Coronavirus updates
The Corona Virus epidemic and lockdown is making changes to all of our lives, and following the current advice isn't always easy - but it is important to do so as much as we can, especially as lockdown is being eased.
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.
We have a list of contacts for economic help for Teignbridge residents 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.
Contact us if:
- 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...
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Article: Sep 23, 2020
As previewed, the September meeting of the party's Steering Group concentrated on how we can maximise our chances of success in the May elections. Our grassroots campaigners are on the frontline for that, but what we do centrally can help (or hinder!) their chances.
So as well as agreeing on priorities for next year's budget, we're also ensuring that ahead of that, our financial figures are given a really thorough shakedown to identify if any extra funds can be squeezed out for helping the elections in time to make a real difference.
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Article: Sep 22, 2020
As previewed, the September meeting of the party's Steering Group concentrated on how we can maximise our chances of success in the May elections. Our grassroots campaigners are on the frontline for that, but what we do centrally can help (or hinder!) their chances.
So as well as agreeing on priorities for next year's budget, we're also ensuring that ahead of that, our financial figures are given a really thorough shakedown to identify if any extra funds can be squeezed out for helping the elections in time to make a real difference.
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Article: Sep 21, 2020
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Article: Sep 21, 2020
By Munira Wilson
On May 20th, Boris Johnson declared that the UK would have a 'world-beating' coronavirus test, track and trace system in place by June 1st. Instead, four months later the UK is facing a testing crisis.
The British public are confronting the reality that we may be facing a second wave of coronavirus with a test and trace system that is just inadequate. It is unacceptable.
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Article: Sep 21, 2020
The Liberal Democrats are calling for an extension of the Government's furlough scheme until the jobs market is "ready to bounce back" in the wake of "staggering job losses" across the country.
With 6.1% of people now relying on Universal Credit in Totnes constituency, the Party claims that extending furlough would help "stop this crisis getting even worse" and protect jobs for the future.
Despite the Chancellor promising last month to do "whatever it takes" to support households and businesses through the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has so far failed to agree a plan beyond the end of the furlough scheme on October 31st.
The Liberal Democrats have also warned some of the worst hit are the country's self-employed workers, three million of whom are still not covered by support. The Party has called for support to be extended and urged the public to join its campaign to protect jobs.
Alan Kerr, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for South Hams Lib Dems said:
"With so many families in crisis, the Government should be doing everything in its power to protect jobs in Totnes and right across the country.
"The fact that 2,855 people are now relying on Universal Credit in Totnes shows exactly why the Chancellor must extend the furlough scheme, at least until the middle of next year.
"Ministers need to act now to stop this crisis getting even worse and extend financial support for the millions of people currently excluded from Government assistance."
Christine Jardine MP, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, added:
"We are seeing staggering job losses, even with the furlough scheme in place.
"People have a right to expect that their Government will stand by them in exactly the way that Rishi Sunak promised when he said he would "do whatever it takes."
"The Liberal Democrats' are clear that the Government must extend the furlough scheme until the jobs market is ready to bounce back."
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Article: Sep 19, 2020
By Alison Eden
"Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!" From 'Othello' by William Shakespeare, Act II, Scene III, line 254.
Schools are going back and in a September Summer sun bags are packed with freshly acquired pencils and course-work. I suspect former Prime Minister John Major studied, as millions have and will, Shakespeare's play 'Othello.' Iago an evil ensign, disappointed in promotion, takes revenge by convincing his General, Othello, that his wife Desdemona has committed adultery. Cassio, a supporter of Othello's gets horribly drunk and disgraces himself. As a teenager I found Cassio's speech about reputation funny. I think I missed the point!
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Article: Sep 18, 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: @LibDemWhips
Weekly Whip w/c 14th September
Monday 14th September
Monday's news was heavily dominated by the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill. MPs from across the House had already raised serious concerns last week when it was noted by a government official that the Bill would break international law in a "specific and limited way".
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Article: Sep 18, 2020
By Liberal Democrats
Every day Liberal Democrat councillors are working hard to help their communities across the country.
We understand that often the most meaningful change happens at a local level. That's why we have such a strong record in local and community politics.
We're so proud to have hardworking local councillors like Flick striving to deliver real change for people in their area. Thanks Flick!
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Article: Sep 18, 2020
By Ed Davey
Let me be clear about this: I am passionately pro-European.
I am proud that we stood by our pro-EU values throughout the Brexit process, giving voice to the millions of Remainers who didn't see themselves included in the future that Boris Johnson was trying to build.
I could not have predicted the almighty shambles that we are seeing now with Brexit.
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Article: Sep 18, 2020
Hopefully lots of you have already signed up for conference at the end of the month but for those who haven't yet, this article,detailing why this will be a great conference for first timers may be of interest.
Our first ever full online conference is set to be one of our biggest ever. With a more accessible, affordable, and flexible conference, more members than ever will be able to have their say and vote on some of the fantastic policy motions coming up at Autumn Conference. You can view a full list of the motions that are going to be debated here.
"Changing Britain's Future: no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity"
Liberal Democrat Constitution
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