Papers published today by the York Council confirm that a 4.99% increase in Council Tax levels will be implemented on 1st April.
Most of the increase is being ringfenced and will be spent on social care.
£4.4m will be spent on the costs supporting adult social care staff and enabling residents to remain in their homes for longer.
£1.4m will go to support children and young people across the city, including further funding for social care staff.
Eclectic mix of ideas for spending on “Covid recovery”
£2.5m will go on creating a “Covid-19 Recovery Fund” (see above) while £1/2 million will bolster waste and street environment services (to include additional staffing on waste rounds, improved city centre cleaning and effective weed control).
There are no proposals to increase the amount invested in improving key public services like road and footpath maintenance.
£200,000 however be spent developing a new transport plan for the City.
Residents have until the end of January to return budget consultation forms. Early results may raise some eyebrows!
No further deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE (189) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total to 8,080.
Rate /100k population is now 464.8.
Set to rise to 559.8
All neighbourhoods are now above the 200 case rate threshold.
By the end of 2020 there were 979 COVID cases in the City
Prior to lockdown, infection rates were increasing at City, county, regional and national levels. It will be next week at least before the effects of Lockdown 3 are reflected in case rate figures.
End of year neighbourhood trend graphs
Vaccinations
The vaccination centre on Moor Lane was not being used today. Improved lighting was being installed. Early recipients – over 80’s, care home occupants/workers and NHS staff – will mostly be immunised at their place of work or at a GP surgery. However, we’d expect the Moor Lane facility to become much busier over the next week or so
New Lockdown
The country woke up today to find that new lockdown restrictions were implemented at midnight. Full details can be found by clicking here
The restrictions are similar to those seen in the Spring although there are some exceptions (estate agents can, for example, continue working and religious services may take place subject to social distancing).
In summary the main features of the new lockdown – which is enforceable by law with on the spot fines for transgressors – are:
Stay at home
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.
Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.
If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work
York Council offers support
City of York Council reassures residents and businesses following the announcement of further national restrictions.
Following this evening’s (4 January) announcement from the Prime Minister, City of York Council has moved to reassure residents and businesses that it will continue to support local communities after further national restrictions were introduced.
The Government is urging people to follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.
The Prime Minister announced the Government’s restrictions including that you must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Anyone affected by coronavirus and who has no other sources of help, can call the Council’s Covid-19 helpline on telephone: 01904 551550 or email: covid19help@york.gov.uk
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said:
In recent weeks across the country, including here in York, there has been an alarming increase in the number of positive cases.
“Of course this isn’t the start to 2021 any of us wanted, but with this concerning trend, it is vital that we all follow the new national restrictions.”
“As we have done since the very beginning of this pandemic, the Council will continue to do all we can to make sure residents, businesses and communities are supported through this difficult time. We will also continue to make the case to Government for increased financial support, both to local businesses and households on low incomes.”
“I would like to thank everyone in the city, including our incredible volunteers, Council staff, key workers communities and businesses, who have already done so much in extraordinary circumstances and demonstrated the very best of our city.”
“This is a tough period for us all, but please look after each other and check in on friends, families and neighbours. With the vaccine roll out, there is hope on the horizon, but we need to pull through this once again.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said:
Over the last few weeks we have seen the number of infections significantly increase across all age groups. This is a cruel and unforgiving virus and therefore, we must do all we can to protect ourselves and each other by reducing our risk of spreading the virus and remembering Hands, Face, Space.
“None of us want to see further restrictions on our lives, but it is crucial that we stop the spread of the virus as the vaccine is rolled out. Everyone has sacrificed so much to look after each other, collectively we must go again.
“As well as looking after our physical health by practicing hands, face, space, we must also look after our mental health too. Anyone needing support can call our helpline and I would encourage those that can to exercise. Getting exercise, ideally in the fresh air, can make a real difference to your physical and emotional health and will help make the next month more bearable.
“The Every Mind Matters campaign has lots of helpful tips for everyone to look after their emotional health. As a city we always look after each other and this has been demonstrated time and time again this year. Please stay safe, we will meet again”
Anyone affected by coronavirus and who has no other sources of help, can telephone: 01904 551550 or email: covid19help@york.gov.uk
