Click on the links to view. They should either appear in a new browser tab, or download as a PDF file into your Downloads folder
From: Communications <communications@scotborders.gov.uk>
Sent: 14 April 2021 11:54
Subject: [OFFICIAL] News Release: Dates for reopening of further local facilities and services announced
For information, the following release was issued to the media today:
Joint news release from Scottish Borders Council and Live Borders: Wednesday 14 April 2021
Dates for reopening of further local facilities and services announced
Scottish Borders Council and Live Borders have today outlined dates for the phased reopening of further services across the region as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve.
Both organisations are working in close partnership as a regional COVID recovery plan is developed, focused on restarting services, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting vulnerable people, reinvigorating the local economy and seizing new opportunities.
Both Live Borders and the Council recognise how much customers, communities and visitors value these services, which range from swimming pools to museums. The jointly agreed reopening plan acknowledges this while also taking into account a range of other current factors, which include the vital support being provided through Live Borders facilities and their staff for the critically important COVID vaccination programme, ongoing Test and Protect, and where services cannot be delivered through alternative means.
The services being prioritised for re-opening will also help to:
- support getting communities active and, consequently, healthier again following the lockdown period;
- support the local visitor economy by attracting those taking staycations, and
- generate income for Live Borders, thereby helping to subsidise the delivery of a wide range of the charity’s other services.
Key re-opening dates:
- w/c 26 April
- Health and fitness sites, including gyms and swimming pools
- 17 May
- Jim Clark Motorsport Museum;
- Heritage Hub, Hawick
- 31 May
- Mobile Library service
- 28 June
- Start of a phased reopening of museums and galleries
- 16 August
- Indicative start of a phased re-opening of libraries, library contact centres and standalone contact centres. Earlier opening may be possible in certain circumstances
- 30 August
- Halls and Community Centres operated by Live Borders
- TBC
- Live Borders facilities which are currently supporting COVID-19 vaccination and testing programmes
In order to comply with the strict social distancing, sanitising, and pre-booking operating requirements, services will not be able to reopen to pre-COVID opening times or capacities
Depute Leader of Scottish Borders Council, Councillor Simon Mountford, said: “I am delighted that we can announce this positive news today. A significant amount of effort and planning has gone into developing this joint reopening schedule.
“While there are clearly grounds for optimism as the COVID situation continues to improve, we must remain cautious about what may lie ahead; ultimately, we will not reopen services until we are absolutely confident that they will be safe for customers and staff.
“Live Borders’ continued support for the vaccination programme and Test and Protect must be a top priority and this does impact on what can be reopened initially. A range of services will, therefore, continue to be delivered through alternative means. This has been the case for many of our services throughout the pandemic; they have operated successfully and with high customer satisfaction.
“Important lessons were learnt following the reopening of some services last summer, when restrictions allowed, and these have informed the reopening plan announced today. We will keep Borderers updated at every stage as we continue to move ahead with our recovery plans and further reopening of services.”
Galashiels Library reopened for an eight-week period from August 2020 but demand for its services was extremely low, although there continued to be high levels of usage of alternative library services.
The robust and proven alternative provisions of Connect & Collect – where library books can be ordered online and collected from the mobile library – the comprehensive eLibrary catalogue and the restart of the mobile library service will be available to customers until the start of a phased re-opening of library buildings from 16 August.
Until Contact Centres reopen, the Council’s Customer Advice and Support Service will continue to be available online through the Council website and over the phone on 0300 100 1800, as it has been throughout the pandemic. These contact methods and staff provide the same services as those delivered in person in Contact Centre and have successfully handled more than 70,000 additional customer interactions whilst Contact Centres have been closed.
A range of building works and improvements are being carried out in Contact Centres over the coming weeks, and a phased reopening will allow these to be completed before facilities reopen to the public, most likely by appointment initially.
Registration of births, deaths and marriages has continued in a limited manner during lockdown. Expansion of those service and the manner in which they are offered will follow Scottish Government advice on the easing of COVID restrictions from May 2021 onwards.
Ewan Jackson, CEO of Live Borders, said: “We are here for the community of the Scottish Borders and I am delighted to be able to publish our plans for reopening.
