“a government that is shelling out billions on rapid tests while still quibbling over financial support for people on universal credit is not a great look”

Paul Waugh www.huffingtonpost.co.uk [extract]

Given the lack of evidence so far about the impact of vaccination on transmission of the virus, it’s notable that mass testing is still a key weapon (alongside lockdown itself) in curbing the spread. In a long evidence session before the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, the whole issue of testing came up repeatedly and we got at least a few new facts.

Dido Harding sounded more bullish than she has for a long time, pointing out that Test and Trace coped well with the Christmas surge in cases with capacity to spare, saying its national structure meant it was able to handle the new cases in a way local teams simply couldn’t on their own. Still, the turnaround times for PCR labs are well off the PM’s own 100% target (set for last June) for in-person test results to be received within 24 hours.

Harding was pretty cautious about when schools could reopen, stating only that the pilots for rapid, daily testing that had been running since the autumn had to be updated to cope with the new variant of Covid. But asymptomatic, rapid testing is Test and Trace’s biggest new challenge, with more than 100 companies (she revealed the list now includes John Lewis as well as food manufacturers like Moy Park) trialling schemes where staff who test negative can come into work.

What struck me most was the sheer scale, in numbers and cost, of the mass testing programme planned. “Hundreds of millions” of lateral flow tests have been ordered, Harding said, and DHSC expects to spend a whopping £15bn in just four months on testing. MPs were told that 90% of the massive £22bn budget would go on testing, not tracing. And the bulk of the new tests would be lateral flow tests, because PCR capacity. Moreover, 30 of 207 new contracts awarded since November had been done without competitive tender, and most were for mass testing.

Perhaps the most eye-catching revelation of the session came when DHSC second permanent secretary David Williams revealed almost casually that 900 staff from consultants Deloitte are working for Test and Trace, at an average cost of £1,000 a day. That’s nearly a cool one million quid every day being paid out to a private consultancy. Just why NHS staff or civil servants can’t now provide that service remains a mystery to several MPs, including committee chair Meg Hillier.

I’d be surprised if the £900k-a day-to-Deloitte-alone cost is not raised by Keir Starmer in PMQs this week, given his own emphasis on government failures to give taxpayers value for money in the pandemic. This fits with Anneliese Dodds’ wider pledge last week that the NAO would do an annual audit of a Labour government’s spending (perhaps to reassure the public about her more radical fiscal rule suggestions of only balancing the books over a 20 year period but that’s another story).

Rapid testing may prove a more valuable tool than some government critics assume (I’m writing more about this later this week). Yet a government that is shelling out billions on rapid tests while still quibbling over financial support for people on universal credit is not a great look.‌….

Comment from a correspondent upgraded to a post:

Dear Owl,

I, too, watched Spotlight on the BBC last night and was shocked to hear the reporter say that only 2/3rds of the over 80s of the 10 practises which use the Exmouth Vaccination Centre at the Tennis Club have been vaccinated. This centre has been open since before Christmas so, with very little mathematical skill, it can easily be worked out that the centre will have to dramatically increase its output to vaccinate the approximate 3,000 left in this priority group by the February 15th deadline. And of course there are quite a few over 70s in the area which Boris has promised will be included by that date.

Perhaps the Director of the centre is hoping that the over 80s in Budleigh Salterton that have received letters inviting them to attend Taunton Racecourse will take this kind offer up. This Taunton hub was set up for the people who live within 45 minutes of the hub (mostly in Somerset). If we in BS took up this offer there would be a lot of flashing police blue lights on the A303 as the over 80s tried to complete this journey in 45 minutes. And, remember, they would have to do so again for the follow-up jab. That could be four journeys for an elderly couple.

Why have Devon and Cornwall missed out on a hub?

Kind Regards

A Budleigh Resident

PS There is a new activity in the town – what is the method for choosing those who have already had the vaccine which seems haphazard? Not age, not alphabetical order, not existing conditions, not post codes. Perhaps Doctor’s lists? But I prefer “your mother’s maiden name.”

[Owl understands that patients must take the second vaccination from the same place as the first]

Covid jabs diverted to over-80s in vaccination blackspots

www.thetimes.co.uk 

Coronavirus jabs will be diverted to areas falling behind on vaccinating the over-80s amid concerns about regional disparities in the programme.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that stocks would be prioritised for areas with a large number of unprotected over-80s, despite a promise yesterday to let GPs begin vaccinating younger patients…..

Yesterday it was:

“Full speed ahead with vaccination of over-70s”

Followed by:

“Don’t forget last of the over-80s in vaccine queue, says minister“

The first phase of the UK’s Covid vaccination programme is under way, with priority groups including health workers and vulnerable groups. But debate continues over who will get first access to the vaccine among the rest of the population.

Nicola Davis www.theguardian.com looks at the options.

Black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities

According to data from the Office for National Statistics for deaths between 2 March to 28 July 2020 in England and Wales, males of black African ethnic background had a death rate 2.7 times higher than those of white ethnic background, while among women the death rate was almost twice as high for black Caribbean females as white.

“All ethnic minority groups other than Chinese had a higher rate than the white ethnic population for both males and females,” the report says.

Dr Mohammad Razai, the lead author of a study on the issue from St George’s, University of London, said people from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to have poor outcomes if exposed to coronavirus.

“Therefore, any meaningful risk assessments should take ethnicity into account in combination with these other factors, and where it has been assessed that their risk is high, ethnic minority groups should be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccination,” he said.

Teachers

Data from the ONS, covering 2 September and 16 October 2020, found no evidence of a difference in the rates of positive coronavirus cases between teachers and other key workers in England, such as those in healthcare. The data also showed no evidence of any difference compared with other professionals overall.

But Dr Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said teachers should be prioritised to make sure schools can stay open without disruption.

“Teachers and education staff are unable to practise social distancing from their pupils and few are provided with essential PPE,” he said. “Many schools are continuing to operate through the lockdown with very high numbers of children and young people on site and alternative, special and nursery provision continues to operate as normal.”

Police

Police leaders say forces need to have priority access to Covid vaccines to keep officers safe as they deal with members of the public, and prevent the service from being hampered by staff sickness.

“My colleagues are at the frontlines of this pandemic, risking infection from this vile and deadly disease every day to keep the public safe. We have a growing number of officers who are off sick after catching the virus or who are off self-isolating – this creates a serious concern over policing maintaining resilience,” said John Apter, the national chair of the Police Federation.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has also raised the need for officers to be vaccinated.

Retail staff

ONS figures for England and Wales between 9 March and 25 May 2020 reveal that for both men and women, sales and retail assistant roles were among the occupations that had increased rates of Covid deaths compared with the general population.

Paddy Lillis, the general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), said close proximity to the public as well as the indoor working environment were among the factors behind this.

“Retail workers, including grocery delivery drivers, have played a key role in ensuring the country is able to get through the current crisis. These critical workers have played a vital role in our communities ensuring that food remains on the shelves,” he said.

“Given the risks involved in their public-facing roles, retail workers should be one of the groups prioritised [for vaccination].”

He said Usdaw also wanted to see other key workers in settings such as food manufacturing and pharmaceutical distribution prioritised for vaccination.

People with learning disabilities

Jackie O’Sullivan, the executive director of communication, advocacy and activism at the learning disability charity Mencap, is among those calling for people with learning disabilities to be prioritised for vaccination.

“Those with a severe or profound learning disability are in group six [on the priority list for the first phase of the vaccination programme], but people with a more mild or moderate learning disability are not being prioritised at all – yet we’ve seen no evidence that they are at any less risk of dying from Covid,” she said.

“Prioritising the vaccine for all people with a learning disability would mean that doctors can roll it out without having to make time-consuming distinctions between the types and severity of disability.”

Dimensions, a not-for-profit organisation providing support to people with learning disabilities and autism, said people with learning difficulties had a Covid death rate more than four times higher than the general population.

“The increased mortality can most likely be attributed not only to clinical issues associated with having a learning disability, but also barriers and systemic inequalities experienced by people in health services,” said Steve Scown, the chief executive of Dimensions.

