Coronavirus update 10 February 2022
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
This evening (Thursday 10 February), cabinet meets to consider a balanced budget and will make its budget recommendations to Full Council, which meets next week.
We have worked hard to provide value for money and we are proposing investment in frontline services ‒ cleaner streets, building council homes, improving transport and better recycling facilities ‒ while continuing to have one of the lowest council tax rates of all unitary authorities in the South West.
The proposed budget will see £11.8m of savings and additional income streams, alongside a general council tax increase of 1.99%. The increase is in addition to a 1% increase in the social care precept, which is ring-fenced to support Adult Social Care services. For a Band D property. this would result in a total annual increase of 2.99% or £45.73, or 88p per week, which is below the rate of inflation.
Over the past week, Bath and Bathavon Area Forums have met – the next forum is Keynsham Area Forum, which is on February 17, followed by Chew Valley on February 28 and Somer Valley on March 3. The forums are held over zoom and really are an excellent way for residents and organisations to come together, have their say and work together to improve communities. If you can’t attend one or want to see how the forums work, you can watch on the council’s YouTube channel.
I am delighted that this week we were able to announce the return of our large-scale traditional Bath Christmas Market, which will run this year from November 24 to December 11. It will be part of the successful ‘Bath at Christmas’, which will see fantastic Christmas events in the city and will give a huge and much-needed boost to our local economy. Planning for the event is well under way and I want to say a big thank you to all the city partners including Bath BID, Milsom Place, Visit Bath and SouthGate, as well as our own team, for their work so far.
While there is much to look forward to this year, we can’t ignore the fact that Covid is still with us and we continue to encourage people to take up the vaccine to protect themselves and others. Tremendous work has been done in our area to get people vaccinated and boosted. But there remain around 24,000 people in Bath & North East Somerset who still have not yet had their jab – and as we know. every vaccine makes a difference to us all.
Have a good weekend.
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| These are the latest Covid case figures for B&NES – please play your part to drive the number down. |
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Bath City FC walk-in vaccination clinic
A walk-in vaccination clinic is being held at Bath City Football Club today, Thursday 10 February.
First, second and booster doses will be available for those 16 and over at the clinic. The clinic is open at the stadium until 7pm.
Don't forget you can have your second dose from 8 weeks after your first dose if you are 18 and over, and 12 weeks after your first dose if you are 16 and over. Booster doses can be given if you had your second dose at least 3 months ago.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test and you’re aged 18 years and over, you need to wait 4 weeks (28 days) or 3 months (91 days) if you are 16 or 17. This starts from the date you had symptoms or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms. |
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Booster doses available for 16+
Everyone aged 16 and over is now eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab. Boosters can be given if you had your second dose at least 3 months ago.
You can get your vaccine in the following ways:
- Book an appointment on the National Booking System (You need to be registered with a GP surgery in England to use this service. You can register with a GP if you do not have one).
- If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge (lines are open 7am to 11pm). You can speak to a translator if you need to. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
- Get your vaccination at a walk-in clinic (no need to book or be registered with a GP). To find a walk-in clinic near you, please go to the NHS website. Bath Racecourse are currently offering walk-ins to those 12 and over, please visit the NHS website for more details.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to:
- Aged 18 years-old or over: wait 4 weeks (28 days)
- Aged 12 to 17-years-old: wait 12 weeks (84 days)
- Aged 12 to 17-years-old and at high-risk from Covid-19: wait 4 weeks (28 days)
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms.
Don't forget, you can take the Park and Ride bus service (no. 31) from Milsom St (Bath City Centre) to Bath Racecourse. A free shuttle service continues to run from the Park & Ride on the hour and on the half hour to Bath Racecourse, returning from the Racecourse to the Park & Ride at quarter past and quarter to the hour. Most shuttles are wheelchair accessible, but we cannot guarantee this. Please check the Bath Racecourse shuttle timetable.
If you find it difficult to get to a Covid-19 vaccination site due to accessibility, please call the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm. The Hub will be able to arrange for a community transport provider to pick you up, take you to the vaccination site, and drop you home afterwards. There may be a charge for this service.
If you have any questions about the booster, watch this helpful video featuring Uzo Ibechukwu, Chief Pharmacist at the RUH Bath, who explains the difference getting the booster will make to you. |
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Vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds
Children aged 12-15 are still eligible to receive two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination. If your child needs a first dose you can still book an appointment through the National Booking Service. Second dose appointments are also now available, and this appointment needs to be 12 weeks after the first vaccine or 12 weeks after a positive Covid-19 test.
Booster doses are also available to those 12 to 15-year-olds who are at higher risk from Coivid-19 or who live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system.
The school aged immunisation service will be attending most schools in Bath and North East Somerset between February and April to vaccinate eligible children, where they have a positive consent.
In the meantime, if you would like to access vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds via your local vaccine centres, there is currently plenty of capacity outside of school hours. This can be booked via the National Booking System or by calling 119. Alternatively, all centres are offering a walk-in service when their centres are open, including weekends.
The full guidance is here. |
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 Need to take a rapid test?
Testing kits are now back in stock at the testing hub on New Bond Street. You can also take an assisted test at the hub, if you're not sure how to do it or need help.
Test kits are also available now from community libraries across Bath and North East Somerset. Find your nearest library here.
And the testing van continues to provide test kits to residents across the district. Please check our website before visiting to find out if the van is on the road, and where it will be.
You can order lateral flow tests through the government website. Test availability on the site is refreshed throughout the day, so if there's none available please try again later.
