Coronavirus update 21 April 2022
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
Against the background of the Covid 19 pandemic, and in the context of rising levels of need, the council’s Children’s Services has this week been recognised for the way it remains focused on the most vulnerable members of our community.
An Ofsted inspection has judged our Children’s Services as delivering good services to children, young people and families. Inspectors acknowledged the council’s strong commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and families.
I want to thank all our teams and partners who work together to make a positive impact on the lives of our children, young people and families. And I want to take the opportunity to thank the many foster carers who do an amazing job working with us to help keep children safe. We are always in need of more foster carers, whether you are a family, single or a couple please get in touch with us to find out more about the many different ways you can foster in Bath & North East Somerset.
Many young families learned this week about the primary school their child will be going to in September. Starting school is such a big moment and I’m pleased that once again we have enabled 99 per cent of the applications we received to get one of their overall preferences with 97 per cent of families getting their first preference of primary school.
Over the Easter weekend it was great to see so many people out enjoying the good weather, the restaurants, bars, shops and attractions in our wonderful city and towns.
We are working hard to encourage more businesses back into Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock after two very challenging years. Within our own property portfolio we are seeing a strong demand for new properties in Bath from national and high-end independent retailers and we are committed to bring vacant units back into use. The most recent figures show 32 new lettings with a further 16 properties under offer – this is very encouraging and we will continue to push to get more business back in Bath. Businesses looking for support can get in touch with our team at Invest in Bath.
Finally, a reminder to residents who want to hold a street party on the fast-approaching Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend – you have until tomorrow (April 22) to apply to the council for a road closure.
Have a good weekend.
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| We are no longer be publishing the Covid-19 update as the government moves to the next phase of managing the pandemic. However, you can find the latest Government data on coronavirus here. |
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Current guidance for coronavirus
Free testing for Covid-19 has now ended for most people. However, you may still be able to get free rapid lateral flow tests if you work for the NHS or in social care, if you are going into hospital, or you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
From this month, care home residents, people aged 75+, and those with a weakened immune system aged 12+ will be invited to get a spring Covid-19 booster. The NHS will contact you and invite you to book your spring booster when it’s due.
Covid-19 is still with us, so it's important we all consider how we can continue stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. |
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Vaccination clinics
There's still time to grab your first, second or booster doses at the following upcoming clinics.
Bath City Football Club, Twerton
- Wednesday 4 May, 11am-6pm
- Wednesday 18 May, 11am-6pm
Keynsham Scout Hut, Ashton Way, Keynsham, BS31 2UF
- Thursday 21 April, 10am-6pm
All these clinics will offer
- First and second doses for people aged over 12 years old
- Boosters for people aged 16 years old and over, plus at-risk children aged over 12 years old
- Spring boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, plus people aged over 12 years old with a weakened immune system
- Additional primary doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged over 12 years old
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to wait:
- 4 weeks, or 28 days if you're aged 18+ and or if you're an at risk 12-17 year old
- 12 weeks, or 84 days if you're aged 12-17
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms.
If you or your child have had symptoms of COVID-19, but have not had a test, you should wait until your symptoms are better to get a COVID-19 vaccine. You can talk to a healthcare professional at the site about this.
You can book your vaccination appointment online; you need to be registered with a GP (or call 119) to book online. Or you can visit a vaccination walk-in clinic; no need to book or be registered with a GP. To find one near you, go to the NHS website.
If you are planning to attend a walk-in clinic, please check the 'grab a jab' website to make sure the site is open that day.
If you need a translator, have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service |
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Operator invites for former Approach Golf Course site
The council has started a second supplier engagement exercise with the intention of finding a new operator for the site of the former Approach Golf Course in Bath. |
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Good services for children, young people & families
Children’s Services in Bath & North East Somerset have been judged as good following a rigorous Ofsted inspection. |
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School offer day for Reception places
Almost every family in Bath and North East Somerset has been offered one of their overall preferences for primary school places in 2022/23. |
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Engineering report on Cleveland Bridge repairs
An independent engineering report has set out complex challenges facing the ongoing repairs to critical sections holding up Bath’s Cleveland Bridge ‒ but its safety has been assured for the current traffic arrangements on the Grade II* listed structure. |
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New upcoming dates for family courses
New, upcoming courses dates for COOK IT, HENRY and LEAP are starting in the next few weeks.
COOK IT is a free five-week cookery course for parents and children. You can discover how to make easy, healthy budget friendly recipes.
HENRY is a free programme for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 5 years old. It covers: feeling more confident as a parent; physical activities for little ones; what children and the whole family eats; family lifestyle habits; and enjoying life as a family. The programme provides everything you need to help your little one get off to a great start.
LEAP is a free programme for families of children and young people who are above a healthy weight, and offers face-to-face, group support for 5-10 year olds and a combination of face to face & virtual, 1:1 support for 10-17 year olds.
To find out more or book a place on any of these courses, call 0300 2470050 or email bathnes.thehub@hcrgcaregroup.com. |
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April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. That's nearly 43,000 people every year. Early diagnosis for Bowel Cancer and any other type of cancer saves lives. Everyone aged 60-74, who's registered with a GP and lives in England, is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The programme also includes 56 year olds. Visit the website to find out more about the symptoms and detection of this disease.
Join us in a new challenge run by Bowel Cancer UK and Step up for 30. It's simple, just get active every day and ask people to sponsor you. To take part, sign up here.
There’s plenty of opportunity to get talking about this too:
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Keynsham Park Improvement Project survey
There's still time to give us your opinions on improvements to Keynsham Park.
We're working with Keynsham Town Council to make improvements to Keynsham Memorial Park, Abbey Park and Chew Park, collectively known as Keynsham Park.
We have funds available to make initial improvements, but we also want to plan effectively for the future. We want to understand the main issues and investment priorities in these parks, and your responses to this survey will help us to build our improvement plan. |
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Recycling & rubbish collections
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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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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Finding and choosing a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test provider
Guidance and information for anyone who needs to order a COVID-19 test from a private provider. |
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Apply for a Discretionary Grant (DG2)
How to apply for a discretionary grant where the dissolved company can be restored. (Company has been dissolved for less than six years). |
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents
Advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus. |
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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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The Library at Home service
If you, or someone you know is unable to visit the library, why not try the Library at Home service. This is a great way to connect with new friends and volunteers through a love of reading. You can access books, audiobooks and DVDs, regardless of your situation.
To find out more visit the website, or email HomeLibraryService@bathnes.gov.uk. |
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Employment and Skills Drop In at Bath Library
If you need help looking for work, training or even starting your own business, why not pop along to the employment and skills drop in sessions at Bath Central Library, from 11am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. |
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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.
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 fourth 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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