Transport workers

According to ONS figures from the first wave in England and Wales, bus, coach, van and taxi drivers had an increased risk of Covid-related death among men, while Transport for London has said that by 11 January, 57 of its staff had died from the disease.

“From getting key workers to hospitals and moving vital supplies around the country, our transport key workers have kept the country moving through the pandemic. Many have lost their lives to the virus, but they bravely continue to serve during this time of crisis,” said Manuel Cortes, the general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA).

Politicians

In the US, members of Congress are at the front of the queue for the vaccine, even getting the jab before many doctors and other health workers. Some have argued that vaccinating politicians builds trust among the public.

“We should do MPs and core house staff as well so we can get our democracy back,” the Conservative backbencher Steve Brine told the Telegraph last week. “Parliament is a shadow, at best, of itself and it’s never been more important we can ask questions. Good policy comes through scrutiny, in my experience.”

Asked whether MPs should be among professions prioritised in the next phase of vaccinations, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said this would be a matter for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

“JCVI are looking at what phase 2 should look like, and whether certain professions that are at higher risk of exposure should be prioritised.”

However, the JCVI has previously said it will not advise on which occupations will be prioritised for the next wave of vaccinations.

During Monday the way this story has been reported in the Times changed significantly.

It started under the headline “Full speed ahead with vaccination of over-70s”, by evening the bullish tone of this article had changed to the more reflective:

“Don’t forget last of the over-80s in vaccine queue, says minister“

Owl had spent the day collecting anecdotal accounts from over 80s some who have been vaccinated and quite a few who haven’t been contacted yet.

At the beginning of January Owl posted the following estimates of the numbers eligible for vaccination in the most vulnerable groups in East Devon:

17,322 care home staff and residents, frontline healthcare workers and over-80s.

6,780 over-75s

11,738 over-70s and clinically vulnerable

Last night on BBC Spotlight the Clinical Director of the Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh (WEB) Primary Care Network, which covers 10 GP practices spoke. The reporter indicated that so far around two thirds of the 9,000 over 80s had been vaccinated. So there is still a queue to get through before moving to the next group, reflecting the high proportion of the elderly in East Devon.

Axminster’s over 80s, however, should be vaccinated by the weekend according to Axminster Nub news.

Owl’s take on the change in tone in the National Press is that this is another example of mixed messages coming from the government, tarnishing what is fundamentally a good news story.

Is Boris the culprit?

www.thetimes.co.uk “Don’t forget last of the over-80s in vaccine queue, says minister“

Four million people have now been vaccinated against Covid amid confusion over which areas will begin immunising over-70s.

A cabinet minister has complained that unvaccinated over-80s will be left distressed and annoyed as younger people are called for jabs, as Boris Johnson defended starting on over-70s while hundreds of thousands of older people remain unprotected.

GPs who have already vaccinated their older patients will now be allowed to move on to over-70s, but many are complaining that their vaccine supplies are being diverted elsewhere.

It remains unclear whether areas that still have large numbers of over-80s to reach should start on younger patients. Officials said it would be a clinical judgment, with no precise threshold set for how many over-80s need to be vaccinated before jabs can go to younger people.

Along with over-80s and care home residents, NHS and care staff are part of an initial priority group covering 6.7 million people. Another 5.6 million people in their seventies and the clinically extremely vulnerable became eligible from today.

During a visit to Oxfordshire, the prime minister said: “We’re getting it out as fast as we can, four million done so far, I think we’ve done more than half of the over-80s, half of the people in care homes, the elderly residents of care homes.

“Those groups remain our top priority, they’re an absolute priority for us, but it’s right as more vaccine comes on stream to get it into the arms of the other groups on the JCVI [joint committee on vaccination and imminisation] list.”

Mr Johnson said that “the pace of the rollout is very encouraging” but played down prospects of easing restrictions while the NHS is still under huge pressure.

“You can’t just open up in a great open sesame a great bang because I’m afraid the situation is still pretty precarious, as people can tell,” he said.

Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minster, insisted that only areas that have vaccinated the majority of over-80s should be offering jabs to younger people. However, the government did not say how many areas have vaccinated more than half of over-80s.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Mr Zahawi told over-80s who had not yet been vaccinated: “Don’t worry, we’re only really doing the over-70s in areas where they’ve reached the majority of the over-80s. So you will get a call, you will get a letter and you will be offered that vaccine and you will be protected by mid-February.”

Mr Zahawi praised areas such as Cockermouth in Cumbria, Yateley in Hampshire and parts of the Cotswolds which have vaccinated more than 90 per cent of their over-80s.

GP centres which started in the first wave in mid-December and have local venues more suitable for mass vaccination have found it easier to move faster, and rural areas doing well say that enthusiastic staff and volunteers have also proved invaluable. Some such areas started over-70s last week, but have complained that their vaccines supply has been diverted to areas that have moved more slowly.

Each GP centre has been managing the process in its own way and Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, raised concerns about allocation in her Suffolk Coastal constituency this morning.

“Something is not quite working right yet though, particularly in one part of the constituency, as I am hearing from people in part of the area that 80+ and 90+ year olds have not been contacted while some 70+ patients in the same GP practice were invited for vaccination,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I know it is both distressing and annoying when people hear that other cohorts of a lower priority (according to the JCVI) are being vaccinated ahead of our oldest and most vulnerable.”

She later said on Twitter that she had since been assured that letters and messages would go out today to all over-80s in the area who have not been contacted.

Asked about her comments, Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “we continue to make the vaccines available and distributed equally across England and the UK. That will remain the case. But in some areas where they have already vaccinated the majority of those four high-risk groups, we want to ensure we maintain momentum and continue to rollout the vaccine to more and more people who are at higher clinical risk — that’s why we sent out the letter to the over-70s.”

He said that “depending on where they are, the timing will be slightly different but the important point is that this allows areas that have already vaccinated a majority of those over 80, care home residents, frontline NHS and care home staff to keep the momentum up and to start giving it to further-at-risk people.”………

Police and council officers will be working together and stepping up enforcement action in a crackdown on those breaching Coronavirus regulations in North Devon.

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com

The police will accompany council officers on inspections of holiday homes and extra council staff are being diverted into North Devon Council’s Covid enforcement team.

The council is also working closely with the Health and Safety Executive’s Spot Check initiative and 340 local businesses have already been approached to check they are Covid-secure.

While North Devon has the second lowest infection rate in England – only Torridge is lower – the two agencies will be taking action to protect the community from anyone breaching the rules.

Their four strand approach involves acting on reports of breaches of regulations and virus outbreaks, using intelligence to identify potential breaches such as the advertising of holiday lets, inspections of high risk places such as supermarkets, offices and showrooms and checks on temporary accommodation to ensure vulnerable people are being accommodated safely

Cllr David Worden, leader of North Devon Council, said: “The vast majority of local people are abiding by the rules but there are still a minority who are posing a huge risk to others by not taking the measures that are needed to prevent the spread of this killer virus.

“We only ever carry out enforcement as a last resort but some people have left us with no choice so now is the time to step up our efforts to protect the rest of the community.”

Local Policing Area Commander for North and West Devon, Superintendent Toby Davies added: “We will continue to work closely with our council colleagues in maintaining the safety of our communities.

“We recognise this has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone and the community response in helping to stop the spread of this cruel virus is hugely appreciated. Whilst most adhere to the rules, disappointingly we continue to see a minority who blatantly disregard the rules, and risk further spread of the virus.

“We have invested a considerable amount of time and energy helping to engage, explain and educate – and people have had plenty of time to fully understand the rules. As such, those who continue to blatantly breach the rules, do so knowingly, and can expect robust formal action.

“This partnership response sends out a strong message, that the police and the council will work together and not tolerate people who risk spreading this virus. Please stay at home and stay safe.”

Any families in Devon getting “not acceptable” free school meals are being urged to contact councillors with the evidence so the situation can be addressed.

Francesca Evans seaton.nub.news 

Devon County Council’s Cabinet heard that there was at least one school in Devon where food parcels that had been provided to parents were well short of the standards expected.

