Dear resident,

First may I wish you all a Happy New Year.  It may not seem, with Rutland moving into tier 3, that it will be happy 2021 but this pandemic will not last forever and with the second vaccine having been approved the end is in sight.  Everyone has done really well to keep Rutland as safe as we are and I’d like to thank all the volunteers who have supported their neighbours, and supported strangers through the likes of Rutland Foodbank, during these strange times.

However, to stop Rutland being moved into tier 4 it is important to stick to the rules to continue to keep our covid levels comparatively low.   The general rules of wearing a face covering, keeping two meters away from others (except in your own home, of course) and washing your hands regularly are still good ways of slowing the spread. In addition, in a tier 3 area:

• No socialising with anyone indoors, in your garden or an outside public venue unless you live with them or they are in your official support bubble (i.e. you ordinarily live on your own and have set up a support bubble according to these rules https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household#what-a-support-bubble-is)
• No socialising outside with more than 6 people
• No going on holiday as hotels and holiday lets in tier 3 must close and if you live in a tier 3 area you must stick to tier 3 rules
• Local pubs and restaurants must close except for take-aways –do support your local business where you can as they need your support to survive

There are exceptions, for example weddings and funerals can still go ahead.  Full details can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert

Travel outside tier 3 is discouraged, even for food shopping.  The Government states “Where possible, you should stay local and avoid travelling outside your local area, meaning your village or town, or part of a city. People should continue to travel for reasons such as work, education, medical attention or if they have caring responsibilities.”  

Local advice and sources of help, whether you are an individual or a family, can be found here https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/health-and-family/health-and-nhs/health-and-support-services/coronavirus/

The current Covid crisis is having a major impact on the NHS.  Everyone is being encouraged to contact NHS111 rather than their GP if there is a medical problem.  Either ‘phone 111 or go online at https://111.nhs.uk/  The NHS locally tell us “Patients contacting NHS 111 will be clinically assessed so that they can be referred to an emergency department, an NHS Urgent Treatment Centre, a Minor Injuries Unit, pharmacy, GP or advised to self-care where appropriate. They will also be provided with a time that they should attend.”  I have been assured that the 111 system will refer Rutland residents to geographically appropriate services and not send us to the other side of Leicester!

Gale Waller

County Councillor, Normanton Ward gwaller@rutland.gov.uk

St Georges Barracks, airfield will be CLOSED to the public for the beginning of the new year. This is for training purposes.

The airfield will be out of bounds to the public from 16th Jan 2021 straight through to 22nd March 2021.

With the exception of the following weekends:

30-31st January 2021

6-7th February 2021

27-28th February 2021

6-7th March 2021

13-14th March 2021.

The UK Government has today confirmed that Rutland will remain a Tier 2 area (High Risk) as part of England’s local COVID-19 restrictions.

Under current guidance, anyone living in a Tier 2 area must:

*Not mix with other households indoors
*Only meet people outdoors in groups of six or less
*Work from home if possible
*Reduce the number of journeys they make

This is in addition to washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and staying at least two metres apart from other people – or one metre with a face covering or other precautions.

Full details of what you can and cannot do if you live or work in a Tier 2 area can be found online at: www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-2-high-alert <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Ftier-2-high-alert&data=04%7C01%7CGWaller%40rutland.gov.uk%7Cf694c3067a174717b1b108d8a2b25c4c%7C60a080bbbc0f4d9399c183748e10674d%7C1%7C0%7C637438234219626872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=qb8m1giTQJhFHS%2F%2BfSDwaTRM%2BR0eAK6qOL7aFxhXF2c%3D&reserved=0> .

From 23 to 27 December 2020, there are different Christmas rules for meeting friends and family: www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-the-christmas-period <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fguidance-for-the-christmas-period&data=04%7C01%7CGWaller%40rutland.gov.uk%7Cf694c3067a174717b1b108d8a2b25c4c%7C60a080bbbc0f4d9399c183748e10674d%7C1%7C0%7C637438234219636830%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ipjlUMVDT7ogPJwh4Dmo7zYUNNu0ibDTTfp7hfHEdlE%3D&reserved=0> .

