Covid-19 Information

The Parish Council have created this page so that useful information can be stored in an easily remembered place.

Friday 26th February 2021:

Tuesday 16th February 2021:

Thousands more added to Emergency Community Fund

Tewkesbury Borough Council has invested a further £50,000 of extra funding to help community groups who are supporting vulnerable people through the coronavius pandemic.

The Covid-19 Emergency Community Fund launched in April 2020 to provide financial support to voluntary and community groups as they responded to exceptional challenges during the first lockdown. From April 2020 to December 2020, 105 grants – totalling £87,165 – have been distributed to 78 organisations across Tewkesbury Borough (with some receiving more than one grant). 

Of the grants awarded last year, 56 funded IT equipment and other resources, 28 provided PPE and cleaning equipment, 17 supported ongoing service delivery costs, 15 covered volunteer expenses and nine helped with publicity costs (some grants supported more than one type of cost).

Now that Tewkesbury Borough Council has invested a further £50,000, it is once again urging community groups to apply. Groups that have already received funding can apply again if there is an exceptional need and the project meets the eligibility criteria.

The following activities are a priority for this grant programme:

• Direct and immediate practical support for vulnerable groups
• Initiatives to reduce isolation and vulnerability
• Initiatives to support mental wellbeing

For more information on how to apply, go to the TBC website or contact Louise Gifford, Community Funding Officer, on 01684 272192 or at louise.gifford@tewkesbury.gov.uk.

Friday 29th January 2021:

Thursday 28th January 2021:

New lockdown grant for closed businesses: 

 A national lockdown grant is available for businesses that have been required to close as a result of the current coronavirus restrictions. Tewkesbury Borough Council is responsible for administering the Covid-19 national lockdown grant across the borough and is inviting applications from local business owners.

In order to be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close as a result of the national restrictions imposed by the government from Tuesday, 5 January. Business owners must also operate a business-rated property registered on the council’s business rates system and must no longer be serving customers from the premises.

The current national lockdown is expected to last a minimum of six weeks. Business owners who have successfully applied will receive an initial payment to help them through this six-week period – the amount payable is based on the rateable value of the premises. If, at the end of six weeks, the lockdown continues, businesses will receive further payments according to the government’s guidelines without needing to apply again.

The council is advising business owners to check its Covid-19 business grants webpage as, if they are eligible for the national lockdown grant, they may also be eligible for a Tier 4 restrictions grant.

For more information and to apply, please visit the council’s Covid-19 national lockdown grant webpage.

The council has received a large number of applications for the tier-restriction support grants announced last month and is busy prioritising and processing these. The team processing the applications would like to reassure applicants that they will make payments as soon as they possibly can.   

Wednesday 27th January 2021:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

 An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see the planned locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.

To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

Latest locations and dates:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 22nd January 2021:

Wednesday 30th December 2020:

Thursday 24th December 2020:

Key messages:

• Gloucestershire to move to Tier 3 from Boxing Day: Gloucestershire will be subject to Government’s Tier 3 restrictions from 00:01 on Saturday 26 December. We have scheduled ‘reminder’ social media posts between now and Boxing Day, in the hope that it encourages people to follow the Tier 3 guidance when it comes in to effect.
• Christmas Bubbles on 25^th December: On Christmas Day only, you are able to form a Christmas bubble with people from no more than three households, should you wish to do so. To help keep yourself and others safe, you should keep your bubble small, maintain as much distance as possible and avoid staying overnight if you don’t have to. You should not join a Christmas bubble with anyone from a Tier 4 area.
• ‘Letters to Father Christmas’ videos from members of the community have continued to appear on our social media channels. We aim to raise awareness of things people have missed doing this year and that they want to get back to in 2021, in turn reminding them to follow the guidance.
• Gloucestershire farmer and Cotswold Farm Park owner Adam Henson has produced to video message about staying safe this Christmas and into the New Year, which went out on Monday across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Do it for Gloucestershire: more video case studies will appear on social media in the New Year, featuring both businesses and the public, with the aim of encouraging people in Gloucestershire to stick to the guidelines, so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
• “2020 is nearly over – but COVID isn’t.’’: look out for our striking red image on lampposts across Gloucester, as well as on social media, online, on the ad-van, supermarket screens and in newspapers.
• Christmas message from the council leader: Cllr Mark Hawthorne has recorded a brief message to the county which will go out on social media on Christmas Eve. He mentions good work done by NHS and Social Care colleagues throughout 2020, and also those mentioned in our ‘This Is…’ campaign. 

