Update on Bolton Council's response to the pandemic.
Staff who can’t work from home should be accessing twice weekly testing.
As part of the council’s effort to stop the spread of the virus, it is essential that council staff who are not able to work from home book LFD tests twice a week. This covers staff in the workplace on a permanent or rota basis - any access to the workplace means you should be getting tested, even if it is one day a week.
Although the government has released the roadmap out of the pandemic, the progress is based on data and not dates. If the rates do not reduce significantly and the pressure on the NHS, the dates could be extended. So it is essential we all play our part.
There are currently three sites across the borough - Bolton Arena, Castle Hill Centre and Deane Road Hindu Temple.
Appointments can be booked online, 3-4 days apart, and can be taken in work time.
Alternatively, if you are in the same household as a primary or secondary school pupil or in a bubble with their household, you can collect home test kits from a designated test site.
Staff who have received the vaccine still need to get tested. The vaccine also does not affect the results of the LFD tests.
If you receive a negative test result, you should still continue to follow the rules - wash your hands, wear a face covering, stay 2m apart and limit your contacts with people who aren’t in your household or bubble.
If you have symptoms you should book your tests via the national portal.
A time to reflect and remember
It's been a year since the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in Bolton.
This week is a time to reflect and remember those who have sadly passed away, those who have suffered and those who are still poorly or affected in other ways.
The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas has spoken in this short video that it’s a moment reflect and remember and to thank everyone.
Budget 2021: Support for businesses and staff
On Wednesday 3 March 2021, the Chancellor made a number of announcements in the budget designed to support jobs and livelihoods during the COVID-19 recovery.
Key measures include an extension to both the job support and self-employment income support schemes.
A breakdown of the key measures available to support Bolton residents and local businesses is available on our FAQs page.
Back to school on March 8
From Monday, students will return to school and college as part of the first stage in the government’s roadmap plan to ease COVID restrictions.
All primary pupils should attend school from Monday and secondary pupils and college students will be offered testing.
Those who consent to testing should return to face-to-face education following their first negative test result.
Our FAQ page includes information about asymptomatic testing for pupils, the use of face coverings and safe travel to and from school.
Bolton receives £22.9m for transformational town centre plans
Bolton Council has successfully been offered up to £22.9m of funding from central government’s Town Fund to help regenerate its town centre. This is in addition to the £1m accelerated funding already secured.
Spot checks to keep travelling by taxi or private hire safe
Bolton Council’s Licensing team will be working with Greater Manchester Police, in March, to carry out spot checks of taxi and private hire vehicles in the borough.
The operation is aimed at making sure safety standards are met to ensure the safety of drivers and the travelling public.
Businesses breaking lockdown rules see huge demand on council service
Bolton Council’s Licencing and Regulatory Team have had a year of unprecedented demand.
Public Health job opportunities
There are five exciting opportunities to join our wonderful Public Health Team, please note the closing date for these jobs is midday, Tuesday March 9.
- Population Health and Prevention Strategic Lead
- Health Protection and Healthcare Public Health Strategic Lead
- Public Health Intelligence and Research Strategic Lead
- Research and Intelligence Specialist
- Public Health Intelligence Specialist
If you are interested in these roles please contact Helen Lowey, Nicki Lomax, Lynn Donkin or Suzanne Gilman.
Women’s History Month
International Women’s Day – March 8, 2021
In honour of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (8 March 2021), we are celebrating the women of Bolton and the world.
Throughout the month we will be sharing images and inspiring words from some of Bolton’s brilliant women on social media.
Get involved by sharing your own images of yourselves or other inspiring women using the hashtags #TeamBolton #IWD2021 #WomensHistoryMonth
New Words Festival: ‘The Brontës: Reimagined; Reappraised; Revisited’
Wednesday March 17, 6.30pm.
Who was the real Charlotte Brontë? Was Emily a woman ahead of her time? Why has Anne been endlessly sidelined? And which is the greatest Brontë novel of all?
Bolton Library and Museum Services and Saraband Press invite you to join us in conversation with the two of the authors of Saraband’s ‘A View From the 21st Century’ Brontë biographies: Dr Sophie Franklin and Adelle Hay.
Book your free place on Eventbrite to receive the zoom link for this free online event.
This event is part of the New Words Festival – a joint online book festival celebrating the partnership between the Time to Read network of 22 North West library authorities and five of the region’s independent publishers; and is funded by Arts Council England. Click here to View the full list of events.