“At a time when thousands are experiencing financial hardship, to expect individuals to work unpaid, whilst taking considerable risks to their health, is a scandal. The government must rectify this immediately otherwise their testing rollout will become another shambles even before it’s begun.” (Sir Ed Davey, acting co-leader of the Lib Dems).

Kate Devlin Whitehall Editor www.independent.co.uk

An army of unpaid volunteers is being recruited to carry out coronavirus tests across the country as ministers try to hit their target of 200,000 a day.

They are being asked to sign up to work at least 32 hours a week, swabbing the noses and throats of people who may be infected, for no pay.

The high-street chemist Boots is advertising the roles across the country, with the support of ministers.

However, a leading trade union and opposition politicians have criticised the move, accusing ministers of taking advantage of the goodwill of the public.

The Unison union said the roles took the idea of volunteering “too far”.

Volunteers would be expected to work alongside others being paid for the same role, it is understood.

The adverts warn applicants of the dangers of the role and tell them to consider the health of family members before signing up.

The position will involve standing for hours at a time and require enough mobility to “be able to reach into a vehicle to take swabs of both throat and nasal passages at potentially awkward angles”.

The adverts promise volunteers will be given full personal protective equipment, in line with NHS standards, as well as training.

Recruits will be expected to be able to work “at least” 32 hours a week, according to the advertisements.

However, applicants are warned: “Please be aware that this is a voluntary unpaid role.”

Volunteers are being sought in locations including London and Coventry.

One advert states that they are seeking to recruit “up to 1,000” volunteers and current Boots staff to fill the roles across the country.

Boots is assisting the government in the recruitment of volunteers, but it is thought that the guidelines have been set by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Sources close to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, said that volunteers had been used to great effect throughout the coronavirus crisis.

They added that the volunteers would receive training on how to carry out the tests. Individuals using home kits are currently self-administering the swabs with no training.

Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, said: “Many people want to give their spare time to the NHS to help it through the Covid crisis, but this advert takes the notion of volunteering way too far.”

She added that rather than “seeking to take advantage of people’s good nature, the government would be better placed utilising the experience of NHS staff returning from retirement, or the healthcare students in their final years, to help expand the UK’s testing capacity”.

Andy McDonald, a member of the shadow cabinet, said: “This is physically and mentally demanding work which should be paid, with terms, conditions and rights negotiated and agreed with trade unions.”

Sir Ed Davey, acting co-leader of the Lib Dems, said: “The British public are going above and beyond in their efforts to slow the spread of the virus – whether it is working on the frontline, helping the vulnerable, supporting their local charities or simply following the lockdown measures in place.

“This does not mean the government should try to take advantage of these efforts by not paying those who will be testing for the virus.”

He added that those performing the tests should be formally employed, trained, paid and receive the benefits that come with employment.

“At a time when thousands are experiencing financial hardship, to expect individuals to work unpaid, whilst taking considerable risks to their health, is a scandal. The government must rectify this immediately otherwise their testing rollout will become another shambles even before it’s begun.”

Boots declined to comment on Tuesday night and directed enquiries to the DHSC.

A DHSC spokesperson said: “The speed at which we have increased our testing capacity is unprecedented and a real success made possible by fantastic teamwork between the government, key private companies and amazing volunteers.

“Meeting the 100,000 target was a fantastic achievement, but it isn’t the end of the goal, it’s just the beginning.

“We will continue to expand our testing capacity, with thousands more tests becoming available every day. This will be done with more test centres opening, more mobile testing units, and rapidly increasing the numbers of home-testing kits becoming available.”

[Footnote from Owl: Has the Government yet consistently reached 100,000 test a day yet?]

“Cllr John Hart, leader of the Devon County Council, said that while the region would be delighted to see visitors when it is safe for them to arrive, it is vital that any restarting of the economy avoids a second spike and that danger has led him to renew the appeal for visitors to stay away and come back later.”

Devon Councillors renew ‘stay away’ message www.southwestfarmer.co.uk

Senior politicians have renewed their appeal to holidaymakers and second homeowners to stay away from Devon despite the easing of lockdown restrictions.