“It has been a very difficult year for everyone, and we know how important our services are across the region. I am also incredibly proud of the role Live Borders and our staff have played in fighting the pandemic over this past year, including in the crucial ongoing vaccination and Test and Protect programmes.
“I hope that publishing our plans reassures all users of our return, and while all services may not reopen at the same time or as quickly as we may like, we have to ensure that our financial restart position is protected and sustainable.
“Reopening our swimming pools and leisure centres over the course of a week is a logistical challenge, and brings many complexities from returning staff from furlough and deployments, to ensuring staff and public safety in our buildings. I would ask everyone for patience and understanding over this period.
“The recent appointment of our new Head of Library Services demonstrates our commitment to developing a sustainable and first class library service across the Borders, and we are excited to see the future of our libraries develop.
“I look forward to welcoming all our service users back over the coming weeks.”
Tim Patterson, Director of Public Health, added: “The fight against COVID-19 must continue, and the support that Live Borders is providing to NHS Borders through the rollout of the COVID vaccine and with our local Test and Protect contact tracing team has been invaluable and is greatly appreciated.
“I am delighted that Live Borders is now also able to press ahead with the reopening of health and fitness sites, which will once again play a key role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities, particularly after this latest period of lockdown.”
For more information, contact the Communications and Marketing team on 01835 826632 or communications@scotborders.gov.uk
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Help us shape the future of transport and travel in your area
The surveymonkey link below takes you to a questionnaire in which you are invited to enter your views about a regional transport strategy (RTS). Please note that you need to click on the OK button on the first page of the surveymonkey document to proceed to the survey itself – it’s a little confusing
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SEStranRegionalTransportStrategy
A briefing note issued to local Community Councils can be downloaded or viewed at the following URL:
SEStran-RTS-Briefing-Note-COMMUNITY-COUNCILS.pdf
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A message received from NHS Borders 8th April 2021
Dear Stakeholder,
Covid-19 has changed the way we deliver and access healthcare services.
As we look to recover and rebuild, we want to widen our network of public involvement support and reach in to all areas of the Borders community. We want to hear from you if you have anything at all to say about health.
That way we can co-produce our approach to public involvement to ensure that it is inclusive, effective, fit for purpose and can be adapted to meet the changing needs of our communities as we emerge from the pandemic.
Our aim is to establish a reference group of at least 200 people of varied age, background, location, interests in or experience of health conditions. You might have faced barriers in accessing healthcare, you might be part of a community you feel is under represented or seldom asked to express your views.
We would really appreciate it if you could share this message with your contacts and members. In the first instance we are just asking people to get in touch which they can do in the following ways.
- By email to public.involvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk
- By phoning 0800 731 4052 (free of charge) – you may need to leave a message
- By completing our online form http://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/public-engagement/hear-from-you/contact-form/
- Or by sending us a note in the post to Public Involvement, Education Centre, Borders General Hospital, Melrose, TD6 9BS
If you have any questions or would like further detail please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Carol Graham
Kind regards
Clare Oliver
Head of Communications and Engagement
NHS Borders
clare.oliver@borders.scot.nhs.uk
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Voting Procedures for the May Parliamentary Election
New Information from the Scottish Government regarding Voting Procedures for the May Parliamentary Election. Click here to go to the webpage. This information specifically concerns postal and proxy voting and is of particular interest to people who are self-isolating or shielding. General information about how to apply for a proxy or postal vote is here and check your Downloads folder
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Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
Anyone who may find themselves walking with a dog near livestock needs to be aware that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill successfully attained its 3rd reading at Holyrood recently and introduces draconian new penalties for dogs found molesting domestic stock. A fine of up to £40,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment! The Bill was introduced by Emma Harper MSP and there is an article in the Scottish Farmer at this link. The legislation updates an Act dating to 1953 and extends the definition of livestock to include alpaca and buffalo.
Scotways Spring Newsletter
Carlops Community Council has just received the Scotways Spring Newsletter – a publication of the Scottish Rights of Way Society. The information is aimed particularly at walkers but is of general interest. Visit www.scotways.com to view
Message Received Wednesday 24th March
Sent: 23 March 2021 09:23
Subject: Shielding
You will be aware that on Tuesday 16 March, the First Minister set out an indicative timetable for the easing of restrictions across Scotland. As of the 2 April the stay at home guidance will be changed from stay at home to stay local, and some services such as garden centres, hairdressers and non- essential click and collect will resume form 5 April. Thereafter on 26 April, it is expected that all of mainland Scotland will move into level 3.
