RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL UPDATES

We are continuing to appeal for local businesses to come forward if they have been impacted by COVID-19 and are eligible to receive financial support.
Our Revenues and Benefits team are actively contacting business owners, where possible, to make them aware of the grant. As a result, RCC has now paid out £9.65million of COVID-19 grant funding to 830 local businesses. We estimate that circa 140 local businesses are eligible for financial support and yet to claim a grant.

Rutland County Council and Leicestershire Police have issued a Joint Message

Calling on drivers to watch their speed on local roads during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Department for Transport data indicates that motor vehicle use in Great Britain has fallen by two thirds over the past month. This has led to concerns that some motorists may be driving at unsafe speeds because roads are much quieter than normal.

Guidance on Public Rights of Way

At the end of March 2020 the Prime Minister brought in new powers to reduce social gatherings and limit outdoor pursuits. Further detail on the current position can be found at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Defra has since issued further guidance on public access, including some sample wording that can be used on signs for those with busy public rights of way passing through farm yards, gardens or close to residential properties: www.gov.uk/ government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces.

The rights of way network remains open and owners/occupiers should not unlawfully obstruct or restrict the rights of way network. Where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

• Tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch the gate;
• Displaying temporary notices asking users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools;
• Offering a permissive alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so (permission must be obtained from relevant landowners and steps must be taken to make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained.

It is also necessary to check the insurance position before doing this to ensure that appropriate cover is in place.

The NFU has welcomed this clarification. Template signs using Defra- approved wording are available for landowners to download from the NFU website: https://www.nfuonline.com/news/coronavirus-updates-and-advice/coronavirus-news/coronavirus-guidance-on-public-rights-of-way/

Update on Local Transport Services

All local bus services in Rutland are now operating temporarily reduced timetables, having seen a significant drop in passenger numbers following the introduction of government social distancing guidelines.

Further timetable changes may also be made at short notice. As a result, passengers who need to make essential journeys are being asked to check regularly with bus operators to see which services are running and when.

For information about local bus services relevant to your journey, passengers are advised to check with:

Centrebus
www.centrebus.info 
Telephone – 0844 351 1120

Call Connect
www.lincsbus.info 
Telephone – 0345 263 8153

Delaine Buses
www.delainebuses.com
Telephone 01778 422866

Mark Bland Travel
www.markblandtravel.com
Telephone 01780 751671

Rutland County Council continues to run a free minibus service for essential journeys between Oakham and Stamford, calling at Whitwell, Empingham, Tickencote and Great Casterton.

This service runs at set times, Monday to Friday, and must be booked in advance by calling 01572 758138 with at least one working days’ notice.

Supermarket Volunteer Cards

Supermarkets ASDA, Sainsbury’s and M&S are now offering a volunteer card/voucher scheme.

These can be purchased online by residents who are self-isolating and then given to family, friends or volunteers who are helping them with shopping. They are available to purchase online so may not be an option for all residents. However, it’s a good way to safeguard both residents and volunteers, where possible, as these are cashless transactions and avoid the need to share bank cards/details etc.

More details can be found on the relevant supermarket’s website:

www.sainsburysgiftcard.co.uk
cards.asda.com/volunteer
www.marksandspencer.com/all-in-this-together/p/p60282075

Website Updates

The following updates have been made to the COVID-19 Hub on Rutland County Council’s website this week:

New Young People’s page
A new page has been added to the RCC website with specific advice and information for young people. This includes information about ways to protect mental health and learning new skills while the COVID-19 lockdown remains in place. There are also details of who to contact if a young person would like to speak to one of our youth engagement workers or a trained mentor.

New Home Learning page
A new page has been added to the website providing signposting to information and activities for families. This includes links to online resources that can help children and parents with schooling and development. Please
share this with families and direct them to the page:

https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-council/council-news/free-online-learning-sessions-for-families/

Changes to Existing Council Services page

Further information has now been added to the webpage that lists any changes and closures to Council services. Following the latest update, this page now carries additional information detailing services that are continuing to operate as normal.