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Outdoor play areas and gyms reopening in Buckinghamshire

We are pleased to announce that outdoor play areas and gyms managed by Buckinghamshire Council will be gradually reopening from Saturday 4 July onwards, and ask that everyone who uses these outdoor areas maintains strict social distancing and good hygiene practice.

We anticipate it will take a few days from Saturday for all sites to reopen and they will be operating with clear guidance on how to use the areas and equipment safely.

Some play areas are managed by the local town or parish council who will make decisions for their own facilities; please check websites before you visit and follow signage in the play areas.

We know that social distancing can be particularly difficult in a playground setting, so we ask that parents, carers and guardians are aware of the risk and take extra care and responsibility for encouraging handwashing and social distancing as much as possible.

Cllr Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, said: “It is great that we are now able to start reopening many of our outdoor play areas and gyms for residents to use, especially with the school summer holidays starting soon, but using these outdoor areas does carry some risk, and it’s important that everyone continues to follow the guidance to keep safe.

“Avoiding the outdoor areas when they are busy, taking hand wash / sanitiser with you to wash hands frequently, and keeping your distance from other people as much as possible will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Social distancing can be particularly difficult, so we ask that parents, carers and guardians are aware of the risks in the playground and use common sense and take extra care and responsibility for encouraging handwashing and social distancing as much as possible. Please consider if you can keep the children in your care safe when using the play areas, and if you can’t, please don’t use them, or return at a less busy time.”

There may be one-way systems in place, additional instructions and limits on capacity in some play areas, so please take notice of these and follow the signs. If you visit the play areas please follow these rules:

You must maintain social distancing from others, if it is too busy to do this please do not enter.
Do not use the equipment if you or any member of your household has coronavirus symptoms, or are self-isolating.
Children should not use the equipment if they are clinically or extremely clinically vulnerable.
Make sure you have hand sanitiser with you before entering the playground.
Encourage everyone in your family to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser regularly, as a minimum before and after using the playground.
Encourage children to avoid touching their faces
Some equipment can only be used by one child at a time while social distancing. Please ensure your family waits at a safe distance if the equipment is in use or return later to use the equipment
At busy times please think of others and limit your time in the play area so others may use and enjoy it too.
Please do not consume food or drink in the playground
If your family is wearing disposable PPE, please take it home with you or where provided use the bins – don't litter.

Emergency active travel proposals provide route to 'new normal'

Pop-up cycleways, temporary road closures and additional town centre cycle parking are just some of the options being considered to make travel safer and offer new ways of getting around, helping the county adjust to a 'new normal' as lockdown restrictions ease.

And with initial funding of £514,000, of an expected total of £2.35m, now secured through a successful bidding process to the Department for Transport, Buckinghamshire Council is developing an initial programme of emergency active travel proposals. These will build on the significant increases in walking and cycling already happening during lockdown, help contribute to a cleaner environment, ensure people keep the right social distance while out and about and provide further safe access routes to schools.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Nick Naylor, said that with the effects of Covid-19 likely to be with us for some time to come, there's a need to make things as safe as possible now, but also to grasp new opportunities that will be better for people's health and promote improvements to the environment.

“The pandemic has pressed a massive global reset button. Of course, while we all want things to get back to normal, there may be areas where a change in habits would be really beneficial. Things like working from home, less need to travel and more use of online services have already resulted in less pollution, better air quality and other environmental benefits. We can potentially learn from this and encourage different ways of doing things going forward.”

He said that the Council was busy looking at a range of options and had kept a log of walking and cycling schemes people had suggested in the past few weeks.

Nick added: "Of course, we don't have the money to tackle everything, so we're focusing on areas where we can make the biggest difference with temporary and ‘pop-up’ measures. The advantage of these schemes is that because they are temporary they can be altered. If they work really well some could become permanent, but we’ll be keen to hear local feedback and see how well these measures perform before any decisions like that are made.”