From Wednesday, coronavirus lockdown rules have been adjusted so that people are able to travel for exercise and that those who cannot work from home in an industry that is still open should return to work.

But Cllr John Hart, leader of the Devon County Council, said that while the region would be delighted to see visitors when it is safe for them to arrive, it is vital that any restarting of the economy avoids a second spike and that danger has led him to renew the appeal for visitors to stay away and come back later.

While the latest coronavirus guidance from the Government says that day trips to outdoor open space, in a private vehicle, are permitted, and people can travel as far as they wish, leaving your home – the place you live – to stay at another home for a holiday or other purpose is not allowed, and this includes visiting second homes.

East Devon MP Simon Jupp said: “I’ve received many emails with questions about lockdown changes. I want to be exceptionally clear, second homeowners are still not allowed to come to East Devon,” while North Devon MP Selaine Saxby added: “Travel to second homes or for a mini break remains unacceptable.”

Cllr Hart said that he welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement as providing some hope but said he wanted to see the details of how re-starting the economy could be achieved safely.

The south west has been the region least hit by COVID-19 and yesterday saw just two new positive cases recorded in Devon, and Cllr Hart said: “We will have to be particularly careful in the south west that we don’t see a spike in infections.

“Thanks to the common sense and cooperation of the vast majority of our citizens, we have remained the lowest region in the country for infections throughout this pandemic.

“That must continue as we begin to see the economy start to rev up again – safely – whilst our residents can have some idea of how we can begin to move slowly out of lockdown.

“It is vital to get our economy going again but we must do this slowly and surely to avoid any second or subsequent spikes which would see us plunged back into an even more severe lockdown.

“Because of that danger, I would renew my appeal to holidaymakers and second homeowners to stay away from Devon especially as they are still forbidden from staying overnight. But we will be delighted to see you as soon as it is safe for you to visit.”

The Prime Minister said that “absolutely” it was the case that people should not travel to second homes for a holiday. Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Boris Johnson said:  “We don’t want to see people – let me repeat – we don’t want to see people travelling to another home for a holiday or a second home.

“That is not what this is about. This is about allowing people the pleasure and exercise of going to national parks and places of outstanding natural beauty and taking advantage of the open air.”

One of the essential facilities that Boris Johnson, in his London redoubt, didn’t think about when he let visitors loose on the countryside, from today, are the toilets – all of which are currently closed.

“We are looking at how we can re-open car parks and toilets and await further guidance on how we can do this safely. Our Visitor Centres will remain closed for the foreseeable future”.

Dartmoor National Park undertakes safety review before re-opening

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk 

Dartmoor National Park is reviewing how to safely welcome visitors back following an easing of lockdown rules.

The Park had urged visitors to stay away following Boris Johnson’s initial lockdown message, and had said: “You should not be travelling to Dartmoor National Park. If you travel to visit the National Park you are putting the lives of our communities at risk.”

But on Sunday night, the Prime Minister announced that people can from Wednesday drive to other destinations to undertake exercise, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab adding on Monday morning that people will be able to drive as far as they want to exercise when the legal regulations are changed.

It has prompted fears that hoards of people will flock to Dartmoor from Wednesday, and a spokesman for the National Park has urged people to stay at home, avoid unnecessary journeys, exercise locally, until they can safely welcome visitors back.

They said: “Following the Prime Minister’s statement on Sunday we are reviewing how we are able to safely welcome visitors back to Dartmoor.

“We are looking at how we can re-open car parks and toilets and await further guidance on how we can do this safely. Our Visitor Centres will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“Until then please stay at home, avoid unnecessary journeys, exercise locally and follow social distancing and hygiene rules. We will keep our website up to date with our plans on how we are progressing.”

Cabinet (if it still exists) Zoom meeting.

When are we going to have the Annual Meeting that was due to be held today 13 May?. Why was it cancelled?

Part B [the confidential part] Matters for Decision

Item  12 Budget position as result of implications of COVID-19 (Pages 39 – 42)

How bad is it?

The latest in a string of resignations at Honiton Town Council comes as Jason Hannay announced that he is stepping away from council business.

