SMALL BUSINESS / ORGANISATION CASH

A new local emergency fund for Small Business has been launched. You can apply for a grant of up to £5000 through the 'Discretionary Fund for Small Businesses'. Deadline is 8th June to apply.

The fund will prioritise businesses in shared spaces (such as units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators which do not have their own business rates assessment), regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and Bed and Breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.

Other examples of the type businesses that could be eligible include:

• Independent businesses – those that are not eligible for Small Business Rate Grants due to payment to a landlord of all-inclusive rent

• Community organisations – those not eligible for Small Business Rate Grants due to payment to a landlord of all-inclusive rent

• Childcare Nurseries – those with a rateable value over £15,000 who will not have received business support grants to date, or that are not eligible for Small Business Rate Grants due to payment to a landlord of all-inclusive rent.

Applications are open until 8 June with eligible businesses expected to demonstrate a significant drop in income because of the coronavirus pandemic restriction measures.

For further information on eligibility, criteria, grant amounts and any other questions, please read the Discretionary Grants Fund FAQs www.southglos.gov.uk/discretionaryfund

South Glos has published a big set of proposals for new parking restrictions around the centre of Yate. Here is the total package. Have they got it right? What is missing?

The S Glos deadline for comment is 15th June.

Please note, that to comment officially, you need to do it by post, OR go to the website and look for ' Yate Various roads' then register with S Glos and then you can add your comments. Bureaucratic (don't blame us) but it really is important your comments count. If you can't get their official site to work properly, then the Focus Team and we will sort it out. .

You can see the whole package at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

STANSHAWES CRES PARKING BAN PROPOSALS

South Glos has published a big set of proposals for new parking restrictions around the centre of Yate. Here are the proposals for Stanshawes Cres / Kennedy Way - we have been delivering a special Focus to alert residents  but please will you share with people you known who might be affected , so they can comment. The S Glos deadline for comment is 15th June.

Please note, that to comment officially, rather than emailing Joshua direct, you need to do it by post, OR go to the website and look for ' Yate Various roads' then register with S Glos and then you can add your comments. Bureaucratic (don't blame us) but it really is important your comments count. If you can't get their official site to work properly, then email Joshua and he will pass it on.

We will be publishing the rest of the proposals on this site in separate posts in the next few days - you can see the whole package at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

LIBRARY EXTENDS ON LINE SERVICE

You can now access thousands of local and national newspapers free-of-charge through a new online library resources.

It covers the majority of national and local papers in addition to a range of international titles from across the world.

During the coronavirus pandemic there has been a surge of new members joining online - up 638 per cent since lockdown began.

In response to the demand, the Council has increased and expanded our online resources and are delighted to have received a grant of £1,000 from the Arts Council England to extend the service for a period of twelve months.

You can also get ebooks, eaudiobooks, digital magazines and eComics.

Anyone who isn’t yet a member of a South Gloucestershire library can join online at www.librarieswest.org.uk and will be issued with a temporary membership to access online resources.

Mortgage payment holiday extended

Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage because of Covid-19 will be able to extend their mortgage payment holiday for a further three months, or start making reduced payments, in proposals published 22 May.

The availability of a three-month mortgage holiday was first announced in March as part of a package of support for individuals, businesses and the economy. Over 1.8 million mortgage payment holidays were taken up, and the first of these will be coming to an end in June.

You can read the full government announcement here.

The Financial Conduct Authority has published new draft guidance for lenders which you can read here. 

CHURCH RD PARKING BAN PLANl

South Glos has published a big set of proposals for new parking restrictions around the centre of Yate. Here are the proposals for Church Rd - we have been delivering a special Focus to alert residents in Church Rd but please will you share with people you known who use the school, church, pubs or just drive through , so they can comment. The S Glos deadline for comment is 15th June.

Please note, that to comment officially, rather than emailing Joshua direct, you need to do it by post, OR go to the website and look for ' Yate Various roads' then register with S Glos and then you can add your comments. Bureaucratic (don't blame us) but it really is important your comments count. If you can't get their official site to work properly, then email Joshua and he will pass it on.

We will be publishing the rest of the proposals on this site in separate posts in the next few days - you can see the whole package at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

GOVERNMENT DITCHES SEND PUPILS

'We're all in this together' unless you are a child with special educational needs.A notice at the end of April told councils they would only need to show “reasonable endeavours” to fulfill their duty in pupils’ education, health and care plans (EHCPs) during May. The new powers also remove requirements to meet certain timescales around needs assessments, planning and review processes of plans until September 25. That means hitting the most vulnerable children - delaying them getting the support they need.