The Council says there will be more opportunities for longer term changes, to benefit communities, the local economy and the environment with a second round of permanent active travel measures. This could include more electric vehicle charging points and potentially taking part in the Government’s e-scooter trials.

Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Sports and Leisure added: "All the measures under consideration need to complement everything being done locally to restart the economy and reopen our high streets, schools and other community facilities. It needs to be a focussed effort and as Nick says, a perfect opportunity to think about changing some of our habits going forward, particularly around cycling and walking."

Further detail on the temporary schemes to be implemented in the initial phase will be announced by the Council in the coming weeks.

Welcome back to Buckinghamshire libraries

Buckinghamshire libraries are looking forward to reopening their doors and welcoming customers back, with 22 libraries set to reopen on Monday 6 July.

Customers will find several changes to the services offered and the way the libraries operate. This is to ensure the safety of customers and staff at all times.

Book borrowing, computer hire, printing and information services will be available – but libraries will be unable to provide newspapers, study areas or group activities. In addition, to support the NHS Test and Trace initiative, staff will ask customers to provide contact details when they enter a library. However, this information will only be used for this purpose and will be destroyed after 21 days.

Work on the safety arrangements has yet to be completed in Amersham and Marlow, and so these two libraries will delay reopening until 21 July. And five smaller community libraries are planning to reopen in August or September, but some will continue to offer a Request & Collect service to enable customers to keep borrowing books until then.

If customers are planning to visit their local library, they should check Buckinghamshire Council's libraries webpage before they visit as, for the moment, libraries are operating on reduced hours. The libraries webpage can be found here: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries/information-about-local-library. In addition, customers can familiarise themselves with the new safety measures by going to: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries/visiting-a-library-during-coronavirus.

In line with the latest government guidance, libraries will continue to review their safety measures and opening hours.

Further information on Buckinghamshire Council's library service is available here: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries.

With libraries reopening, the council will also gradually open the majority of the Council Access Points (CAPs) sites across the county. These access points are available to help support residents who don’t have the means to access council services from home. Details of the locations for each CAP, what support is available and the opening times can be found on the following webpage: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/visit-the-council.

Careers Springboard

Careers Springboard, the registered charity based in Gerrards Cross, is a FREE service run by local volunteers to help managers and professionals find paid employment and graduates to find their first professional role.

We are based at Gerrards Cross but, given the current coronavirus restrictions, our weekly meetings are now based solely on video conferencing utilising Zoom. A Link to enable registered members to participate in our Monday virtual meetings is published each week in our weekly newsletter.

New members may register to join Careers Springboard by accessing our website and following the directions.

For further information visit :http://www.careersspringboard.org.uk

Please join us and please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Our weekly Monday evening virtual meetings, starting at 7.00pm, include presentations which all relate to improving your job search skills.

Careers Springboard takes a summer break through August and starts again on Monday 7th September - please join us then, and please feel free to contact us at anytime.

By September it may be that we are still operating virtual Zoom meetings. However, it is possible that we may be able to re-introduce our actual/real meetings at Gerrards Cross. Please check on our website for news and updates.

Summer Meetings..................it is possible that we may be organising some virtual meetings through the summer. Please check our website (Events) http://www.careersspringboard.org.uk to see if we are running additional virtual summer meetings.

Forthcoming Monday evening virtual presentations are as follows :

Monday 7 September : Preparing for Interviews ........................What you need to do before the interview to ensure that you are fully prepared.

Monday 14 September : Creating Cut Through in the Market..............Job seeking is really tough at the moment. So many applicants. How can you stand out from the crowd ?

In addition to these presentations, and despite the coronavirus restrictions, we continue to provide one-to-one virtual coaching services covering CV, interview practice, confidence building and many more jobseeker services.

All our services are FREE.

We strongly recommend that you check out our website http://www.careersspringboard.org.uk for more information about our Programme and how we can help all job seekers.

