PLANNING MATTERS

• Changes to the Planning System 2020 – Recording of the briefing session

If you couldn’t attend Cornwall Council’s briefing session on 18 August about the Government’s recent and proposed changes, you can:

View a recording of the session online                                                                              Download a copy of the presentation slides                                                             Download the questions and answers from the session

**************

• Planning for the Future – Government consultation paper on the changes to the planning system

The Government has published a white paper called Planning for the Future which is a consultation paper on changes to the planning system. It is aimed at streamlining and modernising the planning process with a new focus on design and sustainability to ensure that more land is available for development where it is needed. The consultation closes on 29 October 2020.                                                                                                                The Government has also published a further document on short-term measures which includes changes to the standard method for assessing local housing. The consultation for this document closes on the 1 October 2020.                          Cornwall Council’s Planning team has produced a briefing note summarising the key proposals

Preventing exploitation of children and young adults

A new three-year  strategy to prevent the exploitation of children and young adults aged up to 25 has been launched in Cornwall.

Exploitation is where someone takes unfair advantage of others to gain something for themselves. It occurs when a person is persuaded to do things in exchange for something that they need or want (coercion), or threatened or forced to do things by people with more power than them – this can be someone of a similar age to the child or young adult being exploited, as well as an adult.
There’s more information, including how to report any concerns on Cornwall Council’s website.

Stay alert, be COVID aware

There’s a  new film  from Cornwall Council’s Public Protection team with safety tips to help visitors, residents and local business prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep Cornwall safe.

Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund

There’s still time for local councils, charities, community and voluntary groups, schools and statutory agencies to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 from the Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund for projects that aim to tackle and raise awareness of loan sharks. But you’ll need to be quick as the deadline for applications is midnight on 31 August. 

The fund is formed of money seized from illegal money lenders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. For the first time this year joint applications are being accepted from up to four groups, which means a potential total grant of up to a maximum of £20,000 to fund a joint project.

You can find out more and download an application form from  www.stoploansharks.co.uk Anyone who is interested in applying for a grant but needs more information can contact Dave Monk, LIAISE Officer, on 07864 928758 or dave.monk@birmingham.gov.uk

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Outbreak Management Plan

To continue to manage the spread of Covid-19, the government has asked Local Authorities to produce a Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP).
The plan sets out how Local Authorities will play a significant role in identifying and managing Covid-19 outbreaks.
The Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly plan maps out a clear way of working that prioritises the health of people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Click Here to see Ruth Goldstein, public health consultant at Cornwall Council, explain the new Local Outbreak Management Plan and what it means for people in Cornwall.

What is the aim of the plan? 
The plan sets out how Cornwall Council, and the Council of the Isles of Scilly, will work together with the NHS Track and Trace service to manage local Covid-19 outbreaks. This will involve working with partners such as:

• Public Health England
• NHS
• Town and Parish Councils
• Local businesses
• Voluntary sector

How will the plan work? 
The plan sets out a number of ‘Boards’ which will all work together to make sure that information is used to:

• analyse cases
• identify any possible issues
• if necessary, identify a plan of action

Anyone affected will then be alerted. For example, they may be asked to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with a positive case.

What will a response to an outbreak look like? 
Each case will be unique and the action taken will depend on many factors. Within 24 hours of notification of a case, action will be taken to confirm all of the details including:

• interviews
• testing
• carrying out a risk assessment
• making sure all relevant people are made aware of what is happening

If it is necessary, an ‘Incident Response Team’ will then agree and co-ordinate the activities involved in the management, investigation and control of the outbreak.

What will people be expected to do? 
Anyone who is involved in an outbreak will be asked to take action and it is very important that they follow the instructions they are given. The plan sets out how it is everyone’s responsibility to act sensibly, and according to what is agreed necessary, to control an outbreak and protect the health of the community.

Don’t worry if you don’t hear anything 
No news is good news is the saying, and that will be true of any local clusters and warnings to the public. If our cases remain low there won’t be a need to bring any localised lockdowns in to force, in fact they will be a last resort. We want to reassure you that we have plans but just because you don’t hear about them doesn’t mean they aren’t in place. Plans are in place and will be actioned if necessary.

How can you help? 
If you are contacted by NHS test track and trace, please follow their advice and self-isolate. This will help us to stop the spread of the virus, and we all need to do our bit to help. You can wear a face covering in shops and public transport. Masks aren’t just to protect you, but if you’re a carrier of the virus with no symptoms you will help protect other people too. Please keep up with good hand hygiene. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser while out in public if you can’t wash your hands.

The St Breward Credit Union Service Point is reopening this Wednesday 12 August 10am – 12 noon at Gwerty Koth (old Shop), Row.
For more information about Credit Unions do call in or contact Denis Lusby 01208 850517 denis.lusby@btinternet.com

NHS 111 – making the right choice for urgent healthcare

NHS 111 is a system for urgent – but not emergency – healthcare. This way of accessing urgent care in Cornwall is to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible during the pandemic.

If you need urgent care, visit www.111.nhs.uk/ or phone 111 to find out where you should go and when. You will be directed to the most appropriate treatment. Accessing services in this way will help to prevent long waits and reduce the risk of infection in waiting rooms.

Arrangements have not changed for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Please continue to dial 999 as before.

£1,500 per household to upgrade rural broadband

People in Cornwall whose home or business is not covered by the current Superfast Cornwall programme plans for receiving fibre broadband could be eligible for up to £1,500 towards reliable superfast broadband in the next year, as part of the Government’s Broadband Upgrade Fund.

People can find out if they’re eligible for funds by entering their details on the Broadband Upgrade Fund website and registering their interest. Registration for funding closes on 30 September 2020. 

The Government is urging as many local households and businesses as possible to sign up for Government help in installing superfast broadband. Please share this information with people and businesses in your area so they can register for funding.

Spreading the word about The Cornwall We Want

Could you help Cornwall Council spread the word about The Cornwall We Want? The Council wants to hear from as many people in Cornwall as possible about what they want for Cornwall for future generations.
Only one in ten of Cornwall’s residents want things to go back to the way they were before the coronavirus pandemic. The Council wants to develop a shared vision for the future of Cornwall so that Cornwall’s recovery leads to a ‘better normal’ than before the crisis.
People can join in the discussion online at letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk or send their views through the post.

The Council wants people to share their views on:

• Their hopes and fears for the future
• Their experience of the lockdown
• Whether the lockdown made them think again about what matters in their life
• What changes they want to make
• What the ‘new normal’ to looks like for them, their business or their community
• What they see as the challenges and opportunities to achieving those aims

Anyone who’s not online can write to the Council at: Cornwall Council -The Cornwall We Want Room 4S New County Hall
Treyew Road Truro  TR1 3AY