Now one brave teenager is challenging the government over this. It will directly affect her and she is now taking legal action against this temporary “relaxing” of the duty to our most vulnerable children.https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-faces-legal-challenge-over-emergency-send-powers/

WILD FLOWERS

Often councils get brickbats, but here's an email from a resident yesterday to one of the Focus Team Councillors. If your exercise has not taken you past the flowers, do look at the verges. All done by taking away the grass cuttings and spreading seeds. A public thank you to the staff who did this - and to the resident who took the time to email thanks, which have been passed on to the staff responsible.

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON RIDGE

South Glos has published a big set of proposals for new parking restrictions around the centre of Yate. Here are the proposals for the Ridge - we have been delivering a special FOcus to alert residents on The Ridge but please will you share with people you known who use the school or the shops or dentist, so they can comment. The S Glos deadline for comment is 15th June. We will be publishing the rest of the proposals on this site in separate posts in the next few days - you can see the whole package at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

MORE ROAD CLOSURES on ROUTE TO BRISTOL COMING

As well as sorting out the Kendleshire junction on the A432, S Glos has made traffic orders to close Winterbourne High St (see the map for the exact bit), And for further down the Badminton Road, the other side of the ring road. Again, any time after 18 May for up to 18 months, though they say it will only be closed for about a fortnight within that time.

HOPEFULLY they will have the sense not to close Winterbourne High St at the same time as the A432..... or we will be completely cut off....

Again the warning is - watch out for the signs that will go up showing the exact date......

NOTE UPDATE - since publishing this South Glos have indicated they are not going ahead with the Winterbourne High St repairs at this time..

BADMINTON ROAD towards Bristol to be CLOSED

We can't be sure of the date they will start but any time after 18 May the bit of the A432 at Kendleshire will be closed for roadworks. The detour is pretty long (basically you have to use Church Rd Frampton Cotterell to get onto the Winterbourne Road) - see the attached plan. And coming the other way it would mean going all the way back to the M32 to be able to turn up onto the Winterbourne Rd from the bypass or coming through Westerleigh village. When you see the signs go up saying it is closed, it is worth reacting quickly to avoid a long double back.

AUTUMN BROOK plans for 20 mph limit and parking restrictions.

Deadline for comments 22nd June. S Glos have published plans for a 20mph limit and no waiting areas in Autumn Brook. For details see the Focus Special - full details at http://www.southglos.gov.uk/

South Glos Lib Dem Councillors want the scientific advice on opening schools published

- so every single parent and individual schools can make an informed decision about the risks. This is our lives, our families, we should have the information we need to control our risks. For more info about what we are doing locally to try to get it published go to https://www.southgloslibdems.org.uk/school-opening-scientific-advice

https://www.southgloslibdems.org.uk/school-opening-scientific-advice

CHURCH RD CLOSED FOR RESURFACING FOR UP TO FORTNIGHT

Photo from Jan shows one of your Lib Dem councillors, Chris Willmore campaigning to get repairs speeded up

Church Road is closed for up to a fortnight. Work has at last begun on carrying out the proper resurfacing that your Lib Dem Focus Team Councillors have been fighting for. Lib Dem Councillors got them to agree to put it in their programme 18 months ago - as everyone was fed up with the patching - this will be a proper job not patching.

They got the council to agree to do it whilst schools were closed...... unfortunately officials have not quite hit that target, but we are just relieved that at last we are getting it done!

(Photo is from Jan your Councillors campaigning to get work speeded up)

And next they are moving on to Barnwood Road which will also be closed for up to a fortnight.

New skills?

To help people whose income or employment have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis, the eligibility criteria for Future Bright have been temporarily expanded.

Visit: http://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/future-bright/

Future Bright offers FREE career coaching, training and support to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to take your next step in your career.

When you join Future Bright, you’ll be matched with a dedicated career coach who will support you to create a personalised action plan. Your Future Bright journey is tailored to your individual needs and will fit around your existing commitments.

During the Coronavirus outbreak, our coaches continue to support residents by using telephone and online tools to stay in touch safely.

Our team of experienced career coaches can help you with:

• Advice and support: your dedicated coach will work with you to help you create an action plan showing where you want to be and how you can get there.
• Developing skills: we’ll help you identify and access support and training as well as looking at ways you can get more from your current experience.
• Personal budgets: we can help you pay for the training and equipment you need to reach your goals.

All conversations are confidential, and focus on what you want to achieve – your coach will help you take your next step. Participation is always free, and fits around your current commitments. To learn more, read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Who is it for?

To help people whose income or employment have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis, the eligibility criteria for Future Bright have been temporarily expanded.