Public Health Buckinghamshire needs your help

Buckinghamshire Council’s Public Health team has launched its new ‘Buckinghamshire Coronavirus Health & Wellbeing Survey’. The survey aims to understand how residents in Buckinghamshire have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, including how the lockdown and its consequences have impacted their daily lives and health and wellbeing. The information collected through the survey will be used to help tailor the local recovery throughout the county following the impact of Coronavirus.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “It is crucial that we know how our residents are feeling about their health during the pandemic. We are keen to understand our residents’ experiences during the pandemic, and how Coronavirus has impacted their lives. We are all working very hard to ensure that we protect our residents' health and wellbeing, so I would urge all residents to please give us your feedback by completing this survey and to encourage your friends and family in the county to do the same. Your experiences can help us improve how we support our communities over the coming months.”

To complete the survey, please visit the ‘Your Voice Bucks’ website at yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com

Buckinghamshire Council’s Public Health team helps people to stay healthy and endeavours to protect them from threats to their health. The service aims to help residents lead healthier lives, regardless of their circumstances, to minimise any risk and impact of ill health.

If your health and wellbeing has been impacted by Coronavirus, you can find more information about staying healthy by visiting:

· Buckinghamshire Council health & wellbeing webpage

· Live Well Stay Well · Healthy Minds Bucks

· Buckinghamshire Mind

· NHS Every Mind Matters

If you need to talk to someone about your mental health, support and advice is available by calling:

· Mental health helpline for adults 0800 783 0119

· Mental health helpline for children & young people 0800 783 0121

· Samaritans 116 123

Coronavirus mobile testing sites returning to Amersham, Aylesbury and Buckingham

Coronavirus mobile testing sites are returning to Amersham, Aylesbury and Buckingham over the coming days.

The Amersham site will be running from Thursday, 2 July, for up to two days, and then again on Monday, 6 July, for up to another two days.

The Aylesbury site will be open from Saturday, 4 July, for up to three days.

And the Buckingham site will also be open from Saturday, 4 July, but this will be running for up to two days.

These are in addition to other local and regional coronavirus testing sites, which are still available for residents in Buckinghamshire to use.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) is currently eligible to be tested.

However, tests for essential workers, such as frontline healthcare staff, are being prioritised over tests for the wider public at this time. Tests at these mobile sites should be booked first and are not available on a ‘drop-in’ basis at this time. Further details of the testing sites will be provided to people when they book their test.

To arrange a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on the appropriate link for you within the ‘testing’ section of information. The booking process is slightly different for members of the public to that for essential workers.

If the mobile testing sites are fully booked then you will be offered testing at the next-closest location.

A new ‘hybrid’ testing centre is also now running in Slough, in Montem Car Park, Montem Lane. This is open for both booked and drop-in visits. It is open to Bucks residents and visitors can attend on both car and on foot. People can also be tested - at this Slough site only - if they suspect they have been exposed to the coronavirus but are not displaying symptoms.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “Testing is now available to anyone who has coronavirus symptoms, not just essential workers – although they continue to be prioritised for obvious reasons. Testing continues to be vital as aspects of lockdown ease and we work together to stop the spread of coronavirus. If you think you need a test, please book a slot.”

Dr Raj Bajwa, GP and Chair of NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Testing is essential to help keep NHS services running smoothly during this outbreak, and to help vulnerable people stay as safe as possible from coronavirus infection. These mobile sites will offer a great boost to our testing capabilities in Buckinghamshire, so we hope they will be well-used by those that need them.”

You can find out more about getting tested as a member of the public with symptoms here - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

And you can find out more about getting tested as an essential worker here - https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers

Look out for your voter registration details from Buckinghamshire Council

Buckinghamshire residents are being encouraged to make sure their electoral registration details are up to date in the annual canvass.

With the first elections for Buckinghamshire Council taking place in May 2021, the canvass is an important opportunity for residents to ensure they will be able to take part and vote.