In the last 7 days there were 1,103 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 313 were in Gloucester
• 176 were in Stroud
• 160 were in Cheltenham
• 133 were in Tewkesbury
• 178 were in Forest of Dean
• 143 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. 

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 176.9 in Gloucestershire, 136.9 in the South West, and 318.9 in England. 

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 50 (Saturday  5^th December  – Friday 11th December) there were 31 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 21.4% of all deaths, this compares with 28 (21.9% of all deaths) in Week 49

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 19^th December, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.     

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 376 (24 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 298 (9 new)

Monday 21st December 2020:

New grants support businesses into the New Year

New support grants are now available for businesses in Tewkesbury Borough that have been financially impacted by Covid Tier 2 restrictions.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is responsible for administering and delivering the grants and will welcome applications from Monday, 21 December, with payments being made in the new year.

These grants are targeted at:

• Businesses that were legally required to close when the borough went into Tier 2 on Wednesday, 2 December.
• Businesses operating in – or directly supplying – the hospitality, bed and breakfast, hotel and leisure sectors that remain open but have been severely impacted due to local restrictions.

In addition, a Christmas grant in the form of a one-off payment of £1000 is available for ‘wet’ pubs – pubs whose income predominantly comes from the serving of alcohol rather than food orders – to offset their loss of much-needed business during what would usually be a very busy and profitable period. Pubs that operated as wet pubs before the pandemic, but now serve food in order to remain open, also qualify for this payment.

To make the application process easily accessible, the council has introduced one single form for all businesses to fill out, regardless of which grant applies to them.

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “This has been an exceptionally challenging year for businesses throughout the borough and we are continuing to do everything possible to help them by offering extra financial assistance over the Christmas period.

“Hospitality businesses in particular will be severely affected by the Tier 2 regulations over the festive season, but we hope this additional funding will go some way to alleviate the financial impact of the local restrictions. We want to make sure they receive all the support they are entitled to and I urge any business owner in the borough who is eligible for one of these grants to apply.”

To apply for a business support grant please visit: https://covid19.tewkesbury.gov.uk/covid19-business-grants

Friday 18th December 2020:

Key messages

• New Campaign Launched: “2020 is nearly over – but COVID isn’t.’’ We want everyone to be able to enjoy the Christmas that they deserve – whilst remembering that although 2020 might nearly be over, COVID isn’t. This campaign comes as a response to the rising number of infections in Gloucestershire and the lead up to Christmas. Please look out for our striking red image on social media and share where possible with your own contacts. We are advertising this message across the county in as many places as possible; online, with ad-vans, supermarket screens, lamp post leaflets and in newspapers.
• Christmas Bubbles between the 23rd and 27th December: You can choose to form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ with people from no more than three households. To help keep yourself and others your friends and family safe, you should keep your bubbles small, maintain as much distance as possible and avoid staying overnight if you don’t have to. Full information on Christmas Bubbles on the uk website. 
• Gloucestershire remains under Tier 2 restrictions: Gloucestershire is subject to Government’s Tier 2 restrictions until the 23 December and again after 28 December. We have scheduled ‘reminder’ social media posts between Christmas and New Year, in the hope that it encourages people to follow the Tier 2 guidance during the festive period outside of Christmas Bubbles. 
• ‘Letters to Father Christmas’ videos from members of the community will appear on our social media channels in the lead up for Christmas, launching today 18 December at 4pm. We aim to raise awareness of things people have missed doing this year and that they want to get back to in 2021, in turn reminding them to follow the guidance. A ‘positive’ toned message.
• Tier 2 and Christmas bubble myth busting quizzes will also run over the festive period on social media.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

In week 49 (Monday 30th November– Sunday 6th December) there were 886 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 279 were in Gloucester
• 184 were in the Forest of Dean
• 147 were in Stroud
• 106 were in Cheltenham
• 91 were in Tewkesbury
• 79 were in Cotswold   

Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 18:04 16/12/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 139.7 in Gloucestershire, 98.5 in the South West, and 216.8 in England.

