NFDC February Update

Details

Published: Wednesday, 16 February 2022 12:38

In this communication:

Garden waste update

Fortnightly collections of garden waste will restart for current garden waste customers from Monday 14 March 2022.

Customers can view their collection dates for the remainder of the 2021/22 subscription year at https://newforest.gov.uk/findyourcollection

The quickest way to renew your subscription is online at: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste

If you’re a Direct Debit customer, you do not need to take any action and your payment will be collected after 1 April 2022. Your discount will be automatically applied.

As the service is currently at full capacity, we are unable to accept new customers or sell additional sacks until July 2022. Reduced rates are available for joining later in the year.

Please visit https://www.newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste for the following information:

We are in the process of sending customers a letter containing their collection details for 2022/23 if they choose to renew their subscription. As this letter provides information for the new subscription year, we will not be sending an additional welcome letter to customers who renew their subscription.

Thank you to all our customers for your patience and support.

COVID-19 vaccinations

It’s not too late to get your first, second or booster vaccination. Appointments are still available to book by calling 119 or by using the NHS online booking system: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

If booking in advance doesn’t work for you, you can visit a walk-in centre and get jabbed with no appointment needed. To check which walk-in centres are open locally this week, visit https://www.hampshiresouthamptonandisleofwightccg.nhs.uk/your-health/latest-information-on-covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-programme/walk-in-clinics-near-you

Tomorrow (Tuesday 15 February) you can get a first, second or booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Hythe Fire Station. Turn up at any time between 1pm and 8pm to get vaccinated.

Solar bin pilot scheme

Five solar bins have been introduced at Lymington Quay as part of a pilot scheme.

These high-tech bins use solar power to compact litter and hold much more rubbish than regular litter bins.

When the bins are ready to be emptied, they let us know using in-built technology. This technology will help us to reduce our carbon footprint by needing to make fewer collections to empty them.

There’s also no need for plastic bag liners due to the bins’ reusable plastic containers.

The pilot scheme has been funded by the Welcome Back Fund, provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

Find information on our public litter bins:
https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1213/Public-litter-bins

Tackling loneliness

Could you ‘lift someone out of loneliness’ by taking some simple actions?

Find out simple things you can do if you know someone who is lonely by visiting the Every Mind Matters website: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness

This includes ideas like inviting someone to go for a walk, catching up over coffee or sending a text.

Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund

Funding for Hampshire County Council’s Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund closes this week at 5pm on Friday 18 February.

Have you got a great idea to support your community and help the environment? The Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund has already funded innovative projects across Hampshire including repair cafes, food sharing schemes, reusable nappy libraries, and community composting.

You can apply for up to £5,000 to get your project started.

Find out more at https://www.hants.gov.uk/community/grants/grants-list/waste-prevention-community

Ofgem – energy prices and help with bills

Ofgem, the government regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain, has produced information about the energy price cap.

You can check if the energy price cap affects you at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-if-energy-price-cap-affects-you

There is also help and advice about paying high bills https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-help-if-you-cant-afford-your-energy-bills

Please share this communication with your family and friends, and if they would like to sign up to receive them in future, they can subscribe at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/emails

Connect to support- Hampshire

Details

Published: Saturday, 22 January 2022 17:17

The aim of this website is to help you to stay independent for longer by providing you with resources to look after yourself, stay safe and connected with your local community.

For advice for under 18s, visit the Family Information and Services hub.

To get information from "Connect to Support Hampshire" please follow the link below:

https://www.connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk/

End of 2021 NFDC update

Details

Published: Tuesday, 18 January 2022 21:48

In this communication:

Coronavirus updates

During the festive season, it is vitally important we keep ourselves and our loved ones as safe as possible.
Booster jabs are the best way to do this, and over two thirds of eligible adults have had their booster ahead of Christmas.

You can make an appointment for a coronavirus vaccination, or go to a walk in centre: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Information on local walk-in centres is frequently updated at: https://www.hampshiresouthamptonandisleofwightccg.nhs.uk/your-health/latest-information-on-covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-programme/walk-in-clinics-near-you

There have been some recent changes to coronavirus guidance:

NHS Test and Trace services will continue every day over Christmas and the New Year, providing and processing tests for those who need them and tracing contacts of positive cases.

To keep you and others safe, please:

For up-to-date COVID-19 information, always check https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Hampshire coronavirus helpline:
If you’re struggling to cope because of COVID-19, call the Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline for advice and practical support on 0333 370 4000. You can also get advice online when the helpline is closed: https://hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/coronavirus/volunteer-welfare

Christmas wishes from Cllr Edward Heron, Leader

At this time of year, when many of us are looking forward to spending time with loved ones and having a well-deserved rest, I am again reminded what a strong community we have here in the district.

It has not been a year without its challenges, yet you have continued to be caring, giving, and resilient. It is your acts of goodwill and kindness in helping others which mean that together we can truly say the New Forest is indeed a special place.

