Reaching Out - briefing note on a new communications campaign

Background:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on the economy globally, nationally and in Dorset. Relative to the UK, Dorset has a higher share of employment, output and businesses across the hardest hit sectors such as tourism and leisure.

The high proportion of take up of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the furlough scheme) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme across Dorset highlights the overall employment exposure of the area.

Almost 50,000 people in the Dorset Council area have been furloughed, of which it is estimated some 75% are aged 25 years or younger. Of these it has been estimated that 40% (15,000) may not be able to return to their former employment due
to redundancies and business closures.

This is also likely to have an impact on mental health and relationships, which will be a theme that runs throughout the campaign and we will signpost to the help available

Campaign objectives:

Dorset Council is launching a joint campaign with Citizens Advice this September

The aim is to raise awareness of the range of support available to people financially affected by COVID-19 so they can seek advice and support before they reach crisis point. Hopefully this will result in fewer people becoming homeless, becoming ill, or hurting others.

The key themes:

The campaign will run initially until the end of March 2021, and will be structured around three themes:

Work and skills- employment rights, careers advice, access to training
Money and home- rent or mortgage advice, managing debt, accessing benefits, finding somewhere to live, foodbanks, other financial help
Health and relationships- health & wellbeing advice including signposting to mental health and domestic abuse support

Who do we want to reach?
For many people in Dorset, this will be the first time they have experienced such financial difficulties. We want to reach anyone who is worried about, or is facing redundancy; especially young people aged 16-
25 (who are most at risk of unemployment or reduced hours); anyone struggling with finances such as paying their rent or mortgage or other bills such as car or household, education or childcare costs.

Key messages:

· A problem shared is a problem halved – help, support and advice is available whatever challenges COVID-19 has thrown at you

· Lots of people are in the same boat - you're not alone and shouldn't be afraid to ask for help or advice, before things get more difficult

· Help is available online atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

· If you would like to talk call 03444 111 444, calls charged at a local rate
Specialist advisers can help with immediate problems and offer advice for the longer term

· All advice is free, confidential and impartial

How are we getting the message out?

The campaign will run across a number of channels including:
Dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Targeted digital advertising, including pop ups and banners
Social media - organic and paid for
E-newsletters
Media relations
Dorset Council News magazine
Via Dorset Councillors, town and parish councils and partner organisations
Posters at customer contact points e.g. libraries, schools, GP surgeries and pharmacies
Customer facing council employees

We'll be featuring a series of 'experts' from partner organisations such as Citizens Advice and Job Centre Plus, as well as case studies of real people so that others can recognise and identify with situations and circumstances, prompting them to get help sooner rather than later

Our key spokespeople
Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing
Daniel Cadisch, Lead representative for Citizens Advice

Other people of expertise related to each topic will also be available

How can you help?

Share this campaign with friends, family and your local community. As a trusted voice, you can get the word out that help and support is available for people at this time. Watch out for our social media posts, news releases, e-newsletters and other activities.

A campaign toolkit is also available on our website atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

Need more information?

To find out more information, visitwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out, or contact Claire Lodge, Senior Communications Officer by emailing claire.lodge@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

The Playparks at Augustan Avenue and the Recreation Ground are now OPEN.

Please ensure that all users wash their hands before and after using any of the equipment and observe social distancing at all times.

Due to Covid-19 regulations Shillingstone Parish Council meetings will now be held by means of Zoom conferencing arrangements until further notice. If you require access to a meeting please contact the Parish Clerk.

Are you self-isolating, over 70 or have underlying health conditions? Your village is here to help. If you need help with shopping or collecting medication please contact Vicky Thomas on 860409 or Clare Downes on 07748616496 or Sarah Weedon on 861142 If you need help with getting online, communicating via Facebook/Skype etc. or dog walking please contact Caroline Salt on 860259. If you want pastoral support please contact Rev'd Lydia on 01258 863774. Please also let Lydia know if you too can offer help. Even if you don't need this service now please keep this leaflet safe should you require it in the future. We're here to help!

