Category Archives: General News

General news & information from the surrounding area.

Xmas Jigsaws

Seeing some Christmas themed jigsaws in the phone box now 🙂

Does anyone have a picture of a completed jigsaw from the phone box?

Digby Farm Christmas Trees – opening times

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 2nd, 9th and 16th December.

I can provide more information if you would like.

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

East Leics and Rutland CCG: PROPOSAL FOR HEALTH AND CARE IN RUTLAND UNDER DISCUSSION

Rutland Local residents are invited to join a virtual meeting on Thursday 3rd 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#

Invitation to Rutland residents: Local experiences of using health and care services

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 join us: we need your help and your involvement!

Why? The Neighbourhood Plan Survey asked questions about what was good and not so good about the parish and how you wanted it to look and develop in the next ten years.
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group would like to present the results of that survey and explain the purpose of the Plan. The impact of the plan will be wide ranging and just one of the aims is to protect the parish from adverse effects of the proposed development at St. George’s Barracks.

In particular your comments are needed as this Neighborhood Plan is for you, the residents of North Luffenham Parish.

Please join us for one of the following virtual meetings by Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87263523277?pwd=Z0Iwd0Y2TmxtSElvQXFocFFEMUVqQT09
Meeting ID: 872 6352 3277 Passcode: 292804) 

Wednesday 25th November at 4pm.
Sunday 29th November at 5pm.
Monday 30th November at 7.30pm.

There will also be a poster display at The Fox on:

Tuesday 8th December (somebody will be on hand to answer your questions from 6pm)
Thursday 10th December (help on queries from 3pm)

We will take note of everything you have to say. Post it notes will also be available for your comments.(The social distancing guidelines in place at the time will be observed)

Invitation to Rutland residents: Local experiences of using health and care services

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

Or call in (audio only)

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

Phone Conference ID: 461 425 589#

Village Jigsaw Swap?

As “Lockdown 2” progresses, and the nights get ever longer, there has been a suggestion for a Jigsaw swap in the village.

If you have a jigsaw that you have completed, or do not need any more, and you want to pass it on to other people in the village, please leave it in the old telephone box on Church Street. It can then be recycled around the other jigsaw fans in North Luffenham

In Remembrance

Lest we forget.

Thinking of the men who died for our way of life from RAF North Luffenham and RAF Woolfox Lodge, local resident Gareth Jones is looking at how the heritage of these battlefields can be recognised.

Gareth has researched the background of the airmen buried in North Luffenham churchyard, and has recorded them on his website

You may be interested in his blog and some amazing stories documented there.

https://lnkd.in/dwvUDXX

The WW2 men resting in the North Luffenham churchyard are a minor sample from Bomber Command war, where 55,500 aircrew died and 8403 were wounded. Not known is how many RAF and WRAF lost their lives on the ground. There are also 11 war graves at North Luffenham from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1952, 53 and 54 in the Cold War.

We will remember them. Please contact me if you are interested or have any stories to add. http://www.rafnorthluffenhamheritage.me.uk/?p

You may also recall the previous posts on the website recording the men from North Luffenham who died during World War 1

RCC Temporary Road Closures

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

RCC Road Closure Notice: TRO-20-143 North Luffenham Road, Morcott

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 18th 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

RCC (TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE) Moor Lane, North Luffenham

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

Further Covid-19 Information from RCC – Care Homes and Covid Marshals

Adult Social Care winter plan
The Adult Social Care winter plan that was recently published by government had two
additional requirements attached to it regarding care homes. Firstly, a self-assessment
questionnaire to provide assurance with care market sustainability, which we are currently working on. The second relates to Care Quality Commission (CQC) designated COVID Care Homes.
The latter requirement is for each authority to have an identified care home that will care for COVID-positive patients in a secluded area within its establishment, with its own care and support staff who only working with COVID patients. This commissioning request has come to Adult Social Care (ASC) to facilitate and inform CQC of the identified home.
We have a very good relationship with all of our care homes and all have indicated
previously they would not take COVID-positive patients. ASC is therefore working closely
with County and City colleagues to identify homes where we may all be able to facilitate
COVID-positive hospital discharges.


Local Area Coordinators Scheme
Rutland County Council is required to have a Local Area Coordinators Scheme for Test,
Track and Trace. These are people who will knock on doors if people in Rutland have
received a positive COVID test but failed to respond to phone calls informing them they
are positive. All coordinators will be wearing the necessary PPE.
COVID Marshalls
The question of COVID Marshalls has been discussed in detail at RTCG. There is
agreement that COVID Marshals would be beneficial in our towns to remind people about the need to follow social distancing, wear masks and wash their hands regularly. This is in order to be as proactive and preventative as possible.
Contingency planning
RTCG is looking at ways to fund extra resources to enable contingencies, should we are
to enter the second tier in the new government tier system or even the highest third tier.
RTCG has also discussed the possible need to close less business critical areas of the
council if needed, to support business critical services if the second wave continues and
escalates further. Plans are being put in place so we can act quickly if required.
Self-isolation payments
People are now required by law to self-isolate, supported by payment of £500 for those on lower incomes who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result.
We have now set up a scheme which went live from 12th October to administer self-
isolation payments. We have had six claims to date.
Further details can be found on our website: www.rutland.gov.uk/testandtracepayments.

Finance updates
There have been various announcements this week including the suggestion that we will receive another non-ring fenced COVID-19 grant to support all aspects of work from a further £1bn fund. We await the details on this. A full round up of the COVID-19 funding position will be presented in the November Finance report to Cabinet.
Local lockdown grants
The Council previously received guidance in respect of a Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG). This would involve making payments of up to £3,000 (revised from £1,500) to businesses (not only those who pay rates) which have closed or have been impacted by a local lockdown.
Some initial work has been undertaken and the Council will be stepping up plans to put
arrangements in place so we can respond if the need arise.