Deaths mentioning COVID19

In week 49 (Saturday 28th   November  – Friday 4th December) there were 27 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 23.5% of all deaths, this compares with 22 (20.2% of all deaths) in Week 48

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 12^th December, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Please note the dates above, the ONS weeks run from Saturday- Friday and we are unable to change this.   

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 352 (22 new)

Deaths in care homes – 289 (5 new)

Thursday 17th December 2020:

From HMRC: Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – what you need to do now

The UK Government has reviewed the terms of the scheme, and announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will remain at the current level of 80% of usual wages for the hours not worked, and will be extended until the end of April‌ ‌2021.

Reminder of monthly deadlines

Thank you if you submitted your November furlough claim by the deadline of 14‌ ‌December.

If you did not submit your claim by this date, we may still accept it if you have a reasonable excuse for not claiming by the deadline. Go to GOV‌.UK and search ’claim for wages’ for more support.

Please note that reasonable excuses do not apply to late claims for periods before November, which should have been submitted already.

What you need to do now

1. If you haven’t submitted your claim for November but still need to, check if you have a reasonable excuse by searching ‘claim for wages’ – if your reason means you can claim late, please do so as soon as you’re able to.
2. Check you have not made any errors on your November claims, by looking at the eligibility criteria and calculating how much you can claim – search ‘Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.
3. Submit any claims for December no later than 14‌‌‌‌ ‌January.
4. Keep any records that support the amount of CJRS grants you claim, in case HMRC needs to check them. ‌

You can now make December claims

You can now submit your claims for periods in December. These must be made by 14 January.

To help you plan ahead to meet the monthly deadlines, here’s a list of the key dates you need to know:

• 14‌‌ January‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for December‌‌ 2020 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 15‌‌ February‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for January‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 15‌‌ March‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for February‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 14‌‌ April‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for March‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm
• 14‌‌ May‌‌ 2021 – final date to submit claims for April‌‌ 2021 by 11‌‌:59pm.

Frequently asked questions about CJRS

You can find everything you need to know about the CJRS on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK by searching ‘Job Retention Scheme’, but here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What if I’ve claimed too much in error?

If you have claimed too much CJRS grant and have not already repaid it, you must notify us and repay the money by the latest of whichever date applies below:

• 90 days from receiving the CJRS money you’re not entitled to
• 90 days from the point circumstances changed so that you were no longer entitled to keep the CJRS grant.

If you do not do this, you may have to pay interest and a penalty as well as repaying the excess CJRS grant. For more information on interest search ‘Interest rates for late and early payments’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.‌‌‌UK.

You can repay as part of your next online claim without needing to call us. If you claimed too much but do not plan to submit further claims, you can let us know and make a repayment online through our card payment service or by bank transfer – go to ‘Pay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants back’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌‌.‌‌‌‌‌‌UK.

What if I haven’t claimed enough?

If you made a mistake in your claim that means you received too little money, you’ll need to amend it within 28 calendar days after the month the claim relates to – unless this falls on a weekend or bank holiday, in which case the deadline is the next weekday. The deadline to amend claims for November is Tuesday‌ ‌29‌ ‌December.

To find out how to amend your claim, search ‘Get help with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

Why have monthly deadlines been introduced?

Introducing a 14-day deadline ensures that we can more regularly and accurately see and react to the impact of coronavirus on businesses and individuals.

Our data suggests that most employers have made their claim within 14 days each month. You can go to GOV‌‌.UK and search ’claim for wages’ if you were unable to meet a deadline.

Can I use CJRS grants to pay for holiday leave?

If you have furloughed employees because of the effect of coronavirus on your business, you can claim under the CJRS for periods of paid leave they take while on furlough, including for bank holidays such as Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

If your employee is flexibly furloughed, you can count any time taken as holiday as furloughed hours rather than working hours. This means you can claim 80% of their usual wages for these hours. You should not place employees on furlough just because they are going to be on paid leave.

If a furloughed employee takes holiday, you should top up their pay to their normal rate in line with the Working Time Regulations. For more information search ‘check if you can claim for your employees’ wages’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

Can I include a Christmas bonus in my calculation for the grant? 