The annual canvass means Buckinghamshire Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

Ian Hunt, Interim Head of Democratic and Electoral Services at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “It’s important that residents keep an eye out for messages so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the county. To make sure you are able to have your say at the elections taking place next year, simply follow the instructions as provided. It is really quick to confirm your registration details.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. The easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, otherwise you will simply need to confirm or amend the details following the respond method on your communication.

“This year’s canvass, which we have to carry out by law, is taking place during a challenging public health situation. We are working to ensure that we take account of public health guidelines, including the continued importance of social distancing.”

The council will be contacting residents by post or email between July and August.

Further information, including contact details, can be found at https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting/confirm-your-registered-voting-details/

ends

Elections are taking place in Buckinghamshire in May 2021
The Representation of the People Act 1983 places a duty on Electoral Registration Officers to maintain the electoral register for their area and to conduct an annual canvass of all residential properties.
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as detecting crime (e.g. fraud), calling people for jury service or checking credit applications.
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.
To be eligible to register to vote a person must be:

Aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18)
A British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.
A citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.

British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta) can vote in local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. To date, the UK Government has not made changes to the eligibility of EU citizens, meaning at present they too can vote in these elections.
Full details of the Electoral Commission’s research on the electoral registers can be found on its website.

Buckinghamshire libraries launch new Request & Collect service

From Monday 22 June, Buckinghamshire residents will be able to return borrowed books to most libraries. On the same day, Buckinghamshire Council's library service will launch a new Request & Collect service – which will allow library customers to borrow books in a safe, contactless way.

Library staff will 'quarantine' all returned books, in line with public health guidelines, before returning them to shelves. And customers won't need to worry about incurring late fines, as all library loans have been automatically extended until Friday 31 July. To find out when each library will be able to take in returns, please check: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries/information-about-local-library.

In addition to returns being allowed, a new Request & Collect service will enable customers to borrow physical books again for the first time since late March. Starting on Monday 22 June, an online form will enable customers to tell the library service which type of books they would like, how many, and from which library they want to collect them. For those with no internet access, requests can also be placed over the phone on 01296 382415.

Once a request has been placed, staff at libraries will handpick a selection of books to match each customer and will phone to arrange a date and time to collect them. To ensure safety and social distancing, the books will be issued and placed near the library entrance for collection. Although libraries can't guarantee to find particular titles – they hope to introduce customers to new books and authors.

More information on the Request & Collect service will be available at: https://buckinghamshire.spydus.co.uk.

Councillor Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities & Public Health, commented:

"While we work on plans to fully reopen our libraries from Monday 6 July (in line with government guidance), I'm pleased that we're now able to accept book returns from customers. I'm also happy to see the launch of our new Request & Collect service, which will allow our customers to begin borrowing physical books again for the first time in three months.

"I would also like to remind customers that our eLibrary remains available, and we continue to add new eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital newspapers and magazines."

Further information on Buckinghamshire Council's library service is available here: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries

Parking to remain free in all Buckinghamshire Council owned car parks until 1 August. Parking enforcement on roads and car parks to recommence fully from 22 June.

As residents get back to work and high streets reopen, Buckinghamshire Council has announced that free parking in all council owned car parks and on-street pay and display bays will continue until Saturday 1 August. The Council reinstated on-street car parking enforcement from 15 June and will reinstate enforcement across all 84 car parks from Monday 22 June and anyone parking illegally in a disabled bay, vehicle charging bay, restricted area, etc will receive a penalty charge notice.

The reinstatement of on and off-street parking restrictions is necessary to enable the effective traffic management of our streets and council owned car parks for the benefit of all users. However, to continue its support for local businesses as they start to re-open; and to encourage shoppers returning to the high street, the council has decided to delay the reintroduction of parking charges in its car parks and on-street pay and display bays until Saturday 1 August.

David Martin, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member Logistics, said: “This is great news for our shops and businesses; and it is encouraging to see our residents returning to the high street to help with the recovery of our local economy. To encourage both shops and shoppers alike, the council has decided not to reintroduce parking charges until August.

