News Archive
Passionate To The End
Nigel Todd
1948-2021
Nigel Todd, co-founder and chair of Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his Croydon Road home on Saturday 27 March, aged 73.
A well-known figure locally, the constantly active Nigel was preparing for re-election to the City Council in May, having already served as a West End Labour (& Cooperative Party) councillor for 41 years, most recently for the newly created Arthur’s Hill ward.
His zeal for Arthur’s Hill and Wingrove was evident, not only through his campaigning work but through his lifestyle choices. He had lived in the area for 30 years, describing it as “a great place”, which “we could make better’. He believed fervently in the “wacky” idea of turning our neighbourhood into “a sustainable inner-city garden suburb”.
He campaigned tirelessly and helped found Greening Wingrove as a ‘green’ response to the rubbish and fly-tipping beginning to blight our area.
It generated more than £1m income for Wingrove and Arthur’s Hill and has supported community engagement in local issues such as growing fruit and vegetables in our backyards, initiatives to encourage and retain wildlife, schools education, recycling and improving the appearance of our streets and back lanes. Neither would he be afraid to get his hands dirty and would regularly be seen on the community litter picks he helped set up.
He was especially active during the pandemic, working tirelessly to sustain community creativity and resilience, all in a Covid-secure manner.
He encouraged the development of the Bike Garden in Nuns Moor park, a meeting and activity space centred around a community garden, developed from a disused bowling green and pavilion.
His active interest in local matters, led to him opposing the destruction of the 126-year-old Nuns Moor allotments on Brighton Grove to make way for cattle grazing, accusing the city’s Freemen of doing a u-turn on a promise to restore a smaller allotment site.
He worked more successfully with them as one of the council’s Town Moor Committee and helped pave the way for a part of the land on Barrack Road to be used for cricket matches for Bengali youth.
He chaired the New Deal for Communities initiative, which brought millions of pounds of regeneration funding into the West End over a ten-year period 2000-2010. He also actively supported the work of the Nunsmoor Centre on Studley Terrace
Having come from a humble background, but offered educational opportunities through the prestigious trade union Ruskin College (which he credited with transforming his life), Nigel spent most of his working years in the adult education sector and remained a passionate advocate to the end.
He helped found the North East Open College Network and was appointed as its first chief executive in 2000. He had a longstanding commitment to the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) as a volunteer, student, tutor, historian and Regional Director.
He was quoted approvingly in the House of Lords earlier this month in a special debate on the future of adult education, when one of its members relied on Nigel’s explanations of the value of adult learning.
He was a keen advocate of co-ops and his own home was rented through the West End Housing Co-operative. He served as chair of the Co-operative College board which in 2019 with the WEA and Oxford University launched the #AdultEducation100 campaign, setting out a vision for lifelong adult education for the century ahead. He was also chair of the Newcastle Fairtrade Partnership.
His other enthusiasm was the North East and its history. Although not a native, he settled in Newcastle in his late 20s and remained here ever since. He was respected as a local historian and in demand on the local speaker circuit. He was the author of several book and pamphlets, numerous articles, and was an active member of the North East Labour History Society. He was recognised nationally as an expert on the rise of fascism in the UK in the years leading up to the Second World War and remained a staunch enemy of racism throughout his life.
FAMILY REQUEST
He leaves behind a daughter, Selina, his close family and hundreds of people who have been touched by his generosity of spirit and passionate belief in equality of opportunity for all.
His family has asked for a private funeral and expressed a desire to hold a more public remembrance when circumstances allow larger gatherings, this being in chime with Nigel’s views on Covid safety.
Tributes have poured in …
“I am devastated to hear about the death of my friend and colleague, Nigel Todd. He was widely known, and hugely popular, across the West End of the City; everywhere he went people would stop, say hello, and ask him for advice or help.” He “never lost faith in his vision of a better world, never had an unkind word about anyone and always had a friendly smile”. Newcastle City Council leader Cllr Nick Forbes.
