Bideford Town Council - Corona Virus||Useful Information

CORONAVIRUS 2020

How it has affected this Town Council.

Currently, in light of Government and Health Executive guidelines, Bideford Town Council has cancelled all forthcoming meetings until further notice.

The Annual Parish Meeting, scheduled for 21^st April, has been cancelled. As this is the meeting where we give out our Grants, this obviously will not go ahead either. We will be writing to all Grant Applicants over the next few weeks to inform them of their Application status.

It is with great regret that we have to cancel the VE Day 75^th Anniversary Parade and Party, on the instruction from the Queen’s Pageant Master. A simpler form of commemoration will take place on 8^th May, which is being reviewed as the time approaches.

We also sadly have to cancel the Cream Tea Festival scheduled for 17^th May. This would have been the first of its kind – but we will look at launching it again next year and making it a great and exciting event, as we had planned.

In line with Government guidelines we have closed our outside gym in Victoria Park and would ask you please, in the interests of health and safety, do not use it until further notice.

The officers of this Council are working from home, where they can, and the preferred method of contact is email, although there will be someone to answer telephone calls at most times during the day on 01237 428817. Just click on the Contact link to email us or get in contact with your Ward Councillor.

During this terrible time, the Maintenance Team have elected to carry on working, where possible and will be on standby to work with local voluntary organisations should they be required. In the meantime they will observe the 2m rule and work on projects around Bideford that keep them outside and away from the public.

ALLOTMENTS:

Our Allotment sites are open to plot holders and according to Government advice, gardeners are encouraged to tend their plots BUT must adhere to the 2 metre rule and ensure that they sanitise their hands and the gate locks when entering the sites.

Remember that the virus is spread easily so try not to use other gardener’s tools... The weather is great for gardening at the moment and you will reap your rewards later on.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

If you are healthy and in a position to volunteer to help those more vulnerable OR If you or someone you know is elderly or vulnerable please contact:

TTVS by telephone 01237 420130

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more comprehensive and specific information on COVID 19, Coronavirus, or need to know what local services are available from our District Authority please click on the Torridge District Council link.

Devon County Council also provide information on their Community Support Page.

https://www.devon.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-in-devon/

Coronavirus - Do you need support?

Bideford Town Council Privacy Statement

UPDATED INFORMATION - 16.04.2020

TTVS now have a dedicated email address for all those needing support or those who are willing to volunteer their help -

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are self-isolating and do not have anyone who can help you, do please email this new address.

And, of course, those who are able and willing to volunteer do please use the dedicated email address to offer your support.

The types of support you can offer are:

1: Volunteer co-ordinators (these can be home based)

2: Delivery driver volunteers

3: Telephone support; chats for those feeling lonely.

UPDATE: - 02.04.2020

The response to the appeal for volunteers has been tremendous. Thank you to everyone who responded.

At the current time applications are paused to enable the TTVS to work their way through all the offers to help, and to enable them get the volunteers up and running as soon as possible.

TTVS ask that anyone who is still interested in volunteering to wait a few weeks before applying to them.

Devon County Council has launched the COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund to provide flexible resources to organisations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the social and economic consequences of this outbreak.

Grants available for applications of UNDER £500

While our healthcare systems, public health practitioners, and Local and National Government are doing everything in their power to slow the spread of coronavirus, our Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and local communities are also preparing to safely assist those most vulnerable during this unprecedented time.

Through the COVID-19 Action Fund, DCC will rapidly provide small amounts of grant funding to community-led schemes,
which identify and/or achieve the small but important things that can safely address some of the issues that are arising because of this Coronavirus outbreak.

These can include:
• Safe deliveries of essential goods and services to those who are vulnerable, such as foods and medicines.
• Support for accessing online information and services
• Virtual support groups to help people to stay connected and informed and to maintain and support mental health and wellbeing
• Transport related initiatives that support safe community responses to the outbreak

Applications are accepted from constituted and not-for-private-profit Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector groups and organisations, Town and Parish Councils, charities or businesses, or a combination of such groups working together

**(a) Non-constituted groups without their own, separate bank account, small local businesses and individuals may apply but they will need to do so with the support of an accountable constituted organisation acting on their behalf either as guarantor or as the holder of the funding. If you fall into this category, organisations that DCC would accept as guarantor or fund holder include:

•Town or Parish Councils
• Local Community and Voluntary Services organisation (CVS)
• Village Hall

• Another constituted local Voluntary group that qualifies

If you are uncertain how to do this then please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and mark your email SUPPORT in the subject line.
The application form can be accessed online here: https://www.devon.gov.uk/covid19-prompt-action-fund-application-form/

covid19-prompt-action-fund-application-form/

TTVS Covid-19 Small Grant Process Guidance Notes

Devon County Council are asking that all applications are either online, or emailed back to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as there may be nobody in our offices to process paper applications.

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Covid-19 - Transport and Public Transport

Transport for Key Workers

Due to the reduction of bus services across the county, Devon County Council are trialling an on-demand subsidised taxi service for Devon residents for key workers accessing employment only.

This service is intended to replace those journeys which were previously made by bus – a subsidised flat fare will be charged.

Requests can only be made by email and should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please include the following information in your email:

NAME, ADDRESS, KEY WORKER STATUS, EMPLOYER / PAYROLL REF

JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS (pick up/drop off)

They will aim to respond to all requests as soon as possible during normal office hours – journeys should be booked 48 hours in advance of travel.

FAQ on Covid-19 Travel and Public Transport - Click here

Stagecoach - Reduced Services - Click here