And they slammed the government’s “Victorian era” style solution of providing food parcels during lockdown rather than the voucher system that they provided during the school holidays.

Social media on Tuesday was flooded with images of “woefully inadequate” packages received by parents in place of the free school lunches that their children would usually receive at school.

Cllr Alan Connett, who represents the Exminster and Haldon ward, said that he had made aware that one school in his area had provided food parcels that were “ridiculous”.

He said: “Some of the food boxes are brilliant, but others were ridiculous and I can understand why parents were upset, so there is some variance in Devon.”

Cllr Rob Hannaford added: “As we have now found out there are problems in Devon, so I would urge any local families that are receiving inadequate and unacceptable food parcel, to please contact their local county councillors directly with the evidence to make sure that we are all aware where the problems are occurring to help action improvements.”

Cllr Roger Croad, Cabinet member for community, said that he totally agreed with the concerns over the food parcels and that he was much more in favour of the voucher scheme as an alternative.

He said: “We should make some strong representation to the efficacy of food parcels in this day at age. It smacks of a Victorian era and should be overcome and that is down to the government led one size fits all solution.

“The vouchers over Christmas went down well and the government needs to be aware of the dissatisfaction.”

More than 15,000 children across Devon received food vouchers this Christmas as part of a £1million programme by the county council to combat holiday hunger.

But while Devon County Council were responsible for issuing the vouchers over the holiday period, during term time, the funding from government goes directly to the schools.

Dawn Stabb, the council’s head of education, added: “Schools are told to use food parcels if they can. The majority of pictures seen were national but we have been made aware of one school in Devon where the food parcel was not acceptable and we will follow that up with the school.

“The council doesn’t commission any provision during term time for food parcels and it is all done through the school, but we have made the voucher system available for schools to buy into if they wish. Some schools are doing vouchers, some blended, and some food parcels, but I don’t have the figures at this time.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson subsequently told the Education Select Committee on Wednesday that he was “absolutely disgusted” by the photos of the food parcel’s contents, and that his department had made it clear “this sort of behaviour is just not right [and] will not be tolerated”.

He said the government would “support any school that needs to take action” and “name and shame those that are not delivering against the standards” set by the Department for Education and that schools will be able to offer vouchers rather than food parcels from next week.

Conservative Anne Marie Morris, MP for Newton Abbot, voted for this motion, the remaining local Tory MPs abstained as instructed.

www.independent.co.uk

Boris Johnson is facing rising pressure not to remove support for millions of families in the middle of the pandemic as some of his own MPs backed a Labour motion demanding the government abandons a cut in universal credit.

It comes amid a major row over whether to extend the £20-per-week increase in benefits that is due to expire at the end of March. The £6bn measure was introduced at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis to alleviate pressures on low-paid families.

In the absence of a guarantee the support will be extended in the spring, the Commons voted in 278-0 in favour of the non-binding motion on Monday evening, urging the government to maintain the payments as the country suffers the economic fallout from Covid-19.

It passed after the prime minister – bruised by a previous row over a similar motion on free school meals – instructed Conservative MPs to abstain on the issue to avoid the prospect of a potentially damaging defeat on the issue.

Despite ministers describing the Labour motion as a “political stunt”, six Conservatives voted with the opposition including Stephen Crabb, the former work and pensions secretary, Robert Halfon, the chair of the Commons Education Committee, and backbench MPs Peter Aldous, Jason McCartney, Anne Marie Morris and Matthew Offord.

During the debate Mr Crabb urged the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to increase the uplift for another 12 months and provide certainty to low-paid families.

He told MPs: “The question for us right now is whether at the end of March this year, just 10 weeks away, it’s the right time to begin unwinding this support – specifically to remove the extra support for universal credit claimants – and I don’t believe it is the right moment.”

Conservative MP Simon Fell echoed Mr Crabb’s comments, saying “now is not the time” to cut the benefit, adding: “This uplift was brought in to help people through the extreme challenges of the pandemic and those challenges haven’t passed. Indeed, as furlough ends we may be entering even more challenging times.”

However, alongside several Tories, he argued it was “absolutely right” that decisions are taken at the Budget in March by Mr Sunak rather than through Labour’s Opposition Day motion. Reports have also suggested the chancellor is mulling a one-off £500 payment to claimants to avoid the uplift in payments becoming permanent.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Johnson repeatedly declined to state whether or not the increase will be extended when questioned during a visit to Oxfordshire.

“What we have said is we will put our arms around the whole of the country throughout the pandemic,” he told reporters. “We have already done £280bn worth of support and we will keep all measures under constant review.”

Sir Keir Starmer called Mr Johnson “pathetic” for telling Tories not to vote on the motion and said that “in their heart of hearts”, Conservative MPs would back Labour’s move.

After the vote, shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “It is disappointing that the Conservative government refused to vote with Labour to provide families with certainty and secure our economy. They can still do the right thing and drop their plans to cut universal credit.

“Britain is facing the worst recession of any major economy because of the government’s incompetence and indecision. Families cannot be made to pay the price.”

Alison Garnham, the chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: “The pandemic and its economic fallout are far from over and families are looking to the government to provide some security of income and some certainty so that they can plan for the future.”

“In dodging a decision on the universal credit uplift the government today failed to provide that security and certainty.

“The £20 uplift has acted as a stabiliser for millions of families forced on to universal credit by coronavirus. If it is not retained and extended to all legacy benefit claimants, struggle will turn to real hardship for many more families – at the bleakest point – and more children will show up in the poverty statistics.”

A report published by the Resolution Foundation also warned on Monday that Britain’s poorest households would be pushed further into poverty if the government cut the increase, worth £1,040 a year, with millions facing the sharpest drop in living standards in a generation in 2021.

The think-tank estimated that withdrawal of the benefit increase this spring would drive up relative poverty from 21 to 23 per cent by 2024-25, pushing a further 730,000 children into poverty.

“Deciding if the £20-a-week uplift to universal credit should be extended will determine whether millions of households are able to enjoy any sort of living standards recovery next year,” said the Resolution Foundation’s senior economist Karl Handscomb.

“And looking further ahead, the decision on whether to keep the UC boost will help define whether this is to be a parliament of ‘levelling up’ living standards, or pushing up poverty.”