Latest Covid-19 Information for Rutland

  1. COVID-19
    a. Latest situation
    As of 4.00pm on Thursday 15 October, 673,622 people have tested positive for
    coronavirus in the UK.
    As of 4.00pm on Thursday 15 October, of those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, 43,293 people have died across all settings within 28 days of a positive test.
    These figures will also be published on the daily dashboard: coronavirus.data.gov.uk.
    Rutland recorded 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the latest week (7-13 October). This equates to 110 cases per 100,000 people. The average area in England had 95.
    A total of 24 coronavirus-related deaths have been registered in Rutland as of 2 October.
    b. New COVID alert system
    The government has implemented a new three-tier ranking system for local authority areas across England, indicating the COVID threat level for each area. The three Local COVID Alert Levels are Medium, High and Very High.
    Rutland is currently ranked as Medium-risk, meaning:
     People must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than
    where a legal exemption applies)
     Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other
    than those that remain closed in law
     Certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am
     Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
     Schools remain open
     Places of worship remain open, subject to the rule of 6
     Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
     Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or
    indoors if the rule of 6 is followed
    This is all in addition to following public health guidance about hand washing, face
    coverings and social distancing.
    People living in England can find the Local COVID Alert Level for their area by using a
    postcode checker on the government’s website.

Notification of closure of Airfield

ADVANCED NOTICE OF AIRFIELD OUT OF BOUNDS FOR CIVILIAN USE

Can I please advise you all that the North Luffenham Airfield will be placed Out of Bounds to all civilians. Dates and locations listed below.

  • Saturday 10th Oct 20 from 1200 – 1530 (Golf course area).
  • Saturday 24th Oct 20 from 1200 – 1530 (Golf course area).
  • Saturday 24th Oct 20 from 1730 – 0800 Sunday 25th Oct (All areas within the airfield).

This due to Army Reserve Military Working Dog handlers completing essential training and to ensure your safety. Please co-operate with any safety staff’s direction.

We apologies in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Sgt P Miles

Permanent Staff Instructor

101 Sqn (Res).

St. George’s Barracks: We need your voice.

Your opinions about the proposals for St. George’s Barracks (SGB) matter, as well as development within the village and parish, and North Luffenham Parish Council would like to inform you of the proposals and hear your opinions. 

A good third of SGB is within our parish and it is important that we have a say on any development.

In the last two weeks of October there will be presentations by Zoom (firm dates and times will be posted on the website northluffenham.com ) with detailed information on the proposals for SGB and the best way to respond to Rutland County Council’s Local Plan. There will also be an update on North Luffenham’s Neighbourhood Plan, and how this sits alongside the Local Plan, with the aim of ameliorating any development that takes place at SGB, as well as proposals for the rest of the parish.

Your comments on these issues will be most welcome.

The focus of the presentations will be online in view of the current restriction on groups meeting indoors but it is planned to have a poster and hopefully a short video demonstration and where and when will be posted nearer the time.

St. George’s Barracks is most definitely not yet a done deal and your opinion counts

If you have not done so already could you please click the link below and indicate your preferred option for a meeting -there is only one question I promise.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdznbouZRxQa-9lfLjCU2ei_jh8xzHdkRy7LKs_VoUSTCtpZg/viewform 

RCC Covid -19 Newsletter

Dear resident,

It is a little while since I wrote a covid update.  We have had a lovely summer and the spread of covid seemed under control.  Sadly that has not continued and even here in Rutland numbers are rising, although not to the level we have seen elsewhere in the UK.  The news that pubs, clubs and restaurants now have to close at 10pm takes me back to the days when pub opening hours were limited to 8 per day (5 on Sundays) and regularly closed at 10.30pm (at least where I lived) but I guess I’m showing my age!  Whatever you do, though, keep yourself safe and follow the Government’s guidelines and advice:

  • Wear a face covering if you can’t keep two meters away from others (except in your own home, of course)
  • Wear a face covering in taxis and private hire vehicles
  • Wear a face covering in pubs, cafes, sports and social clubs etc. at all times you are not seated at your table (staff must wear a face covering at all times) 
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Don’t mix, either in your home or outside, in groups of more than 6.

There are also much stricter rules for businesses and village halls/community centres and if you are interested you can find details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-september

Now to other topics.  Many residents have contacted me about the current consultation on the Local Plan.  This consultation has been extended to 4.15pm on 6 November.  Details can be found here: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/planning/planning-policy/local-plan-review/ and your parish council has a hard copy of the document should you wish to read it in hard copy.  Your parish council will also be able to advise you on completing the response form, although you are allowed to submit a letter if you don’t want to use the form.

Leicestershire Police are currently undertaking a consultation on community safety.  If you wish to take part you can find it here: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Have-Your-Say/Consultations/Community-Safety-Survey.aspx

And finally you will be getting communication from our health authorities on proposals to reconfigure Leicester’s hospitals.  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 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/ 

Gale Waller

County Councillor, Normanton Ward

gwaller@rutland.gov.uk

Bonfire Night Cancelled

It won’t come as a big surprise but North Luffenham Parish Council decided at the Parish Council on the 28th September that the traditional 5th November bonfire night could not be held. Let’s hope for next year.

“Houses to be built on The Oval”

Really! Please download this leaflet that will be delivered to each household in the parish.

RCC Road Closure Notice 13th October 2020

Please see the attached road closure notice affecting Edith Weston Road, North Luffenham on 13th October