You can claim for regular payments that you are contractually obliged to pay your employees, including compulsory commission, fees and overtime. However, you cannot claim for discretionary commission, non-contractual bonuses (including tips) and non-cash payments. For more information search ‘steps to take before calculating your claim’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

How do I calculate the grant amount for employees?

A CJRS calculator can work out most fixed or variable pay calculations – you can find our CJRS calculator on GOV‌‌.UK by searching ‘calculate how much you can claim’. However, the CJRS calculator cannot be used for some employees, including those who:

• were variably paid, and have been on more than one period of furlough where any part of any of the periods of furlough was in the 2019/20 tax year
• have variable pay, started employment before 6 April 2020 and were not on their employer’s payroll on or before 19‌‌ ‌March‌‌ ‌2020
• started employment with their employer during a calendar period in the 2019-20 tax year which corresponds with part or all of the period being claimed for.

For a complete list of circumstances, search ‘calculate how much you can claim’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

If you cannot use the calculator, you will need to work out what you can claim manually using the calculation guidance or by seeking professional advice from an accountant or tax adviser. It’s your responsibility to check that the amount you are claiming for is correct.

Where can I get further support?

Thousands of people have joined and benefited from our live webinars which now offer more support on changes to CJRS, and how they affect you. To book online, or to view updated guidance, go to GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌‌‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.

Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV‌.UK.

Tuesday 8th December 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations – updated and extended from last weeks dates.

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 4th December 2020:

Key messages

• Gloucestershire is now subject to the Government’s Tier 2 restrictions. 
• Gloucestershire County Council has announced which services will reopen or stay the same with the Tier 2 restrictions. 
• Last week, Government announced that there will be greater easing of restrictions over Christmas (between 23 and 27 December only) and you will be able to form a ‘Christmas bubble’ with up to three households.
• This week Gloucestershire County Council has taken delivery of 6000 lateral Flow Devices (LFD) from the Department of Health and Social Care, as part of a pilot, located at the Royal Agricultural University, which began yesterday (3 December). Tests are being offered to all students and staff at the University and near by Cirencester College and Deer Park School. Students and teachers who sign up will be tested twice a week.In addition to the county council’s pilot, The University of Gloucestershire and Hartpury University are delivering schemes for their students and staff. The NHS is also rolling out regular testing to all their frontline staff in Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust and Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust.

In week 48 (Monday 23rd November– Sunday 29th November) there were 646 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these  cases:

• 225 were in Gloucester
• 117 were in Cheltenham
• 105 were in Stroud
• 92 were in Tewkesbury
• 37 were in Cotswold
• 70 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:00 02/12/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 106.4 in Gloucestershire, 92.0 in the South West, and 153.9 in England.

In week 47 (Saturday 14^th  November  – Friday 20th November) there were 26 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 19.7% of all deaths, this compares with 21 (16.8% of all deaths) in Week 46

*Please note these figures are based on all deaths registered by the 28^th November, they are provisional and will be subject to change.  They include deaths that make any mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate.    (Source: Source: Weekly provisional figures on deaths occurring and registered in England and Wales by Local Authority)

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 306 (54 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 281 (2 new)

News from TBC: 

Tuesday 1st December 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

 An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.

To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 27th November 2020:

Key messages

• Government has confirmed Gloucestershire will be deemed ‘High’ risk and subject to Tier 2 restrictions from 3 December.
• It is also possible for areas to move between tiers, so it’s very important that we continue to follow the guidance. This will depend on a number of factors, including number of cases, available capacity within the NHS and the level to which people are following the guidance, including getting testing and isolating, if they test positive.
• Regular, good hand-washing, wearing a face covering and keeping two meters apart continues to be essential steps for everyone to follow.

GCC are running a new social media campaign until mid December called ‘Do It For Gloucestershire.’ They will be featuring both businesses and the public with the aim of encouraging people in Gloucestershire to stick to the guidelines, so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible. Please keep an eye out for the videos, which they will be posting out over the next couple of weeks, remember to like and share them with your friends and family. The first video went out on Tuesday across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 47 (Monday 16th November– Sunday 22th November) there were 862 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 280 were in Gloucester
• 155 were in Stroud
• 141 were in Cheltenham
• 131 were in Tewkesbury
• 107 were in Forest of Dean
• 48 were in Cotswold

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 17:37 26/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 141.9 in Gloucestershire, 139.7 in the South West, and 209.1 in England. (15^th-21^st Nov 2020 inclusive)

In week 46 (Saturday 7^th November  – Friday 13th November) there were 20 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 16.8% of all deaths, this compares with 10 (10.2% of all deaths) in Week 45.