• Construction of single and two storey extension, balcony, new porch, and introduction of two new first floor windows Minson Hill Cottage Upottery Honiton EX14 9QYRef. No: 21/0053/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Agricultural storage building Grovelands Yarcombe Honiton EX14 9BQRef. No: 21/0050/AGR | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side/rear extensions 34 Peaslands Road Sidmouth EX10 9BERef. No: 21/0054/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of single storey two classroom modular building and associated site works.St Marys Rc Primary School Lyme Road Axminster EX13 5BERef. No: 21/0038/CM | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Beech trees between the woodland and neighbours garden – Tree tag 3435 with multiple stems and an adjacent beech tree which is untagged, we are applying to remove the remaining 3 stems and an adjacent beech tree. In tagged tree 3435 Ganoderma decay fungi bracket on stem base path side. Indicates white rot decay of basal heartwood. No pronounced hollow resonance. No visible stem bleeds. Crown vitality is good. Crowns are balanced. Untagged tree has Kretschmaria deusta decay fungi fruiting bodies in base which causes a brittle fracture of stem wood. No hollow resonance in lower stem, crown vitality is good. Crown weighted along boundary line. All stems recommended to remove due to the poor condition of the trees and the location near houses. No replanting is required as the trees will coppice. See attached tree safety survey. Broad Oak Plantation Higher Broad Oak Road West HillRef. No: 21/0046/TRE | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side/front extension. 11 Pine Park Road Honiton EX14 2HZRef. No: 21/0029/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey extension to the rear (south east) of existing dwelling to accommodate an indoor swimming pool Crabhayne Farm Axmouth Seaton EX12 4BWRef. No: 21/0032/LBC | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T6 Sycamore coppice sycamore to prevent destabilisation of bank due to windthrow of upper canopy and situation of base on bank above stream. 17/0035/TPO Longbridge Boughmore Road Sidmouth EX10 8SHRef. No: 21/0034/TRE | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 English Oak works required through prune oak to protect BT cable giving cable approximately 3ft clearance channel. Also remove lowest limb that trails along top of roadside hedge to facilitate the hedge to fill out and prevent the need in future to remove what will become a large limb and a massive issue requiring a large pruning wound if left. Remove all deadwood throughout canopy. T2 Beech remove secondary smaller co-dominant stem to allow space for large mature stem and oak to develop. This will aid to prevent future issues with the smaller beech fighting for dominance with the other two trees potentially causing damage to either tree. Therefore the removal of this stem will protect the two more established trees from potential future damage. T3 Maple remove lowest limbs 4 limbs total to raise canopy and improve canopy shape as canopy is currently low to ground and causes issues during standard regular garden maintenance. T4 silver birch remove silver birch due to poor choice of tree for location and replace with multi-stem snow queen silver birch as it will be more appropriate for situation. T5 blue atlas cedar reduce by 4 to 6 ft in height and reduce sides to rebalance canopy due to currently imbalanced growth pattern. This will allow us to re-establish a balanced canopy structure enabling the tree to develop a more uniform canopy shape. Longbridge Boughmore Road Sidmouth EX10 8SHRef. No: 21/0037/TCA | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 lime: This historically pollarded lime requires a 20% thin to reduce sail effect on the tree due to weak previous pollard points which increase the risk of failure causing potential damage to property. Tree also requires a crown lift to 6m to prevent potential damage to vehicles accessing the property. During the works a full climbing inspection will be undertaken and any areas of the tree requiring cobra bracing will be braced accordingly to prevent union failure. Tredarren Boughmore Road Sidmouth EX10 8SHRef. No: 21/0033/TCA | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor extension to rear dormer (revised scheme to 20/1979/FUL). 17 Bapton Lane Exmouth EX8 3JSRef. No: 21/0028/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey extension to the rear (south east) of existing dwelling to accommodate an indoor swimming pool Crabhayne Farm Axmouth Seaton EX12 4BWRef. No: 21/0031/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of rear extension with balcony, and detached garage/store Chandlers Hall Shute Axminster EX13 7QJRef. No: 21/0024/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of agricultural land to secure dog walking/exercising area Land West Of Salcombe Regis Recreational Field Salcombe Hill SidmouthRef. No: 21/0017/COU | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension and loft conversion ( incl dormers on front and rear elevations) 4 Gipsy Lane Exmouth EX8 3HWRef. No: 20/2908/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two storey rear extension, new dormer window, new porch and associated platform, new carport to the front and landscaping. 33 Douglas Avenue Exmouth EX8 2HERef. No: 20/2902/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission 20/0262/FUL (extensions to restaurant) to increase the height of the approved WC and kitchen prep extensions and change flat roof of porch to a pitched roof Saddlers Arms Exmouth Road Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5LSRef. No: 20/2909/VAR | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Sophora Tetraptera : Removal (felling) of tree because of root disturbance and excessive growth; seedling of original tree already prepared for planting in a more suitable position The Garden Flat 3 Trefusis Terrace Exmouth EX8 2AXRef. No: 21/0012/TCA | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing pitched roof timber garden shed and dilapidated fencing. Replacement of shed with brick built pitched roof shed and new 1 brick thick rear garden wall to replace timber fencing. 26 Bicton Street Exmouth EX8 2RURef. No: 20/2903/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of garden building, replacement conservatory roof and provision of cladding Penyland Wilmington Honiton EX14 9JXRef. No: 21/0015/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Construction of single storey extension projecting 4 metres beyond original rear wall, measuring 2.8m to eaves and 2.8m in total height. 8 Taleford Villas Taleford Ottery St Mary EX11 1NBRef. No: 21/0006/GPD | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey outbuilding Ashley Exton Exeter EX3 0PPRef. No: 20/2906/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear/side extensions, rear dormer window including balcony, alterations to roof, change of external materials and patio. 1 Orchard Close Colyford Colyton EX24 6QHRef. No: 21/0007/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of existing outbuilding to provide ancillary residential accommodation. Lexhayne Mill Farm Shute Axminster EX13 7PPRef. No: 21/0010/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of garage and workshop with accommodation above to replace existing double garage, including link to house. Hawkern Ladram Road Otterton Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HTRef. No: 21/0008/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extension to nursing home to provide 15 no. additional bedrooms in accordance with planning permission 17/2021/FUL (application for a certificate of lawfulness of proposed development) Amberwood Nursing Home 231 Exeter Road Exmouth EX8 3EDRef. No: 20/2912/CPL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of agricultural land to equestrian and construction of a menage Grange Farm Newton Poppleford Sidmouth EX10 0BYRef. No: 20/2901/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of side extensions 40 Bedlands Lane Budleigh Salterton EX9 6QNRef. No: 20/2897/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side and rear extensions 13 West Close Axminster EX13 5PERef. No: 20/2900/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extensions and alterations to bungalow, to create two storey dwelling with car port 28 Hulham Road Exmouth EX8 3HSRef. No: 20/2894/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Erection of a storage and workshop building, and an office building to facilitate the change of use of the land to commercial. Land North Of East Strete Farm Strete Ralegh WhimpleRef. No: 20/2896/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Raise roof height to provide additional first floor accommodation; reconfigure front entrance porch; increase size of the existing external staircase landing and terrace area. 2 Bramble Close Budleigh Salterton EX9 6JSRef. No: 20/2893/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey lean to side extension 3 Little Old Park Cottages Woodbury Lane Axminster EX13 5TLRef. No: 20/2886/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of condition 3 of planning approval 16/0246/FUL (Change of use of land for the siting of shepherds hut and ancillary facilities, 2 proposed locations, for use as holiday accommodation) to allow the siting of a shepherds hut on both of the locations approved under application 16/0246/FUL Scorlinch Farm Clyst St Lawrence Cullompton EX15 2NJRef. No: 20/2864/VAR | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of buildings to provide outdoor kitchen and bike store (retrospective) and use of land for the siting of a mobile catering unit Heron Farm Weston Honiton EX14 3NZRef. No: 20/2868/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Yew T1, T2, T3, T4,T5 & T6 To reduce height by approx 2 metres and remove splayed out branches, pruning cuts should not exceed 60mm. Hawthorn T7 To dismantle. The tree has grown in /close to, the original manor foundation walls and is in danger of causing structural damage as it increases in size. A replacement will be planted in its place. Little Manor Upottery Honiton EX14 9PNRef. No: 20/2871/TRE | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• G1 – Young Sycamore group To remove suppressed and damaged trees leaving the 3 best specimens. In order to allow the 3 remaining saplings the space to grow, and go on to achieve decent form, this will also improve light into the garden improving the quality of the smaller ornamentals within. T1 – Holly (twin stemmed within hedge row) To coppice just above ground level. The tree is showing signs of distress/decline, coppicing would allow the chance of new growth to form from the coppice stool. Jacaranda Dunkeswell Honiton EX14 4RERef. No: 20/2869/TRE | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Raising of roof ridge and re-alignment of roof. Brook House Cottage 9 Batts Lane Ottery St Mary EX11 1EYRef. No: 20/2867/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of shed 14 Pencepool Orchard Plymtree Cullompton EX15 2JGRef. No: 20/2853/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• 1 No. fascia sign within brick plinth. Alexander House Hawkins Road Exeter Devon EX1 3UWRef. No: 20/2848/ADV | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Construction of carport and store Bay Tree House Membury Axminster EX13 7AFRef. No: 20/2849/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retrospective application for retention of use of land as a residential caravan site without restricting the occupation to gypsies and travellers only. Hawkwell Park Wareham Road HawkchurchRef. No: 20/2825/COU | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Remedial works to stone boundary retaining wall including some structural support and localised rebuilding and re-pointing of the wall. In addition, the repair and resurfacing of the carriageway and new post and rail fence Elford Farm Dalwood Axminster EX13 7HBRef. No: 20/2833/LBC | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of detached garage with annexe above, external steps and balcony Candys Burgmanns Hill Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5HPRef. No: 20/2818/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• New agricultural building Woodhouse Farm Branscombe Seaton EX12 3BXRef. No: 20/2816/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of part of garden to cattery, including construction of two 6 berth cattery buildings and associated works. Gledhow Whimple Exeter EX5 2PXRef. No: 20/2803/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of summer house Chiltern Rising Connaught Close Sidmouth EX10 8TURef. No: 20/2798/FUL | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of silage clamp Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JTRef. No: 20/2791/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of silage clamp. Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JTRef. No: 20/2793/FUL | Validated: Tue 05 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Provision of new footpath Lidl Distribution Centre Chillpark Brake Clyst Honiton Exeter Devon EX5 2FURef. No: 20/2755/FUL | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Reconstruction of former garage to provide additional living accommodation. Honeysuckle Cottage Sidmouth Road Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1DNRef. No: 20/2741/LBC | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Reconstruction of former garage to provide additional living accommodation. Honeysuckle Cottage Sidmouth Road Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1DNRef. No: 20/2740/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use and conversion of 5 no. shop units to 3 no. ground floor flats. Miltons Yard West Street AxminsterRef. No: 20/2544/FUL | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Fell 4x Ash trees due to Ash dieback Fell 1x ornamental Cypressus which has outgrown its position and shading a north facing window of the property. Hoopers Farm Chardstock Axminster EX13 7BYRef. No: 20/2553/TCA | Validated: Thu 07 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Cherry 147 x 2 : Fell. Holly x 2 : Fell. Oak 1746 : reduce as per Arb Report. Oak 1750 : Reduce as per Arb Report. Reason: Appropriate arboricultural management. A La Ronde Summer Lane Exmouth EX8 5BDRef. No: 20/2538/TRE | Validated: Fri 08 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Install stairlift in 20th century wing at ground floor leading to first floor; stairlift to be attached to stair treads The Chantry Combe Raleigh Honiton EX14 4TQRef. No: 20/2539/LBC | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed 5no. new industrial units for B1, B2 & B8 use Liverton Business Park (Electricity Sub Station 2 (land To The East Of) Liverton Business Park ExmouthRef. No: 20/2493/FUL | Validated: Mon 04 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• G1 sycamore : various approved works T1 and T2 ash : previously approved felling (20/1475/TRE) T3, T4, T5 Sycamore : fell T6 : end weight reduction and dynamic cobra brace as agreed G2 and G3 Sycamore : reduce end lengths by up to 2m maximum cut diameter 50mm T7 oak : small reduction away from property via thinning G4 : Lowest limb overhanging the rondavel, reduce to the back to dominant upright growth point. All works on this site have been discussed in person by David Colman EDDC and George Taylor and will not exceed the agreed parameters Hartsholme Cotlands Sidmouth EX10 8SPRef. No: 20/2278/TRE | Validated: Wed 06 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

