Covid - 19

Barnstaple Town Council is closely monitoring Government advice in respect of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Staff are working from home where possible and we are maintaining core services during normal working hours. However, at times this will be dependent on the availability of staff, technology and resources. Please bear with us if there is a delay in answering your call, email or social media message.

We advise all residents to follow the official Public Health England advice on vaccinations, wearing a mask, shielding where necessary, self-isolation and social distancing. You can book your vaccination through the NHS link –https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ 

We are updating our web pages as best we can in the circumstances but a summary of Town Council service changes is below:

Town Council meetings

Members of the public are entitled to attend and speak at meetings. If you wish to register to speak at a meeting, please contact us no later than midday on the day of the meeting on 01271 373311 or by email: admin@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk

Parks & Open Spaces

Our playground is open but please adhere to government guidelines and be respectful of others. We look to our residents to take a personal moral responsibility in following the Government instructions which are designed to safeguard us all. Thank you for your co-operation at this difficult time.

Our parks remain open and we endeavour, to maintain parks services as best we can. Please follow Government instructions and use the parks responsibly, maintaining social distancing. Please visit the Government’s dedicated webpages for the latest advice.

SAGE advise that the risk of infection outside is significantly lower than inside, so the Government is updating the rules so that, as well as exercise, people can now also spend time outdoors subject to:

• good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces;
• those responsible for public places being able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidance.

Allotments

The Town Council is endeavouring to maintain our services with available resources and this includes our allotment sites. For security reasons the site gates cannot be left open and limited resources do not allow us to frequently disinfect the gates and locks.

Allotment holders are asked to carefully consider the current Government guidance and if you do visit your allotment site, please do so responsibly – maintain social distancing and wash your hands frequently.

Facilities 

The Town Council meeting rooms are currently available to hire and will be available until such time that the Government instruct otherwise. If you’d like to book a venue or a meeting room in the Guildhall, the Castle Centre or St John’s Community Centre then please email Admin@barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk

At this difficult time it is important that everyone feels safe and supported. If you, or anyone you know is feeling extreme isolation, unsafe in their home environment, struggling to cope with bereavement or is suicidal, there is support available:

For information and help with mental health and suicide: The Samaritans

For information and help with domestic violence: North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA)

For mental health and emotional wellbeing services for children: Devon County Council and Childline