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 189 (4 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 281 (2 new) 

News from TBC:

Wednesday 25th November 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur.

The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away.To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Click-and-collect businesses eligible for support grant

Businesses forced to close, but who are offering a ‘click-and-collect’ service, are eligible for a national restrictions support grant.

The national government website gives details about the types of businesses that are allowed to remain open and those that are required to close due to restrictions during the second lockdown.

In the main, businesses that sell or hire non-essential goods must close; they may, however, continue to do trade through delivery and through click-and-collect services, where items are pre-ordered and collected by the customers. Such businesses are still eligible for a national restrictions support grant because their main source of trade – whereby people make purchases by visiting the premises in person – has been forced to close.

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “We are aware of the very real difficulties facing businesses this winter and are taking every step possible to make sure they receive the financial support they are entitled to. We want to draw their attention to the fact that if they are required to close physically, they are still eligible for this support grant even if they are trading though delivery or click-and-collect. Selling goods by these means does not affect their entitlement to this funding, and I urge them to apply now.” 

 Applications for a national restrictions support grant can be made here.

Monday 23rd November 2020:

More financial support for businesses affected by the current lockdown

Tewkesbury Borough Council has been given additional government funding to support more businesses severely impacted by the current lockdown period.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is for businesses who have suffered a financial loss as a result of the national restrictions that came into force on Thursday, 5 November but have not been required to close.

Councils are able to determine which businesses to target and how much they can receive through this additional funding. 

Tewkesbury Borough Council has determined its eligibility criteria for the grant, which includes:

• businesses which supply the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors                                                  
• businesses in the events sector or who supply the events sector                                                   
• businesses who have been forced to close due to circumstances beyond their control                        
• businesses who have been severely impacted by the national restrictions in place from Thursday, 5 November 2020 to Wednesday, 2 December 2020                                                                                           

Councillor Rob Bird, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: “There will be many businesses throughout the borough who, although not themselves required to close, are adversely affected by the restrictions imposed during this second lockdown. This extra funding will enable us to provide financial support for these businesses and help them through a very difficult time, and I would ask anyone interested in obtaining funding to check the criteria to see if they are eligible.”

Further details on the grant’s eligibility criteria and the online application form can be found here.

Free support and advice on wider support schemes are also available through the Tewkesbury Growth Hub. For more information, please email tewkesbury@thegrowthhub.biz.

Friday 20th November 2020:

Key messages

• On Thursday, 5 November national restrictions came into force across England to help control the spread of Covid-19, to protect the NHS and to save lives.These include:
  • Stay at home
  • Work from home
  • Avoid travel unless essential
  • Remember: wash hands, cover face, make space

• A full list of county council service changes is available on the Covid-19 section of the county council website.

• With two weeks remaining until the national restrictions are set to end, we need to do all we can to prevent the number of Covid-19 cases in the county rising. We must all act now, the steps we all can take are simple, but could make a difference.

• Ofsted highlight county council’s response to Covid-19

• Almost £1.2million secured for cycling and walking in Gloucestershire – Emergency Active Travel Fund update. 

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats:

In week 46 (Monday 9th November– Sunday 15th November) there were 1031 confirmed cases of Covid-19: 

• 245 were in Gloucester
• 207 were in Cheltenham
• 179 were in Stroud
• 147 were in Cotswold
• 147 were in Tewkesbury
• 106 were in Forest of Dean

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:22 18/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 156.0 in Gloucestershire, 192.7 in the South West, and 270.3 in England. 

In week 45 (Saturday 31^st October  – Friday 6th November) there were 8 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 8.4% of all deaths, this compares with 3 (2.3% of all deaths) in Week 44.

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 252 (9 new)

Deaths in care homes – 279 (9 new)

News from TBC:

Friday 13th November 2020:

Key messages

• On Thursday, 5 November national restrictions came into force across England to help control the spread of Covid-19, to protect the NHS and to save lives.These include:
  • Stay at home
  • Work from home
  • Avoid travel unless essential
  • Remember: wash hands, cover face, make space

• A full list of county council service changes is available on the Covid-19 section of the county council website.

