COVID-19 News and Information from Leigh-on-Sea Town Council

We are all in unprecedented times and we’re all trying to do our best for everyone as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Councillors met on Tuesday 17th March to discuss their plans to tackle the Corona Virus and the impact it will have on the provision of services during the current outbreak. As the situation is changing daily, please refer to this web page regularly for up to date information.

For more information about how we are supporting the community and ways we can help individuals, groups and traders during these uncertain times, visit our Community Support page

The current status of our upcoming events, clubs, and facilities is listed below. These details are correct as of Tuesday 31st March 2020.

Leigh Community Centre	Closed to the public. Closed for hiring until the end of April - subject to review. All hirers who have a room booked over the coming weeks/months will be contacted to discuss rescheduling events or issuing of refunds. Public events organised by hirers have been cancelled. An intensive cleaning regimen has been put in place.
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Offices	The office is now closed. Staff are working from home so can respond to emails. Please call our out of office phone number on 07902 078123 to speak to someone if you have an urgent enquiry.
Council and Committee Meetings	All meetings have been cancelled until the end of April subject to Government legislation enabling alternative measures.
Lorna & Lottie's Cafe - Inside LCC	The cafe is closed to the public as of mid-day, Friday 20th March. It will re-open when safe to do so. https://www.facebook.com/lornaandlottiescafe/
Allotments	The advice from NSALG has changed and therefore please advise your members of the following with immediate effect: The government is presently advising the population to stay at home and practice social distancing, whilst being allowed to take one form of exercise a day. If working your allotment is to carry on being seen as legitimate exercise then it is imperative that plot-holders follow all the guidelines, allotment sites are as risky as anywhere else. We think that now is the time to work your plot in isolation i.e. not with household members and if you can stay away for a few weeks to do so. It is vitally important that you follow all the advice about social distancing and hygiene as per the NSALG points and not gather together on site. Any plot-holder who is self isolating because a household member is ill with corona-virus should not be visiting the site. Associations should display an advice notice on their boards. It is important that anyone attending the allotment takes care to stay the appropriate distance from others, avoid body contact and wash hands at taps, do not wash hands or use detergents in the water tanks and please pay attention to notice boards. It is essential that no un-authorised people are allowed onto the plots for the duration of this emergency. Careful consideration should be given to introducing anyone over 70, those with underlying illness or pregnant women. We are aware that at the moment some police forces are advising that driving to the plot will not be viewed as essential travel if you are stopped at a check point. NSALG is endeavouring to get central advice on this issue and we will post as soon as it arrives.
Skate Park	Will be closed until further notice.
Strand Wharf	Will remain open to the public
Leigh Farmers' Market (Monthly)	All markets have been cancelled until further notice
Youth Club (Weekly)	All clubs have been cancelled until further notice
Youth Forum (Monthly)	All forum meetings have been cancelled until further notice
Over 60's Social Club (Bi-Monthly)	All clubs have been cancelled until further notice
Community Transport Scheme Trips (ADHOC)	All trips have been cancelled until further
Children's School Holiday Activities	Due to the current building works taking place at the Community Centre, the children's activities had already been suspended until the Summer Holidays. We hope that the programme can continue as planned, but will continue to monitor the situation.
Annual Community Meeting	The meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday 24th April, currently the plan is to postpone the meeting until a more suitable date. However Council legislation states that the meeting has to be held between 1st March and 1st June. We will continue to monitor the situation and update accordingly.
Upcoming Town Council Events	The Town Council had planned to hold a celebatory afterrnoon tea for VE Day on 10th May, this is currently postponed. We will continue to monitor the situation to reschedule for a more suitable date and update accordingly. The Town Council organises an annual Community Day event held in Bonchurch Park, this was scheduled to take place on Sunday 7th June. We will continue to monitor the situation to reschedule for a more suitable date and update accordingly.

5 things you can do to make a positive difference in your community

Think of others, consider your actions & be kind

People in every community will face the challenges of Covid-19 in some way –from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.

Connect and reach out to your neighbours

As self-isolation increases, we need to find new ways to stay connected and check on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing. Share phone numbers and stay in touch.

Make the most of local online groups

Keep up to date, share accurate information and be a positive part of your local community conversations.

Support vulnerable or isolated people

Different groups in our communities are at increased risk and social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages. There are things you can do like volunteering for local support services or donating to foodbanks to help.

A self-isolation support group has been set up on Facebook for those around Southend-on-Sea needing help during this time.

Share accurate information and advice

Support anyone who may be anxious about COVID-19. Signpost them to the correct advice from Public Health England and the NHS and encourage people to follow the correct hygiene practices. The Government website is updated daily too with in depth information and obviously Southend Borough Council have a dedicated page to help all Southend residents keep up to date with facts and information.