Hannah Corfield  honiton.nub.news 

In an email sent yesterday evening (May 11) to council members and the press; Jason expressed his frustration at what he calls a ‘dysfunctional’ group, which ‘lacks progression’ and ‘real community involvement’.

He wrote: “I do not feel that this council’s stronghold has the spirit and wellbeing of the community at heart.

“In the months that I have been co-opted I can say that certain councillors will not get involved with the community unless invited, obliged to or because of money issues.

“I understand that a council must be very careful about how and where they spend the money, however I would have thought that money should be spent going forward; not digging up past issues, forcing legal fees and continuously looking for the next legal battle.

“I have my reasons for thinking and openly saying that this council is dysfunctional and this current crisis has highlighted just how bad it really is.

“We have been given permission to hold council meetings via online software, but some members have refused point-blank.

“In the current pandemic; I would have thought, in the interest of helping community groups and continuing council business, this would be a must.

“I can see why people in the past have resigned; as there are hidden agendas, personal attacks, camouflaged school boy bullying and power tripping individuals.

“I have not experienced this personally, but can assure you I have witnessed it.

“The way that some councillors conduct themselves is toxic and makes a difficult situation for progression.

“I joined the council to make a difference for all. I’ve been involved with many great things in this town, a majority of it down to the rugby club.

“I thought that bringing the same positivity, energy and enthusiasm onto the council would be welcomed.

“But that positivity, energy and enthusiasm is just being drained for all the wrong reasons.

“This council really needs to understand that this town is tired of power hungry individuals and the continuous need for legal battles and fees!”

He added: “The ladies and gents working in the Honiton Town Council offices are an absolute credit to Honiton and I hope to work together again.

“Great things are coming for our community, and that is where you’ll find me.”

The full Independent Sage Report has just been published and can be found here. This post contains the executive summary and its 18 recommendations for the Government. (This is the group convened by Sir David Anthony King, one time Government Chief Scientific Adviser.)

For example: “3. Government ministers, NHS bodies and their officials should adhere to the Code of Practice for Statistics and the UK Statistics Authority should reports breaches of the code. There is concern about the inaccurate, incomplete and selective data presented by government officials rather than the statisticians responsible for them at the daily PM press briefings……”

Recommendations for government based on an open and transparent examination of the scientific evidence published 12 May 2020

Executive Summary

Our Independent SAGE focuses on the priorities for measures to be taken to support a gradual release from social distancing measures through a sustainable public health response to COVID-19. This will be essential in suppressing the virus until the delivery of an effective vaccine with universal uptake. We do not address, except as it is directly relevant, the clear structural and procedural weaknesses that contributed to the current situation as we expect these to be addressed in a future inquiry. We draw extensively on the policy considerations proposed by the World Health Organization, which provides a clear structure on which an effective policy should be based given the inevitability that the virus will continue to cross borders. Our main recommendations are:

1. The government should take all necessary measures to control the virus through suppression and not simply managing its spread. Evidence must show that COVID-19 transmission is controlled before measures are relaxed. We detect ambivalence in the government’s strategic response, with some advisers promoting the idea of simply ‘flattening the curve’ or ensuring the NHS is not overwhelmed. We find this attitude counter-productive and potentially dangerous. Without suppression, we shall inevitably see a more rapid return of local epidemics resulting in more deaths and potentially further partial or national lockdowns, with the economic costs that will incur.

2. The government should refocus its ambition on ensuring sufficient public health and health system capacities to ensure that we can identify, isolate, test and treat all cases, and to trace and quarantine contacts. Quarantine should be for 14 days and not seven. The government must develop a clear quarantine and messaging policy which takes account of the diversity of experiences of our population, variations in household structures, and with appropriate quarantine facilities in the community. This should be accompanied by real time high quality detailed data about the epidemic in each local authority and ward area. 

