Coronavirus updates

The Corona Virus epidemic is making changes to all of our lives, and following the cirrent advice isn't always easy - but it is important to do so as much as we can.

There are many local organisations gathering to offer help, if you are self-isolating and need help, or simply need to speak to a friendly voice.

We will be publishing details of local organisations as we hear of them:

Teignbridge Council website is a good place to start if you have any questions

and Devon County Council have information about schools and more.

The latest medical advice from the NHS is here.

Local councillors are working with the organisations locally to help, so please contact your local councillor if you need help.

How you can help others

If you would like to help your neighbours, our community and those vulnerable, we recommend the following in the first instance:

Let your nearest neighbours, maybe the nearest 5 - 10 know your contact details so that they can call you if they need help. You will be someone known to them, a familiar face rather than a stranger. (Sadly we must still be aware of safeguarding concerns even at this time).
Set up or join street level or Resident's Association level WhatsApp groups, Google Groups, Private Facebook Groups or email chains to help connect those offering help with those needing help at a micro level. Some have already done this (particularly Residents' Associations), and they are the optimum way of turning offers into action.
Some of the existing facebook groups we know of in Newton Abbot Town are Our Fairways, Hele Park Community, Jetty Marsh Residents Group, Orleigh Cross Residents Group, Buckland Estate and Proud of It, and Newton AbbotCovid-19 Mutual Aid - Other towns and villages have set up similar groups
Do not buy too much produce or goods. Those that are most vulnerable are left even more vulnerable if our stores are bare of the essentials. Several supermarkets have over 70's only shopping hours, check their websites.
Donate to foodbanks. Panic buying has led to a reduction in the number of donations to local foodbanks when they need them more than ever, so please do donate what you can. Many people on lower incomes or zero hour contracts are likely to struggle more now than ever. If you are self-isolating and wish to help you can donate online to both foodbanks.
HITS Foodbank https://hitsfoodbank.org/contact-us/ info@hitsfoodbank.org Tel 01626 906371 (Hits Food Bank are looking for more volunteers especially evening drivers)
THAT Foodbank https://www.thatfoodbank.com/ mailto:thatfoodbank@gmail.com Tel 01626 437310 (THAT need more volunteers and donations)

Helping us to help you

As councillors we want to assist in facilitating resources where we can, by putting together a resource list, but we need your help to do so.

Please send us details of the local street/community communication group or mailing list you have setup, as well as a primary contact for this group so that we can direct people that contact us or known vulnerable residents to it if they are in your area.

you are a community or volunteer group and would like our support in any way;
you are a local business or trader that is helping as part of your business, such as with local deliveries.
Please let us have any information about the community response to the coronavirus, that you would like us to share in our next email newsletter. Please shae this email with others.

We cannot cover everything in this post, so will try to answer any questions on things we have missed as we can, however, please appreciate that some of our councillors are already, or are likely to be self isolating themselves as well.

Please do always take the NHS and Government's advice as the primary source of information and recommendation for how to act in the coming weeks:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Other help can be found at,

CAB citizensadviceteignbridge.org.uk Tel 0344 411 1444

Federation of Small Businesses https://www.fsb.org.uk/ Tel 0808 20 20 888

We will provide you updates on this as regularly as we can.

Thank you,

News...

The Liberal Democrat Coronavirus Update

Article: Mar 31, 2020

Ed Davey responds to Foreign Secretary's update on coronavirus

Responding to yesterday evening's update on coronavirus from the Foreign Secretary, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Reports from many British citizens stuck overseas bring home the reality of the global scale of this crisis. Many have been in a desperate position, unsure whether they will be able to secure accommodation or access adequate supplies.

"The Foreign Office must ensure that British citizens will be able to return home, wherever they have been stranded, without exception.
Plans for Autumn Conference on hold

Article: Mar 31, 2020

By Mark Pack

Plans for Liberal Democrat autumn conference on hold, online options to be explored instead

In the light of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Board has decided to put on hold plans for the preparation of a traditional party conference in the autumn and will make a final decision on whether to cancel the event in May.
The Liberal Democrat Coronavirus Update

Article: Mar 27, 2020

Government must provide resources so councils can house all rough sleepers

Responding to reports that the Government has written to all local councils asking them to find homes for all rough sleepers by the weekend to protect them from the coronavirus outbreak, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said:

"It is right that the Government is taking urgent action to find secure accommodation for rough sleepers, as Liberal Democrats have called for since this crisis began.

"The Government must also equip local authorities with the financial resources to provide sufficient secure emergency accommodation to meet demand. Ministers must also make specialist support available to those who struggle with addiction or other mental health issues, as is the case for so many people sleeping rough right across the UK."
Our role as community champions

Article: Mar 27, 2020

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the local elections we were expecting in May have been postponed until 2021. For many of us, this is disappointing news - especially after months of hard work - but it is absolutely the right call to keep us and our communities safe.

In addition, any by-election that comes up and would be due before May 2021 will also be held off until then. Depending on the public health situation by-elections may restart sooner than May next year.
Covid 19: Support for Businesses and Individuals

Article: Mar 27, 2020

These are uncertain times for many and the following websites may be of use to businesses and individuals concerned for the future.

Check your rights concerning being laid off or put on short time working here: https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking

How to get help if you are self employed can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/…/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-…
Postponing our Leadership Election

Article: Mar 26, 2020

By Mark Pack

Not only are we going through what could become the country's biggest crisis since 1945, but we're also entering a very new world that will persist once the immediate crisis is over.

I'm proud of what we have achieved so far by championing NHS workers and pressing the Government on issues such as offering a better deal to the self-employed.
Thank you to the NHS

Article: Mar 26, 2020

The NHS takes care of us and keeps us safe every day.

Coronavirus is affecting every part of our lives and is already putting a huge strain on the NHS and NHS workers. We want to say thank you to the people working so hard to keep us all safe.

We are so lucky to live in a country where we have access to such high-quality healthcare that's free at the point of use. It's saved countless lives and, over the coming weeks and months, it's going to save many, many more.
How to help in a lockdown

Article: Mar 26, 2020

This week, the UK has gone into lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Those of us who can are staying at home and adapting to a new way of life, where we work from home, have hobbies at home and socialise only through video calls.

It is an uncomfortable transition, but it is absolutely worth doing to slow the spread of coronavirus, preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed and saving thousands of lives.
The Liberal Democrat Coronavirus Update

Article: Mar 25, 2020

Coronavirus demonstrates how valuable our public service broadcasters are

Responding to the news that the BBC News is to suspend its plans to cut 450 jobs, Liberal Democrat DCMS spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:

"It is in times like this that our public service broadcasters demonstrate most clearly just how valuable they are. The BBC is right to ensure it remains properly staffed.
The Weekly Whip

Article: Mar 25, 2020

Welcome to the Weekly Whip. Your one-stop shop for Lib Dem Parliamentary updates, covering the week that was and the week to come.

For up to date information from the Lib Dem Whips Office, follow us on Twitter: @LibWhips

Weekly Whip w/c 23rd March

In the last week ahead of Recess; Westminster Hall debates were suspended, and select committees will now continue over video conferencing. Given the ongoing pandemic, we went early to Recess on Wednesday.