Our Eastend DECEMBER 2020 // NEWS from TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL and YOUR COMMUNITY
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HEALTHIER LIVES CELEBRATING OUR BOROUGH COUNCIL NEWS Keep Covid-safe Campus life at Victoria Park during the festive Queen Mary scoops more period University awards SEE PAGES 4-7 SEE PAGES 12-13 SEE PAGE 29 ISSUE NINETEEN // DECEMBER 2020 Best school in England Mayflower named best state primary school – see page 8 Children’s Centres remain open for families All 12 of the Tower Hamlets Children’s Centres remain open and are providing a mixture of face-to-face and online sessions. Services and sessions Information and advice Free childcare We have adapted our services to If you are concerned about your To learn if you are eligible for free be Covid-secure and deliver: child’s development, contact your childcare call 020 7364 1553 • Stay and play local Children’s Centre for advice. (Monday to Friday, • Family support If your child attends a childcare 9am-5pm). • Universal health services setting, talk to the Inclusion • Employment training Coordinator in the setting and • Education advice you can also get advice from the Inclusion Team on Many centres have also introduced 020 7364 1553. ‘walk and talk’ sessions, which means families can receive support and advice whilst meeting our experts outside. Doors are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm Visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/childrenscentres to learn more. 2 // Our EastEnd DECEMBER 2020 // NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY As 2020 draws to an end we reflect on what has been an 4-5 // Healthier lives 25-26 // Arts & events extremely challenging year. Following the Covid-19 tiers, staying Year of the Ox, Holocaust Memorial Day Covid-19 safe during the festive season, 2021, Canary Wharf’s ‘open air gallery’, We think of those that lost their lives and been affected by how to get ready for winter, call for grand musical walk, what’s on. Covid-19 and thank our key workers who have been there for donations – emergency food appeal. us throughout the year. The economic impact has been felt by 27-29 // Council news many residents and businesses and will continue to affect us 8-9 // Young people and families Make a date for important polls, census for some time. Mayflower takes top honours, funding day is coming, digital revolution sparked I hope that with talk of a vaccine there may be some light at boost for two new secondary schools, by lockdowns, asthma campaign wins the end of the tunnel. Until then we must keep following first specialist college for autistic award, Victoria Park voted the best in the the government’s rules which are there to keep us safe. That students set to expand, UK, make volunteering your New means continuing to do the basics of wash your hands, cover Christmas card winners. Year’s resolution, housing fraud your face and make space as well as booking a test if you show couple face Wapping bill. 11 // Clean & any symptoms of Covid-19. 30-33// Community green As a council we stepped up this year and continue to provide news support to our most vulnerable. We’ve had to change the way Crackdown on we deliver services and this has shown both the value of the flytipping, Tower Tackling digital exclusion, council and our ability to adapt and to work successfully with Hamlets at your running for mental health, our Voluntary and Community Sector and other partners. fingertips. toy appeal, former England From providing PPE, to housing rough sleepers, supporting footballer makes virtual visit, people who are shielding or feeding children in the school 12-13 // Celebrating Tower Hamlets first healthy, holidays, we have been there for our residents this year and we our borough affordable food store, getting through 2020 together. have seen a fantastic community spirit. Queen Mary University London: living While Covid-19 has dominated 2020, ‘business as usual’ has and learning in Tower Hamlets. 34-35// Council news continued and that means delivering new council homes, 15 // Jobs & economy Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets, Bow liveable helping residents get into training and work and cleaning up streets, A12 noise barrier a UK first, free our streets. £200 million lifeline for businesses hit by winter meals for children, help us to pandemic restrictions. We have just consulted on our budget as we continue to have save £30 million in latest budget, to make savings due to government cuts. We’ve also moved 16-17 // Spotlight borough partnership column. to online council meetings and held online ‘Ask the Mayor’ Keeping Tower Hamlets 36-37 // Harmony events – although it has been harder to see people face-to-face I and safe. remain committed to being open and accountable. Council news in Bengali and Somali. I wish readers as good a seasonal break as 18 // Safer is possible in these circumstances. Merry Together 38-39// History Christmas and I hope people have a chance Fight to tackle drugs Winter is coming. to see friends and family where they can continues. and let us hope 2021 brings relief and 40-41 // Know renewal and some return to a normal life for Housing 21 // your council you all. New homes named after ‘The Singing Contact details for the mayor and As ever, you can get in touch Mayor’, local housing projects win top councillors. with me by emailing awards. [email protected] or 42-43 // Useful information calling 020 7364 4000. 