Agenda for Little Gransden Parish Council meeting 14 January 2021

 Agenda for Little Gransden Parish Council meeting Thursday 14 January 2021 7.30 p.m. via Zoom

Meeting ID: 896 1445 1703

Password: 299748

Covid-19 Update 21 December 2020

 Little Gransden Parish Council has received the following message from the Duty Commisisioner's office:

 

Following the weekend’s announcements, I wanted to write to you direct to pass on the latest Government guidance on forming a Christmas bubble with friends and family. I know this news has been hard to miss but given the timing of the announcement, you can’t be too careful.

 

For South Cambridgeshire, which is in the Tier 2 level of restrictions, here is what the updated guidance for mixing during the Christmas period says: You may see a maximum of two other households (your ‘Christmas bubble’) on Christmas Day (25 December). You cannot see anyone from a Tier 4 area.

 

For clarity, this allowance no longer covers the initial 5-day period. It is for Christmas Day and Christmas Day alone.

 

Here is the link to the full guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family

 

Please remember that despite this allowance for Christmas Day only, the Government’s advice is that the safest way to celebrate Christmas this year is with your household or existing support bubble in your home. The more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread Coronavirus.

 

Please remember that we are here to help you in your ongoing efforts to support your community – don’t hesitate to contact your patch lead with any queries or requests for support.

  

I wish you and your family a safe Christmas,

 

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Community Resilience, Health & Wellbeing

South Cambridgeshire District Council

 

Covid-Safe Winter Toolkit from Cambridgeshire County Council

 

From Cambridgeshire County Council

Dear Colleagues, Further to our email last week, we’ve developed an updated communications toolkit for you to share across your channels. The messages and images in this toolkit focus on activities and ideas that people can do in the run-up to Christmas that will keep them COVID-safe. There’s also a special video from Father Christmas! Please share with your residents and stakeholders: Covid-safe Winter Toolkit - Phase 2.pdf If you could share these materials via your own channels and also with any community organisations in your towns and parishes, as appropriate, it would be much appreciated. Many thanks, Please note: The toolkit includes social media posts and a WeTransfer link to download the assets in two sizes – one for Twitter and Facebook, and a separate size for Instagram: https://we.tl/t-BX01cx3RIH (if the link expires, please email us to request a new link).

Minutes of Little Gransden Parish Council meeting 5 November 2020

 Minutes of Little Gransden Parish Council meeting 5 November 2020

Agenda for Little Gransden Parish Council Meeting 5 November 2020

 Agenda (with Clerk's briefing notes) for Little Gransden Parish Council Meeting 5 November 2020.

Halloween and Bonfire Night

 Updates from Duty Commissioner, South Cambridgeshire District Council

Halloween

At this stage (15 October 2020), no national advice has been given on the tradition of trick or treating but please bear in mind that some people, especially those who have health problems and are vulnerable, may not be happy to have people calling on them.

The passing of sweets at the doorstep will be harder to do whilst maintaining a social distance and many hands dipping into a pot of sweets is going to increase the risk of transmission.

That doesn’t mean that people can’t enjoy Halloween. There are plenty of online articles with suggestions for alternative Halloween entertainment, such as pumpkin trails, spooky walks, craft activities and safe ways to leave treats out for people to collect. 

Bonfire night

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has published guidance about safely marking Bonfire night during the pandemic. The emergency services are preparing for a busier night than usual because of the cancellation of many organised public events leading to more people having displays and bonfires in their own gardens.

 Head of Community Fire Safety, Group Commander Per Middleton has urged caution, saying: “While most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, they can quickly become a disaster and, in the wrong hands, they can cause injury and damage to property. Fireworks are explosives and should be treated with respect. Only use fireworks in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the firework safety code, ensuring all necessary safety precautions are taken.”

 He added: “We would strongly discourage people from lighting bonfires in back gardens as they present significant risks to residents if they get out of hand. Not only this, but the smoke can also aggravate coronavirus symptoms for those that might be shielding or isolating.” 

If you intend on buying fireworks for a home display, please follow the firework safety code:

• Only buy fireworks marked with a CE mark
• Don't drink alcohol if you're setting off fireworks
• Keep fireworks in a closed box and always follow the instructions carefully when using them
• Light them at arm’s-length using a taper and stand well back
• Never go back to them once they are lit. Even if a firework hasn't gone off, it could still explode
• Never throw fireworks, and never put them in your pocket
• Respect your neighbours – don’t let off fireworks late at night and remember there are laws in place you must follow
• Take care with sparklers – never give them to children under five. Even when they've gone out, they can still be hot, so put sparklers in a bucket of water after use.

Pets find the noise of fireworks very stressful and are best kept indoors throughout the evening - and why not turn on some music to mask the noise? In a recent survey, 62 per cent of dog owners and 54 per cent of cat owners reported that their pets show signs of distress during fireworks season. The RSPCA’s Bang Out Of Order campaign encourages the responsible use of fireworks and the adoption of tighter regulations concerning their use.

Posted by Little Gransden Parish Clerk

Wildlife Trust - Gransden, Waresley, Hayley and Gamlingay Woods

Waresley and Gransden Woods SSSI Nature Reserve - Will be closed from 23 October due to poor ground conditions. (Browne’s Piece will remain open)

 

Hayley Wood -  will be open as usual from the start of next week.

 

Gamlingay Wood - is open to the public arriving by foot. Parking on the track upto the wood has been reviewed by the landowner and the Wildlife Trust BCN. We hope to implement provision for parking as soon as farming and forestry operations allow.

Posted on behalf of the Wildlife Trust by Little Gransden Parish Clerk