Coronavirus update 4 November 2021
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
The news this week has rightly been dominated by COP26 in Glasgow. As you know, we declared a climate emergency in 2019 and since then have been working with local communities to achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. I know many local people have joined us in calling for world leaders to demonstrate the global ambition needed to achieve this. It’s vital that we work at all levels to amplify these voices. For example, we have signed up to Race To Zero, a global coalition representing 733 cities, and 622 higher education institutions united around a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery.
Throughout COP26 we’re also highlighting some of the practical action we’ve been taking locally, such as on low-energy housing and renewables. I am pleased that our local work is being highlighted by the Local Government Association during these two weeks.
There’s much more to be done and we’ll need to continue to involve local people in making it happen. Our recent Climate and Biodiversity Festival was a great success and our Youtube Playlist of the festival’s events gives a real flavour of what’s happening locally.
We also need residents’ continued help to bring our Covid case numbers down. We’ve been working closely with schools and local businesses, and I called on people to voluntarily resume wearing masks in public places such as shops and entertainment venues, and on public transport, unless they are exempt. From travelling around the area I think it’s fair to say that more and more people in recent days have been doing this. Covid is still very much with us. Keeping with the basics ‒ face coverings, hand-washing, testing, self-isolating when required ‒ is still the best way of keeping us safe and reducing pressures on our health services. Please also take up all the vaccines you are offered- including the flu jab and booster.
We all know how Covid has impacted on local businesses. I am determined that the council does everything it can to help businesses recover and thrive. So we will be opening Bath’s Green Park car park tomorrow (Friday 5 November) to provide additional short stay car parking to help support the economic recovery of business in the run up to Christmas. The temporary car park, on the former site of the Riverside coach park, provides 104 spaces, of which five are disabled spaces. Visitors will be able to pay for parking via the MIPERMIT system, which is a cashless system. I am also delighted that the ever-popular Saturday farmers’ market will continue to be provided with free parking on Saturdays within Green Park until further notice.
Supporting our vibrant cultural sector is also a key priority for me. So I was delighted to see that Bath and North East Somerset residents are being invited to enjoy free live performances from Bath Philharmonia, the region’s leading professional orchestra. Bath Philharmonia is gifting local people one thousand tickets for each of its own concerts at The Bath Forum during its 2021/22 season. This is a much-needed tonic after18 months of restrictions and difficulties for our vital cultural sector. Details on the concerts and this special offer can be found here.
As the evenings draw in, our thoughts turn to remembrance and I have been talking to our magnificent armed forces charities about their plans. As an ex-serviceman myself, I was particularly proud that the council has provided a city centre base for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. I know how important this campaign is for the Royal British Legion in raising vital funds for the Armed Forces community and I would like to say a special thank you to all the Poppy Appeal Volunteers who help collect donations.
Finally, I am pleased to say that the council’s cabinet will be receiving an update next week on proposals for the first the first new general needs council houses to be built in a generation in Bath and North East Somerset. This would mean 58 new council houses to rent to help meet the demand for affordable homes in the area. I’ll keep you updated on progress.
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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Getting your Covid-19 vaccine
Parents across Bath and North East Somerset can now arrange for their children aged 12 to 15 to receive a coronavirus vaccine using the online National Booking Service.
Out-of-school vaccinations have been introduced to supplement what is already happening in schools and will continue to be available throughout November.
The National Booking Service can be accessed online by visiting www.nhs.uk or over the phone by calling 119.
Information about the local rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, including details of vaccination centres and an extensive list of frequently asked questions, is available here. |
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Flu and Covid booster jabs
This autumn and winter, it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated to protect yourself against flu and Covid-19. This is because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the Covid-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and Covid-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and Covid-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
Information for people awaiting a booster vaccine invitation
Find out if you’re eligible this autumn/winter. |
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Additional Covid-19 vaccination walk-in clinics
New Covid-19 vaccination clinics have started at the University of Bath, Sports Training Village, Tennis Balcony, in Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY.
The next walk-in clinic is on Thursday November 11 from 11am – 6pm (with a 30min lunch break at 1pm). It's open to anyone aged 16+ who needs a first or second dose. Please visit the NHS website for more information on eligibility of Covid-19 vaccinations.
The clinic only has Pfizer vaccine, so if someone needs a second dose of Astra Zeneca for example, as they had Astra Zeneca for their first dose, they will need to go to an alternative vaccination centre instead.
Visit our website for how to find the University of Bath walk-in clinics.
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 Asymptomatic Covid-19 testing
Remember to look out for our mobile test and collect van. Locations are published on our website, and you can pick up test kits or have a supervised test. Trained outreach workers will also answer questions about Covid-19 vaccinations.
Please do not attend the van or the test and collect hub in New Bond Street if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19. Take a PCR test instead.
You can also pick up test kits from our libraries in: Timsbury, Radstock, Bishop Sutton, Weston, Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and also Bath One Stop Shop. |
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Green Park car park to open
Bath’s Green Park car park will open on Friday November 5 to provide additional short stay car parking to help support the economic recovery of business in the run up to Christmas. |
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Meeting the demand for affordable homes
The first new general needs council houses to be built in a generation in Bath and North East Somerset could be given the go-ahead next week. |
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Cabinet to consider Virgin Care contract extension
The council’s cabinet is to consider extending Virgin Care’s contract to provide adult community health and social care services, children’s health services, and some public health services. |
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Get involved in Somerset’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years on the throne. |
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Free Keynsham parking on Saturdays this Christmas
Free parking on Saturdays in council-owned car parks during December is being offered to encourage people to ‘shop local’ in Keynsham High Street. |
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Support available for home energy improvements
Residents across Bath and North East Somerset are being offered an easy way to make their home more energy efficient and support the council’s net zero carbon ambitions. |
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Stay Covid-safe and enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly
With high Covid-19 infection rates across Bath and North East Somerset residents are once again being urged to stay Covid-safe and enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly. |
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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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Access to Work: factsheet for customers
Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. |
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NHS COVID Pass
How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England. |
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Get help with technology: conditions of internet access and device grants
Information about the eligibility criteria and payment process for connectivity and device funding. |
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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.
Since launching in March, more than 50 B&NES residents have been helped with their job, business and training goals. Here is what some of them said about our services:
- “Friendly professionals giving helpful and spot on advice. Really appreciate your help.”
- “Great help during the uncertain process of attempting to change careers.”
- “Great communication. They have endeavoured to seek out potential possibilities to push my career in the right direction. I would highly recommend this free careers service.”
- “The service was very professional and thorough.”
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 adults
A brand-new, 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 8:15am-12pm, 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.
Originally a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; Virgin Care; 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@virgincare.co.uk
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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BA1 Radio have been established for a year in Bath and operate from a studio in Southside Youth Hub, broadcasting twelve hours of shows every weekday, focusing on Bath and the local community, including hourly news reports.
website: www.BA1Radio.org
call: 01225 941 080
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