Bassingbourn Parish Council December 2021
Covid Enhanced Response Area – renewed to Dec 24th
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Enhanced Response Area status for tackling the Covid pandemic has been renewed to run until December 24. This provides additional vaccination support in schools and in efforts to roll out vaccinations where there is low take-up.
Cambridge University Hospitals’ Chief Executive Roland Sinker warned last month that Addenbrooke’s was ‘ceasing to function as a hospital’ and that ‘You’d have to be asleep to not realise the profound nature of the crisis we’re in’. At that time 150 of the 900-1,000 beds were closed due to infection control and pandemic-related reconfiguration. The hospital was caring for 58 people with COVID-19, 11 of them in the critical care unit. Ambulances were queuing outside the hospital, and one woman died in the back of an ambulance while waiting.
Covid impact on schools
Last week saw the highest number of cases in a single week in Cambridgeshire schools since the pandemic began. A school has been closed for the first time this academic year due to the high number of cases and significant absence. There remains huge stresses on education leaders as they continue to operate for the last two weeks of term. From the 26th November to the 2nd December, Cambs CC identified 1,443 cases of Covid-19 across 283 settings. This is an increase from the 888 cases reported last week and we expect the number of cases to rise again this week.
Household Support Fund
Cambridgeshire’s Household Support Fund, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship to pay for food, household energy or other essential items. The scheme will run until 31 March 2022.
Support is offered in two ways:
- Support with food, household energy and other essentials for individuals and families: residents are eligible to access this support if they earn less than £17,940 per year, or are in receipt of certain state benefits
- Direct food voucher scheme: as in previous school holidays, supermarket vouchers will be issued to families meeting the low income criteria for free school meals, funded childcare for two-year-olds, early years pupil premium, or sixth form students eligible for free school meals.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/household-support-fund
Free Holiday Activities and Food Programme
A child receiving Free School Meals due to low income may be eligible for a free 16-hours holiday activity programme, and food programme. All details here:
Innovate & Cultivate Fund
The County Council’s next deadline for Innovate & Cultivate Fund applications is 1st February 2022. The aim of the fund is to support initiatives that strengthen our communities and reduce pressure on County Council services, thereby giving a return on investment. Council services that are inviting applications are adult social care and children’s services.
The fund is open to voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations based in and outside of Cambridgeshire, and public sector organisations in Cambridgeshire. This funding round is for Cultivate grant applications (£2,000-£15,000) for projects that build community support networks for vulnerable people. Organisations need to get pre-application advice on their project ideas before submitting an application.
Do you want to do something for the community but need some inspiration to start a project? We’ve developed application guidance for 7 Cultivate project ideas – Mobile Warden Schemes, Community Youth Worker, Digital Inclusion, Timebanks, Good Neighbour Schemes, Dementia-Friendly Communities and Men’s Sheds – that can help people to remain independent and active within their community, encourage volunteering, and complement more costly Council services. Applications and further information about fund priorities and criteria may be found on the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) website: http://www.cambscf.org.uk/icf.html
Arnold Clark Community Fund
This winter, grants of up to £1,000 for community groups and local non-profit organisations are being offered through the Arnold Clark Community Fund to help them continue their important work which may be at risk due to the pandemic. The focus for this round is on foodbanks, toy banks, poverty relief, housing and accommodation. The deadline is 31 December 2021.
Old North Road overhanging vegetation
This has been actively followed up with the private landowner who has agreed to do the maintenance cutback. Thanks to our Local Highways Officer.
Mission Ready Children’s play area – toys needed
Our friends at Bassingbourn Barracks are appealing for donations of new/second-hand toys for 1-8 year-olds for a weekend play area, to support young families living on site.
Please contact: Major Jonathan Ryan, Welfare Officer, Jonathan.Ryan995@mod.gov.uk, or Duty Welfare: 07814785634. Jon writes, “The continued support from the local community is greatly appreciated by all at Bassingbourn Barracks.”
Chucking old Tech?
Many of our children and families in need are missing opportunities because they don’t have access to digital devices. The County Council is partnering with @cambsyouthpanel and @cambridge2030 to refurbish and donate essential technology to families in need. If you’re buying new tech this winter, please consider donating your old and unwanted devices. Visit https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/computers-for-families-campaign-kicks-off-with-arm-donation
Living independently at home
Lots of support is in place to help people live independently, at home. If you a loved one think you could use some extra help – for example if you’ve been in hospital or experienced an illness – please feel free to ring this County Council number where calls are fielded and then directed to someone who can provide advice and point you in the right direction: 0345 045 5202.
‘Making Connections’ – another important consultation!
This is a subject that has been discussed for many years now – how to manage traffic in and out of Cambridge, and how to fund a bus and public transport network that will give really good choices about travelling other than by car. Back in 2009, the County Council voted cross-party to usher in the then government’s ‘Transport Innovation Fund,’ which would have funded the outlay for a bus and public/active transport network, to be supported long-term by revenue generated from a peak-time congestion charge in and out of Cambridge. In the event, the ‘TIF’ never materialized because the money to deliver the investment could not be found.
Today there is more at stake, due to the climate crisis and increasing pressures on access in and around Cambridge. Please follow this link for information about the new proposed ‘Making Connections’ scheme, and the opportunity to give your views. The consultation closes December 20.
https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/making-connections-2021
Behind the scenes – health and care restructure
Just to note that much attention is being given, out of necessity, to the national restructure of health and social care, called ‘Integrated Care Systems’ that are replacing Clinical Commission Groups to manage and run NHS services at a local level – for us, local meaning Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. There is a requirement to collaborate rather than compete and to integrate services as much as possible in the best interests of people, all sensible. This includes the local authority’s statutory duty for social care, a ‘demand-led service’ which takes up to 80% of the council’s budget. Public health and the fundamental question of prevention in the first place is taking a stronger lead than it has in the past; this too is within the county council’s remit.
The council will have new responsibilities without new money to pay for it, as will the local NHS – for example, NHS dentistry becomes the responsibility of the local Integrated Care System. And for all sectors of health and social care, there is enormous stress on the individuals working for the system to make a huge transition in the midst of a pandemic, and the intensification rather than lessening of demand.
New County Chief Executive
Cambridgeshire County Council has appointed Stephen Moir as its new chief executive after the decision was agreed by Full Council on Tuesday (9 November). Stephen will join the County Council in February. Bringing significant public sector leadership experience, Stephen has held senior roles in local government and the national health service, he has previously worked for Cambridgeshire County Council between 2005-2011 at director level and was a National Adviser for the Local Government Association. He is currently Executive Director of Corporate Services for the City of Edinburgh Council.