Author Archives: Rosina Forde

BDBC COVID 19 – Manydown Development, Garden Waste Collection.Re-Opening of Skate Parks

Manydown development planning application due for virtual committee

The Manydown outline planning application is to be considered at a virtual meeting of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Development Control Committee in July.

Outlining the main principles for a new community of up to 3,520 new homes, businesses, shops and community facilities, schools and a 250 acre country park, the application will be the only one considered at the committee’s virtual meeting on Wednesday 8 July at 2pm.

The application was originally scheduled to come to a Development Control Committee meeting on 24 March. However, based on government advice on social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the decision was taken to postpone all scheduled meetings at that time to protect the safety of councillors, officers and members of the public who would have wanted to attend.

At that point councillors had to attend meetings in person, but the government has since removed these requirements in response to COVID-19. Following this, the council trialled the best way of holding meetings virtually as closely to their normal format as possible, especially around public participation. Two virtual meetings of the Development Control Committee were held successfully on Wednesday 20 May and Wednesday 27 May 2020.

The meeting on 8 July will be live streamed through You Tube so it can be watched through the website in the same way as it would normally be webcast.  Those registered to speak at the original meeting will be provided with details of how to participate ahead of the meeting.

The outline planning application seeks permission for the principle of developing the site, including the type and size of development and the infrastructure to be provided. It does not provide a detailed layout of the development or the designs of buildings and spaces.

The applicants are Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, acting as landowners, who acquired a lease on the land to help to meet the borough’s future housing needs.

The application was first submitted in 2017, with updates and amendments made in 2018 and 2019. Throughout the process there has been extensive work by the planning and highway authorities, together with the landowners, to respond to feedback during several stages of consultation.

For more information about the application visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/manydownplanning

Garden waste start date confirmed 

Garden waste collections are set to resume from Monday 15 June for existing customers as staffing levels begin to stabilise following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The fortnightly garden waste service, which has over 12,000 customers signed up, will start this month.  This follows the reintroduction of the council’s bulky waste collection service in May.

The staggered approach has seen those services requiring the fewest staff brought back online first to ensure the existing waste, recycling and clinical waste services can be maintained for the duration of the pandemic.

Waste collections, which were reduced to a fortnightly collection on Monday 20 April and have the biggest impact on staffing, will remain on the current collection schedule until both the council and Serco are confident the weekly service can be sustained by the crews during the pandemic.

Following the suspension of the service in March, all existing garden waste customers will receive a letter advising them that the service is restarting. This will include information on their collection date, frequently asked questions including details regarding the extension of their annual subscription. No new customers can be accepted to the service at this time but this will be reviewed.

For more information on the services and frequently asked questions visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-bins-and-recycling

Skateparks reopened

We have reopened borough council owned skateparks following the latest government guidance and with advice from Skateboard England.

The outdoor skate facilities at the War Memorial Park, Rooksdown, Daniel Road in Whitchurch, Chineham Park and Loddon Valley open space are now open to use following the change in government advice allowing up to six people to meet outside, while observing social distancing.

Signage has been placed at all locations reminding users to observe social distancing and follow Skateboard England guidelines on keeping safe while using the skateparks. We will continue to closely monitor these sites.

BDBC COVID 19 – Small Businesses. Guidance on Shielding and Social Distance. Future of Health Services

Government guidance updated on shielding and social distancing 

Extremely vulnerable people who have been ‘shielding’ are now able to spend time outdoors, the government has announced.

New guidance on shielding was released yesterday with the change taking effect from today. The key points are:

  • People who are shielding remain vulnerable, should continue to take precautions and are strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible but can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they are able to maintain strict social distancing.
  • Time spent outdoors can be with members of their own household. If they live alone, they can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. Ideally, this should be the same person each time.
  • It is advised that shielded people keep visits outside to a minimum (for instance once per day), go out when there are fewer people out, like early in the morning, and avoid going into enclosed spaces and other households, shops and buildings.
  • People should stay alert when leaving home: washing hands regularly, maintaining social distance and avoiding gatherings of any size.

Guidance on social distancing has also been amended to reflect the announcement that from today, for the non-shielding population, gatherings of up to six people from different households in any outdoor space including private gardens are allowed.

The answers to frequently asked questions about what you can and can’t do has been amended to reflect all changes.

Engagement launched on future of health services 

Working in partnership, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups, West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover, have launched a programme of public engagement on the biggest modernisation of local health services in 50 years.