The expanded Future Bright service can support people who are:

• Aged 19 and over
• Living in the West of England – that’s Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire
• In paid work and receiving benefits or tax credits – Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, or Means-Tested Council tax Reduction
• People whose income or employment have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis, including:

• Those who have been made redundant, laid off or are at risk of redundancy, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic,
• Employees whose hours have been significantly reduced, and who therefore have a lower income (e.g. zero hours, cut from full to part time)
• Self-employed workers, where their ability to earn has been severely impacted due to the nature of their business
• Furloughed employees, if their reduced income means they are eligible for Universal Credit.

Take your next step today!

Complete the short referral form or request an initial, informal chat with the Future Bright team by email or phone.

Sign up here or contact your local team at:

• South Gloucestershire: Email future.bright@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 866008
• Bristol: Email futurebright@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 9222250
• Bath & North East Somerset: Email futurebright@bathnes.gov.uk  or call 01225 395555

Future Bright is managed by the West of England Combined Authority and delivered locally by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils.

GOOD NEWS ON WALKING AND CYCLING

At South Glos Council’s first virtual Cabinet meeting Claire Young asked the ruling Conservatives about introducing measures to help cyclists and pedestrians maintain social distancing and avoid accidents like other councils have done. At the time we were told no, it was up to individuals to pay due care and attention.

Since then we have had an announcement from Government about the action councils should be taking and Claire has spoken to a senior transport policy official. The council now say that they are looking at this and a cross departmental group has been set up to co-ordinate appropriate proposals and actions, in conjunction with councillors.

If you would like to put forward suggestions for changes that could be made, please fill in the form available from the Local Transport Priority List page https://www.southglos.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/streets/road-and-traffic-management-information/local-transport-priority-list/

email it to transportservices@southglos.gov.uk – do cc one of us from the Focus Team so we can see your suggestions too.

Although usually suggestions for the Local Transport Priority List are only considered once a year, the council has now committed to investigating schemes that would help with social distancing faster than normal.

Confused about the new rules?

Confused about the new rules?

The simple advice is - if in doubt, don't.

If you’re confused about what you can and can’t do following the changes to the Covid-19 restrictions announced on Sunday night, you might find the answer to your questions in the FAQ published by the Government.

Don’t forget there are different rules in place in the other nations of the UK. So although you can now travel longer distances in England for exercise (without staying away overnight), you cannot nip over to Wales to exercise there.

The Government is now also advising people to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-advised-to-cover-faces-in-enclosed-spaces?

Brinsham Fields update : fishing and conservation pond

The Lake, Conservation Pond, Fishing and Brinsham Fields

Under the latest rules, fishing is allowed - PROVIDING you stick to social distancing rules. Unfortunately there are reports that people at Brinsham are not sticking to the rules. In any event stands for fishing along part of the lake are so close to the path that people walking past mean the anglers cannot stick to the social distancing rules. So the Town Council has been asked by users to close those stands that are too close to the footpath for social distancing. Anglers will still be able to use the other stands. BUT if users continue to break the social distancing rules all the stands may have t be closed. So please, stick to the rules so you can continue to fish.

As an update for other users - investigations into the lake - the Environment Agency say they dpn't think there is a problem. The conservation pond is very low on water. It is fed from a stream up towards Autumn Brook. But we think the new drainage for the new development is pinching all the water. We have raised this before with the developers. The Town Council is going to have another go. Yes we want them to put in drainage to stop flooding, but we all want to keep the conservation pond.

Supporting your wellbeing

We are getting bombarded with advice.

Don’t forget the happy to chat fb page run by Yate Town Council and of course the local COVID support group fb page.

But here are some other resources:

South Glos have lots of advice and tips on how to maintain your mental wellbeing here. https://oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/stress-less/

They also have a dedicated website for supporting children and young people who may also be struggling with the uncertainty and impact of Covid-19. http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/mind-you/coronavirus-covid-19-useful-information/

If you would prefer to speak to someone to find out what support is available, call 0333 577 4666 or email communitysupport@southernbrooks.org.uk - between 11am to 7pm Monday to Friday, or between 12pm to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Alternatively, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership has a 24-hour helpline: 0300 3031320.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from this information please pass it on.

“Our  Frontline” is a new service formed by Samaritans, Mind, Shout and Hospice UK, supported by The Royal Foundation, providing round the clock support to all of those going to work as part of the national response to the Coronavirus. From supermarket staff to delivery drivers, social workers to police officers, Our Frontline provides mental health and bereavement support and tailored online resources. https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline/

WAITING RESTRICTIONS & KEEP CLEARS NEAR ABBOTSWOOD & CULVERHILL SCHOOLS

The statutory notice for proposals to create waiting restrictions on Kelston Cl and Rodford Way by the schools has been published. You have until 8 June to comment. You may have commented on previous informal consultations, but thi sis the formal, final legal one - so if you are affected please check it carefully and reply to South Glos if you spot a problem.