We saw a promising decline in Rutland’s COVID-19 figures during the second national lockdown. These numbers have risen again in recent weeks, which is why we remain a Tier 2 area.

It is incredibly important that we continue to follow the guidance for our area, particularly as the government has committed to relaxing some of its COVID restrictions over Christmas.

This is positive news for families who have been kept apart during the pandemic but, equally, comes with risks and we must all act responsibly. Those who choose to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ can do so between 23 and 27 December, with people from no more than three households. However, it must be stressed that this is a limit, not a target, and that meeting fewer people will mean families are less likely to catch or spread the virus.”


Best Wishes,
Gale Waller
Councillor, Normanton Ward
Rutland County Council

Please find attached details of a road closure concerning Moor Lane, North Luffenham on the 11th January 2021

Dear resident,

Many in Rutland are breathing a sigh of relief that from 2 December when this lockdown finishes we will be in tier 2 and not tier 3 like our neighbours in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.  It is indeed good news and here is a summary of what it means:

• No socialising with anyone not in your official support bubble in any indoor space
• No socialising with more than 6 people outside
• Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol to people having a “substantial meal” (but note bullet point 1 –no going to the pub with friends!)
• Pubs have to operate table service and stop taking orders at 10pm
• Places of worship can open but the congregation mush not socialise other than within their own support bubble
• We are all encouraged to travel as little as possible

I have been asked by a number of people about whether we can shop in the tier 3 areas of Stamford or Melton (after all, Christmas is coming).  This is what the Government says “Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey.”  This seems to me that all our shopping will be in Oakham and Uppingham until the rules change.  For further information, including on other matters such as weddings and funerals or moving home see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert

Local advice and sources of help, whether you are an individual or a family, can be found here https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/health-and-family/health-and-nhs/health-and-support-services/coronavirus/ as can information on what the relaxation of the rules at Christmas really mean.

And remember, general rules still apply so wear a face covering if you can’t keep two meters away from others (except in your own home, of course) and wash your hands regularly.

An Avian ‘flu prevention zone is in place across England so if you keep chickens, ducks etc. in your garden click here to find advice on what you should be doing. https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-council/council-news/prevention-zone-in-place-in-response-to-avian-flu-cases/

The consultation on the reconfiguration of Leicester’s hospitals continues until 21 December.  This includes the proposal to close the maternity unit in Melton and other reductions at the General.  These proposals are likely to have a significant impact on Rutland residents, particularly in relation to travel time, and so you may wish to respond to them.  You can find out more about the proposals, and how to respond, here https://www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/

From 1 December everyone is being encouraged to contact NHS111 rather than their GP if there is a medical problem.  Either ‘phone 111 or go online at https://111.nhs.uk/  The NHS locally tell us “Patients contacting NHS 111 will be clinically assessed so that they can be referred to an emergency department, an NHS Urgent Treatment Centre, a Minor Injuries Unit, pharmacy, GP or advised to self-care where appropriate. They will also be provided with a time that they should attend.”  I have been assured that the 111 system will refer Rutland residents to geographically appropriate services and not send us to the other side of Leicester!

Assuming I won’t have to write another update till next year have a safe Christmas and let us hope the New Year brings a vaccine and a steady return to normality.

Gale Waller

County Councillor, Normanton Ward

We are open 9am – 5.30pm every day until Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve we will shut at 2.30pm.

We are doing late night opening until 7.30pm on Wednesday 2^nd, 9^th and 16^th December.

I can provide more information if you would like.

We would love to see lots of the local villagers at the farm.

Rutland Local residents are invited to join a virtual meeting on Thursday 3^rd December 2020 between 6.30pm – 8pm to discuss with a panel of health and care professionals their experiences of using local health and care services.

Andy Williams, Chief Executive, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups said: “We are bringing together a panel of health and care professionals from a wide range of health and care organisations to hear from Rutlanders and answer questions about the future provision of care closer to home.  