Hampshire Together: Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services is a programme that will involve all NHS and social care services across Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester and the surrounding areas.

Along with the constructionof a brand new hospital, the central aim of all partners is to deliver a joined-up healthcare system that supports patients, their families and their carers to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time in order to keep them healthy.

In 2019, Hampshire Hospitals was named as one of the trusts chosen to receive capital funding as part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP). This is designed to support 40 hospital building projects across the country between 2025 and 2030 and it is this funding that will be used to create the new hospital.

The partnership has developed a ‘listening document’ which explains the challenges currently faced and opportunities the programme presents. This document, along with more information about the programme, can be found at www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk

Throughout June and July, the NHS organisations working in partnership will be asking for views from the public. There is an opportunity to share your views here:
https://www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk/your-views

If you would like to receive the ‘listening document’ and a comment form by post, write to the programme at FREEPOST Hampshire Together (no stamp required) with your name and address.

Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme

Following the government’s announcement of a further discretionary grant scheme on 1 May, the council is administering this support to small and micro businesses who have not been eligible for any other support measures to date. This is an important part of the work taking place to support the local economy and help protect local jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Grants of £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 will be available for small and micro businesses in the borough linked to their level of fixed property overheads costs as part of the Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme.

Businesses must also be able to demonstrate a significant loss of income as a result of the impact of COVID-19. To be eligible the business must have fewer than 50 employees, occupy a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000 or part of a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000. The business must also not be eligible for any other government schemes including (but not limited to):

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
• Small Business Grant Fund
• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
• The Fisheries Response Fund
• Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS)
• The Zoos Support Fund
• The Dairy Hardship Fund.

Businesses have until 4.30pm on Friday 5 June to apply for this support. Please do share this information with any eligible businesses in your areas. For more information on the eligibility criteria and to apply, please visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-support-and-grants.

BDBC COVID 19 – Grass Cutting During the Pandemic and the Re-Opening of Festival Place

Grass cutting during the pandemic 

Our grounds maintenance team has been working hard to meet its grass cutting schedule.

It has been a challenging time for all of the operations staff who have continued to carry out their duties while facing reduced staffing through shielding and self-isolation following the coronavirus outbreak.

Most of the team cannot work from home and have had to make some big adjustments to their working day. This includes covering other areas in the service, such as the cemetery or fly-tipping, and applying social distancing to their daily routines and work practices, such as the depot they work out of or the number of staff able to work or travel together.

Following an initial break in grass cutting during the lockdown period, a focus on priority areas such as parks for exercise and verges for sight lines and new social distancing measures, the grounds maintenance team is behind in its usual cutting schedule compared to last year.

The delays are because they have had to make adjustments to working practices and ensure the safety of the team and the public comes first.

It takes approximately three weeks to complete a full round of mowing in the borough and the team is working hard to catch up and get back on schedule to ensure our borough remains a beautiful place to be proud of.

We are asking residents to remain patient and supportive as the team works to catch up during this challenging time.

 Work under way on safe reopening of Basingstoke town centre

The government has announced plans for non-essential retailers to reopen stores from Monday 15 June.

We are working closely with Festival Place, The Malls and Basingstoke Together Business Improvement District to coordinate plans to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for shoppers in Basingstoke.

We will also provide support to other centres in the borough in areas such as Overton, Tadley and Whitchurch.

Businesses are also being supported through signposting and advice on the measures they need to take in order to reopen.

To help with this work, we have been awarded £155,000 from the government to help with the costs of introducing safety measures for shoppers. Officers are currently considering how this funding can be best used.

Shoppers will be encouraged to support local businesses and to enjoy again what local shops have to offer while ensuring the safety of visitors, business owners and their staff.  A number of measures are being considered so that social distancing can be maintained. This includes walking on the left hand side of walkways in the town centre area, an increased cleaning schedule of public areas and extensive signage reminding shoppers what they need to do. Plans will be update as further guidance is issued by the government.

We will keep you updated on this work.

BDBC COVID 19 – Small Business Grant Scheme, Community Hubs. Extended opening times for Household Waste Recycling Centre

Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme

Following the government’s announcement of a further discretionary grant scheme on 1 May, the council will be administering this support to small and micro businesses who have not been eligible for any other support measures to date. This is an important part of the work taking place to support the local economy and help protect local jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Grants of £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 will be available for small and micro businesses in the borough linked to their level of fixed property overheads costs as part of the Small Business Discretionary Grants Scheme.