At this time we are advising those on the shielding list to continue to follow the enhanced guidance that we have provided, and a letter from the Chief Medical Officer will be issued week commencing 22 March. The current guidance for those on the shielding list living within level 4 area is that they should not attend work unless they can work from home. Young adults and children should not attend school/college/university in person, but should instead continue to learn at home or virtually.
In advance of the easing of restrictions, we will be sending the below SMS today to all those on the shielding list who are currently signed up to the messaging service that are currently living under level 4 restrictions.
Under 16
GOV.SCOT
From 26 April, children and young people on the shielding list can return to school and formal childcare. We expect that on this date all areas in Level 4 will go down to Level 3, which means the infection risk will be much lower. We’ll let you know if this changes. The Chief Medical Officer is writing to you with more information. You can also find out more at www.mygov.scot/shielding
GOV.SCOT
From 26 April, people on the shielding list can return to colleges, universities and the workplace (if they cannot work from home). We expect that on this date all areas in Level 4 will go down to Level 3, which means the infection risk will be much lower. We’ll let you know if this changes. The Chief Medical Officer is writing to you with more information. This letter will also replace the shielding notification we sent you before. This means you can use it to show you cannot go into the workplace while your area is still in Level 4. Find out more at www.mygov.scot/shielding
For more information view or download these PDF files:
Shielding – Level 4 FAQ – March
Covid-19-Shielding – LA Engagement- Level 3 Protections – QA…17th March 2021
Message Received Wednesday 24th February
This message concerns voting in the Scottish Parliamentary elections of May 6th 2021 specifically in respect of the parents and guardians of under-16s on the Shielding List. See below for the corresponding letter for over 16s
IMPORTANT: PERSONAL
Your Community Health Index (CHI) number: [CHI NUMBER]
Information for parents and guardians
of under-16s on the shielding list
Voting safely in the Scottish Parliament election – 6 May 2021
If you are the person named at the top of this letter, please show it to your parent or guardian. This information is for them, as people have to be 16 or over to vote in the Scottish Parliament election.
Dear Parent or Guardian,
I’m writing to you about ways you and the other adults in your household can vote safely in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 6 May 2021. As you live with someone aged under 16 on the shielding list, the people in your household may wish to vote by post, or by asking someone you trust to vote on your behalf (a ‘proxy vote’). This is so that you can avoid a busy indoor space, such as a polling station, and reduce your risk of catching coronavirus (COVID-19). You might also want to discuss this advice with any other people you live with, so that they can help reduce your household’s risk by choosing to vote from home as well.
Apply early if you want a postal or proxy vote
Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote. I have enclosed information from the Electoral Commission which tells you how to apply. If you choose to vote by post, please make sure you post your application to your local Electoral Registration Office well before the deadline of 5pm on 6 April 2021 to make sure it arrives in time. Applications for proxy votes must be submitted by 5pm on 27 April 2021.
Current advice for people on the shielding list
At the moment, I am advising everyone on the shielding list to keep following the advice I sent in my previous letter. This includes my advice that they should not go into work or school if they live, work or attend school in a lockdown area.
Yours sincerely,
DR GREGOR SMITH
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
XX February 2021
IMPORTANT: PERSONAL
Your Community Health Index (CHI) number: [CHI NUMBER]
Voting safely in the Scottish Parliament election – 6 May 2021
Dear Patient,
I’m writing to you about ways you and the other people in your household can vote safely in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 6 May 2021. As someone on the shielding list, I would encourage you to vote by post, or by asking someone you trust to vote on your behalf (a ‘proxy vote’). This is so that you can avoid a busy indoor space, such as a polling station, and reduce your risk of catching coronavirus (COVID-19). You might also want to discuss this advice with any other people you live with, so that they can help reduce your risk by choosing to vote from home as well.