“However, the recent increases in road traffic and use of our car parks means we need to reintroduce enforcement of parking restrictions so that our streets and car parks are safe for all users. Continued free parking provided by the Buckinghamshire Council until August will give a little extra help to residents and businesses; and I encourage everyone to make good use of it during the next few weeks.”

To find details of Buckinghamshire Council owned car parks go to: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking/car-parks/

Buckinghamshire Council adopt a new Local Enforcement Plan

On Tuesday 16 June, Buckinghamshire Council adopted a new Local Enforcement Plan. The planning enforcement team investigate alleged breaches of planning control, and will use this plan to take enforcement action where appropriate.

Following the five Bucks Councils coming together, this is a new enforcement policy for a new enforcement service. It sets out how the Council will provide that service and what residents can expect from the service when they have to use it. This new and improved plan prioritises matters that affect residents lives and promotes the use of the Council's resources to investigate and resolve breaches of control.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, Cllr Warren Whyte, said “This new plan puts residents at the heart of the way that this service operates and paves the way for the implementation of an improved planning enforcement service across the Buckinghamshire Council area. With new priorities, reduced timescales and a commitment to pursuing harmful breaches of planning control, this plan is just the start of improvements to the service that will benefit our residents and make a real difference to our environment. Planning is a complex and emotive area and we want to ensure our new enforcement service builds confidence in the planning process. I also want to remind builders and developers that they have a duty to meet their planning obligations and the new Council will not tolerate abuse of the planning system.”

Coronavirus mobile testing sites in Amersham, Aylesbury and Buckingham

Coronavirus mobile testing sites return to Amersham, Aylesbury and Buckingham this week.

The Amersham mobile testing site will operate from Wednesday, 24 June, for up to two days.

The Aylesbury mobile testing site will run for up to three days from Friday, 26 June.

And the Buckingham mobile testing site will also open on Friday, 26 June, but this one will run for up to two days.

These are in addition to other local and regional coronavirus testing sites, which are still available for residents in Buckinghamshire to use.

Coronavirus symptoms include a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Tests are now available for members of the public, but frontline healthcare staff are still being prioritised at this time.

To arrange a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on the appropriate link for you within the ‘testing’ section of information. The booking process is slightly different for members of the public to that for essential workers.

Tests must be booked and are not available on a ‘drop-in’ basis. You can also book a test at a different site via the website. Further details of the testing sites will be provided to people when they book their test.

If the mobile testing sites are fully booked then you will be offered testing at the next-closest location.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “Testing is now available to anyone who has coronavirus symptoms, not just essential workers – although they continue to be prioritised for obvious reasons. This is great news and a vital step as aspects of lockdown ease and we work together to stop the spread of coronavirus. If you think you need a test, please book a slot.”

Dr Raj Bajwa, GP and Chair of NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Testing is essential to help keep NHS services running smoothly during this outbreak, and to help vulnerable people stay as safe as possible from coronavirus infection. These mobile sites will offer a great boost to our testing capabilities in Buckinghamshire, so we hope they will be well-used by those that need them.”

You can find out more about getting tested as a member of the public with symptoms here - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

And you can find out more about getting tested as an essential worker here - https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers

Council confirms continued support to most vulnerable during Covid-19 crisis

The Government yesterday announced a two stage relaxation of it's national shielding programme for clinically extremely vulnerable groups.

Across the country 2.2 million adults and children have been advised to shield since March. This has meant these people staying inside as much as possible and keeping visits outside to a minimum. Yesterday the Government announced a two-phased reduction in the shielding programme. From Monday 6 July individuals can start to go outdoors and meet with others, taking care to stick to strict social distancing guidance. From 1 August the measures will be further relaxed to allow people to visit shops and places of worship and to return to work or school. Government food parcels will also stop. The full guidance issued by the Government can be found here.

