Published: Monday, 12th Apr 2021

Bolton Council’s News Bulletin Accurate as of 9am Monday 12 April

Local news

Careful next step to easing of COVID-19 measures

The next step to easing of COVID-19 measures, designed to keep us all safe, has started.

And as more venues open and interactions between people increase, residents are being reminded to keep following precautions to keep our local rates reducing.

Find out more about what rules now apply from Monday 12 April.

 

Death of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh

Further information, about how the borough is commemorating the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, can be found on our website. Updates will follow as soon as they are available: https://bit.ly/2PWEL67

 

Asymptomatic (no symptoms) testing is now available in three ways

As part of the council’s effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, we are asking people who live or work on Bolton to do Lateral Flow Device tests (LFD) twice a week.

Asymptomatic testing can help find people who are infectious but don’t have symptoms so they can protect other and prevent further spread by self-isolating.

There are now three ways to take part in the testing:

  • Assisted testing at an LFD test site
  • Collect test kits at a local collection point
  • By ordering home test kits online  

Can I get help when I am self-isolating?

Residents who have tested positive for the virus and who have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service could qualify for a £500 support payment if they cannot work and face a loss of income.

People who have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive could also be eligible.

Who is eligible for the payment?

  • You have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or because you are the close contact of a positive case
  • You are employed or self-employed
  • You are in receipt of at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit
  • You are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result

 

Applications for the support payment can be made online via the Bolton Council website.

NHS Test and Trace app – changes have been made

As lockdown restrictions are eased, it’s important that people continue to use the NHS Covid app at leisure and hospitality venues. 

Changes to the guidance means, groups of people at a leisure or hospitality venue will all be required to check in via the app, whereas previously only one person per group was required to check in. 

 

Local elections – Thursday May 6 2021

Local elections will take place on Thursday 6 May 2021.

If you’re not registered to vote, the deadline to register is midnight on Monday April 19. You can apply online here.

If you wish to vote by post and are not registered to vote by post, you can apply for a postal vote here.

You must submit your postal vote application by 5pm on Tuesday April 20.

Find out more about the elections and voting.

 

The Census

Census Day was Sunday 21 March. But don't worry, there is still time to complete your questionnaire.

This year’s census is being run predominantly online and is compatible with more assistive technologies including screen-readers, however paper forms are available for those who need them and there’s plenty of support available for anyone who needs it.

Completing the questionnaire online - Every household should have received a pack in the post containing instructions and a 16-digit access code that allows them to login.

The census will take around 10 minutes per person to complete. It’s easy to do and can be done on any device, including a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

Completing the questionnaire on paper - If you’re not confident or don’t want to complete online there’s no need to worry as you can request a paper questionnaire and return via post once completed.

Request a paper questionnaire by calling 0800 876 6276 (automated) or vising the census websitehere. 

Support from the Office for National Statistics (ONS): The contact centre on 0800 141 2021 is there to answer questions about the census, and to offer alternative formats – for example, a large print questionnaire pack or a braille guidance booklet.

There’s a lot more information at www.census.gov.uk

After Census Day, Office for National Statistics (ONS) field staff might visit homes to give help and encouragement where people haven’t filled in their forms. They’ll wear ID and won’t ask to come inside or see personal documents.

 

Have your say about enhanced cycle lanes across Bolton

There’s still time to have your say to help shape travel across Bolton.

There have been modifications to some cycle lanes in Bolton on some key corridors which were identified through the successful #SafeStreetsSaveLives public consultation. During the next six months, Bolton Council is looking to implement three schemes on the following corridors:

  • A666 Bolton Road / Manchester Road (Farnworth Town Centre to Salford Boundary); 
  • B6536 / A575 Manchester Road / A6053 Bolton Road / Market Street (Bolton Town Centre to Farnworth Town Centre); and
  • A58 Moss Bank Way (Doffcocker to Astley Bridge).

To have your say on any of the schemes visit: https://bolton.commonplace.is/

The closing date for comments is Sunday May 2 2021.

 

Ramadan: A month of fasting and religious reflection

This week Muslim residents in the borough and around the world will start fasting to observe the holy month of Ramadan.

During these weeks, Muslims are expected to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours if they are healthy and able to do so. There is no eating or drinking until sunset, when it’s time for iftar, the meal which breaks the fast.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone who will be observing the month and please enjoy iftar safely.

 

New Community Champions programme launched in the fight against Covid-19

Residents in Bolton are being encouraged to sign up to become a Community Champion.

These valued members of the local community will play a vital role in making sure that the latest, factual information about the virus is given to their local residents to ensure they do everything they can to protect themselves and each other.

 

Bolton Council to receive £330,000 from second round of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Bolton Council are amongst more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund

 

Libraries continued to provide valuable community service during lockdown as they prepare to re-open

Bolton Council’s Libraries and Museum Team have adapted their ways of working over the last 12 months to continue to provide their valuable service to the community.

As part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, Bolton’s libraries will re-open their buildings on April 12.

 

Council and Heathcotes call time on Albert Halls contract

Catering and bar services at Bolton's Albert Halls, including the Northern restaurant, will no longer be provided by Heathcote and Co when the lockdown restrictions end, Bolton Council has confirmed.