus@gmail.com with your mobile number and we’ll add you to the group. IT Assistance If you, or others you know, need some help with setting up Whatsapp, Zoom or other apps, please let us know and one of our volunteers may be able to help you. We’d also love to hear from anyone with good IT skills who is interested in volunteering to assist others. Feelgood Walks Walking is a great way to enhance your wellbeing, stay fit and meet others. These walks are taking place every week on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a start point in Twerton. They are gentle walks, suitable for all levels of fitness. We practise social distancing and there is currently a maximum of 6 people per walk. The dates this month are: Weds 7th Oct 2.30 – 3.30 Tues 13th Oct 12.30 – 1.30 Weds 21st Oct 2.30 – 3.30 Tues 27th Oct 12.30 – 1.30 There are normally plenty of spaces, but due to the six person rule, we ask that if possible you let us know if you would like to come along. We’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like to volunteer to assist or lead a walk. Sustainable Gardening & Food Growing Our gardening team is up and running and we are able to take on a small number of suitable gardening jobs on Tuesday mornings. Gardening is a great way to meet others in a safe, outdoor environment and to learn useful skills. Please get in touch if you’d like to help out. Our allotment at Bath City Farm is also available for volunteers to help with food growing. Southside Food Co-op The Food Co-op provides boxes of fresh, locally grown veggies (and occasional fruit) every other Wednesday, and delivers them to your home. This is available to anyone living in South or West Bath (eg Twerton, Whiteway, Odd Down, Oldfield Park, Newbridge & Lower Weston). The quality of produce is fantastic at this time of year – it’s all freshly picked and grown mostly on the edge of Bath near Solsbury Hill. The price, for those people on a lowish income (below £18,000 pa for a single person, £25,000 for a couple or £30,000 for a family), is £4.50 for a small box, £5.50 for a medium box and £7 for a large box. For those who are better off, we charge £6 for a small box, £7 for a medium box and £9 for a large box. All these prices include the cost of delivery. We trust people to let us know and won’t be asking anyone for evidence of income! We use any surplus raised to provide veggies to those in urgent need. Please email timebankplus@gmail.com if you’d like to order a veggie box and please provide a phone number for us to contact you. We will need at least 2 days’ notice. Payment needs to be in advance by bank transfer or direct debit. Borrow It The Borrow It Library of Things is open on Tuesday afternoons from 2 – 6pm and Wednesday mornings from 10am – 12noon. If possible, please ring beforehand on 01225 442813 or email timebankplus@gmail.com to let us know what you’d like to borrow, so we can prepare it for you. We have a wide range of gardening equipment, DIY tools, camping gear, sewing machines, carpet cleaner, kitchen items and more. Click here for further info and our catalogue of things: http://timebankplus.co.uk/wp/?page_id=586 Sewing Workshops We are holding fortnightly sewing workshops in Twerton on Tuesday afternoons, where we will be using sewing machines to make face masks. Each session will be for just 2 people so as to maintain social distancing. Please get in touch if you would like to come along. Guitar Group This is a small, friendly beginner-level group, which has been meeting on alternate Wednesdays in Twerton. We may have space for one more participant and would also love to hear from anyone who is able to assist or lead the group. Please email timebankplus@gmail.com for further info. Zoom groups As the weather gets cooler, we are open to the possibility of increasing online groups again, depending on demand. Please send us your suggestions for new Zoom groups. We’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like to set up or lead a group. Please email us if you would like the joining link to any of the following groups: Mondays (fortnightly) 12.30 – 1.30pm Knit & Natter Zoom Group. Get out your wool and knitting needles or crochet hook, make a cup of tea and sit down for a friendly online session with a small group of others. Expert advice is available if needed. The next 3 sessions will be on 5th October, 19th October and 2nd November. Thursdays (weekly) 10.30 – 11.30am Creative Writing Zoom Group. This is a very friendly and supportive group of people who are writing and sharing short pieces of prose or poetry. There is a different topic each week and we have an online forum where members of the group can post up their writings. (See below for a piece of writing from one of our members). Fridays (weekly) 2 – 3pm Time Bank Social Café, Quizzes & Games. This is an opportunity to meet up socially on Zoom for a chat and to have a go at a short quiz or a light hearted board game. We’d also welcome a volunteer to help run these sessions, in particular facilitating a range of simple board games and/or quizzes. Keeping in touch In addition to the above activities, we are continuing to keep in touch with our members and offer regular or occasional phone calls to anyone who’d like a friendly, supportive chat. This can be particularly helpful to those people who don’t have a smartphone or internet. Volunteering opportunities (summary) We are currently looking for assistance with Gardening & Food Growing, tutoring the Guitar Group, IT support, running Zoom groups and Online Games & Quizzes, assisting with Walks or other outdoor activities and joining local Litter Picks. We are also looking for a Treasurer for our Management Committee. Please get in touch if you can help. Free Training Opportunities These free training courses are now held online via Zoom and can be attended by any member of Time Bank Plus. Upcoming topics are: Mental Health & Wellbeing (3 sessions); First Aid; Safeguarding; Supporting People with Mental Health Needs. Please follow this link for further details: https://www.wellbeingcollegebanes.co.uk/Volunteers Other Groups & Activities The Virtual Hope Guide includes a large selection of online groups and activities. Here’s a link: https://www.bridges2wellbeing.co.uk/hope-guide Wellbeing College also publish a regularly updated calendar of courses: https://www.wellbeingcollegebanes.co.uk/Calendar Here are some activities for over 55’s, currently being run by St John’s: https://stjohnsbath.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Whats-on-at-St-Johns.pdf Compassionate Community Hub 0300 247 0050 Need help getting food, medicine, housing or other essential items? Feeling isolated, or concerned about physical and mental wellbeing? This B&NES Helpline number, which is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm, gives you access to: - Volunteer support such as collecting shopping and prescriptions and offering regular supportive phone chats - Money and benefits advice services and housing issues - Up to date info on food delivery services throughout B&NES - Food Banks and food & meal deliveries to elderly and vulnerable people - Services for the most vulnerable, carers, domestic abuse and other family issues Tel 0300 247 0050 or email BATHNES.thehub@virgincare.co.uk or text 07870 868368 Please note: for medical advice you need to ring 111.