3. Government ministers, NHS bodies and their officials should adhere to the Code of Practice for Statistics and the UK Statistics Authority should reports breaches of the code. There is concern about the inaccurate, incomplete and selective data presented by government officials rather than the statisticians responsible for them at the daily PM press briefings. The Office for Statistics Regulation should publish further assessments of them. The UK Statistics Authority, an independent body responsible for oversight of the statistics produced by the Office for National Statistics and other government departments and public bodies has a Code of Practice. The Code requires i) trustworthiness: confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data, ii) quality: data and methods that produce assured statistics and iii) value: statistics that support society’s needs for information. It is vital the public has trust in the integrity and independence of statistics and that those data are accurate, timely and meaningful. 

4. The government evaluates alternatives to complement conventional epidemiological modelling, such as dynamic causal modelling—e.g., via the expertise established by the RAMP initiative. Dynamic causal modelling (DCM) enables real-time assimilation of data quickly and efficiently to estimate the current levels of infection and ensuing reproduction rates (R). The computational efficiency of DCM may allow pressing questions to be answered; for example, would a devolved social distancing and surveillance policy—based on local prevalence estimates—be more efficacious than a centralised approach? In short, there is a pressing need to evaluate alternative approaches (and hypotheses) that may support real-time policy-making.

5. Recognising the centrality of human behaviour in transmission, the government should ensure that as social distance measures are eased, measures are taken to enable population-wide habit development for hand and surface disinfection, using and disposing of tissues for coughs and sneezes and not touching the T-zone (eyes, nose and mouth). 

6. Outbreak risks must be minimised in high vulnerability and institutional settings. No-one should be discharged from hospital to another high-risk setting such as a care home without having been tested and found to be non-infected. The government should rapidly invest in the elimination of transmission in the currently recognised “high risk” settings, including but not limited to social care and health service facilities, prisons and migrant detention facilities, homes in multiple occupancy, and households that are overcrowded or contain multiple generations. This includes staffing, testing, protective equipment and guidance for effective household isolation. Community facilities and requisitioned hotels are likely to be needed to house a significant proportion of infected people and their contacts.

7. Ensure preventive measures are established in workplaces, with physical distancing and support to enable personal protective behaviours. Health and safety regulations appropriate for COVID -19 suppression and adequate surveillance should be agreed with trade unions and other staff representatives, with sanctions that are large enough to deter unsafe practices. There should also be a facility for workers to report unsafe working conditions, with no victimisation for those using it.

8. The procurement of goods and services in order to ensure responsive and timely supply of goods for primary and secondary care, and community infection control, in anticipation of a second wave of infection. Reform should learn as much as possible from the document challenges and failures of procurement over the last three months.

9. Manage the risk of importing cases from other countries, with consequent high-risk of transmission. This should be introduced as soon as possible, treating Great Britain and the island of Ireland as distinct health territories. We welcome the government’s recent commitment to establish a port control and quarantine strategy as an adjunct to other control measures. Managing the testing, thermal assessment, collection of contact details and quarantine facilities, such as requisitioned hotels, will be essential to stop imported cases. 

10. Communities and civil society organisations should have a voice, be informed, engaged and participatory in the exit from lockdown. This pandemic starts and ends within communities. Full participation and engagement of those communities on issues such as childcare and public transport will assist with enabling control measures. Conversely, a top-down approach risks losing their support and trust. We are deeply concerned about the effects of the infection and the lockdown on BAME, marginalised, and low-income groups. There is an urgent need for government to demonstrate such active participation from communities from around the country. 

11. The government should take steps to ensure all children, irrespective of their backgrounds, have access to technology and internet at home, and where required additional learning support which does not rely on parents at home. The government should also ensure that resources are available for schools to conduct remote learning. The closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for everyone involved – students, teachers and parents, but we are particularly concerned about the detrimental impact (and widening of educational inequalities) of long term social distancing measures on learning for children from lower socio- economic backgrounds. Education is a human right which should not be compromised in the context of COVID-19. 

12. The government must ensure that health and social care services are planned, strengthened, and prepared for future waves of infection while continuing to provide the full range of services to all. For health services, this will require planning to ensure there are capacity and resources to meet need safely and to resume elective services including hospital, mental health and community health services. For social care this will require having accurate data on all staff and needs of residents; making good the serious shortages in staffing, increasing qualified staffing levels, and ensuring all staff terms and conditions of services include full sickness benefits when they fall ill. 

