News about Ipswich Park & Ride and SCC funded school travel…
Parish Council News
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
News about Love to Ride, Travel Survey and Back to School…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor copy
I am very pleased to report that under the DfE Covid-19 Technology scheme, Suffolk County Council has now allocated 700 laptops, 50 tablets and opened up 100 4G hotspots to children with social workers as well as care leavers who do not have adequate access to technology…
End of Shielding
Government food parcels and medication deliveries to those who were shielding stopped on 31st July. Those affected will have already received a letter from Government outlining the changes. The volunteers of the Wickhambrook Coronavirus Support group have done a fantastic job supporting our more vulnerable residents during lockdown and shielding but many are now back at work themselves, and the group has not been able to offer continuing support after the end of shielding. If circumstances change due to an increase in cases or restrictions, we’ll keep you updated through the website if its support activities resume. Thank you to all the volunteers from Wickhambrook Parish Council…
Re-opening of Play Areas Update
Following our risk assessments, our play parks are now open. We’ve had to take some pieces of equipment out of use, either because it would be difficult for the children to maintain social distancing whilst using it, or because it would be difficult for parents and guardians to adequately sanitise the equipment before your children use it. These will be marked clearly with tape…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
Mobile Testing Units: visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/testing for newly published dates for mobile testing units across Suffolk. Through this link you can find the dates are for the next two weeks. However, please be aware the dates are subject to change, so do check back regularly…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
It should be obvious but we have been asked to share the message: Please do not put used PPE in your recycling bin! Equally do not discard it on the ground. All used PPE should be removed safely. Early on in lockdown I saw a short video showing how to remove gloves safely rolling up one into the other and taking them off so that no point do you touch the outer surface of either glove. Once removed, PPE should be double bagged and disposed of into your black bin…
Public Notice of Rights of Inspection 2019-2020
Public Notice of Rights of Inspection…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
At the county council we are working through exactly what the announcement of extra funding for our schools will mean. You maybe aware that Suffolk and other rural counties have been underfunded for schools and for SEND but it looks like our rural schools and SEND budgets are going to get better than expected increase – which is very welcome…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
At the end of last week, Government devolved emergency powers to county councils/upper tier authorities to empower them to intervene if there is an outbreak of coronavirus. In Suffolk, our Director of Public Health, Stuart Keeble is working with the legal team, to set out how, if it ever became necessary, this would be undertaken in Suffolk…
Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
Yesterday we had our first full council meeting at the county council since lockdown, using Teams. It went much better than would have been predicted from the practice vote session beforehand! We approved a motion to explore the idea of creating a healing wood to support the recovery of Suffolk’s communities from the impacts of Covid19 and remember all those who have lost their lives…
Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
You might have been alarmed by national news outlets reporting that Suffolk is listed as being an area considered for lockdown due to a 50% increase in confirmed cases: Please be re-assured – this is not accurate. The alarming statistical claim is based on Suffolk having had 2 cases from 13-19 June and then 3 cases from June 20-26. So, technically yeas we have experienced a 50% increase, but from an incredibly low base. To put matters into perspective: our county had, in fact, one of the lowest rates of coronavirus cases in the country last week and was ranked at 131st lowest out of 150 council areas in England for infections. However, it has not stopped some media outlets from reporting it as if a local lockdown is therefore imminent. I repeat – It is NOT…
Vans, trailers and trade waste now accepted at nine of Suffolk’s recycling centres
In line with the phased approach to reopening Suffolk’s recycling centres, people with vans, trailers and trade waste can now book an appointment to visit nine of the county’s 11 recycling centres…
Don’t lose your voice
West Suffolk households are being sent a request to check and update their details on the West Suffolk Electoral Register. The invitation contains an individual code for you to use securely online. Your invitation will be sent by email, text or posted form, depending on the details you have given us…
Re-opening of Play Areas
As part of the relaxation of restrictions, the Government has allowed play parks to open from 4th July (this is the earliest that they can open). The parish council is working hard to carry out all the equipment inspections and complete the necessary risk assessments to ensure that when our play areas are opened, you and your children can enjoy the equipment as safely as possible, and keep transmission risks to a minimum. For these reasons, the play areas will remain closed until 18th at the earliest, and we’ll let you know as soon as we are ready to re-open them…
Women’s Tour Virtual Challenge
Following the recent success of the ŠKODA V-Women’s Tour, which featured the finish of the 2014 Women’s Tour in Bury St Edmunds, Keep Moving Suffolk in partnership with the Women’s Tour and the East Anglian Air Ambulance are inviting new, returning and regular cyclists to take on the Women’s Tour Virtual cycling challenge…
Scams, Test & Trace and Unemployment Training
Please be aware that Suffolk Trading Standards are warning people to be on the alert for cheats and fraudsters. This is Scams Awareness fortnight. Criminals are taking advantage of the current pandemic to scam people out of their money…
Parish Council emails are being targeted by scammers
If you receive an email from a colleague in the Parish Council, requesting you to buy iTunes vouchers, please delete it. Contact that colleague by telephone and advise them that their account may have been compromised…
Signage Resource Packs from West Suffolk Council
West Suffolk Council has created a resource pack for anyone to use to download signage, and also have floor stickers available – and if you have any concerns in regards to highways and the ability to safely social distance or require any printed local signs, please do contact the Council’s customer services team…
Improving Suffolk’s wellbeing and mental health with a simple ‘thank you’
A new, colourful way for people across Suffolk to show their appreciation for others, is underway in Suffolk. Suffolk Says Thanks recognises the small acts of kindness taking place across the county in response to the coronavirus pandemic…
2020 Recipient of the Alf Hicks Biscuit Barrel Award
The 2020 award went to Roger Merry and although the Parish Council was not able to make the presentation at the Parish Meeting this year, here is a lovely photo of Roger having received the Biscuit Barrel from the Chair, John Barton, over the garden fence (all social distancing guidelines were observed!!).
Suffolk Virtual Care Response
National and local evidence shows a drop in the number of people accessing mental health services during the coronavirus outbreak. It is important that Suffolk people know that help is available all day, every day…
First response mental health service
National and local evidence shows a drop in the number of people accessing mental health services during the coronavirus outbreak. It is important that Suffolk people know that help is available all day, every day…
Residents of Suffolk asked to return their unused community equipment
Staff at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) are urging local people to return their unused NHS community equipment, to support their local services in this pressured time. The equipment in question includes items such as crutches, walking frames and hoists, specialised cushions and particularly beds and air/pressure mattresses…
COVID-19 testing in Suffolk – Care Homes
A new online portal that makes it easy for care homes to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits has been launched by the government…
Household Recycling Centres in Suffolk Re-opening
The household recycling centres in Suffolk will be opening on Thursday this week – but you will have to pre-book your visit. This appointment-only system is necessary to help reduce traffic disruption and queueing on roads around the sites and help manage additional demand on the waste sites…
Secretary of State letter to Parish Council
Please see the letter from the Secretary of State to all who serve on Parish and Town Councils…
Funding Opportunities – Persimmon Homes
Funding Opportunities: Persimmon Homes is providing funding through two charitable schemes, one for groups supporting those over 70, and one for under 18’s…
Home, but not alone
We are urged to rally together as local COVID-19 app is launched to connect volunteers and people who need help. A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need…
Helpful suggestions for finding what you need during these troubled times
During these troubled time, a few more helpful suggestions for people who are self isolating in these troubled times, OR having trouble finding what they need in the shops while there is still some panic buying!