There will be an Extraordinary Meeting of Shillingstone Parish Council on Thursday 9th January at 7.00 p.m at the Portman Hall, Shillingstone to consider two planning applications: 

• 2/2019/1429/FUL Whitepit Farm, Shillingstone 
• 2/2019/1722/FUL The Hollies, Blandford Road, Shillingstone, DT11 0SF 

Business case information – proposal to seek Public Works Loan to enable the resurfacing of the Hine Town Lane Recreation ground Play area

It is clear that re-mulching the existing ‘cushion-fall’ material with like-for-like is rather futile in terms of providing a long-term solution to the problem of degradation of the existing surface.; the last replacement of cushion-fall has only lasted some 18 months. We could replace the surface with a wood chip material which might be more durable but which will cost some £2,000 more. A contractor has suggested that we might like to consider more durable options such as ‘Tiger mulch’, a mixture of recycled shredded rubber and a specially formulated high- performance polyurethane binder.;’ and has a lifespan of 10-15 years. A number of suppliers provide Tiger Mulch and quotes have been sought from 3 contractors (see below)

The Council could seek Public Works Loan to finance the cost of a complete overhaul – circa £25k over some 10 years. These are loans available to local authorities which are secured on the basis of council tax receipts and which would probably be viable – repayments on a twice-yearly fixed interest basis of say £25k over 10 years would amount to circa £2,700p.a. at 1.90% (interest rates are actually not agreed until the date the loan is granted). The cost of this would be basically covered by the £2500 per year transfer to the Rec reserve account, though we would probably need to allocate an additional £1000 to the reserve account each year to allow for contingencies.

The Chairman & I recently inspected an installation at Colehill, Wimborne. We were greatly impressed by the resilience of this surface with is very well used.

Quotes Received:

Supplier - quotes Ex VAT - Notes

A - £ 24,835.00 - Does not include removal of exisiting loosefill

B - £ 24,758.00 - To include removal & installation

C - £ 20,865.00 - Does not include removal of existing loosefill

David Green

Parish Clerk

7th June 2019

Proposal for improvement of the Hine Town Recreation Ground Play Area

As you may have noticed, the Hine Town Lane Play area has historically had a fibrous cushioning material safety surface; this is prone to degrade and blow away; this also varies in depth in places and is becoming very expensive to re-surface every 18 months to two years. 

The Council is now proposing to install a substantive ‘Tigermulch’ surface which should last at least 10 years, which is safe, less messy, and will not be prone to the degradation in the way the existing surface is. 

Tigermulch is a safe, approved material which uses shredded tyres and a binder material. It provides excellent cushioning and is largely maintenance-free. The cost of providing ‘Tigermulch’ is around £25,000 excluding VAT (which we can recover.) 

The Council is seeking a Public Works Loan to finance the cost of completely re-surfacing the play area with ‘Tigermulch’, and looking to borrow some £25,000 over some 10 years. These are loans available to local authorities which are secured on the basis of council tax receipts. 

The Council has budgeted to meet the cost of improvements to the Hine Town Lane Play area and will be able to meet the expected loan repayments of circa £2,700 per annum without any increase in Council Tax. We will keep you advised with regard to the progress of this project; if we can secure the necessary funding. 

We will let you know when we hope that the work can be completed. If you have any comments to make in relation to this proposal, please email Shillingstone Parish Council. 

David Green, 

Clerk Shillingstone Parish Council 

I would like to confirm that this years’ nominations for the Jubilee Cup are Anne Powell, Linda Whatman, and Phil Watts.

Voting takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held at the Portman Hall, on Friday 24th May 2019, the meeting starts at 7.30 p.m. 

You can though instead vote beforehand by either post or email. I will not be able to accept any email votes received after 4 p.m. on 24th May 2018.

We are pleased to announce that the refurbishment of the Pavilion at the recreation ground is now complete, thanks to a very generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and a lot of hard work by contractors and the Cricket Club in redecorating the facilities. Please take a look at the photographs on our Mobile App

Shillingstone Parish Council Mobile App is now launched. You can download this for free using either The Play Store or the App Store. The App provides useful information and assistance in a mobile friendly way. 

• Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shillingstone-parish-council/id1445767393?ls=1&mt=8 
• Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_shillingstone.layout

I would like to confirm that this years nominations for the Jubliee Cup are Judith Crompton, Mike Powell, and Nathaniel Thorne. 

Voting takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting, to be held at the Portman Hall, on Thursday 24th May 2018. The meeting starts at 7:30 p. m. 

You can instead vote beforehand, by either post or email. I will not be able to accept any email votes received after 4 p.m. on 24th May 2018.