Monthly Archives: November 2021

Have your say on how COVID-19 has impacted you

 

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is inviting people who live, work or study in Warwickshire to take part in a survey to help understand the impact of the COVID-19 on our communities.

This is the second survey from the council and is an opportunity for residents to share their experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had has their lives, including health and wellbeing, employment and services they use.

The results from the survey will highlight key issues faced by people throughout the past 18 months and will help to inform how our services and communities recover to be the best they can be following the pandemic.

The first survey was conducted over a year ago and the feedback helped to shape council services to support residents:

  • People said that outdoor space was important.
    • The council supported our hospitality sector to provide seating outdoors and have waived fees to use pavements. We are also investing in improving green spaces.
  • People said the pandemic negatively impacted your wellbeing.
    • The council secured £1m to invest in initiatives to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
  • People said you were walking and cycling more for short distances.
    • The council invested in improving the cycling safety network across Warwickshire.
  • People said you were unsure how to access tests and general support through the pandemic.
    • The council increased promotion of 119 & nhs.uk/ coronavirus as well as sending COVID support guides to households across the county.

The survey, which should take around 15 minutes to complete, is available online at https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/insights-service/covid-recovery-survey-2021. All respondents must be aged 18 and over. Anyone who would like to complete the survey but does not have internet access can call 01926 731484 for assistance to complete the survey over the phone.

For more information about keeping safe and well throughout the pandemic and to access council services visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Launch of £1m Social Impact Fund

A new £1million fund designed to harness the power of communities in tackling inequality and social exclusion was launched on 4 November.

The Warwickshire County Council Social Impact Fund was launched at the Community Powered Warwickshire Big Conversation, which saw Warwickshire County Council join forces with private, public, and voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations.

The aim of the event was to reflect on the crucial role of communities in responding to the challenges of the pandemic. Discussions were focused on how the spirit of community action is kept alive, and how organisations and agencies can step forward together to build stronger, more sustainable, and more equal places, ultimately enabling people to lead happier and healthier lives.

The Warwickshire Social Impact Fund (WSIF) is now open to applications from VCSE organisations and town and parish councils.  The WSIF has been launched to enable targeted interventions to support Warwickshire’s communities and enable community-based support for those disproportionately impacted by COVID. This may include extending or introducing specialist support; or providing additional community-based support where the effects of COVID are felt more keenly.

Applications will need to demonstrate a focus on financial, digital, health, social or cultural inclusion; as well as show how they embed a community power and climate change focus. All applications received will be scored, with a positive weighting to those that benefit areas that have experienced higher covid rates, and areas of the county that experience multiple levels of deprivation.

Cllr Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate and Culture said:

“Today’s big conversation has provided the perfect opportunity to launch the Warwickshire Social Impact Fund.

“During COVID, Warwickshire’s incredible communities have played a vital role, with the grass roots response crucial to our collective efforts to support vulnerable people and our progress towards recovery. Warwickshire’s businesses too, have played a key part in the COVID response, adapting to the changing and challenging circumstances, and supporting local communities across a range of activities, from transport to providing equipment and food.

“The launch of this £1million fund will invest in continuing and sustaining this community powered approach and we want to invite applications from voluntary and community groups across the county.

“Through the fund we want to be able drive forward Warwickshire’s recovery from COVID and address some of the inequalities that exist within our communities. We want to harness the power of communities to tackle inequality and social exclusion.

“Applications will need to demonstrate how the funding will help individuals and groups to live better lives, particularly focusing on inclusion. And we would be particularly interested in hearing about schemes relating to areas most affected by COVID.”

The Heart of England Community Foundation will be administering the fund on behalf of the council.

Tina Costello, Chief Executive, Heart of England Community Foundation said:

“It’s wonderful that the Foundation has the opportunity to partner with another Local Authority to have a real positive impact on the communities that live, work and play in Warwickshire.

“This fund will help local communities heal and thrive, especially those most affected by COVID. It’s great to see our organisations come together to help with the recovery stage of the pandemic.

“I’m excited for the future working with Warwickshire County Council and hope our partnership grows from strength to strength.”

Applications are welcome for revenue and capital projects. The application window closes on 30 December 2021.

More detail on the fund, criteria to apply and how to apply are available through  https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wsif

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership asks the public not to buy e-scooters this Christmas

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is urging the public not to buy e-scooters this Christmas because it’s currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK.  There are also concerns for the safety of e-scooter riders and other road users.

 

Inspector Jem Mountford said “Before you consider buying an e-scooter this Christmas it’s important to know that although you can buy one, it is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter in any public space including roads, pavements, parks, town centres or canal towpaths for example. This means most people will be breaking the law if they use an e-scooter.”

 

E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so they are treated as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements such as MOT, licensing, tax and insurance.

 

As e-scooters do not have number plates, signalling ability and don’t always have visible rear lights, they can’t be used legally on the roads.

 

Warwickshire Police have legal powers to seize e-scooters and prosecute riders and between March 2020 and November 2021 31 e-scooters were seized in Warwickshire.

 

Whilst penalties for illegal use include a Fixed Penalty Notice for no insurance, with a £300 fine and six penalty points, officers will also be using Section 59 of the Police Reform Act to issue a warning to riders of e-scooters and educate them as to the legal requirements. If a rider is under 16 years old then this advice will also be given to the parents.

 

Inspector Mountford continued “As well as being illegal, we have real concerns about the safety of e-scooters.  In the first ten months of 2021, nationally there have been nine deaths and other casualties involving both e-scooter riders and other road users.” (Source: PACTS)

 

Whilst some parts of the country are taking part in Government trials for e-scooter hire with a view to making them legal to use on the roads, Warwickshire is not currently part of the trials so e-scooters cannot be hired at this time.

 

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership Chair, Philip Seccombe, said: “We know it can be tempting to buy an e-scooter as a gift, however there simply is no public place where they can be ridden legally and you risk a fine or having the scooter seized if you do so. As a Partnership we want to make our roads as safe as possible for everyone so  we want people to think again and not buy e-scooters in the mistaken belief that they can be used in public spaces. We know they can be a hazard to pedestrians and other road users and put the rider at danger of death and serious injury when used in the wrong environment, such as on public roads, so please do consider purchasing more appropriate alternatives.”

Councillor Wallace Redford, Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety at Warwickshire County Council said “It is our priority to make sure the roads are safe for everyone and that’s why we are asking the public not to buy an e-scooter at the moment but to await the results of the UK trial.  There are other environmentally friendly options available that we are keen to promote and support and as part of this commitment we are looking at how we can make our town centres safer for cyclists and pedestrians.”