There are many positive things for us to look ahead to for the area, with projects like the Freeport bid, and major developments that will see employment and regeneration get a boost, balanced with our work with our partners to protect the area for future generations and look after the landscape. We have also recently received the good news that there is substantial Arts Council funding for the area over the next few years.

Our council services continue to provide essential support to our residents, providing the ‘business as usual’ work you expect, alongside our work to tackle the pandemic. If you or your loved ones need any help, be that for homelessness, help to pay your Council Tax, or to access food, please do get in touch with us and if we can help, we will.

Thank you for everything you do to keep the New Forest safe.
I wish you all a restful Christmas and a prosperous 2022.
Cllr Edward Heron

What to do in an animal accident

The open landscape of the New Forest where ponies, cattle, donkeys, sheep and pigs roam free is one of the distinctive features of the New Forest National Park.

The New Forest National Park Authority report that last year over the Christmas period, it was a dreadful time for animal accidents. They have this advice for New Forest drivers:

Do you know what to do if you are involved in an animal accident?

Motorists are rarely prosecuted for injuring or killing an animal unless they fail to report the accident.

Read more: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/conservation/supporting-commoning/animal-accidents/

Bransgore and Burley by-election results

A by-election was held for Bransgore and Burley yesterday (23 December).

Results will be published to https://newforest.gov.uk/article/2863/Bransgore-and-Burley-District-Ward-by-election-December-2021-

Lymington Quay toilet refurbishment works to start

Our contractors will start work to refurbish the toilets and showers at Lymington Quay from early January 2022.

The toilets will remain open for use throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

The internal works will include new energy-efficient boilers for hot water, and existing fixtures and fittings reused where possible. The contractors will also follow a sustainable procurement policy that includes recycled and recyclable packaging, maximising the life-expectancy of products being used, and sourcing Fairtrade and sustainable products.

During the works, when the toilets are unavailable, signs will advise people where the nearest alternative public conveniences can be found.

At some stages of the works, a small number of the long-stay car parking spaces will be out of use. Signs on-site will give advance notice of this and disruption will be kept to a minimum.

The refurbishment includes stripping out of obsolete fixtures, enlarging a door opening for an accessible toilet, refurbished shower room, new sanitary work, wall finishes, internal flooring, electrical work, plumbing and drainage.

The work is expected to be completed in time for the Easter holidays.

Domestic abuse help and support

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, you can report concerns and get help and support.

Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service 033 0016 5112

or visit https://hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/domesticabuse
In an emergency situation, always call 999.

Our Christmas opening times

Between Saturday 25 December and Monday 3 January some of our services are not operating and our offices are closed. Services will resume as normal on Tuesday 4 January.

Essential services are still operating. For details, including how to contact us in an emergency, please see https://newforest.gov.uk/article/2857/Council-services-over-Christmas-and-new-year

Pharmacy opening times over Christmas

Pharmacy opening times over Christmas and New Year for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been published on NHS England’s website https://www.england.nhs.uk/south-east/our-work/pharmacy-opening-hours/

Financial support for businesses affected by coronavirus

On 21 December, the government announced funding to support businesses experiencing difficulties due to the Omicron variant.

Details of support are summarised at: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/financialsupportforbusinesses

Further details on which businesses will be eligible and how to apply will be updated on our website as soon as we have more information.

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Beaulieu: Hampshire's 'poshest village' in New Forest where house prices average over £1.5 million

Details

Published: Tuesday, 18 January 2022 21:44

A stunning village in the New Forest has been named the 'poshest' place in Hampshire - but if you want to move there it won't be cheap.

The Telegraph recently listed the 'poshest' places for each area across the country using data provided by Savills.

Areas were ranked based on their desirability, using combinations of house prices, lifestyle amenities, chocolate-box appeal and connectivity.

In Hampshire, you will perhaps be unsurprised to hear that the gorgeous village of Beaulieu ranked as the poshest in the county.

The village has previously been named the third prettiest village in the whole of the UK and is home to the National Motor Museum and stately home Palace House.

Situated in the New Forest National Park, the village grew around Beaulieu Abbey, a site built in the 13th century that was ransacked and destroyed by the infamous King Henry VIII in the 1530s.

The Telegraph list, a number of factors of the village were included when looking at the villages 'posh appeal'.

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These include the proximity to the New Forest, a 16th century high street, artisan shops and the locality to the sailing hub of Lymington - last year The Telegraph also labelled Lymington a 'booming town' where life quality is best.

Speaking with regards to Beaulieu, the article reads: "The position and the aesthetics of Beaulieu make it the most expensive village in England, Wales and Scotland, according to the Savills research.

"It is chocolate-box pretty with a period high street boasting artisan stores, while being on the doorstep of both the New Forest and Buckler’s Hard. The sailing hub of Lymington is 15 minutes away and there is a wide choice of schools, both state and private."

