Lockdown: a view from Holdingham

Lots happening at the moment with what seems like pressure to free ourselves from the limiting (debilitating?) effects of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Economic forecasts are dire with many working from home or being laid-off as firms close down (Nationally) or reduce output or (in some cases) changing their mode of operation.

 Debates run as to the need and conditions of the lock-down (Stay ay Home or Stay Alert) and what that implies. 

Has the Covid-19 been handled well or badly? Whatever the answer we are where we are. 

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But back to basics. 

Two forums that I am a member of are: Royal Television Society and the Centre For Cities (which also covers large Towns and is associated with Centre For Towns). 

Below are two Events covering the titles given. They last for an hour so choosing the issues that will have impact on Sleaford (and others in Lincolnshire) have to be identified.

Centre For Cities: The future  of Urban Transport    
Centre For Cities: Exit strategy: can the high street survive?  

Additionally the RTS provided a Zoom transmitted Conversation :  Industry Impact of Covid-19 (RTS = Royal Television Society). The video is not available yet for this. 

So the issue of how we escape with least damage to our functioning as a Country is being hotly debated. 

A new Mayor of Sleaford (and a Deputy Mayor from Holdingham).

I watched the AGM of the Sleaford Town Council on Wednesday (13 May)  evening (virtual meeting using Zoom software)  https://www.sleaford.gov.uk/full-council-recordings.html

A new Mayor was elected (Anthony Brand) who represents the Westholme Ward. 

The new Deputy Mayor is Robert Oates who represents the Holdingham Ward. Their details can be found on the Sleaford Town Council web-site.

 

The direct link to Councillor Brand and Councillor Oates as Mayor and Deputy is at this link.    

More to follow. Looks like Zoom will become a regular feature. https://assets.zoom.us/docs/user-guides/zoom-rooms-full-user-guide.pdf 

More to follow. Strange times we are living in!

Coronavirus: the view from Holdingham Sleaford

Local Picture (as at 12 May 2020)

Walking along Holdingham Lane and round the pathway was pleasant in the Spring Sunshine today (6 May). We met several couples and we all observed the distance recommendations. Our regulatory daily outing if we have understood the rules (a bit vague). Very quiet in Holdingham on 7 May but traffic on the Lincoln Road was brisk around midday and some speeding apparent. 

View towards McDonalds (closed)

Farm Bridge towards Leadingham (quiet)

Holdingham Lane

Farm Bridge towards Roundabout

The Lincolnshire Live still shows concerns about Police interpretation of the rules. Our Care Homes as sources of transmission still occur.
 https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/

Broader Picture

There are several issues that keep appearing and involving: Local, National  and International Politics.
These are shown below:

Local Government Meetings (off-line) 
Latest Political Statements: 
Pandemic: where did it start?

Summary 12 May 2020
The wider picture is still blurred and a promise of a new blueprint from the PM starting Monday 11 May 2020.  Nationally the UK death rates seems to be topping the WHO (World Health Organisation) league tables for Europe but whether or not the comparisons are a fair reflection is hard to determine.

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Local Council Meetings Using ZOOM software. 

Adaptating to the Coronavirus and the need for distant (off-line meetings) has led to the Local Council adopting  such - using ZOOM software. There are pitfalls: here is a summary of what has to happen if Councils want to go ahead. Councils if they wish can also not meet until they have the facilities.  

The government has issued supplementary regulations that allow for meetings to be held online and also provides for postponement of annual meetings and such like. They are found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/392/contents/made

By and large, the old rules can still apply. That is to say meetings according to an agreed schedule go ahead as planned, with the clerk issuing the agenda and supporting documents. 

Clearly these will need to include details of how to join the online meetings. As others have mentioned, there is also the power for the chairman or two councillors to call an extraordinary meeting.

It should be feasible for all councillors to attend an online meeting, and to open it to the press and public. While it may be that not everyone will be able to set up a computer, smartphone or tablet to join a meeting, most systems also provide for participation entirely by telephone. There must be very few people who cannot gain access to either a telephone or a digital device. It is then up to the chairman to find ways to ensure that every council member is able to participate in the meeting and to vote.

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Latest Ministerial and Political Statements

The Prime-Ministers  Statement of 10 May 2020 is here: PM Statement
The Leader of the Opposition response 11 May is here: Keir Starmer