Businesses must also be able to demonstrate a significant loss of income as a result of the impact of COVID-19. To be eligible the business must have fewer than 50 employees, occupy a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000 or part of a property with a rateable value of up to £51,000. The business must also not be eligible for any other government schemes including (but not limited to):

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
• Small Business Grant Fund
• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant
• The Fisheries Response Fund
• Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS)
• The Zoos Support Fund
• The Dairy Hardship Fund.

Other than minor variations, most other councils across Hampshire are using their own adaptation of the policy principles template that our Revenues team has developed for the scheme, showing good partnership working and to enable a consistent scheme across the county.

The application window will launch on Monday (25 May) and businesses will need to complete an application form by 4.30pm on Friday 5 June. For more information on the eligibility criteria and to apply, please visit [http://]www.basingstoke.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-support-and-grants.

Community hub update

To date, the Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub has responded to 1,350 requests from vulnerable residents requesting access to food supplies and prescription deliveries and we are now starting to see a downward trend for the numbers of enquiries the team is receiving. As well as taking calls and triaging to local hubs, the team is working closely with the county council to carry out welfare checks on residents that the county have been unable to make contact with.

Following a £200,000 payment to Basingstoke Voluntary Action to help provide this vital support to vulnerable residents, local community groups were encouraged to apply for a grant to help pay for food supplies and other costs being incurred. To date, £159,000 of funding has been paid to 20 organisations.

If you are aware of any residents that need help and do not have support available from family or friends, please direct them to the Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline on 0333 370 4000 so that they can be looked after by the Community Hub and given access to the relevant local support.

Household waste recycling centres to open longer

Hampshire County Council will be extending opening hours of all household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) to 6pm from Saturday 23 May 2020

Further information on new measures in place at Hampshire HWRCs is available at: Coronavirus and waste services

BDBC COVID 19 – Bulky Waste and Garden Waste Services

Bulky waste and garden waste services to resume

Some waste and recycling services in Basingstoke and Deane are set to resume from next week as staffing levels begin to stabilise following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Bulky waste and garden waste collections services will be reintroduced in phases as part of a plan agreed with bin contractor Serco.

The staggered approach will see those services requiring the fewest staff brought back online first to ensure the existing waste, recycling and clinical waste services can be maintained for the duration of the pandemic.

Waste collections, which were reduced to a fortnightly collection on Monday 20 April and have the biggest impact on staffing, will remain on the current collection schedule until both the council and Serco are confident the weekly service can be sustained by the crews during the pandemic.

Bookings for the council’s bulky waste collection service will go live on Tuesday 26 May, with collections starting the following week. Residents can request a booking online at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/bulkywaste

Deliveries of bins and glass containers to residents who have requested them, will also start from this date.

Following the suspension of the service in March, garden waste customers will see a return to their fortnightly collection service from mid-June. All existing customers will receive a letter advising them of the start date and information regarding the extension of their annual subscription. No new customers can be accepted to the service at this time but this will be reviewed.

Monitoring of the services and staffing numbers affected by self-isolation will continue to take place. If a reliable service cannot be maintained or if waste, recycling or clinical waste services are affected, these services could be suspended again.

For more information on the services and frequently asked questions visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-bins-and-recycling

People can sign up to our residents’ eNewsletter at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/signup and follow @BasingstokeGov on Facebook or Twitter.

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BDBC COVID 19 – Re-Opening of Some of the Local Leisure Facilities

Some council-owned outdoor sports facilities to reopen

We are reopening some outdoor sports facilities, where it is safe to do so, following the latest government guidance on outdoor exercise.

The council and its contractors are taking a cautious approach and reopening those facilities where government guidance can be met and safely monitored.

The outdoor tennis courts at Stratton Park in Basingstoke, the athletics track at Down Grange Sports Complex in Basingstoke and council multi-use games areas and some ball parks in the borough will reopen tomorrow for people to use for exercise, as long as they follow social distancing guidance.

The outdoor tennis courts at Totally Tennis in War Memorial Park, Basingstoke, will also reopen tomorrow and these courts can be booked on the Totally Tennis website. The rest of the Totally Tennis indoor facilities will remain closed, this includes changing facilities and toilets.

The outdoor nine hole par-three golf course at Basingstoke Golf Centre, owned by the council and managed by Serco, will reopen on Saturday morning (16 May) with online booking and social distancing measures in place to ensure safety. The adventure golf and the driving range will remain closed as will the club house, changing facilities and toilets.