“During the event we will be discussing how we jointly develop a local plan for health and care in Rutland. We want to hear from the community about what we can do to develop services. Whether people are interested in services provided at their GP practice, in their own home, at Rutland Memorial Hospital or in another clinic or hospital, and regardless of whether it is treatment for a mental or physical condition, we want to hear from all residents of Rutland.”

On the panel will be representatives from Leicester Partnership NHS Trust who provide mental and physical care services, Primary Care Network (representing GPs in Rutland), Rutland County Council and University Hospitals of Leicester.

Andy continued: “We know that these discussions have been a long time coming, but we are committed to picking up these conversations in earnest and to delivering a greater range of service locally, closer to where patients live as is practically possible.”

The event will be independently facilitated by Rutland Community Ventures. Director, Tony Gray said: “We wanted to be sure that the proposals to develop healthcare services, including local hospital services, will not adversely affect us all, so when we were asked to ensure that people know what’s being proposed, we decided to support the creation of an opportunity for anyone in Rutland to quiz the decision makers.”

“Anyone can come and ask any question. The panel is made up of key people behind the proposal and who really want to hear what Rutlanders think, so you can be sure of answers straight from the horse’s mouth. There’ll be no planted or pre-arranged questions, just those from local people asked on the night or sent in beforehand. It will be a truly open conversation between the public and the people in charge.”

RCV Co-director, Ben Searle added: “Most people either don’t know or don’t care too much about these proposals. But everyone at some point in their life will be directly affected. Here’s a chance to ask questions and to have your say. Next time you or a loved one needs health and social care or support you may well be very glad you did.”

Join us online on Thursday 3 December 2020 at 6.30pm – 8pm to take part. We look forward to seeing you there.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+44 20 3443 8728,,461425589#   United Kingdom, London

Phone Conference ID: 461 425 589#

We are inviting Rutland residents to attend an important online event to discuss local experiences of using health and care services. We are bringing together a panel of health and care professionals to hear from you and answer questions about the provision of care closer to home.

During the event we will be discussing how we jointly develop a local plan for health and care in Rutland and we want you to be involved. We want to hear from the community about what we can do to develop services, to improve the health and wellbeing of all of those who live in the area.

Whether you are interested in primary, secondary (mental and physical), acute or care, we want to hear from you.

Join us online on Thursday 3 December 2020 at 6.30pm – 8pm to take part. We look forward to seeing you there.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting <https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_NDA5NGU3YWEtNThiMS00NzgxLThjYjYtNWI5MTZkYmI3YzRm%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522cdbddc73-78fb-4b6f-8b6b-0d165d385518%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25225eaaa3f6-d542-435a-8367-cc81e0112376%2522%257d&data=04%7C01%7CGWaller%40rutland.gov.uk%7C939bc0545bf44a3df6f008d88c790ebf%7C60a080bbbc0f4d9399c183748e10674d%7C1%7C0%7C637413798855587599%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=KOm6ZYFTyx5tqzw73n6E0MO%2BZjkWeiSH9S4ZK7maaZM%3D&reserved=0>

Or call in (audio only)

+44 20 3443 8728,,461425589# <tel:+442034438728,,461425589#> United Kingdom, London

Phone Conference ID: 461 425 589#

Please see the attached notices concerning road closures near North Luffenham to allow patching of the road surface.

Please see the attached road closure notice concerning North Luffenham Road Morcott.

The closure and one-way system are scheduled to be in place for 365 days. The closure and oneway system shall come into force when the appropriate signs and diversion route are erected on site.
The duration of the Closure and One-way System shall be as follows: from 19th November 2020 to the completion of the new Waste site entrance.

Following queries raised by residents, I wrote to RCC today for clarification of several points. The response I received is as follows:

As specified in the original email, the new TTRO is a continuation of the one-way system that was originally in place.

The previous TTRO for the closure and one-way system had a time period of 6 months, as that runs out on the 18^th November this new TTRO has had to be issued.

There will be no changes to the signs and restrictions that have been in place for the previous 6 months, and as far as I am aware the tip will continue to operate as it has done since its re-opening.

.

I

Please see the attached notice of road closure from the 11th to 13th November 2020