However, with an average price of more than £1.5 million unless you are rolling in the money, the village may be off-limits.

NFDC update January 2022

Details

Published: Tuesday, 18 January 2022 21:35

In this communicationl:

Coronavirus update

England’s ‘Plan B’ rules will continue, until they are reviewed again on 26 January.

Key to the plan is the vaccination programme. It is vital to get a first and second jab, in order to be eligible for the third vaccination, the booster. This gives vital protection against Omicron. Recent UKHSA data shows people who are unvaccinated are up to eight times more likely to be hospitalised than those who are fully vaccinated.

More than 60% of adults in the UK have now had their COVID-19 booster jabs and every adult is being urged to book their jab as soon as possible.

Get vaccinated and get your booster dose https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

Plan B measures include wearing masks in certain places, working from home where possible and the use of vaccine passports to enter some venues:

Recent updates:

Find out where to get lateral flow tests: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
(please note, you may see incorrect information that our Appletree Court Information Office in Lyndhurst is a place to collect lateral flow tests. Test kits can no longer be collected from this site and we are working to get the information on the NHS website updated)

Other guidance:

Find out more about how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

Information on significant planning and developments

We are responsible for planning permission for new properties, and changes to existing properties, in the New Forest district.

In a recent reader survey, one of the topics you told us you would be interested to read more about was significant planning applications and developments.

There is now a new section on our website, called ‘strategic sites progress’ where you can find details on how developments are progressing https://newforest.gov.uk/article/2866/Strategic-Sites-Progress

The information we publish on those webpages is intended as a guide to give you updates on our strategic sites.
These strategic sites come from the ‘Local Plan’, a key document for planning and development.
As part of meeting our housing needs, the Local Plan identified 18 Strategic Site Allocations, capable of accommodating 100 or more homes.

For each of the sites, you can find:

https://newforest.gov.uk/planning

Note: For planning in the National Park, please see https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/planning/

Garden waste update

We will be starting the 2022/23 subscription year for current customers of the garden waste collection service on Monday 4 April 2022.

All customers renewing their subscription will be provided with a discount for the 2022/23 subscription year.

As advised in December, we are currently unable to restart a fortnightly garden waste collection service, and four-weekly collections will resume from Monday 10 January.
Customers can find their collection dates for January and February at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/findyourcollection

We are working to restart fortnightly garden waste collections mid-March 2022. This will be dependent on staffing levels improving.

We will be writing to customers in February with the following information:

Thank you to our customers for their ongoing support and patience.

Please note that we are unlikely to be able to accept new garden waste customers or sell additional sacks until July 2022.

Read more about our garden waste collection service: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/gardenwaste

Litter heroes’ success

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we can now report some of the impact the local litter heroes, volunteers and staff, had in 2021.

Our work with our partners including the National Park Authority, Forestry England, the police, and fire and rescue, saw:

Thank you to everyone who has done so much to support the New Forest this year, working together, right across the community.

Avian influenza

To limit the spread of avian influenza, it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers, whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, to keep the birds indoors and to follow strict measures.

Bird keepers should remain alert for any signs of disease, report suspected disease immediately and ensure they are maintaining good biosecurity on their premises.

There are some simple measures that all poultry keepers should take to protect their birds against the threat of avian flu.

Bird keepers should report suspicion of disease in captive birds to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.

If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

If you find dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds, such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77. Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#public

Do you burn wood in your home?

It’s important to stay warm and well. But wood burning can cause harmful indoor and outdoor particulate air pollution.

Professor Sir Stephen Holgate at Southampton General Hospital explains why this is a leading cause of ill-health “These miniscule particles, invisible to the naked eye, are small enough to pass through the lungs, into the bloodstream and into your organs. This can contribute to diseases such as asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and COPD. One of the main sources of particulate air pollution is wood smoke.

I would encourage anyone who is considering burning wood – either for home heating or on a bonfire – to think very carefully about what they are burning. In fact, choosing to stop burning wood (and other solid fuels) is one of the best ways of improving local air quality and protecting your health.”

The Environment Centre, a local, independent environmental charity, offers free, impartial and easy-to-understand advice on wood burning, health impacts of air pollution, and affordable warmth.
https://environmentcentre.com/wood-burning/

The Environment Centre also run an advice line for residents struggling to stay warm or pay energy bills. Call 0800 804 8601.

Road closures

The A35 and A31 currently have road closures and diversions in place.

To help protect the Forest’s livestock, please follow the official detours and do not deviate onto unfenced roads. For the full statement from the National Park Authority on why this is important, please see: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/.../plea-to-drivers-to.../

Waste prevention community grant fund

Do you have a big idea to help prevent household waste in your community?

The Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund supports projects in Hampshire which encourage the prevention of household waste and help the environment.

Locally based community groups, businesses, education establishments and organisations can apply.

Applications close on 18 February 2022. Find out how to apply at https://www.hants.gov.uk/waste-prevention-community

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