A further 350 people have tested positive for coronavirus across Devon, the latest figures show.

Remember that, sadly, about 20% of all Covid-19 cases in Devon in the last week have been in care homes. – Owl

Katie Timms www.devonlive.com 

Government data as of 4pm on Sunday showed the Devon local authority area recorded 180 new positive Covid-19 cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.

The area now has now had 16,116 positive cases.

Torbay saw a further 38 cases recorded, bringing its total cases from when the pandemic began, to 3,038.

Plymouth saw a further 132 cases, bringing its overall total to 7,166.

The whole county has now seen 26,365 positive cases since the pandemic began.

The data is made up of the number of people with at least one positive Covid-19 test result, either lab-reported or from a lateral flow device, by specimen date.

Those who test positive more than once are only counted once, on the date of their first positive test.

The latest cluster data as of January 17, relating to coronavirus cases in the same seven-day-period between January 6 and December 12, shows Exmouth Littleham has the highest case rate in the county.

The area of East Devon has 57 cases in the same seven-day-period, equating to a rate of 758.6 cases per 100,000 people.

We’ve taken the highest cluster case rate from each area.

Torbay’s highest case rate is Babbacombe and Plainmoor, with 32 cases and a rate of 569.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Cullompton in Mid Devon has 568.5 cases per 100,000 people, with 50 cases in the same seven-day-period.

Dartmouth in South Hams has 29 cases for the latest seven-day-period, equating to a rate of 534.4.

Plymouth’s area with the highest case rate is Ernesettle, with 32 cases and a rate of 526.5.

St Thomas West in Exeter has a rate of 508.6 per 100,000 people, with 37 recorded cases.

Newton Abbot, Highweek in Teignbridge has 31 recorded cases, with a rate of 504.1.

Westward Ho! and Northam South in Torridge has 18 recorded cases and a case rate of 282.1.

North Devon’s area with the highest case rate is Lynton and Combe Martin, with 255.3 cases per 100,000 people. It has recorded 14 cases between January 6 and January 12.

No area is cluster free, which means the area has between zero and two positive covid cases recorded in the same seven-day-period.

The cluster figures for each area can be found below.

The local authority is listed in bold, followed by the MSOA (Middle layer Super Output Area), new positive cases between January 6 and January 12 and then the rate per 100,000 people in the same seven-day-period. See www.devonlive.com  for the full listing for the remaining districts, Exeter and Plymouth.

East Devon

Axminster

15

161

Budleigh Salterton

14

225.2

Clyst, Exton & Lympstone

7

102.4

Cranbrook, Broadclyst & Stoke Canon

32

237.7

Dunkesewell, Upottery & Stockland

13

223.9

Exmouth Brixington

20

308.8

Exmouth Halsdon

19

273.9

Exmouth Littleham

57

758.6

Exmouth Town

26

352

Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh

12

161.9

Feniton & Whimple

31

353.9

Honiton North & East

24

396.8

Honiton South & West

21

381.7

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme

19

227.5

Ottery St Mary & West Hill

32

359.3

Poppleford, Otterton & Woodbury

5

81.3

Seaton

8

106.2

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer

6

111.2

Sidmouth Sidford

8

113.8

Sidmouth Town

3

57.3

“Coronavirus has revealed structural weaknesses in the economy….”

“There will be more housing in the city centre, higher than we are used to, and at a greater density…..”

Is “build, build, build” GESP now just a bad dream and well and truly dead and buried? – Owl

Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk 

Profound changes in everyone’s behaviour will be needed if Exeter has any chance to meeting an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

As the city aims to build back better when the pandemic ends and tackle climate change, a warning has been issued that lives are going to change.

An event organised by a sustainability group called Exeter City Futures heard that that coronavirus has revealed structural weaknesses in the economy. Attendees explored how Exeter could build a vibrant economy as well as address the challenges of the pandemic and the climate emergency.

Through a process called ‘clean growth’, they aim to create high-value jobs, economic growth and an improved quality of life by cutting carbon emissions. 

Karime Hassan, CEO and growth director of Exeter City Council, said that the goal of net zero requires institutions in the city to pull together and to build a stronger city as part of a Net-Zero Exeter 2030 plan. He said: “It positions the city in terms of the issue of clean growth andt the city that we want to create which is more inclusive, sustainable, and healthy as a city, and we have to pull in the same direction.

Cllr Rachel Sutton (Labour), deputy leader and lead councillor for Net Zero Exeter 2030 at Exeter City Council, added: “This is a both exciting and terrifying time for everyone across the globe because as we were starting to get the head around the climate emergency. When we got overwhelmed by the pandemic, the climate emergency hasn’t gone away while we have been trying to get our heads around living in the pandemic.

“There will be more housing in the city centre, higher than we are used to, and at a greater density. When we build, it will be energy efficient and I hope others will follow and we intend to make sure people in council homes have houses fit for purpose.”

Glenn Woodcock, director of Oxygen House, the company behind Exeter City Futures, said that even before covid the area faced profound economic challenges. He said: “The multiple between people’s earnings and the cost of a house has gone beyond what we can tolerate in a modern economy but that being is exacerbated by covid. This is more than just a crisis in the atmosphere but a catastrophe in global warming in every one of the ecosystems and our ecologies.

“The pandemic, like a brutal and relentless hurricane, has stripped back to reveal the structural weaknesses in the economy, and we have to look at how we eat, clothe ourselves, entertain ourselves, our education, our healthcare from scratch.