Following the announcement Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed it will continue to support clinically extremely vulnerable residents who may still need assistance during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, helping them to get back to a more normal lifestyle.

In the past three months nearly 18,000 residents in Buckinghamshire have been shielding after being classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. Many were able to call on the help of family and friends to support them and many were able to rely on food parcels provided by the Government and delivered directly to people's homes. Around a quarter requested council assistance to help with getting essential supplies and other support.

The council set up a network of eight local hubs to support residents who were shielding. Working with local voluntary and community groups across Buckinghamshire, this support includes collecting and delivering prescribed medication, regular check-in phone calls and dealing with ad-hoc requests like transport to medical appointments. It also includes providing emergency food parcels where there is a gap in the government delivery or there is a specific dietary requirement. More recently the hubs have been supporting as many of these residents as possible to take advantage of priority supermarket delivery slots as a means for getting their food.

From 1 August the council will continue to offer support to clinically extremely vulnerable residents in Buckinghamshire who still need it, with the aim of supporting them to re-adjust following the shielding period.

Councillor Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Health said: “Now that lockdown measures are relaxing for the majority of residents, it is important that we remember that many of our most vulnerable residents still rely on our support and may be anxious about the future.

“Our support hubs have provided a vital lifeline to these people over the past three months. The first wave of Covid-19 may now be over but we all know that the threat of another peak is never far away. So, we want to reassure people that we won't abandon you. We will continue to provide support if you need it but will work with you to identify ways you can be independent and arrange your own food deliveries and prescription collection. We will also support people who are nervous about stepping outside again and linking them up with organisations and groups that can help and support."

Cllr Williams added:“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff who stepped away from their regular roles to work in the hubs, readily taking on any task that was asked of them. We would also not have been able to respond so effectively during this crisis without the invaluable support of our voluntary and community groups who have been working alongside us.”

Buckinghamshire residents can use new ‘hybrid’ coronavirus testing site in Slough

The first hybrid walk-in and drive-in coronavirus testing centre in the country is being set up in Slough this week, and will be available for use by neighbouring areas including Buckinghamshire.

The testing centre is expected to be operational from Wednesday afternoon (24 June) and will be in place for the foreseeable future.

It will be based in the Montem Car Park, Montem Lane (off the A4 Bath Road) and anyone with symptoms – and, for the first time, people who are not symptomatic but concerned they may be infected – will be able visit for a test either by foot or in a car.

The site is being provided by the Department for Health and Social Care and facilitated by Slough Borough Council.

The centre will be open both for those who wish to make an appointment and for those who just want to drop-in. People are warned that drop-ins may have to wait slightly longer, however.

If coming by car:

Up to four people can come in the same vehicle
All ages can attend
Tests will be administered by visitors, under the guidance of trained testing staff
There is no geographical restriction on where people can visit from
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes

If walking:

All attendees over the age of three must wear face coverings or they will not be able to get tested
Children three and under need not wear masks
A special area for testing is available for those who do not wish to remove face coverings in public
A curtained area is available
Parents are welcome to bring children
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes

Josie Wragg, Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “We are proud to be facilitating, not only a site with huge capacity for testing but also one which is the first hybrid site in the country – where people can drive and walk in with no appointment.”

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “This new site is a great addition to regional testing capabilities, and is particularly good news for people in the south of Buckinghamshire. We would encourage anyone with coronavirus symptoms, or who is concerned they may have them, to get tested. As aspects of lockdown continue to be eased, it is vital we continue to work together to stop the spread of coronavirus.”

To book a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on the appropriate link for you within the ‘testing’ section of information. The booking process is slightly different for members of the public to that for essential workers.

This site is in addition to other local and regional coronavirus testing sites (both permanent and mobile), which are still available for residents in Buckinghamshire to use

TfB starts summer surface dressing programme
MOTORCYCLISTS BEWARE! Ed.