• New national guidance on care home visiting was published last week (5 November) and local advice and guidance has been updated as a result and shared with all care homes, to help them plan for and manage visiting.
• Going to school is best for children’s wellbeing and future
• The Gloucestershire Help Hub was stepped back up on 7 November to take calls over the weekend. Calls have been low so far, with queries about NHS Test & Trace and the Test & Trace support payments being distributed by district councils.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 45 (Monday 2nd November– Sunday 8th November) there were 842 confirmed cases of Covid-19 

Of these  cases:

• 178 were in Gloucester
• 223 were in Stroud
• 118 were in Cotswold
• 142 were in Cheltenham
• 89 were in Tewkesbury
• 92 were in the Forest of Dean

*Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:13 11/11/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 126.0 in Gloucestershire, 164.1 in the South West, and 244.9 in England. 

In week 44 (Saturday 24th  – Friday 30th October) there were 3 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 2.4% of all deaths, this compares with 3 (2.7% of all deaths) in Week 42

Deaths in NHS Trusts – 243 (6 new)

Deaths in care homes – 270 (5 new)

News from TBC:

Tuesday 10th November 2020:

News from HMRC:

Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – You’ll be able to apply for CJRS online from tomo‌‌‌rrow – Wednesday‌‌‌ ‌11‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ ‌November – for periods from 1 ‌November. You will need to submit any claims for November by 14‌‌ ‌December.

What’s new in the support available

• CJRS has been extended to 31 ‌March 2021 for all parts of the UK. From 1 November, the UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. This will be reviewed in January.
• You and your employees do not need to have benefited from the scheme before to claim for periods from 1 November. Go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK for the full eligibility criteria.
• HMRC intends to publish details of employers who use the scheme for claim periods from December, and employees will be able to find out if their employer has claimed for them under the scheme.
• There are now monthly deadlines for claims. Claims for periods starting on/after 1 November must be submitted within 14 calendar days after the month they relate to, unless this falls on a weekend in which case the deadline is the next weekday. For further details go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.
• The Job Retention Bonus will no longer be paid in February‌‌‌ ‌2021 and an alternative retention incentive will be put in place at the appropriate time.
• The launch of the Job Support Scheme has also been postponed.

What you need to do now

Submit any claims for periods up to 31 October on or before 30‌‌‌ ‌November. Claims for periods up to 31 October will not be accepted after 30‌‌‌ ‌November. Claims are subject to eligibility and the rules in force at the time. Search ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK for full eligibility criteria.

What you need to do for your claims – for periods from 1 November

• Read the new guidance – go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ – to check if you and your employees are eligible.
• Agree working hours with any employees you wish to furlough for November and agree any changes to their employment contract.
• Work out how much you can claim for your employees using our CJRS calculator and examples. Search for ‘Calculate how much you can claim using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK.
• Submit any claims for periods from 1 November no later than 14‌‌‌ ‌December.

You will need to keep any records that support the amount of CJRS grant you claim, in case HMRC needs to check them. You can view, print or download copies of your previously submitted claims by logging onto your CJRS service on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK.

Further support

Thousands of people have viewed, and benefited from, our live webinars which now offer more support on changes to CJRS, and how they affect you. To book online, or to view updated guidance, go to GOV‌‌‌‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌‌‌‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 6‌0599.   

Access the National Cyber Security Centre’s new guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber crime by searching ‘Cyber Aware’ on GOV‌‌‌‌‌‌.UK.

Friday 6th November 2020:

Tuesday 3rd November 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away. To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119. This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Monday 2nd November 2020:

New from HMRC: Latest changes that may impact you

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which was due to end on 31‌ October, will now be extended, with the UK government paying 80% of wages for the hours furloughed employees do not work, up to a cap of £2,500 for periods from 1 November.

You will need to pay all employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and pension contributions. You can choose to top up your furloughed employees’ wages beyond the 80% paid by the UK government for hours not worked, but you are not required to do so.

There will be no gap in support between the previously announced end date of CJRS and this extension.

For more information, go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘furlough scheme extended’.

How will it work?