“Clean growth is not returning to what we did yesterday – it doesn’t mean throwing it away but recognise we have to make some profound changes – but a place like Exeter is well placed to rise up to the challenges, and we can all do something about at least one of them.

“Our lives will change over the next 10 to 20 years and they have to, but this is not something to resist or be afraid of but that we have to embrace. Clean growth is giving power to the elbows of the people here to inspire people to follow in their footsteps, and to bring as much energy and excitement to the challenges as we can.

”Kalkidan Legesse, owner of Exeter sustainable fashion shop Sancho’s, said there is huge demand for change in the city but there needs to be support for businesses to engage in the digitised economy. “But we cannot take a one size fits all approach and when we are imagining the clean jobs, who are we imagining them for? One of the reasons we don’t see more progress in the green economy is that it doesn’t serve everyone’s interest, so do we understand what the opposing fortunes are and how can we address them?”

Based on anecdotal evidence, Owl knows many over 80’s in East Devon yet to receive an invitation for locally administered vaccination. In contrast, Owl knows of some 75+ getting the jab in Exeter.

Vaccines to given to over 70s and clinically extremely vulnerable

Annette Belcher www.devonlive.com 

Millions of people aged 70 and over and those clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 will be next to get the vaccine, it has been announced.

These next two priority groups will be invited to get their vaccinations from Monday, January 18.

The NHS has so far been working to vaccinate the first two priority cohorts recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which are care home residents and staff, and those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff. 

Vaccinating the first two groups will remain the priority, but vaccination sites which have enough supply and capacity for vaccinating further people are allowed to offer vaccinations to the next two cohorts – those aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable people.

This will allow areas that have already vaccinated the majority of care home residents, frontline health and care staff and people aged 80 and over to keep up the momentum and start vaccinating further at-risk people, helping the NHS to reach the Prime Minister’s commitment of offering vaccinations to the first four priority groups by the middle of February.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “[Monday] is a significant milestone in our vaccination programme as we open it up to millions more people who are most at risk from Covid 19.

“We are now delivering the vaccine at a rate of 140 jabs a minute and I want to thank everyone involved in this national effort.

“We have a long way to go and there will doubtless be challenges ahead – but by working together we are making huge progress in our fight against this virus.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock added: “Now that more than half of all over-80s have had their jab, we can begin vaccinating the next most vulnerable groups. Where an area has already reached the vast majority of groups 1-2, they can now start opening up the programme to groups 3-4.

“We are working day and night to make sure everyone who is 70 and over, our health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable are offered the vaccine by the middle of February and our NHS heroes are making huge strides in making this happen.

“This measure does not mean our focus on getting care homes, healthcare staff and those aged 80 and over vaccinated is wavering – it will remain our utmost priority over the coming weeks to reach the rest of these groups.”

The guidance from the Government and the NHS to local vaccination services remains that they should still offer the vaccine to each of the priority groups in the order set out by the JCVI.

Labour has urged ministers to make May’s elections in England more Covid-secure, after the emergence of a Cabinet Office document that warned the pandemic could severely hamper the process and put millions off voting.

This is not the first post on the problems of the May elections. Most of the discussion has been about the voting process, very little on canvassing. – Owl

Severin Carrell www.theguardian.com

The paper raises the possibility that even if coronavirus infection levels are relatively low, it could be difficult to attract enough election staff, and that safety fears may “disenfranchise large proportions of [the] community”.

Labour is calling for safeguards such as the possibility of spreading voting over several days, or having an all-postal vote, options that have been prepared for elections to the Scottish parliament, also due to take place on 6 May.

The Cabinet Office said the elections document dated from May 2020, and that the scenarios were part of a planning exercise, rather than predictions.

Election officials have already said that the English elections will be logistically complicated, not least because they comprise two sets of votes – this year’s, and those postponed from May 2020.

There will also be ballots to elect the London mayor and assembly, a series of other mayors, and police and crime commissioners (PCCs), with some voters facing up to seven separate ballots.

Although they will be protected by plastic screens, there are concerns about attracting enough volunteer election staff – especially given that many tend to be older – and about finding venues.

The May 2020 Cabinet Office document, seen by the Guardian, sets out two hypothetical scenarios. In the first, even though the Covid outbreak has been largely contained, the double set of elections causes “significant challenges for administration and supply”.

The other scenario theorises some limited social distancing measures, even as “overall normality is returning”. Under this, the document posits staff shortages due to redeployment of council officers, home working, and health worries for at-risk staff, plus a greatly increased number of postal votes.

It also sets out the idea that social media posts “inciting fear of continued spread of Covid-19 threaten to disenfranchise large proportions of [the] community”.

Cat Smith, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, said it was “deeply concerning that ministers have failed to introduce new voting methods used across the world to ensure polls can go ahead safely”.

She said: “Labour has consistently called for safer voting methods to be introduced, including voting over multiple days and all-postal voting. Ministers have had many months to make the necessary changes to protect our democratic process, but instead they are treating these elections like business as usual.”

While the government has said it will set out its plans for the elections in England soon, there is currently no provision for changes such as spreading the vote over several days.

Each UK nation organises its own elections. Scotland and Wales are holding elections on the same day for their parliaments, and for PCCs in Wales. There are no elections in Northern Ireland this year.

The Scottish parliament passed legislation in late 2020 allowing for May’s Holyrood election to be held over two days, for vote counting to take longer, for an all-postal vote election, or even to delay the election if it seen as too unsafe to stage on 6 May.

Political parties are likely to put heavy emphasis on postal voting to ensure voters are not put off casting ballots in polling stations, but Scotland’s election management board says polling stations will be safe.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the elections document set out “hypothetical, made-up scenarios used in a planning exercise by officials back in May 2020. The document clearly states that the scenarios are not predictions.”

They said: “Last week, the government set out its action plan to roll out vaccines at pace. We are working closely with the electoral sector, public health bodies and political parties to identify and resolve challenges in the successful delivery of the polls this May. We will set out this detailed planning in due course.”

Local authorities are losing tens of millions of pounds supporting struggling business tenants through the pandemic which could have dire and long-lasting consequences for local services, Sky News has found.

Helen-Ann Smith, business correspondent and Madeline Ratcliffe, economics producer news.sky.com

Freedom of Information requests reveal English councils have already written off at least £19.7m associated with measures to support local businesses, including rent relief, rent renegotiations, payment holidays or business tenants going into administration.

A further £5.8m was lost as a result of Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs). These are arrangements where companies on the brink of insolvency negotiate debt repayments with their creditors in order to stay afloat – in this case, rent and rates paid to the council.

Lost income from business tenants is just one factor currently wreaking havoc with local authority budgets. Following 10 years of austerity and cuts, many fear it will amount to a crisis for local services.

Of the 272 councils who responded to Sky News, 124 – or 46% – confirmed they had lost income as a result of their own business support measures, such as rent holidays or having rent withheld since March.

Between 100 councils, £19.7m had been lost as a result of business measures. Barnsley was the worst affected, having written off £2m by mid-November.

In Barnsley town centre it is easy to see why as whole streets are now shuttered, with businesses reliant on support packages to survive.

Carl Esberger, who runs BigWicks homeware shop, sums it up:

“As long as I can keep a high street presence I will, but I think if there were no grants available for the high street, then I would be closed – like many have,” he said.

The pressure also comes at a time when many councils can ill afford it.

Austerity hit local government hard. Barnsley council’s budget is already roughly 45% of what it was a decade ago, which has meant fewer libraries, family centres and street services.

“Over the last 10 years we’ve made about £120m worth of cuts,” said Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council.

“Next year, we have to find another £7m. So just when we thought we were getting out of austerity, things were beginning to bottom out, COVID’s come along and given us some more.

“You’ve got this income gap that maybe is not temporary but permanent. And how are we going to deal with that?”

The only way, he says, is by cutting local services. The impact will be felt in communities.

Charlotte Williams runs The Station House Association charity that provides early years care for vulnerable families and, although it is independent, it does receive some funding from the council.

