News

Given the current coronavirus restrictions, it has unfortunately been necessary to suspend further issues of the Parish Magazine Village News, until restrictions are relaxed sufficiently to allow publication and deliveries to resume safely.

The editorial team apologise for any concern and confusion that may have arisen around the delivery of the April edition. The Government’s guidelines on social distancing came part way through its distribution, with the result that some were delivered whilst others were not.

Residents are encouraged to visit the village web site for local information in the meantime. We would ask regular web site users who know others who as yet might not be, to encourage them to visit the site at www.bardseyvillage.org.uk. If anyone wishes to contact the Parish Council, they can email us using the email address info@bardseyvillage.org.uk.

Please note the stark warning from West Yorkshire Trading Standards!

Fortunately a national emergency such as we now face brings out the best in most of us, as witnessed by the selfless contribution made by so many, both professionals and volunteers.

Unfortunately it also encourages the worst to come out in others.

A number of scams are operating in our locality, and we all need to take special care not to become victims of these despicable criminals. West Yorkshire Trading Standards has compiled a list of the most prevalent, so be warned!

For details please click on the following link: https://bardseyvillage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Covid-19-virus-scams-alert.pdf

Please note that due to the present social distancing rules, the Annual Parish Meeting, which was due to take place on Thursday 29th April, has had to be postponed until further notice. Please watch this web site for further information as and when available.

Bardsey Parish Council would like to assure residents that it continues to function during the present Corona 19 restrictions. Of necessity there have been essential changes to the way in which proceedings are conducted, however, and residents are asked to note:

1) Meetings are being conducted, and decisions taken, using email and video conferencing. If you wish to contact the Council, for example to raise issues that you would normally have done personally in the Residents Forum preceding every meeting, or to report specific issues such as fly tipping, please do so by email to: info@bardseycouncil.org.uk.

2) To provide the opportunity for residents to make representations if desired, agendas will now be posted regularly on the web site in advance of these ‘virtual’ council meetings. The page headed ‘Council Minutes’ is now headed ‘Council Proceedings’, and will carry agendas as well as minutes. The next meeting will take place on 15th April 2020 and the agenda will be posted later today.

3) Government has of necessity relaxed certain of the legal provisions under which town and parish councils operate. These include extensions to the deadlines for publishing accounts and completing audits, because the social distancing restrictions make it impossible to meet the normal dates. The Council will as always adhere to legal requirements, but it is unlikely that financials for the 2019/20 financial year will be published before the Autumn of 2020.

Please watch this web site for further updates.

Please see the Covid 19 page (click on the green navigation bar to the left) for today’s latest updates on the availability of childcare for key workers, pet care, refuse collections and other FAQs.

As previously reported, co-ordination of voluntary groups and resources offering support to residents during the present period of social distancing is being undertaken by Leeds City Council, and our Harewood Ward Councillors.

Great strides are being made every day to bring this all together. If you are in need of assistance, for example to obtain food because you are self isolating and cannot leave the house, you can now ask for support using the following contact points:

Please note that the Covid 19 web page (see menu to the left in green) has received multiple updates with latest information today. Visiting this page you can now find:

Update 5 – Links to the recently updated Government information web site.

Update 4 – Essential new contact details for Leeds City Council

Update 3 – Emergency changes to normal services provided by LCC

Update 2 – Links to detail information about claiming benefits during the outbreak, including help for businesses and the self employed.

Update 1 – Volunteering

New measures have now been taken by Government to slow the spread of the Covid 19 virus, to protect our vital NHS, and to save lives in the face of the worst global pandemic for 100 years. For details of the new rules please click on this link:

https://bardseyvillage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Full-Guidance-on-Staying-at-Home-and-Social-Distancing.pdf

Please note, the importance of observing the new guidelines cannot be exaggerated. To succeed in slowing the spread of the virus we must all play our part. If we do not slow the spread of the virus, our NHS and other services run a high risk of being overwhelmed within very few weeks. We can do it, but only if we all pull together.

Our community is facing what may be the most serious crisis since the Second World War. Fortunately in our village it is times like these that bring out the best in us. It has been heartwarming to see the reaction on the part of our residents, and to receive so many offers of help in supporting the most vulnerable during the Covid-19 outbreak. 

A new page has been added to this web site which will carry updated information for local residents as events unfold. For those of you who want to help, it also contains details of how to volunteer, and links to other relevant information. To access this page go to the navigation menu in green at the top left hand corner of your screen, and click on the first item.

Most of all, your Parish Council would urge community spirit and good neighbourliness during these difficult times. Unfortunately popping round to friends and neighbours is not to be encouraged, but imagine the value of a phone call, an internet video call, or a little carefully managed support from a concerned and caring neighbour who wants to make sure everything is OK.

The organisers of Bardsey Beer Festival are sorry to have to announce the postponement of this event until September 2020, due entirely to the Covid 19 outbreak and recent Government advice. This also applies to the Friday Night is Party Night event in association with Bardsey School. Watch this space for details of the re-organised Beer Festival in due course.