“Deeply saddened and distressed to learn of the sudden death of my great friend & comrade Nigel Todd. Nigel was a socialist who truly loved people & communities, championing their interest & working with people & for them so that they could make their lives better.” Chi Onwurah, Newcastle Central MP
“All at Co-operatives UK are very saddened to hear that Nigel Todd passed away yesterday. A passionate co-operator – including as chair of trustees for the Co-operative College – our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.” Co-operatives UK
He was “a keen advocate for co-operation, equality and peace. He dedicated his life to tackling poverty, racism and inequality – and was passionate about life-long learning.” Rebecca Harvey, Co-op News
“Nigel was a shining beacon for kind, caring politics. He was a true community leader, representing the residents of Arthur’s Hill and Newcastle with passion and compassion, bringing people together, and fighting for fairness and peace.” Alistair Ford & Taymar Pitman, Newcastle Green Party.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Cllr Nigel Todd. Nigel was a well respected representative of the local community who cared passionately about tackling poverty and inequality and championing lifelong learning. Members of our party speak highly of his anti-racism work.” Cllr Nick Cott, leader Newcastle Liberal Democrats.
“Really saddened to hear this news. Nigel was a very lovely person and a very passionate and knowledgeable co-operator. We will be much missed by his many friends across our team and our Party.” Joe Fortune, general secretary the Co-operative Party.
“His knowledge and passion for adult education (and the North East) and pioneering work in supporting environmental agenda are just the tip of the legacy he leaves behind. Our thoughts are with his family.” WEA
“Truly tragic news about the sudden and unexpected death of Cllr Nigel Todd. He was a genuinely lovely man, with real passion for transforming his community for the better. He will be missed by all who knew him and leaves an enormous hole in the co-op sector.” Nicola Huckerby
LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS
We intend to publish a lengthier tribute to Nigel and his work in a few weeks time. If you have anything you wish to contribute please email to hello@greeningwingrove.org.uk
GWAH Job Vacancy
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR – GROWING GREEN COMMUNITIES IN THE WEST END
Greening Wingrove Community Interest Company is seeking to recruit a Co-ordinator to help deliver a new greening project from April 2021.
Growing Green Communities in the West End is supported by the Newcastle Fund, and aims to expand the impact of Greening Wingrove’s successful vertical vegetable growing scheme. It will focus mainly on parts of the Arthur’s Hill terraces, but may be able to range more widely.
The Co-ordinator will work closely with Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill volunteers and also with Mark Ridsdill-Smith, the scheme consultant. An outline job description is set out as follows:
– To assist in organising programme materials, events and sessions.
– To maintain accurate records of participation and feedback.
– To help publicise and promote the project.
– To work with the project team in expanding participation from among residents generally, and especially those from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
The Co-ordinator role would be suitable for a person with
- Some experience of volunteer activity at a community level.
- A friendly, helpful and engaging manner.
- Skills in basic administration and IT.
- Enthusiasm for community improvement through urban gardening.
- Willingness to work flexibly,
The work will take place mainly between April-October 2021 and could average 14 hours per week. However, flexibility in the time-scale and weekly hours may be required. The rate of pay will be £12 per hour.
Greening Wingrove can be flexible about employment terms, so the Co-ordinator could be engaged in a self-employed/freelance capacity, or directly employed by the Greening Wingrove CIC, and the post is open to job share.
Appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring check.
The Co-ordinator will be home-based and any necessary support will be provided. There will also be an opportunity to acquire introductory skills in Community Organising as a training programme is envisaged as a feature of the project (the programme will be delivered by a qualified Community Organiser).
Further background on vertical veg growing may be found on Facebook (see the Vertical Veg North East page), and here: https://greeningwingrove.org.uk/vertical-veg-is-mint/
If you would like to know more about the post, please contact Greening Wingrove via : gw.bikegarden@gmail.com
The closing date for applications will be Sunday 28th March 2021.
Back Lanes Litter Meeting
Arthur’s Hill councillors have called a public meeting to discuss ‘waste and recycling issues’ in the area.
In a joint letter, councillors say the area continues to face challenges and have called on Arthur’s Hill residents to let them know “what more we can do together to solve these long-standing problems”.
“Although the communal bins have generally improved the cleanliness of our back lanes”, they say, “there are still some grot spots, a lot of fly tipping and a minority of residents who dump rubbish on the ground rather than finding a bin”.
A video meeting (open to all Arthur’s Hill ward residents) will take place on Zoom on Tuesday 9 March, 6pm. If you want to attend you will need to register before the meeting to get the videolink to take part. Register here.