“The most important work that we do with the council is the preventative stuff, and that’s always the stuff that seems to get cut,” she said.

“On a really practical basis for our families, there’s a need for lots of little bits of help and support.

“If you take any one bit away, it’s a bit like playing Jenga – you can take a few bits away and families survive, but if you take enough of those little slivers of support, it collapses and we go back to a time where unemployment is normalised, we go back to a time where people are solely reliant on benefits, we go back to a time where people are living in poverty.”

She said she worries about the coming years.

“We are pretty resilient people in Barnsley, you know we’ve been through quite a lot, but you can only chip away so much,” she added.

Nationwide, CVAs were responsible for a further £5.8m hit to councils, with a number of household name businesses availing of them.

Travelodge has CVAs in place that affects 15 councils. Mansfield District Council alone has lost £1.1m as a result of Travelodge’s CVA.

The company, whose shareholders include Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs, was forced to amend its restructuring offer to landlords last year after it faced backlash.

New Look, which has also received criticism for its use of CVAs, was responsible for hundreds of thousands of pounds in losses for 10 council landlords as well.

CVAs are supposed to be the last resort for companies looking to renegotiate debts on the brink of insolvency, but some believe they are now being used unnecessarily.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “What we’re seeing is an increasing use, misuse of CVAs, cynically being used by owners who have taken value out in the good times, not prepared to invest back in the bad times.

“They are taking advantage of the legislation and the way it’s currently framed in order to write tear up leases, walk away from obligations freely entered into at our expense.”

The companies insist the CVAs were necessary.

A New Look spokesman said: “We launched our CVA in August last year out of absolute necessity, to safeguard the company, our employees and our suppliers.

“It was a measure we were forced to take as a result of COVID-19 changing the retail environment beyond recognition.”

Steve Bennett, Travelodge property director, said: “The COVID-19 situation has created unprecedented challenges for the whole UK hospitality industry, we have worked closely with our landlords to try to find the best possible path forward.”

Sky News’ FOI also confirmed Boots has withheld hundreds of thousands of pounds from councils.

The company was widely criticised last year for aggressive rent renegotiation during the pandemic, withholding service charges and rent due from its landlords.

Sky News’ figures reveal one council was owed as much as £143,000 in rent by Boots by the beginning of December.

“I’m pleased to say that the vast majority of our landlords we’ve now come to an agreement with and we’re now paying our rent as normal and I think that’s the way we want to be, but I just didn’t think it was fair that we should carry the whole burden.”

The December 2020 Local Government Finance Settlement does set out an increase in core funding for English councils of up to £2.2bn and highlighted £3bn of additional support for COVID-19 costs.

However, of the £2.2bn increase in core funding, £1.9bn is expected to come from increases in council tax bills of up to 5%. It assumes councils make full use of the allowable increases.

TAUNTON Racecourse is being turned into a large Covid vaccination centre from Monday (January 18).

The site will open seven days a week, 8am – 8pm to offer the Covid-19 jab to people across Somerset, supporting the accelerated roll out of the local vaccination programme.

[Owl has already received reports of over 80s in the western half of East Devon receiving letters of invitation who have yet to be invited to a more local centre. It seems the “within 45 minutes” is a bit elastic. Just how well is Devon currently being served and are these mega site being given priority over GP run services see this post? Accessibility is an important factor for the elderly.]

Phil Hill www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk

The racecourse will be providing vaccines for people in the highest priority groups including the over 80s and health and care staff.

Health and care organisations have been working together over the last few weeks to put detailed plans in place to prepare the site to deliver the large scale vaccination programme.

Alison Wootton, Joint Senior Responsible Officer for the Somerset Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said “This is a really exciting development in our local fight against the coronavirus pandemic. We are really pleased to use the racecourse setting in addition to the thirteen GP-led community sites and two hospital hubs already in place”

“We know that many people have been eagerly awaiting the news of any additional large scale vaccination centres and we’re confident that this large scale site will rapidly increase the number of people that can be vaccinated quickly and safely across Somerset.

“We are very grateful for the phenomenal support of all our health and care colleagues for their enthusiasm and dedication in the roll out of our vaccination services across Somerset, and to the hundreds of volunteers who have offered their time to support the smooth running of our new vaccination centre and our GP led community sites.”

Over the weekend, NHS letters will be sent to local residents from the priority groups who live up to 45 minutes away from the new site.

People will be invited to book their jab through the new national booking services by phone, or online. The centre will be an additional option for people to have their Covid-19 jab, but people can also choose to wait to be called by their local GP surgery if they prefer.

Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council said: “I’m thrilled Taunton Racecourse is set to start vaccinating those in priority groups from Monday. This will substantially increase the number of vaccinations we are delivering across Somerset and help protect our most vulnerable from this deadly disease.

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved in setting up and organising all our vaccination centres in such a short space of time, including the NHS, Somerset County Council staff, our District Council partners, community groups and volunteers. This really is the largest vaccination programme ever delivered in our living history.

“We’ll continue to contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated – and please remember to continue to abide by the ‘hands, face, space’ message, even after you’ve been vaccinated.”

The new large vaccination site will continue to offer vaccinations to the priority groups as identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation. It is anticipated that once fully operational the site will be able to deliver around 900 vaccinations a day.

Bob Young, Managing Director of Taunton Racecourse added: “Taunton Racecourse is very pleased to be able to help the NHS by accommodating the vaccine centre.

“We are all immensely grateful and full of admiration for our NHS staff and hope that the people of Taunton and surrounding areas will benefit from a vaccination jab as soon as possible.”

People should continue to wait to be contacted by the NHS, either by a letter or phone call – please do not call the race course, or turn up without an appointment.

Healthcare teams are working extremely hard to vaccinate our most vulnerable groups as quickly as possible. Please be patient and the NHS will contact you directly when it is your turn – don’t call your GP surgery or local hospital to ask about your appointment.”

People are asked to support the NHS:

•Don’t contact the NHS or visit any of the vaccination sites to ask about your vaccine – you will be contacted;

•When you are contacted, attend your booked appointments;

•Follow all the guidance to control the spread of the virus and save lives.

Cornwall has been chosen to host the international G7 leaders’ summit in June in what is likely to be a landmark first meeting between world leaders since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chris Matthews www.devonlive.com

It comes after speculation grew in recent days and was then confirmed by the government earlier today before being formally announced tonight. [16 Jan]

Organisations across Cornwall have welcomed the news, pledging an event that will leave a lasting social and economic legacy to benefit all of the county’s residents.

The major three-day international event will see leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as invited leaders from Australia, India, and South Korea attend. It could also be Joe Biden’s first trip to the UK as President of the US.

The event will host world leaders at Carbis Bay, with neighbouring St Ives and other sites in Cornwall, such as Falmouth, hosting international delegates and media – with organisers determined to make this an event for all residents in Cornwall to experience and share.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken of the upcoming event, describing it as “a crucial summit”.

It will be the 46th meeting of the G7 leaders. The 2020 event, set to take place in the United States, was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Johnson said: “As the most prominent grouping of democratic countries, the G7 has long been the catalyst for decisive international action to tackle the greatest challenges we face. From cancelling developing world debt to our universal condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the world has looked to the G7 to apply our shared values and diplomatic might to create a more open and prosperous planet.

“Coronavirus is doubtless the most destructive force we have seen for generations and the greatest test of the modern world order we have experienced. It is only right that we approach the challenge of building back better by uniting with a spirit of openness to create a better future.

“Cornwall is the perfect location for such a crucial summit. Two hundred years ago Cornwall’s tin and copper mines were at the heart of the UK’s industrial revolution and this summer Cornwall will again be the nucleus of great global change and advancement. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming world leaders to this great region and country.”

Julian German, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Cornwall and the UK on the world stage, and to build our strength and prosperity at home.

“For those reasons we are determined that this event delivers a lasting legacy for our residents, inspires our young people and shows how we can play our part in bringing the world together after the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – and bringing together all parts of the UK together, leaving no-one and nowhere behind.