Don't forget to register your test results online. |
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Data shows 3,500+ smoking households in poverty
Each year in Bath and North East Somerset, 3,566 smoking households are living in poverty when spending on tobacco is taken into account. |
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Bath Christmas Market celebrates 20th anniversary
Bath Christmas Market, which has been ranked in the top ten of European festive markets, attracting thousands of visitors celebrating the festive season, is returning to the city this year – and will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. |
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Give HIV The Finger: how to get a quick and easy test
The council is raising awareness of how people can get tested for HIV as part of HIV Testing Week 2022. |
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Join Keynsham Area Forum to find out about support
Residents in the Keynsham area struggling with the rising cost of living can find out about local support and advice services at the next meeting of the Keynsham Area Forum. |
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Low-cost loans for energy home improvements
Residents looking to make essential repairs or home improvements to decarbonise their homes may be able to access affordable finance through a council-backed loan scheme. |
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Our Best Prints at Victoria Art Gallery
From Hogarth to Hodgkin: Our Best Prints will open at the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, on 5 March and run until 4 May. This wonderful exhibition will showcase the best of the Gallery’s diverse print collection, with works on display spanning 700 years. |
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Recycling & rubbish collections
Our service is under pressure, please help our crews by sorting your recycling to help speed up collections. Keep missed boxes out and we’ll get to them as soon as we can. Please be patient – our crews will get to you. Updates can be found here. |
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New Opportunities event ‒ places still available
Residents seeking work, training courses, upskilling, moving careers or business support, are invited to a New Opportunities event on 17 February 2022 from 10.30am-1pm at Bath Central Library, 19-23 The Podium, Bath BA1 5AN.
You will be able to speak to individuals who could provide you with practical support towards your employment, training and business goals. Institutions taking part include: Bath College, Cool Ventures, Future Bright, Job Centre, National Careers Service, We Work for Everyone, Women’s Work Lab and Youth Connect.
You can book a free place today. |
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Council meeting calendar
Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings. |
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Latest Government guidance
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Around 1 in 10 aren't vaccinated against MMR
The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect children and the community from measles, mumps and rubella, which can cause serious illness. If your child is due to have had two doses of MMR but has not yet received them, or has missed them for any reason, you should contact your GP practice to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.
To find out more visit nhs.uk/MMR. |
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Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too.
For updates on our services visit our website. |
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Employment and Skills Pod
Are you returning to work after a short or long break? Perhaps you are already in work and planning to change the direction of your career? The Employment & Skills Pod can help you find the right opportunities.
Call us now on 0300 247 0050 or email us on EmploymentSkills_Pod@bathnes.gov.uk. You can also find out more on the website. |
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Live Well B&NES: information for all
A web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to residents in Bath & North East Somerset has launched.
Live Well B&NES provides a wealth of useful information, signposting and resources for families, including Ofsted registered childcare, children and young people with additional needs (our SEND Local Offer) and adults needing care or support to live independently.
Information, services and groups are regularly added to Live Well B&NES. If you work with, support, provide services or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support (such as older people, adults with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, people living with mental ill health), and haven’t already registered - make sure you’re included! It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register.
Find out more:
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/
www.facebook.com/livewellbathnes
www.instagram.com/Youth_Info_Bathnes |
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Future Bright
Do you know someone who is in work and wants to take the next step in their career? Future Bright offers FREE careers coaching, support and access to training. Future Bright Careers Coaches work with local residents to develop the skills and confidence needed to improve their work and pay. Check out the Future Bright newsletter to read about those who have already benefitted from the project.
For more information go to www.futurebright.org.uk or give us a call 01225 395555. |
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Specialised dementia groups in B&NES
Age UK Bath & North East Somerset are starting two new specialised Dementia Groups, which are now running weekly in Midsomer Norton & Bath.
These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Staff are trained in Maintenance Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which helps concentration, confidence, memory and wellbeing.
You can find out more here or call 01225 466135. |
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Do you look after someone else?
If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you.
Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 9am-1pm, every weekday. |
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Support available from the Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub, including those people who are isolating due to testing positive for Covid-19 or being in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
A collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; HCRG Care Group; the 3SG; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and other third sector organisation representatives. The team can offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: cwhbanes@hcrgcaregroup.com
Website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Text: 07870 868368
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until 5pm
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email Council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk |
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Domestic abuse
Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here. |
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Sight loss support
Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. Since lockdown this has been either online or over the phone. Now following careful planning, some Covid-secure face-to-face support sessions are resuming on an appointment only basis.
Your Community Sight Loss Adviser will be available at Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath on the first Wednesday each month and at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on the 4th Thursday each month.
To find out more, or make an appointment please call 0117 3224885 or email For more information on the full range of services visit www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
For more useful information visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk/ |
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Local agencies and useful links
We have been working closely with local agencies and if you would like to find out more about their work please look on their website: RUH, Avon and Somerset Police, Curo, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.
- Public Health England updates a daily dashboard: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ It includes deaths that have occurred in all settings where there has been a positive Covid-19 test, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
- Latest information on coronavirus: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS information on coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ |
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Tune in
Local radio is a great way of keeping up to date with essential information, if you don’t already you should tune into BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Somerset or BBC Radio Wiltshire. |
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Somer Valley FM covers Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and surrounding villages including Farrington, Paulton, Peasedown, Coleford and Stratton.
Broadcast online and on 97.5fm you can contact at studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411 755 |
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| Bath Radio is a community radio station which has been operating as a hospital radio station for the past 50 years. It now broadcasts to the wider Bath community. Listen online. |
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| Radio Bath provides local news and information, promotes the city and supports its businesses, charities and community organisations. |
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Keynsham’s KTCRfm 105.8FM is now broadcasting 24/7.
KTCRfm covers Keynsham, Saltford, Hanham, Bitton, Warmley, Clutton, Timsbury, the Chew Valley and as far south as Temple Cloud. East to the eastern edge of Bath. North across South Gloucestershire to the M4 corridor and west into many parts of Bristol. |
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