Apply early if you want a postal or proxy vote
Anyone who is registered to vote can apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote. I have enclosed information from the Electoral Commission which tells you how to apply. If you choose to vote by post, please make sure you post your application to your local Electoral Registration Office well before the deadline of 5pm on 6 April 2021 to make sure it arrives in time. Applications for proxy votes must be submitted by 5pm on 27 April 2021.
Current advice for people on the shielding list
At the moment, I am advising everyone on the shielding list, whether or not you’ve had the vaccine, to keep following the advice I sent you in my previous letter. This includes my advice that you should not go into work if you live or work in a lockdown area, even if you’ve had the vaccine. I will let you know if this advice changes as we learn more about the impact of the vaccination.
With this in mind, you may feel safer voting from home.
Yours sincerely,
DR GREGOR SMITH
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Information from CAB for your attention and dissemination
There are a few emergency options available for Electric meter top ups, to get funds to top-up your meter the physical aspect of someone going into a person’s home to load the card or key on to the meter is an issue if they don’t have a friend, neighbour or family member to help.
Options for people with no money to top-up their pre-payment meter:
· The householder should contact their Utility company to see if they can help.
· They could apply to Scottish Borders Council for a crisis grant – if eligible.
· If Scottish Power customers CAB ( not sure who else) can apply to The Scottish Power Hardship Voucher Scheme. £30 in summer and £49 in winter on their behalf.
· The Scottish Government has allocated £444,500 to the Fuel Bank Foundation for emergency top-up credits to help tackle fuel poverty. Applic1ation is made through Home Energy Scotland.
· Again CAB can help with that. I have been told that any award will be available within a few hours after referral.
I have attached a referral form for any organisation wanting to refer someone to us for any help. This covers all the Border CABx. Just email the CAB nearest to where the person lives.
Central Borders covers Galashiels and all around. ( Stow, Lauder, Earlston, St. Boswalls, Newtown, Selkirk and Clovenfords)
Best wishes
Kathryn Peden Manager Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau
111 High Street Galashiels TD1 1RZ 01896 753889
KathrynPeden@centralborderscab.casonline.org.uk
The referral form can be downloaded in PDF format from:
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/general-form-for-referrals-to-CABx.pdf
COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Update
Over 23,000 people have received their first dose of the Covid vaccine in the Borders so far.
All people aged 80 and over on our lists have now been offered a vaccination.
In line with the national rollout plan in Scotland Wave 2 commenced on 1 February. Our teams are aiming to offer the vaccination to the 24,000 people who are eligible in wave 2 by the 15th of February.
In the Borders vaccinations for Wave 2 is being delivered in GP Practices and some community venues. People who are eligible will be contacted to book their appointment. You will be advised which venue you will receive your vaccination at when you are contacted to book your appointment. Please do not contact your practice or our booking hub direct unless you receive personal correspondence inviting you to do so.If you are advised to contact your practice or our booking hub please be patient when trying to get through, someone will be with you as soon as possible.
Wave 3 will commence mid-February and will run to early May. The following groups will be eligible as part of this wave:
o all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
o Unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18
o all those 60 years of age and over
o all those 55 years of age and over
o all those 50 years of age and over
NHS Borders will be delivering vaccinations in Wave 3 at the following venues in the Borders:
o Queen’s Leisure Centre – Galashiels
o Gytes Leisure Centre – Peebles
o Hawick Town Hall – Hawick
o Eyemouth Community Centre – Eyemouth
o Springwood Park – Kelso
We have worked with Scottish Borders Council to select these venues based on population size and demographic to ensure that those eligible are able to access their appointment when it is their turn.
Appointments for Wave 3 will be allocated and sent to those eligible by letter. Further details will follow in due course.
Nicky Berry, Director of Nursing and Operations said: “We are working incredibly hard to vaccinate as many people who are eligible in Wave 2 as quickly as possible and also administer second doses to those from Wave 1 in line with the national rollout plan. In addition, our team are preparing for Wave 3 which will commence in the coming weeks. This is a huge undertaking with extremely challenging timescales and we therefore ask the public to remain patient. It is important that people are aware that there will be variation throughout the Borders as practices and venues receive vaccine supplies and administer them to their local community.
