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Issue 19 | October 2020
New NHS COVID-19 app
We are encouraging residents to download the new NHS COVID-19 App to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The app allows you to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, and check into venues by simply scanning a QR code. Businesses, such as restaurants and pubs, will be legally required to display a QR code poster for people to scan. This means if people visit the venue and later test positive for coronavirus, other app users who were there at the same time may be sent an alert, if necessary. The app does this while protecting your anonymity. Nobody, including the Government, will know who or where a particular user is. Instead, your postcode district (the first part of your postcode) helps the app work out where the virus is spreading. By downloading and using the app, you’ll be helping to protect those around you.
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Local weekly COVID-19 cases update
There are an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the county, in line with national trends. There were 123 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Sussex as of 28 September 2020. See a breakdown of where cases are in the county here.
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Update on wedding ceremonies
Based on tighter lockdown regulations, only 15 people are now allowed to attend wedding ceremonies, to include the couple, witnesses and guests. We have been informed that this number does not include the registrars, venue staff and photographer (correct at time of writing). All County Council ceremony rooms hold less than 15 people to account for social distancing, so the latest government restrictions do not affect this. The number of people at small wedding receptions will also reduce from 30 to 15 people. Visit our coronavirus service updates page for more details.
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Help for local businesses
Supporting our local businesses has never been so important. The county council’s Business West Sussex website collates the latest information and guidance for businesses at any stage. The website provides COVID-19 related business advice, as well as information on grants, funding, and workplace guidance. Find easy to access links for free training, recovery resources and specialist support. Please help us to reach businesses in our communities and direct them to www.businesswestsussex.co.uk for more information.
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Expanding skills training and education
The government has announced a major expansion of post-18 education and training, including adults without an A-Level or equivalent qualification being offered a free, fully-funded college course. There has also been an expansion of the DfE’s online learning platform, The Skills Toolkit, to more than 70 courses in digital, numeracy and employability or work-readiness courses.
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Winter opening hours at HWRS
Winter opening hours have begun at our Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRSs). Sites will open from 9am to 4pm until 31 March 2021. Residents are advised to check opening days and times online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/recycling before they make a journey. Social distancing measures will continue to be in place at all sites and residents will need to provide ID, for example a current driving licence, to prove they are a West Sussex resident to be allowed entry to the sites. Note the site at Crawley will be open until 6pm every day until Sunday 4 October. Winter opening hours there will start on the later date of Monday 5 October for this site only. www.westsussex.gov.uk/recycling
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Could you be a West Sussex county councillor?
Ahead of the next election in May 2021, the county council is planning a series of events for people to find out more about the role of a county councillor and to hear from existing county councillors. The next event will be taking place virtually on Wednesday 21 October 2020 from 6pm. Numbers for the event are limited so those wishing to attend will need to register in advance via this link. Find out more from our ‘Be a Councillor’ website which includes films of our county councillors talking about what they do and why they stood for election. If you have any questions please contact amanda.drinkwater@westsussex.gov.uk
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Get the right e-newsletter for you
This e-newsletter is for Town and Parish councillors and clerks in West Sussex. If you are a resident, we recommend you sign up for our Residents e-newsletter, which has information targeted to you. Sign up for our e-newsletters here
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Our latest communication campaigns
Take a look at three of our latest communication campaigns:
Feel free to share these links, and the information contained within, to help keep your residents updated and informed.
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Have your say on local issues that affect you
Have your say on matters that affect you and your local communities - and get your residents to do the same - by visiting our Have Your Say Consultation Hub. From major road schemes and Joint Area Action Plans, to premises licence applications and safeguarding in our schools; we want to hear your residents' views to help shape future policy and decisions.
Go to the Have Your Say Consultation Hub for details of all of our current consultations.
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Your Voice: The People's Panel
Alternatively, encourage your residents to join Your Voice: The People's Panel where they'll be regularly consulted about a number of important local issues. Once registered they'll receive links to surveys, reports and outcomes and occasionally links to other public surveys.
Find out more information and subscribe here.
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Follow us on social media
for all the latest news and updates to help keep our communities informed and safe during this time, visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
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