“We want a lasting legacy that maximises inward investment, translating our moment on the global stage into trade. A legacy that helps Cornwall bounce forward and make its full contribution to the country’s ambitions in areas like space and satellite, floating offshore wind and other sources of clean energy, and globally significant geo-resources including lithium to power our future.”

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer QPM, of Devon & Cornwall Police, added: “I am delighted that Cornwall will be hosting this landmark event for the United Kingdom in an area that is not only one of the safest in the country, but also combines breath-taking scenery and innovative businesses with exceptional local hospitality.

“The event will be a real boost for our communities and especially our young people. It provides an opportunity for all my colleagues within Devon and Cornwall Police to demonstrate our operational excellence and world class policing skills on a global stage.

“We are excited to be playing our part working with and supporting our partners to deliver a safe and secure G7 summit. We have been preparing for this event for several months, including speaking with colleagues who have managed similar events, so we can ensure that we continue to effectively serve our local communities in the run up to, during and after the event.”

Visit Cornwall estimates a total economic impact of the Summit for the county of £50m, including both the immediate benefits of the Summit and related events, and projected tourism growth over the next five years.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall said: “Cornwall has been voted the best holiday region in the UK for 10 out of the last 11 years in the British Travel Award but is little known to many countries around the world.

“The G7 Leaders’ summit will shine a spotlight on our very special place and the worldwide exposure is promotion we could never buy.

“It will showcase the beauty of Cornwall and provide an opportunity to highlight our heritage, culture and the connections to each country, which will help drive increased numbers of international visitors to Cornwall over the next decade.”

Mark Duddridge, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Cornwall’s economy is quickly evolving into one of huge significance to the challenges of the time most notably in the delivery of clean energy from our unique geology and location.

“Underpinned by our digital connectivity and creative expertise our traditional industries are developing their offer to deliver more to their customers whilst supporting the recovery of our climate and ecology.

“We welcome the opportunity to showcasing the new Cornwall to visitors from around the World and sharing our excitement for the changes that are now happening around us.”

Peter Andrew MBE, chair of Corserv Group, said: “The Corserv Group is delighted to have been asked to support the logistical arrangements to welcome the G7 Summit to Cornwall – a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of our beautiful Duchy.

“Cormac Highways and Environment and Cornwall Airport Newquay continue to work closely with the organising authorities to ensure that the event runs smoothly in June. The Cornwall Development Company will be working hard with partners over this period to secure a lasting legacy in terms of inward investment.

“Over the coming months many of our staff will become involved in the logistical arrangements and we are committed to ensure that the event is a great success for Cornwall and see it shine on the world stage.”

A motion on “rural proofing” Devon County Council (DCC)’s policies, from Labour’s Cllr Yvonne Atkinson (Alphington and Cowick division), Labour’s lead on rural affairs came before the Cabinet on Wednesday 13th January.

The motion sought to make challenges and opportunities faced by rural Devon integral to policymaking, with Cllr Atkinson saying she tabled it because “ Devon is being left behind by the Tories as they concentrate on the Red wall in the North.” A Rural impact assessment from the outset, including engagement with rural stakeholders, means “the needs of rural communities will become  transparent and would demonstrate whether government or local  policies address the needs of rural communities and rural economies like Devon.”

Cabinet members voted in favour of using Labour’s “Notice of Motion” to guide its response to a promised Government report on rural proofing. A briefing prepared by officers noted that rural England faces new challenges and opportunities from EU Exit, declining farm profitability, changing consumer and live/work patterns, an ageing population, housing affordability, access to services, training provision, banking and high speed broadband in certain areas, climate change and new technology.

The briefing noted rural opportunities in environmental, agri-tech, energy and digital sectors, and strong economic interplay between neighbouring rural, urban and coastal areas. The Government has yet to announce how Devon’s EU structural funding will be replaced, and officers’ briefing called for any new monitoring and assessment duties for DCC to be accompanied by the necessary Government funding for an “equitable result in terms of funding for Devon and its residents and businesses”. Devon’s funding from Government does not address the “additional costs of service provision and difficulty of delivery in rural areas” it said, and the Government should “support fairer treatment in future funding settlements.

Speaking for the motion Labour group leader Cllr Rob Hannaford said he was content Labour’s motion would guide Devon’s response to Government, but Cllr Atkinson points out ”DCC does not have to wait for Government approval to carry out a rural  impact assessment and I urge DCC to make this a standard part of policy and decision making.”

Experts and care home bosses have warned government guidance to discharge Covid hospital patients into care homes is still risky despite vaccines.

[Remember the government and NHS have until 22nd January to file their detailed evidence to rebut Dr Cathy Gardner’s legal challenge. – Owl]

Laura Connor www.mirror.co.uk (extract, use link for full story)

Scientists say we could be making the same mistake as last year when the UK recorded 28,186 “excess deaths” in care homes following the discharge of tens of thousands of infected people from hospitals.

The NHS is advising that patients can be moved directly from a hospital to a care home within 90 days of a positive Covid test or the onset of symptoms…..

Simon Jupp MP asks pertinent questions concerning the number of housing permissions granted compared to housing starts but doesn’t get a full answer.

The answer he was given indicates that permissions are running ahead of the 300,000 new homes per year target but that the government hasn’t a clue about build-out rates. Yet the Government’s “build, build build” policy assumes that granting permissions is the bottleneck.

Moral – don’t build policies or houses on  shaky foundations.

Nice one Simon!

Housing: Construction: 15 Jan 2021: Hansard Written Answers

www.theyworkforyou.com /wrans/

Simon Jupp Conservative, East Devon

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his most recent estimate is of the number of housing units with planning permission; and for how many of those work (a) has started on site, (b) is due to start on site and (c) is not yet planned to start.

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• Hansard source
• (Citation: HC Deb, 15 January 2021, cW)

Christopher Pincher Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The latest quarterly National Statistics on planning applications* show that over the past three years 1.14 million housing units were granted planning permission. Planning permissions are typically valid for 3 years before expiry if construction has not commenced. As part of the Government’s ongoing development of the official statistics on housing and planning we are looking at ways to provide more information on the progress of sites with planning permission.

* Source: Table 5 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945387/Planning_Application_Statistics_-_July_to_September_2020_-_Statistical_Release.pdf

The UK is among several countries facing delays in delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine due to upgrades in its production capacity, the company has said.

Nadeem Badshah www.theguardian.com

The US pharmaceutical firm is increasing production at its plant in Puurs, Belgium, in an effort to produce more doses than originally planned for 2021, temporarily reducing deliveries to all European countries.

Shipments of the vaccine, produced in partnership with Germany’s BioNTech, to the UK are set to be affected this month.

The UK has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

A government spokesperson said: “We are in the process of understanding the implications of Pfizer’s announcement today to our plans. However we continue to plan to hit our target of vaccinating all four priority groups by 15 February.”

The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab is also licensed and being used in the UK.

European governments have said the credibility of their vaccination programmes are at risk due to Pfizer’s decision.

“This situation is unacceptable,” the health and social affairs ministers of six EU states – Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – said in a letter to the EU commission.

“Not only does it impact the planned vaccination schedules, it also decreases the credibility of the vaccination process.”

Germany, Europe’s largest purchaser of the vaccine, said that it regretted the “unexpected and … very short notice” announcement as the company had promised “binding delivery dates” until the middle of next month.

Norway and Lithuania had earlier said that the pharmaceutical company was reducing supplies across Europe.

“What we want is for Pfizer-BioNTech to restore their deliveries to the agreed schedule,” Lithuanian health minister Arunas Dulkys told Reuters.

A Pfizer spokesperson said: “We understand a change to deliveries has the potential to create uncertainty.

“However, we can confirm the overall projected volumes of delivery to the UK remain the same for quarter one (January to March).

“We continue to liaise with the UK Government and the Vaccines Taskforce to work through short-term impact of these changes to our January deliveries and support the goals of the UK Covid-19 vaccination programme.”

Boris Johnson said on Friday that the UK has vaccinated more than 3.2 million, with almost 45% of over-80s and 40% of care home residents receiving doses so far.

PA Media contributed to this report.