Signage has gone up telling people using the facilities they must to keep a safe space of at least two metres from people not in their household. People should not use a facility if it is busy and social distancing guidance cannot be met. All sites will be monitored and could be closed if social distancing measures are not being applied.

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new guidance allowing people unlimited exercise outdoors from Wednesday 13 May, while maintaining a safe space of two metres from those people outside of their household. The new guidance states people can exercise with members of their household, or one with one other person from outside their household. Any facilities associated with outdoor sports and physical activities can reopen from Wednesday 13 May 2020, if those responsible for them feel ready to do so and if they can do so safely, and in line with this and related public health guidance. However, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and outdoor swimming pools must remain closed.

For more information about the measures in place at Totally Tennis visit www.totallytennis.co.uk/covid-19

For more information about the Golf Centre visit www.basingstokeleisure.com/basingstoke_golf

For more information about the council’s outdoor sports facilities visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk

BDBC COVID 19 – Job Retention Scheme. Meet our Team Videos. Basingstoke Voluntary Action Community Support

Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October

The Chancellor has today announced that the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October. Full details of the announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-until-october

Key details to note:

  • Furloughed workers across the UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500.
  • From August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.
  • The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.

‘Meet our team’ videos

Our staff and contractors have been carrying out important roles to deliver services and support to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From our car parking enforcement officers supporting the community hub to our bin crews collecting rubbish and recycling, we’ve taken a look into their roles to explain and share the great work taking place and the challenges they are facing through a series of short ‘meet the team’ videos.

Here are the first videos to be posted onto the relevant pages on our website, our @BasingstokeGov Facebook and Twitter handles and our council YouTube account:

 Community volunteers working hard to support vulnerable residents

The Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub has taken over 1,200 calls from vulnerable borough residents following the launch of the coronavirus helpline.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is working in partnership with Hampshire County Council, Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA) and community and voluntary groups to ensure that those most at risk can stay inside their homes and receive deliveries of food and prescribed medication during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline has been set up for residents who are at higher risk from the virus, are self-isolating and do not have access to any help from family and friends to register for support. The helpline is available seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm by calling 0333 370 4000.

Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub, through a wide range of community and voluntary groups and volunteers across the borough, has been able to purchase and deliver food packages, collect medical prescriptions from local pharmacies and signpost residents in need to other support available.

For more information about the Basingstoke and Deane Community Hub visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-community-hub and for more information about the support available in your area, please visit www.bvaction.org.uk/basingstoke-deane-community-hubs

BDBC COVID 19 – Overview of Government Guidance Updates

Overview of government guidance updates

The Prime Minister’s address to the country yesterday about the restrictions in response to the coronavirus epidemic has been followed by more guidance and announcements today

The address gave a high level overview of the Government’s ‘roadmap’ for reopening society and the economy and taking the first steps to modify the lockdown measures. Today the government’s full COVID-19 recovery strategy has been published.

General guidance on the gov.uk website has also been amended to reflect the changes around the restrictions, the key points of which, announced yesterday and today, are outlined below.

General points:

  • A new Covid Alert System has been set up with five alert levels, five being the most severe and one meaning the disease is no longer present in the UK. The current status is level four, but about to decrease to level three (definitions of all levels still to be published);
  • This is not the time to end the lockdown but there is a change in emphasis to “Stay Alert, Control the Virus, and Save Lives” – a move away from “Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives”;
  • There are six new principles:
    • Stay at home as much as possible;
    • Work from home if you can;
    • Limit contact with other people;
    • Keep your distance if you go out (two metres apart if possible);
    • Wash your hands regularly;
    • Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
  • Progress will be monitored locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, or if there are problems, the Government will not hesitate to put on the brakes;

Step one – from today:

  • Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work. People should work from home if they can, but, if they cannot, then they should go to work;
  • However, people should avoid public transport if at all possible –social distancing must be maintained and so capacity on public transport will therefore be limited – this is being mitigated by measures announced by the Secretary of State for Transport on 9 May and a £2bn funding package for cycling and walking;
  • New guidance is being issued for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure;
  • From this Wednesday 13 May, people can sit in their local park, can drive to other destinations, and can play sports but only with members of their own household;
  • Social distancing must be observed and fines will be increased for those who break the social distancing rules.

Today, updated guidance giving more information on the above has been published:

Step two – at the earliest by 1 June:

  • At the earliest by 1 June, phased reopening of shops could take place; and
  • Primary pupils to go back to school in stages, beginning with reception, year one and year six;
  • Secondary pupils facing exams next year should get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays.