The waiting restrictions are at https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6507KelstonRodfordWR/consultationHome

The Keep Clear proposals are at

https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/PT.6508KelstonSKC/consultationHome

Domestic Abuse

‘You are not alone’ - domestic abuse campaign

Next Link, to tell people that services are still open and isolation rules do not apply if you’re a victim of domestic abuse. You can view the video herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnei0znXyCc&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=South+Gloucestershire+Council+resident+update&utm_campaign=cc4abc7eba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_05_01_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb4bc0c59a-cc4abc7eba-406237961

Call Next Link 0800 4700 280 or visit here: https://southglos.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d80523c882d7ac64e89f5e037&id=90a47e4c0b&e=6e51487412

for help.

FREE courses are available

Still at home? Want to be better at numbers or computers? FREE courses are available

There are courses at all levels. The government is funding this, with courses picked carefully to suit YOUR needs.

https://theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_source=South%20Gloucestershire%20Council%20resident%20update&utm_campaign=cc4abc7eba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_05_01_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb4bc0c59a-cc4abc7eba-406237961

New HMRC online tool for SELF EMPLOYED grant claimants

This new tool helps you find out if you are eligible to make a claim through the Self Employment Income Support Scheme. You will need your self-Assessment UTR (the long number you use for your tax return) and your national insurance number.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme?utm_source=South+Gloucestershire+Council+resident+update&utm_campaign=cc4abc7eba-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_05_05_01_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fb4bc0c59a-cc4abc7eba-406237961

Fishing and Tennis

Fishing at Brinsham Lake

(Not a typo that is the correct spelling for the lake and park).

As angling is now permitted, a notice will be going up at Brinsham Lake containing guidance from: https://joinanglingtrust.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Phase-One-Individual-9.pdf

But remember, social distancing rules apply. Please remove all your rubbish - remember there are fewer people around to clean up after users of parks.

The Town Council announced last night:

Sunnyside Tennis Courts

A poster will be displayed at the tennis courts and online (social media/website) to advise that the tennis courts:

• are now available to be booked for public use subject to the hirer complying with the safe distancing rules (eg, playing with members of the same household or one other person staying two metres apart), full details of which can be found here;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing?

• will be let at one court per booking so there will be no one playing on the other court at the same time (unless families from the same household wish to book both courts);
• bookings can be made on weekdays by emailinginfo@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk 24 hours prior to games being played and payment must be made via bank transfer.

We will be spacing bookings so there is a gap between them to reduce chances of social contact when one booking finishes/another starts (eg, booking 1 from 10am – 11am and booking 2 from 12pm-1pm etc).  

What difference with the new Gov strategy make? Changed arrangements?

What difference with the new Gov strategy make?Changed arrangements?

As local councils and firms wade through the 60 page document issued yesterday about what we are now allowed to do, and wait for the additional guidance coming today - it is unclear what it will mean for local services from tomorrow.

1. Don't expect sudden opening up of lots of things
2. Play areas and outdoor gyms will stay shut under government instructions
3. Courts eg basketball at Kingsgate, fishing, and possibly tennis (if cleaning arrangements can be sorted) will be open, but only on the strict social distancing rules, so groups playing a basketball game will still be against instructions
4. Picnics / sitting around with your household in the park will be allowed. You will be able to meet up with one person not in your household but only if you stay 2m apart. But remember things like park benches will not be sanitised so will present a risk - so best to avoid them

If you have any questions about what it means for local government facilities and services in the town, let us know, and we will get the relevant council to answer. They are working through the changes they can see the paper allows, but it would be great to get your requests and questions. We can't answer employment questions, but will try to get answers about facilities.......

Working reduced hours? furloughed? TAX credits

The government has confirmed that if you are working reduced hours due to Covid-19 or are furloughed, your tax credits won't change as long as you're still employed or self employed. There is no need to tell HMRC about the change. You will be treated as working your normal houses until the Job Retention Scheme / Self Employed Income Support Scheme closes, even if you are not using either scheme.

WEEKLY RECYCLING BEGINS

WEEKLY RECYCLING BEGINS

Remember that from Monday (11th) weekly recycling begins again. The Sort it centres will not be taking recyclables, so any recycling you have needs to go out kerbside. Whilst we are all at home, are there things we usually put in the bin that we could actually put out for recycling? Check at:https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/how-to-sort-your-waste-and-recycling-for-collection/