Those unable to attend, or who prefer to put their thoughts and ideas in writing, can email Cllr Nick Forbes, who has promised to raise issues with the City Council. “This can be about specific issues or problems you experience on a regular basis, or about any ideas you have for ensuring everyone follows the rules about waste disposal and recycling”.
GH
Dr Bike Is Back
The popular Dr Bike cycle maintenance scheme has returned to Nuns Moor Park in Arthur’s Hill, after a successful run last year getting local people to cycle more by making sure their bikes are safe to use.
Every Saturday until the end of March, Dr Bike will be on hand to help local residents get their cycles roadworthy and safe for Spring.
You can bring your bike to the park and it will be given a comprehensive safety check, with minor adjustments and repairs done for free.
You need to book an appointment in advance. You can text ‘DR BIKE INFO’ to 07 385 634 825, or email drbikeappointments@gmail.com, or go to the Trusted Bikes Facebook page.
The Saturday sessions run from 10am to 3pm until the end of March.
The scheme is a partnership between Greening Wingrove CIC, Autismable CIC and Trusted Bikes CIC.
Help Improve Our Area
We are looking for local people living in Wingrove or Arthur’s Hill wards to join our board and play a part in making our area a better place to live in.
Anyone aged 16 or over can become a director and sit on the board, “a friendly group” which meets once a month to oversee and lead the work we do in our neighbourhoods.
“We’re particularly anxious to encourage nominations from among women and residents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds”, says organisation chair Nigel Todd.
“Women and residents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are currently under-represented on the CIC Board and we’d like to put that right”.
It is easy to join. Just fill in a simple nomination form here. The form should be returned to gw.bikegarden@gmail.com by midnight Wednesday 17th February 2021.
If anyone wishes to check their membership status, or have a chat about the board role, please e-mail gw.bikegarden@gmail.com or call Nigel on 0191 273 6418.
Formal election to the board happens on Saturday 20 February, when the Greening Wingrove Community Interest Company (’the CIC’) holds its Annual General Meeting at 11am.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the AGM will take place online via Zoom with a link circulated prior to the meeting.
All CIC Members are welcome to attend, stand for election to the Board and vote, but the meeting is also open to friends of Greening Wingrove and Arthur’s Hill as well.
The AGM will receive the Board’s report on our activities last year, as well as the annual accounts. Both the report and accounts will be circulated at the end of next week.
NT
Recycling Love Returning?
Arthur’s Hill residents have until Valentine’s Day to order free personal recycling bins for their household.
Leaflets advising of the new scheme went out to all residents in January, in response to pressure from Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill, says chair Nigel Todd, also a local city councillor.
Recycling in the area ‘collapsed’ in Wingrove and Arthur’s Hill after recycling provision was withdrawn, says Nigel.
The collapse follows the abolition of the traditional household green and blue weekly collection system and its replacement by so-called ‘communal bins’, which remain in back lanes all the time and do not prioritise recycling.
“We suggested to the City Council that they return blue recycling bins to households that wanted to recycle domestic waste. This was agreed, and the quality of recycling greatly improved. Greening Wingrove & Arthur’s Hill felt that there was scope to bring more residents in the terraces into the recycling scheme. The Council has now responded with an invitation to residents to apply for blue bins.”
Residents will be expected to keep the bins safe in a yard or garage, apart from on bin collection day.
The City Council is offering recycling bins to all households in Arthur’s Hill ward, but residents must register their details by Sunday 14 February to take advantage.
Residents should email their name and full postal address to keepitclean@newcastle.gov.uk or telephone 0191 278 7878 and ask for ‘Envirocall’.
GWAH Calls For Meeting With Council
We are calling for more discussion with the Council about how we tackle waste issues in our neighbourhoods.
“We’ve been very concerned, to say the least, about the fly tipping, overflowing bins and mess in the back lanes of the terraced streets off Wingrove Road and in Arthur’s Hill’ says Nigel.
“For some time we’ve been seeking a further meeting with the City Council to find ways of reducing the problems. It’s now likely that the Council will host an on-line community meeting about litter and waste in early March, and chaired by the Leader of the Council (Arthur’s Hill councillor Nick Forbes). This will be primarily for residents of the terraces, but there are other ‘hotspots’ that could feature in the meeting.
“We’ll publish more details when these are available. But if you’d like to register an interest in attending and having your say, then do contact us: gw.bikegarden@gmail.com
GH
Our Latest Newsletter
You can now get your copy of our latest newsletter online.
Our February/March 2021 edition includes updates on the following activities we support.
- The Bike Garden in Nuns Moor Park
- The return of Vertical Veg and our Growing Green Communities initiative
- Wild West End plans for Spring and Summer
- Covid-19 Mutual Aid
- Helping hedgehogs
- Our Northumberland wildflower seed giveaways
If you want get involved in any our work, there’s also details of how to get in touch.
Download your copy here today.
Take Our Survey
Greening Wingrove Community Interest Company is looking to build upon existing ways and develop new ways of generating income aimed at supporting all of its valuable community work; focused on making Wingrove and Arthur’s Hill an environmentally sustainable place to live.
To help it achieve that goal a key component involves the further development of the Bike Garden as a multi-use/purpose functional community space to be utilised by residents and organisations to provide services people want and need.
To help Greening Wingrove offer the right activities, services and opportunities we are looking to you, as identified stakeholders, to help shape that offer by completing our short survey
The completed survey should be returned to h.c.horizons@outlook.com
Indoor Socialising Ban
- Rule of One introduced.
- General ban on meeting others at any indoor location.
- New laws in effect from 30 September.
New laws came into effect across the North East on 30 September, making it illegal to meet anyone you don’t live with (or who you are not in a support bubble or linked household with) at any inside location.
Instead of the ‘Rule of Six’, introduced by the Government a fortnight ago, it is now the ‘Rule Of One’ for socialising indoors.
There is a long list of exceptions, but the general rule is you cannot mix indoors with people you don’t live with, unless it’s at a school or your workplace.
The new law applies to everyone, including children, and (unless exceptions apply) forbids North East residents from meeting up indoors with anyone else, anywhere, even abroad. Those visiting our region will also be banned from meeting people outside their own household or support bubble at indoor venues.
Before these changes, it had been possible to meet up to five others indoors at pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars, dessert diners, cafes, gaming zones, casinos, hostels, gyms, health centres, campsites or any other enclosed or ‘substantially enclosed’ location (apart from nightclubs and ‘sexual entertainment venues’, which remain shut). Now, those 18 or over who attend these places and meet with others can be forcibly dispersed and fined £200 for a first offence (reduced to £100 if paid in 14 days). Fines double for any subsequent offences.
These venues can remain open to the public, but unless it is an allowed exception, the rule of one must be observed, with heavy fines for business owners who allow customers to breach the rules. Customers must attend on their own and stay on their own. They must not be ‘in the same place’ as anyone else to socialise or ‘undertake any other activity with each other’.
There are a large number of exceptions to the rules.
Those normally involved in providing ‘necessary’ care for children under 14 or for vulnerable adults were allowed to do so again from last week. This might be childcare provided to allow a parent to go to work or to allow them to attend to other responsibilities.
Caring arrangements must have already been established before 21 September to qualify for this exemption. The rules do not allow for people to have children staying with others, for parties or ‘play dates’. People are allowed to care for children or vulnerable adults from one household only. Relatives and friends you don’t normally live with, who are not part of usual caring arrangements will not be allowed to meet to see the children. There is special provision to allow existing parent/child access arrangements.
Those in support bubbles or ‘linked households’ (where a single adult household ‘links’ with one other household and effectively forms an extended family) can continue to meet each other freely.
Meetings for work purposes or to provide volunteer or charitable services will be allowed where it is ‘necessary’, as will meeting up for training or education purposes. Meetings must take place in Covid-secure environments and follow social-distancing guidelines. Registered tradespeople will be allowed to work inside homes and other premises, provided they follow Covid guidance on working safely.
It will be possible to meet indoors for a range of emergency situations, for some support groups and ‘to facilitate’ a house move (including moving to university). It will also be possible for close relatives, friends, or members of the same household to visit people in hospitals, hospices and care homes.
Permitted gatherings will be allowed. These include for births, marriage and deaths, which are subject to strict limits on how many can attend, social distancing measures and Covid safety measures. Gatherings at premises (apart from private homes) operated by businesses, charities and public bodies will also be permitted, but must follow strict rules about how they are organised. Gyms and fitness studios can continue to operate but group activity must be limited to six people and in a Covid-secure setting. Public protest gatherings are allowed, subject to precautions being taken.
Outdoor areas at pubs, restaurants, cafes etc are exempt from the new rules and people will be allowed to meet in a socially distanced way, in groups of no more than six.
Despite there being no law changes which prevent people from meeting each other in outdoor settings (in groups of no more than six), official advice is not to. Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament last week that “people should not socialise outside their household … that is the approach that people should take.”
Check out our earlier story to find out more about current Covid-19 rules in the North East.
GH 30 September 2020
Recent Covid-19 Laws
As Covid-19 infection across the region spiked in the last week, so too did the number of new restrictions on how we can socialise.
Here is our guide to some of the new rules that have been recently introduced in our area, with more yet to come.
Meeting in houses you don’t normally live in
No more popping round to a neighbours’ house for a cup of tea. Whilst there are a number of exceptions, the general rule is you can’t meet others at anyone else’s house. This includes yards, gardens and doorsteps. You can make deliveries, but you mustn’t linger.
Meeting outside the home and the rule of six
You can meet with up to five other people, in a ‘socially distanced’ way at locations outside someone’s home, such as parks, play areas, back lanes, streets, car parks, pubs, restaurants or dessert diners. First-time penalties for breaching the ‘rule of six’ were doubled last week to £200. Organised indoor sporting, activity or exercise must be done in groups of no more than six.
Further restrictions are expected to come into force on 30 September, barring people not in the same household or support bubble from meeting at indoor locations such as cafes, bars, restaurants and pubs.
Relaxation of rules for childcare and vulnerable adults
Those normally involved in providing ‘necessary’ care for children under 14 or for vulnerable adults were allowed to do so again from last week. This might be childcare provided to allow a parent to go to work or to allow them to attend to other responsibilities.
Caring arrangements must have already been established before 21 September to qualify for this exemption. The rules do not allow for people to have children staying with others, for parties or ‘play dates’. People are able to care for children or vulnerable adults from one household only.
Self isolation
Those who don’t self-isolate when either a) they have had a Covid-19 test that shows positive or b) when they have been ordered to by NHS Test and Trace, now face a minimum £1,000 fine for a first offence.
If someone receives a positive test result, they are now required by law to self-isolate for “the period ending 10 days after displaying symptoms or after the date of the test if they did not have symptoms.”
Other members of their household must self-isolate “for the period ending 14 days after symptom onset”, or after the date of the initial person’s positive test, says Government guidance.
If someone is instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, because they have had close contact with someone outside their household who has tested positive, they are legally required to self-isolate for the period notified by NHS Test and Trace.
Both household and non-household contacts must self-isolate for the full period, regardless of whether they have symptoms and, if they develop symptoms and take a test, regardless of whether any test taken gives a negative result.
Get latest Government guidance on how the Test and Trace system works. See latest Government advice for households with possible or confirmed Covid-19 infection. The Government has also published specific advice for households with grandparents, parents and children living together where someone is at increased risk or has possible or confirmed Covid-19 infection.
Employers who force or allow staff to come to work when they should be self-isolating will be liable for fines of up to £10,000.
Test and trace self isolation payments
A taxable £500 Test and Trace self isolation payment will be available to some workers on low incomes who suffer financial loss because they are unable to work at home and who have been ordered to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. Claimants will need to be receiving one of the following benefits to be eligible – Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.
It will be paid on top of any statutory sick pay entitlement. The payment is expected to be available from 12 October and awards will backdated to 28 September where people are eligible. The scheme will be run by Newcastle City Council and is set to end 31 January next year.
Face masks
With some exceptions on health and age grounds, face coverings must now be worn by all passengers in taxis and private hire vehicles (in line with rules for all other public transport). They must be worn by staff and customers in hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes and pubs. They can be taken off to eat and drink while seated at a table, but must be put back on when finished or if walking round the venue. Staff must also wear them in shops, post offices, banks, public areas of hotels or hostels and other indoor areas. From 28 September, at any premises where masks are required to be worn, a sign must be displayed saying so.
A £200 minimum instant fine can be imposed for breaching the new face mask laws.
Businesses
Fines of up to £10,000 and shutdown of premises can now be imposed on businesses failing to maintain Covid-secure conditions.
Venues in hospitality, the tourism and leisure industry, close contact services (beauticians, hairdressers, tattooists, nail care, massage etc) and local authority facilities must also have systems in place to record who is entering their premises and must by law display an official NHS QR code so visitors can log their attendance that way instead. Hospitality venues must refuse entry to unregistered people.
£1,000 instant fines can be imposed on the person with overall responsibility for the business for failing to comply with these data collection requirements.
Hospitality venues
Hospitality venues like bars and restaurants must serve food and drink at tables, of no more than six people. They must not allow consumption of food and drink on the premises after 10pm. They will be allowed to deliver food and drink off premises after that time. Customers must not ‘mingle’ with people outside their own household or group they are part of. Staff must wear face coverings.
Hospitality venues must refuse entry to people who are not recorded entering their premises, either through the venue’s own recording system or through the NHS QR code mobile check-in system. All hospitality venues must display their premises’ NHS QR code in a prominent location.
In a set of measures introduced on 28 September, probably aimed at karaoke sessions, hospitality businesses must also take ‘reasonable measures’ to prevent people singing in groups of more than six. They must take reasonable measures to stop dancing (unless there is an exception, such as the first dance at a wedding reception) and (unless it is a live performance) must limit music sound levels to a Government-set maximum.
Takeaways
Takeaways can operate almost as usual, with the exception that they cannot allow orders to be made or collected in person after 10pm. Off licences are also allowed to continue operating after 10pm.
Weddings and civil partnerships
A bride and groom can have no more than 13 ‘socially distanced’ guests (including witnesses) at their wedding from 28 September. The previous limit was 28. Anyone working is not included in the guest limit. Performers can sing and play music, but guests cannot. Weddings are banned at people’s homes and gardens. Venues must be ‘Covid-secure’. If the wedding is held in a place of worship, face masks must be worn and police have powers to impose £200 instant fines for breaches. The couple getting married or joined together and those officiating do not have to wear face masks.
Wedding receptions
Receptions must be held at a Covid-secure venue, and there are big penalties for venue hosts who breach rules. Receptions cannot be at somebody’s home or garden. The total number attending can be no more than 15, plus anyone working. Celebrations must be finished by 10pm and participants must abide by social distancing rules. Indoor children’s play areas should be closed. Apart from a traditional newly-joined couple’s ‘first dance’, no other dancing is allowed. No hanging around at a bar counter. Meals and drinks must be sit-down. Police have powers to break up illegal gatherings and to issue instant fines.
Christenings and baptisms
Apart from baby, just five others are allowed at a christening or baptism, plus officiants and others working at the ceremony. Arrangements for the ceremony can be made at parents’ homes providing social distancing is observed. Face masks must be worn by parents and guests. Came into force 28 September.
Car sharing
It is still permissible to car share, but Government advice is to “try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household or support bubble”. Where it is necessary to share, the guidance is for all to wear face masks, share the transport with the same people each time, face away from each other, open windows for ventilation and to clean vehicle between journeys.
Covid-19 in Newcastle
Figures released by Newcastle City Council show infection rates in the city have soared over the past week, with a current rate of 235 cases per 100,000 population. This compares with 131 in the wider North East and an average of 52 across England.
Wingrove councillor and City Council Cabinet member for Public Health and Neighbourhoods Irim Ali said “It is vital now that everyone follows the guidance and especially the local restrictions that have been in place for a week now. I know this is difficult, and many of our communities have already sacrificed so much, but if we do not unify as one city we face the very real risk of the virus taking over.”
Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Parliament last week that “people should not socialise outside their household … that is the approach that people should take.”
New restrictions coming
Further new law is expected to be in force in our area by Wednesday 30 September, placing additional restrictions on meeting indoors.
Although not yet published, restrictions are expected to include a ban on meeting people outside of your household or support bubble, in indoor settings such as hospitality venues like pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
The proposed North East clampdown, being brought in “at the request of local councils” will introduce “legal restrictions on indoor mixing between households in any setting”, said Matt Hancock, in an announcement to Parliament. The provisions, he said, will be a response to high and rising levels of infection in the region, with six of seven North East council areas having infection rates of more than 100 of 100,000 people.
Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes confirmed there had been discussion with Government on further restrictions, but said he had no advance notice of this week’s announcement, which he criticised for “being communicated in headlines and without detail”.
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GH 29 September 2020
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