13. The government should rapidly strengthen the social safety net, including addressing low income benefits and housing, thereby ensuring protection of the most vulnerable in our population. It is now clear that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected older people, low income groups living in deprived areas, BAME communities, and those who are otherwise marginalised. We also note the over-representation of BAME communities as low paid care workers in health and social care settings which makes them vulnerable to COVD-19-related infection and deaths.

14. The management of often multi-organ COVID-19 disease has been based in hospital and ICU settings. Hospitals have had to radically alter non-COVID patient flows in order to deal with these pressures, and Nightingale facilities have also needed to be developed. There is clear evidence of increasing non-COVID mortality in association with the pandemic. The government should work with the Royal Colleges and professional societies to ensure that capacity and treatment guidance is updated and disseminated as evidence emerges. 

15. There should be a re-evaluation of current plans to reduce overall hospital beds in the NHS per head of population and consider ICU bed and staffing requirements to provide future surge capacity. We also recommend a rapid engagement with primary care and community health settings to support those recovering from COVID-19 disease, and sequelae, including mental health problems, as well as support to rapidly identify and manage future local outbreaks.

16. The government should urgently review and improve co-ordination in the response to the pandemic across the multiple bodies tasked with pandemic planning, both within England, including different government departments, the NHS, PHE, and local authorities, and others, and among the Westminster and devolved administrations, the government should review and improve co-ordination.. 

17. In order to underpin our recommendations, the future long-term management of the pandemic should be based on an integrated and sustainable public health infrastructure. The government has adopted a top-down approach with vertical structures for test and trace programmes. The over- dependence on outsourcing of key operational functions limits the sustainability of this approach. A more appropriate infection control response will require adaptation for local needs. Leadership from local public health and primary care professionals is essential. We do not specify which organisations should be responsible for these roles and functions as this will vary in the four nations of the United Kingdom but, in each of them, there should be a clear system map setting out responsibilities, accountability, and lines of communication.

18. In the longer term we recommend that legislation to enable an integrated National Health and Social Care System for England is considered, along the lines of the NHS in Scotland and Wales and the integrated NHS and social care system of Northern Ireland.

19. The Independent SAGE will continue to meet to consider some of these specific recommendations and to offer constructive solutions to government to ensure that the coronavirus is suppressed, that lives are saved and that the economy is able to recover as rapidly as possible. 

Controversial proposals have been put forward to build two holiday lodges and a hobby room in the grounds of the former Woolbrook Reservoir.

Beth Sharp www.sidmouthherald.co.uk

In total, 38 residents have submitted objections to the application seeking permission for three timber buildings – including a two-bedroom lodge, glamping pod and hobby cabin.

The existing site is a private dwelling with neighbouring homes to the north, east and west.

The plans propose to demolish an existing manhole and remove the bank, before building the lodges, extending the parking area and removing a number of trees ‘in poor health’ which will then be replaced with new trees.

The application states the development would have a minimal impact on the existing trees, and the proposal includes the reinstatement of 30 new ones.

It also notes the chalets are single storey and will be made from timber, so should not have a visual impact on the area.

Ward Councillor Stuart Hughes was among those who objected to the plan on account of the site’s being in a ‘green corridor’ and the effect it would have on the character of the area, neighbours and existing trees.

He said it would also lead to an increase in traffic on residential roads.

In one of the many letters of objection, Mrs B Mence said: “It will generate additional traffic and parking which will have a detrimental impact on the appearance of the site, as it results in the loss of trees and significant excavation of the planted bank, and new hardstanding to accommodate the additional parking areas…

“Both of the lodges will have raised decking terraces and overlooking windows which will afford views into neighbouring gardens…

“Due to the use of the buildings for holiday accommodation, it is likely that the occupants will be using the external spaces quite intensively, and late into the evenings, increasing the intrusive impact of the development…

“The current landscaped character will be harmed by the introduction of intrusive and highly visible new structures… The larger lodge, in particular, has the appearance of a static caravan…

“At night-time the structures will be highly visible due to light from windows and external decking.”

East Devon District Council will make the final decision.