Step three – at the earliest by July:

  • At the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice – if and only if the numbers support it, it is hoped that at least some of the hospitality industry could reopen, and other public places, provided they are safe and social distancing is enforced.

Today the public has also been advised to consider wearing face coverings in enclosed public spacessuch as shops, trains and buses to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Car parks re-opening – Crabtree, Lime Pits, Black Dam Ponds. Household Waste Recyling Centre

Three ‘destination’ open space car parks to re-open

Car parks at Crabtree, Black Dam Ponds and the Lime Pits will re-open tomorrow (Thursday) in advance of the bank holiday weekend, so they can be more easily accessed by local people wanting to exercise there.

The council-owned car parks at these destination green spaces were originally closed on Thursday 9 April following concerns over groups of people gathering at the open spaces and not observing social distancing guidelines, as well as travelling distances to get to the locations by car.

Following further police guidance that people could travel short journeys by car to exercise and after reports that people are now observing social distancing better at the open spaces, the council is re-opening the car parks at these locations, with support from the police. However, we will not be proactively publicising the re-opening so that people living further away from them are not attracted to drive to these locations.

People visiting for exercise must follow the government’s social distancing advice and not to park if the car park is already busy. Signage will be placed at all three car parks to reinforce these messages and we will continue to monitor the use of these spaces to ensure the safety of visitors.

Play parks and outside gyms across the borough remain closed in line with government guidance to ensure social distancing and stop them spreading coronavirus through people using the equipment without washing their hands.
Wade Road Household Waste Recycling Centre to open on Monday

Hampshire County Council has confirmed that Wade Road Household Waste Recycling Centre will open on Monday 11 May for those who cannot store waste safely at home.

All sites will reopen under temporary revised daily opening hours of 10am to 4pm, with the following measures in place:

  •  Use of sites is only for essential disposal of waste whereby storing such waste causes a risk of injury or to health.
  •  As per government guidelines, residents in the specified vulnerable category (those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, people over 70 and pregnant women) are strongly advised not to visit a site.
  •  Restricted numbers of vehicles will be permitted to access the site at any one time and site staff will enforce this at the site entrance.
  • There will be staff at the entrance to each site, wearing a body camera, to manage the flow of vehicles. Security staff will be deployed at all sites and there will be a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse.
  • New temporary barriers will be in place at the entrance to each site and used to mark out new parking arrangements with site staff guiding vehicles, from a safe distance, into spaces.
  • As far as possible, only one person per household should visit the HWRC.
  • Due to social distancing measures, site staff will be unable to provide any assistance with unloading material or carrying material. Residents are asked to bring only the amount of waste they can comfortably carry and empty into containers.
  • Trailers are not permitted. Enforcement of social distancing on site means severely reduced capacity for manoeuvring trailers. Vans should be bringing no more waste than that which would fit in an average saloon car boot.
  • Everyone must always keep at least a two-metre distance from others at all times.
  • Sites will accept all waste material streams, except for chargeable waste – soil, rubble, asbestos and plasterboard. However, some processors have shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is likely that some materials outlets may not be available in the short term. Please check the website before your visit to check if any specific material is not able to be accepted temporarily.
  • Reuse sales areas will remain closed. Where possible, please continue to store items of furniture which could be reused, donate to local furniture charities, or use online platforms (for example, Freegle, Facebay or Gumtree). Please see the Smart Living website for more information on furniture reuse.

Where residents or members of their households have had COVID19 symptoms in the last 14 days, they should not travel to or enter a HWRC. After this period, any COVID-19 contaminated waste should be double bagged and put aside for 72 hours before being brought to a site. The start date for the HWRC vehicle registration scheme has been postponed in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. However, the online vehicle registration system remains open in readiness for implementation later this year.

More information at: www.hants.gov.uk/recyclingcentres
Grants of up to £3,000 available to parish and town councils

We were approached by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks about grants available to parish and town councils and have passed on the information to the council clerks as below:

In response to coronavirus, and to support the communities we serve, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has made a grant fund of £350,000 available, for projects that support vulnerable members in society. As a parish council you are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to support your council’s response to coronavirus, or to authorise a community group that operates in your area to apply in your place. Examples of schemes that would qualify for a grant include, but are not limited to, social delivery services, online advice centres or befriending schemes.

Applying is simple, through an online form available at www.ssen.co.uk/RCF/England/, which also contains further information about what does and does not qualify. The deadline for application is 18 May.