“I would like to thank our staff and GP colleagues for their continued dedication and hard work to deliver the vaccination programme. I would also like to thank Scottish Borders Council and Live Borders for their support in providing venues in the community and also to Live Borders staff who are helping in these community venues welcoming and assisting people when they arrive for their vaccination.”
Up to date information about our vaccination programme is available on our website: http://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination
January 6th 2020
There are three new messages from Scottish Borders regarding the new lockdown. Click on the links, and the PDF documents will either appear in a new tab or in your Downloads folder
Covid-19 – Shielding – Lockdown CMO letter for children FINAL 5 Jan 2021
Covid-19 – Shielding – Lockdown fit note for adults FINAL 5 January 2021
Covid-19-Shielding- LA Engagement- Lockdown Level 4 – QA Jan 2021
December 17th 2020
Message received from Margaret Smail (Communities Assistance Hub) Thursday 17th December:
There is a new British Red Cross calendar of activities for older people. Click here for details
Tweeddale Learning Community Partnership Bulletin December 2020 – Click here for details
December 4th 2020
Message received from Margaret Smail (Communities Assistance Hub) Friday 4th December following online meeting with Community representatives:
CAH holiday hours: 21st December – 24th December (3pm) as normal
25th-28th December public holidays. Any emergency requests will be dealt with by Social Work Emergency Duty Team
29th– 31st December(3pm) as normal
1st January – 4th January public holidays. Any emergency requests will be dealt with by Social Work Emergency Duty Team
5th January business as usual.
Everyone indicated that there would be volunteer cover over the holiday period. On current trend things remain quiet but we may see referrals coming through the Test &Protect welfare calls to people self isolating. Please let me know if there is no volunteer cover in your community.
Margaret agreed to send out link to Scottish Government Dashboard to get the latest Corona virus figures (updated every day at 2pm)
It is an ever evolving picture but figures for Covid remain low in the Borders and across Scotland there is a reduction in numbers at present. Scottish Borders remains in Tier 2
The first Covid vaccinations in the Borders are due to be given to First Responders and emergency NHS staff at the BGH on Tuesday 8th December
Margaret has some supermarket cards to be used to support those most in need with food shopping. Please get in touch with me if have any individuals or families in your communities who would benefit from these.
There were some great examples given of work going on during this time in local communities as well as activities etc. planned for the festive period. I have attached a form from the Food Foundation as a template . I would be grateful if you could very briefly give details of what is going on in your own community which I will share with you all.
Margaret will continue to send out regular updates.
It was agreed that a monthly meeting would be useful. Margaret to send out a Teams meeting request for the 2nd Thursday of every month (once I work out how to do it!)
Public Health Updateable Dashboard:
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Public-Health-Scotland-Dashboard-QA-002.pdf
Update 4/12/20: http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RC-2020-Update-1.pdf
November 2020
Message received 18-11-2020 includes Borders-wide information about the following:
- Turas (Gaelic singing group) events
- Play #yourpart by helping SBC to shape budget plans:
- Citizen Rights Scotland: new EU settlement Scheme
- Children’s Parliament final report from national wellbeing survey for 8 to 14 year olds
- Drink Wise Age Well Programme
Click the following link to view or download the PDF:
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30th October. The following documents relate to a single letter received from SBC. Click on the link to download as a PDF file
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/VitaminD-and-General-Health-Advice.pdf
Guidance related to the 5 Levels of Covid-19 protection:
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Protection_Levels.pdf
Shielding: http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Shielding.pdf
For the entire letter click the following link:
http://carlops.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Shielding_-Health_and_Wellbeing-_Protection_Levels.pdf
October 2020 The Warm and Well Initiative
Warm-and-Well-Borders-Project-Briefing.pdf
Warm and Well Borders will target vulnerable groups specifically through health and social care partnerships, to provide support and advocacy, and to tackle fuel poverty. Project officers will broaden referral pathways working cooperatively with the local voluntary sector, social housing providers, and community health and social care practitioners to extend the reach of the project and share project results. Warm and Well Borders will be delivered through a partnership between Scottish Borders Council, Changeworks, three local Citizens Advice Bureaux, Home Energy Scotland, health and social care teams and community health organisations.
Home Energy Scotland (