Transport for Buckinghamshire’s (TfB) 2020/21 surface dressing programme is set to start this week, with the final preparation work being completed whilst the country has been in lockdown.

The process of surface dressing involves hot asphalt being sprayed onto the surface of the road, followed by the application of chippings which are then rolled in. This cost-effective way of maintaining a road, restores the skid resistance and seals the surface, while extending the life of the road by up to ten years. Surface dressing also contributes towards pothole prevention, by creating a waterproof seal that stops surface water getting into the road structure.

Once surface dressing has been completed, the road is swept at regular intervals to remove the majority of loose chippings from the new surface which can then be driven on almost immediately. An advisory reduced speed limit is put in place to allow traffic to push the remaining chippings into the asphalt, before the site has a final sweep after seven days. After this, the road markings can then be re-painted.

With the advisory speed limit in place, we do ask that drivers take care and ensure they keep their speeds down. This is not only to help push the chippings into the asphalt, but also for their own safety.

TfB will be working with their contractor, Eurovia Specialist Treatments, using an innovative piece of equipment, the Etnyre Chipper Spreader, to carry out surface dressing. The machine has the capability to spread the treatment across a carriageway width of up to 6.1m and was first used in Buckinghamshire last year. The advanced on-board computer manages the rate of spread of the chippings so that material usage can be improved. The speed of the surface dressing process can also be varied, improving efficiency on roads where the machine can be fully extended.

Using the Etnyre Chipper Spreader means that some roads in Buckinghamshire can be treated in one pass, minimising or even eliminating joints, which reduces road closure time and improves the effectiveness of treatment.

Roads included in the surface dressing programme have been carefully selected with guidance from our Asset Management team, who have worked in conjunction with councillors and local area technicians (LATs).

LATs have a broad technical knowledge of roads around the county and our councillors have an in-depth knowledge of their local area – combined, they’re able to select the roads that are most in need of repair in order to keep the public safe and the network moving.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Nick Naylor said:

‘TfB’s efforts to keep the roads in a usable and safe condition during this time have been brilliant, especially with the challenges that social distancing brings to our crews. We are thrilled that the Etnyre Chipper Spreader is back again this year, enabling the work to be done in less time, and with a better finish. Well done TfB.’

Possible delays to household waste collection as crews battle hot weather

Waste crews are being encouraged to take more drink breaks in response to the mini heatwave the county is experiencing this week. This may mean collections will be slightly later than usual, but residents are being asked to put bins out and leave them out as collections will happen.

With temperatures predicted to reach highs of 30oC in some parts of the country, Buckinghamshire Council has been advising its recycling and waste crews to look after themselves by taking regular breaks and drinking plenty of water.

Bill Chapple OBE, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member Environment and Climate Change, said: “The job is very physically demanding and we want to ensure that our teams look after their personal health and wellbeing not only for themselves but so that we can maintain a full service while the temperatures stay high.

“We are asking residents to put their bins out as usual and leave them out – we may collect later than usual, but we will collect!”

With the hot weather and easing of lockdown restrictions more families and groups of friends are getting together for barbecues and picnics. If using a disposable barbecue make sure it is fully extinguished by pouring plenty of water or sand onto it. Do not place a disposable barbecue in a rubbish bin until it has cooled down completely.

Also, batteries can cause fires in collection vehicles so, rather than putting them in the bin, recycle them instead by putting them in a small bag on top of your bin on collection day. The crews will collect them separately.

Should any resident have questions about their bin collection they can go to the council website for more information: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste/household-bin-collections/

High street re-opening

Re-opening our town centres and high street

High-street shops around Buckinghamshire - previously classed as "non-essential" by the Government - are opening their doors again for the first time in nearly three months after the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

From this week, non-essential businesses will be starting to re-open in line with the new Government guidelines to take practical measures to help contain the spread of Covid-19. As town centres across Buckinghamshire get busier, we all need to stay alert, respect social distancing and follow guidance.

We have been working in partnership with our local businesses and communities to ensure that this can happen in as safe a way as possible.

Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett said: “It’s great news for our many small local businesses, as well as for our residents, that more shops will be opening their doors. We’re working with local businesses and town and parish councils to support them and put the right kind of practical measures in place to help people stay safe. We’re aiming to keep the changes to a minimum, however things will look and feel a little different as we work together to introduce vital measures to ensure that social distancing is maintained.”

In many of our local high streets, you’re likely to see distance markers appearing on the pavements, one way pedestrian routes and visible directional signage to help remind you to take care, stay safe and to guide you.

We have produced the latest guidance for town centres and high streets to consider for ‘re-opening’ and will be sharing more detailed information about the arrangements we’re putting in place as they become available.

Friday(12/06) we had one attempted and one burglary in Chalfont St Peter and Iver. The offenders arrived in a blue Jaguar X Type vehicle on a “56” plate so it was quite old. The vehicle was displaying the index KV56 **P – which was a cloned plate.

Three masked offenders who were not phased that the houses were occupied forced entry to the front of the addresses before being confronted by the occupants.

A further concern it that the offences were committed between 2100-2200hrs which is quite early for these type of offences. We’ve noticed an increase in gangs of burglars forcing open front doors which have not been double locked. So please do ensure that your family and neighbours are aware and that doors are double locked all the time and not just before you go to bed.

If you do have any information then please update me or the Amersham Priority Crime Team or you can report through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

There has also been several recent reported incidents where cars have been stolen without the offenders taking the keys to the actual car. Investigations have shown that criminals are going up to front doors and scanning keys through the front door. One piece of CCTV has a man waving a bag above his head in an attempt to get a signal. Please be careful with your car keys, at home and when out and about, and be aware of the risks when left next to the front door on the sideboard or a coat pocket. Metal tins can be used to block car keys signals or signal blocker pouches can be purchased for around £6.

If you see any men outside your house waving a bag above their head now you know what they are up to.

Stay safe and keep those eyes peeled.

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million.

How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:

There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:

1 - Watch out for scam messages

Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk

2 - Shopping online

If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.

3 - Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support

Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.

NHS Test and Trace scams:

The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams.

What you need to know:

Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.

All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.

The NHS Test and Trace service will never:

ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
ask for any details about your bank account
ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you live in Scotland, please report directly to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Coronavirus mobile testing sites returning to Buckingham and High Wycombe this week

Coronavirus mobile testing sites are returning to Buckingham and High Wycombe this week.

The latest Buckingham mobile testing site will be operating on Thursday, 18 June, for one day only.

And the next High Wycombe mobile testing site will be running for up to four days from Friday, 19 June.

These are in addition to other local and regional coronavirus testing sites, which are still available for residents in Buckinghamshire to use.

Anyone who has coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) is now eligible to be tested.

However, tests for essential workers, such as frontline healthcare staff, are being prioritised over tests for the wider public at this time.

To arrange a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on the appropriate link for you within the ‘testing’ section of information. The booking process is slightly different for members of the public to that for essential workers.

Tests must be booked and are not available on a ‘drop-in’ basis. You can also book a test at a different site via the website. Further details of the testing sites will be provided to people when they book their test.

If the mobile testing sites are fully booked then you will be offered testing at the next-closest location.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “Testing is now available to anyone who has coronavirus symptoms, not just essential workers – although they continue to be prioritised for obvious reasons. This is great news and a vital step as aspects of lockdown ease and we work together to stop the spread of coronavirus. If you think you need a test, please book a slot.”

Dr Raj Bajwa, GP and Chair of NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Testing is essential to help keep NHS services running smoothly during this outbreak, and to help vulnerable people stay as safe as possible from coronavirus infection. These mobile sites will offer a great boost to our testing capabilities in Buckinghamshire, so we hope they will be well-used by those that need them.”

You can find out more about getting tested as a member of the public with symptoms here - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

And you can find out more about getting tested as an essential worker here - https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers