April News from Derbyshire County Council
Our opening hours this Easter
We'd like to wish you a Happy Easter from all at Derbyshire County Council.
If you need us over the Easter period we're still here for things like community testing, libraries online, our Community Response Unit, household waste recycling centres, and for urgent social care calls.
Not all services are available on bank holidays, of course, and you can get more details about Easter services on the link below.
Easter activities
You can take part in some Easter events that we're holding, with the ongoing restrictions in mind.
You can take part in many online events and all other activities that are Covid-secure and follow the latest Government guidance.
As well as library events for children and adults, we've set up Easter trails at our country parks at Elvaston and Shipley.
If you have some time off at Easter you can use it to browse our adult education courses that make up our 'Summer of Free Learning'. You can also have a look at a virtual exhibition at our Buxton Museum and plan a visit when it opens in May.
And have you heard about our holiday activities with food programme? In it, we support families by providing activities and healthy food during the school holidays. This Easter we're focusing on online or virtual activities ranging from learning all about the outdoors, making music, getting active, delving into history and looking after your wellbeing.
Testing your employees for Covid-19
Do you run a business? Sign up to get free coronavirus tests for your workers.
If your employees can't work from home, one way to break the chains of covid transmission in the workplace is to provide regular covid tests.
You can sign up to a government scheme to receive free lateral flow test kits to test twice a week in the workplace.
And if you have 10 or more employees, you can order free rapid lateral flow tests for your staff to collect from their workplace and use at home twice a week. You can do this if you can't provide testing in the workplace.
You'll need to register and order kits by 12 April 2021. You'll receive all the information you need to plan and test your employees including promotional materials.
Can you help boost your community?
Are you, or is anyone you know, part of an organisation in Derbyshire Dales or High Peak that could develop a project to support businesses and communities?
We're inviting bids for the Community Renewal Fund – government money made available to help get people into jobs and boost the local economy.
Projects should be aimed at our communities that are most in need in Derbyshire Dales and High Peak, that can tackle disadvantage and break down the barriers to employment and better skills. Although these areas are being prioritised by government, projects from other districts and boroughs can apply.
From April 2021 to March 2022, up to £3m has been earmarked by government for projects in each of Derbyshire’s priority areas. Bids are welcomed from a range of organisations including local authorities, public sector organisations, higher and further education institutions, private sector organisations and registered charities.
Please avoid recycling centres at Easter
We're asking you to think carefully about when to visit our recycling centres this Easter.
Our recycling centres are open over the Easter weekend but only for items that you absolutely have to get rid of please.
The centres tend to be quieter on weekdays, especially before 10am and after 4pm. We’re encouraging you to come at these times rather than at weekends and to avoid visiting over the Easter holidays if possible.
Social distancing measures are still in place at our sites and staff are unable to help you unload. This slows things up so there may be queueing at the sites.
You can help by sorting your waste into the different types (e.g. garden waste, metal, wood, cardboard etc) before you come to the centre to help make your visit as quick as possible.
We’re also asking you to avoid queueing on main roads and suggesting that you use your kerbside recycling service at home as much as possible. Composting your garden waste is another way of helping to reduce visits. Thanks for your help!
Rules have relaxed but still be careful
It's great that up to six people from two households can now meet outside or in private gardens with social distancing, but our Director of Public Health is reminding us all to be cautious as lockdown eases.
Dean Wallace explained that the vaccination programme hasn't started to reach the age groups that are most likely to spread the virus, so it's really important we all follow the rules and guidance.
We still have to wash our hands, cover our faces and keep our distance. So, if you're planning on doing a little outdoor socialising under the new rules over Easter, please keep it in mind.
Find out more information about Derbyshire by visiting: derbyshire.gov.uk