22-24 // Walk with Graham Barker Election of the new Speaker, have your John Biggs, say on BAME Inequalities Commission, Mayor of Tower Hamlets Building communities. meeting dates and how to get in touch. Our East End is produced by: Tower Hamlets Council Sign-up to Facebook Editorial enquiries: 020 7364 4389 Tower Hamlets news /Towerhamletscouncil Email: [email protected] Twitter Find out what’s on, get Tower Hamlets Advertising enquiries: 020 7364 6005 news, take part in competitions and receive @TowerHamletsNow Printed by: Reach Printing Services local offers straight into your inbox! Instagram Distributed by: London Letterbox Marketing Visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/signup @TowerHamletsNow // 2020 DECEMBER Our EastEnd // 3 Following the Covid-19 tiers HEALTHIER LIVES KEEP At the time of publication (11 Dec), TOWER HAMLETS Tower Hamlets is in Tier 2 – high alert. SAFE However, rates have continued to rise in some areas, particularly north east London. Tower Hamlets’ rating may PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS change when the tiers are reviewed on December 16 and at regular intervals after that. Below we outline some of the key restrictions for Tiers 2 (high alert) and 3 (very high alert). The full restrictions can be found at gov.uk/coronavirus. HANDS FACE SPACE Both Tier 2 and 3: Wash hands regularly Wear a face covering Keep a safe distance • Work and business: Everyone who can work from home should do so. receptions and wakes; 30 for funerals. Entertainment • Retail, entertainment, personal care No matter what tier – (Note: Wedding receptions not allowed and indoor leisure: Open. • Tier 2: Open. In Tier 3). • Education: Early years settings, • Tier 3: Indoor venues closed. protect yourself and schools, colleges and universities Overnight stays others open. Childcare, other supervised Differences between Tier • Tier 2: Permitted with household or activities and childcare bubbles support bubble. 2 and 3 Remember: Hands, Face, Space permitted. • Tier 3: Advise against overnight stays • Places of worship: Open, but Meeting family and friends other than household or support If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 cannot interact with anyone outside • Tier 2: No mixing of households bubble. you must book a test. Symptoms include: household or support bubbles. indoors apart from support bubbles. Travelling: • Exercise: Classes and organised adult Max. of six outdoors. • A high temperature. • Tier 2: Reduce the number of journeys sport allowed outside but not indoors • Tier 3: No mixing of households you make. Avoid busy times on public • A new or continuous cough. if it involves people from different indoors or most outdoor places, apart transport. Avoid entering a Tier 3 area households. Organised activities for from support bubbles. • A change or loss to your normal sense unless absolutely necessary. elite athletes, under-18s or disabled Bars, pubs and restaurants of smell or taste. • Tier 3: Avoid travelling outside your people allowed. (Note: contact activity • Tier 2: Pubs and bars must close. area, other than where necessary such should be avoided in Tier 3). Hospitality venues can only serve We now have four testing sites in as for work or education. • Indoor leisure: Open (Note: no group alcohol with substantial meals. No Tower Hamlets. Tests can be booked activity in Tier 3). orders past 10pm. Must close at 11pm. Accommodation: by calling 119 or online www.nhs.uk/ • Weddings and funerals: 15 guests for • Tier 3: Closed except for takeaway or • Tier 2: Open. weddings, civil partnerships, wedding delivery. • Tier 3: Closed. coronavirus. KEEP TESTING CENTRES IN TOWER HAMLETS TOWER HAMLETS SAFE Idea Store Watney Market Mile End Arts Pavilion, 260 Commercial Street Clinton Road E1 2FB E3 4QY Monday – Sunday Monday – Sunday 8am – 8pm 8am – 8pm Billingsgate Market Jack Dash House Mobile testing unit 2 Lawn House Close Trafalgar Way E14 9YQ E14 5ST Monday – Sunday Every three days To book an appointment at any 8am – 8pm 10.30am – 3.30pm test centre call 119 or book online www.nhs.uk/coronavirus 4 // Our EastEnd DECEMBER 2020 // Staying Covid-19 safe during the festive season With the festive season approaching we know many residents will be looking forward to celebrating with their families. Between 23 and 27 December, people can form a bubble of up to three households. While this is allowed under government guidelines, please be cautious, especially of anyone who may be more vulnerable including the elderly and those with existing health conditions.