You will have flexibility to ask your employees to work on a part-time basis and furlough them for the rest of their usual working hours or furlough them full-time. You will have to cover their wages for any hours they work as well as all employer National Insurance and employer pension contributions.

You will be able to claim either shortly before, during or after running your payroll. There will be a short period initially when the online claims service will be closed while we update the system, and you will be able to claim in arrears for that period.

Further details will be provided in the next few days. Please do not call us for more information in the meantime – we will let you know via email as soon as this is available.

How to check if your employees are eligible

You can claim for employees who were on your PAYE payroll on 30‌ October 2020. You must have made a PAYE Real Time Information (RTI) submission to HMRC between 20‌ March 2020 and 30‌ October 2020, notifying a payment of earnings for that employee.

If employees were on your payroll on 23‌ September‌ 2020 (i.e. notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 23 September) and were made redundant or stopped working for you afterwards, they can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them.

Neither you nor your employee needs to have previously used the CJRS. Further details on eligibility will be provided in the next few days.

What you need to do now

• Check if your employees are eligible for the scheme, based on the information above.
• Agree working hours with your employees, so they know if they are furloughed fully or part-time during November.
• Keep the records that support the amount of CJRS grant you claim, in case HMRC need to check it. You can view, print or download copies of your previously submitted claims by logging onto your CJRS service on GOV‌.UK.‌ 

Job Support Scheme

The new Job Support Scheme, which was due to start on Sunday 1 November, has now been postponed.

Further support

Guidance and live webinars offering you more support on changes to CJRS, and how they impact you, are available to book online – go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus’.  

Our phone lines and webchat remain very busy, so the quickest way to find the support you need is on GOV‌.UK. This will leave our phone lines and webchat service open for those who need them most.   

Protect yourself from scams   

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 6‌0599. 

Friday 30th October 2020:

Tuesday 27th October 2020:

Mobile Testing Unit locations

An important part of minimising and managing any future spread of Covid-19 is the speed at which people can be tested and isolation measures put in place, should an outbreak occur. The mobile testing unit is now available at locations across the county. Please see this week’s locations below.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can have a test. You must book a test in advance. Please do not turn up to one of the locations without booking – anyone without a booking risks being turned away. To book a test or for more information on testing, go to the NHS website or call 119.

This week’s locations:

These dates are subject to change. Please check the GCC website for changes.

Mobile testing unit locations

Friday 23rd October 2020:

Key messages

• On Monday 19 October, we launched the six-step plan for Gloucestershire focusing on protecting our most vulnerable residents, increasing enforcement action and, a call to us all to work together, and for each other, by following the public health guidance. 
• The legal notice to prevent the Stow Fair from going ahead was served using the county council’s powers under Covid-19 regulations on Tuesday 20 October.
• Covid-19 doesn’t mean Halloween is cancelled this year, but with cases continuing to creep up in the county, residents are been urged to find fun, alternative, ways to celebrate safely. This might include a pumpkin trail, transforming your home into a haunted house and more – as well as remembering the main public health advice around hands, face and space, and sticking to the rule of six. Messages around how to have a Covid-safe Halloween will go out from next week. Please share them if you follow our social media channels.
• We announced the Extra £6.6m to help county’s care providers prevent the spread of Covid-19. 
• Household Recycling Centres will move to normal winter opening hours from 25 October (10am – 4pm) .
• Two schools are taking part in a School Streets trial which will start on 2 November. It will improve air quality and create more space for social distancing at drop of and pick up times.

Gloucestershire Covid-19 stats

In week 42 (Monday 12 October – Sunday 18 October) there were 374 confirmed cases of COVID19.  

Of these cases:

• 94 were in Gloucester
• 71 were in Cheltenham
• 63 were in Stroud
• 52 were in Cotswold
• 47 were in the Forest of Dean
• 47 were in Tewkesbury

* Please note these figures are provisional and subject to change. (Source: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ as at 16:43 21/10/2020)

The rate of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 is 58.5 in Gloucestershire, 82.7 in the South West, and 168.8 in England. 

In week 41 (Saturday 3rd – Friday 9th October) there were 2 deaths mentioning “novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which is 1.9% of all deaths, this compares with 1 (0.9% of all deaths) in Week 40

Deaths in NHS Trusts² – 232 (1 new)

Deaths in care homes⁴ – 265 (0 new)

News from TBC: