NEWS

We have received the following message regarding the status of Flitch Way:

Dear all,

There has been some confusion regarding the closure of the Flitch Way following Essex County Council’s decision to close all country parks from Sunday evening, please find and updated notice below.

“In order to limit the spread of coronavirus, all ECC Country Parks have been closed until further notice. However, the sections of the Flitch Way that are public rights of way ie bridleway will remain open – please use them safely and in line with the government’s advice regarding social distancing.”

Please feel free to copy the above sentence over to your local social media pages and groups or pass them onto someone that can.

Tom Hamilton

Ranger

Great Notley Country Park and the Flitch Way

Culture and Green Spaces

Place and Public Health

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Dear resident,

I have never written to anyone on a more important subject. I would ask that you please take a moment to read this message.

We are facing the biggest challenge of our times. Coronavirus is a killer. If we do nothing, 500,000 people across our great country will die.

But that horrendous outcome will not happen, provided we act.

The Government has issued good advice. But not all of us are following it.

This is not good enough. We MUST heed the advice from Government.

It is simple. And it is in our hands.

STAY HOME. SAVE LIVES.

Across Essex this weekend, we have seen people behaving in a way which was very much like going about their usual business.

I will be blunt. This is not acceptable.

We MUST socially distance.

Even though some schools across Essex will stay open, you should ONLY take your children to them, if you have been notified that you are a critical worker AND if you absolutely have NO other option.

The NHS

If the epidemic peaks, as it has in Italy, which has a world-class health system, the NHS will be overwhelmed.

We must not allow the ‘peak’ of the epidemic to outstrip the NHS’s capacity to care.

Every single one of us can ensure that this nightmare scenario does not happen.

In China, and South Korea, the spread of the virus has been kept in check because Governments have acted quickly enough, and people have followed advice. We must follow suit. Our great County of Essex has always risen to the challenges over the decades. This is the greatest one of our times.

Please, follow the advice. Stay Home. Save Lives. #StayHomeSaveLives

Cllr David Finch, Leader, Essex County Council

Dr Mike Gogarty, Director of Public Health, Essex County Council

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With the rapidly developing Coronavirus situation, never has it need more important to for us all to keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable in our society.

Whilst there are national helplines and support structures, the Parish Council want to share some more local routes to getting help.

For those with Internet access, ‘NextDoor Felsted’ is an excellent source of help and support. The number of people spontaneously sharing information and offering their time to shop for those unable to leave home is amazing. If you have internet access we highly recommend you join.

However, there are many in our community who do not have access to the Internet, and we would encourage everyone to check on neighbours to see if help is needed, or just if a chat over the phone would help lift the spirits of someone self-isolating.

In addition, we have set up a dedicated Felsted helpline, 07936 070732. This number will be manned by Councillors, in rotation. The goal is to offer a non-internet facility to link those able to offer to help (with shopping, prescriptions, posting letters etc) with those who need it.

Please, therefore, if you are able to offer your time and help beyond your immediate neighbours, please call to let us know, and, if you need help, please call to ask and we will try to put you in touch with someone local who can help.

This information is being placed on Parish Council noticeboards to help reach those without internet access.

Please see the following message regarding Schools from Essex County Council

Dear Parents,
I am writing to give you further guidance on the way that schools across Essex will be operating over the coming weeks. These changes cover all registered childcare providers (including nurseries and childminders), maintained and academy primary schools, maintained and academy secondary schools; special schools, further education colleges and independent schools.
Firstly, I want to be clear that following the Government directive issued on Wednesday, as from the end of today (Friday 20th March) schools across Essex will be closed. This is to limit the chance of the virus spreading. The Government have indicated that by limiting the number of children who attend schools, settings and colleges, the spread of the virus will reduce and lower the risk to vulnerable individuals in our communities.
School, settings and colleges are being directed to continue to provide care for a limited number of children – children who are deemed vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be cared for safely at home.
The Government have defined vulnerable children as children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

The list of critical workers can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Even with some limited support for parents of vulnerable children and critical workers, the advice from the Government is clear: if you can safely look after your children during this time of a national emergency, then you should do so.

Children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
If your child has an EHCP they will be able to attend a school, college or setting. This is an offer and there is no requirement for you to send your child(ren) to school if you do not need to or wish not to do so, you must let your education provider know what you decide.
It is likely that there will be changes to the opening times for some schools in order to remain open in a safe way. Your school will provide you with details of what their plans are and what any changes will mean for you and your child(ren).

The Government are putting legislation in place to temporarily amend parts of the Children and Families Act 2014, including those relating to special educational provision and health care provision in EHCPs. It is highly unlikely that schools, settings and colleges will be able to provide the same provision that is in your child’s current plan but they will work with you around suitable arrangements for your child(ren). There will be delays in the timescales for requests for assessment and new EHCPs during this time.
The majority of children with SEND, who receive SEN Support at school but do not have an EHCP, are expected to stay at home, unless as a parent you are deemed a critical worker.

For children with health needs or underlying health conditions
Schools and colleges will work with parents to make a case by case assessment of the health and safeguarding considerations of children with an EHCP. For some, they will be safer in an education provision. For others, they will be safer at home. Schools and colleges will discuss this with you.

If you are a critical worker:
Children with at least one parent or carer identified as a critical worker by the Government can send their children to a school, college or setting if required. The list of critical workers is above.
Even though you may be deemed a critical worker, it is expected that if your child(ren) can stay at home, they should do so.
Schools, settings and colleges will not be able to provide an education offer to your child(ren) but will be able to provide facilities to enable you to go to work. All normal and usual education activity has been suspended during this emergency period.
If you are not a critical worker and your child(ren) is not classified as vulnerable:
We appreciate that this is a concerning time for all parents, but we are all being urged to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and directed schools to be open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Education resources for children
Schools, colleges and settings will be providing a range of resources to support you at home with your child(ren).
Schools are working closely with the Local Authority and the Headteacher Associations in order to offer a consistent and safe response to the current crisis. The health and safety of your children is everyone’s first priority.

Thank you for your co-operation at this time.

Kind Regards,

Clare Kershaw
Director of Education
Sent of behalf of:
Essex County Council
The Association of Secondary Headteachers in Essex
Essex Primary Headteacher Association
Essex Special Schools Education Trust

Please note that, due to the Coronavirus situation, the Parish Council offices are closed until further notice. 

There will also be no further Council Meetings until further notice.

The telephone number below is diverting to our Clerk and Assistant Clerk, who are both working from home.

Clerk to the Council: Mrs Diane Smith
Assistant Clerk: Mrs Heather Read

Phone: 01371 823071
Email: ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd@krelc

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Information from Kemi Badenoch, MP for the Saffron Walden constituency regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This is a worrying and challenging time for us all and the advice on Coronavirus is changing day by day because of the fast-moving environment. I understand it is difficult to know what advice to follow when there is so much information out there.

Furthermore, I am receiving messages from constituents who are offering to help and others who want to know how they can help. It is good to see the community coming together in a desire to support one another, especially the elderly and vulnerable.

For both these reasons, I have put together a page on my website that includes the links to the most up to date information from all the various bodies I am in touch with.  These include the Government, local authorities such as Essex County Council, Uttlesford District Council and Chelmsford City Council, as well as information from local organisations and charities across the constituency. Please follow this link to access it: www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-guidance

For constituents who do not have access to the internet, as advised by Public Health England, if you think you have might have coronavirus don’t go to your doctor’s surgery or hospital. If you need to speak to someone, call 111 and they will make arrangements directly for testing and treatment or 999 if you require urgent medical treatment. Carers are also advised to call 111 or doctor surgeries for specific advice.

The Government will be holding daily televised briefings on Coronavirus and I would encourage constituents to tune in for the most up to date information and advice.

If you do have any individual concerns, please do contact me via email at ku.tnemailrapobfsctd@pm.hconedab.imek or call my office on 0207 219 1934 and we will endeavour to sign post you to the relevant organisation for information.

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We have received a number of notices regarding road closures around Felsted to allow the installation of broadband services. Please see below for details:

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1)

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Cock Green Road, Bannister Green, Felsted 

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=116464829 to find details of the intended closure of Cock Green Road, Bannister Green, due to commence on 26th March 2020 for 2 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while County Broadband LTD undertakes To install duct, chambers & poles. Complete cabling, civils work & tree cutting under road closure.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Evelyn Road, Felsted 

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=116465222 to find details of the intended closure of Evelyn Road, due to commence on 31st March 2020 for 10 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while County Broadband LTD undertakes Lay Ducting , Cabling , Poles and Tree Cutting in the verge under a road closure.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Molehill Green Road, Felsted

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=116465435 to find details of the intended closure of Molehill Green Road, due to commence on 7th April 2020 for 9 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while County Broadband LTD undertakes Lay Ductng , Poling , Cabling , Tree Cutting in the verge , under road closure.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Hollow Road, Felsted

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=116464866 to find details of the intended closure of Hollow Road, due to commence on 15th April 2020 for 8 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while County Broadband LTD undertakes works to install duct, chambers & poles. Complete cabling, civils work & tree cutting under road closure.

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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1)

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=116707753 to find details of the intended closure of Station Road, due to commence on 17th April 2020 for 5 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while Essex County Council undertakes Pre-patching for surface dressing 2020 (2000-0500).

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Following the resignation of Alan Mackrill the Council have a vacant seat on the Parish Council, which will be filled by co-option.

If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor and wish to be considered for this vacancy please let the Clerk know by  18 March 2020. Interviews will then be held and the Council will appoint the most suitable candidate.

If you wish to know more about the role and what it entails please feel free to contact the Clerk, or any Councillor, for more information.

Diane Smith

Clerk to Felsted Parish Council

Office: 01371 823071                  E mail: ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd@krelc

The Parish Council has once again booked the popular green waste skip service for the coming gardening season.

The collection will take place at Bannister Green from 9-10am every Sunday between 8 March and 6 December 2020.

Please ‘spread the word’ amongst your gardening friends.

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