Local Authority round-up 08/10/21

Commercial

£23.5 million funding under Safer Streets Fund

The government has announced that police forces, councils and the British Transport Police across England and Wales are to receive a share of £23.5 million to spend in 2021 and 2022 from the third round of the Safer Streets Fund.  The funding is being provided in order to make public spaces safer for all through projects with a particular emphasis being placed on helping women and girls feel safer on our streets. Recipients of funding have submitted bids for innovative plans to increase the safety of public spaces, including projects which emphasise changing attitudes and behaviours in local communities.

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Regulatory

Scottish vaccine certification scheme introduced

The COVID-19 vaccination certification scheme (Scheme) in Scotland has now been introduced under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/349). This requires late night premises, and premises that host certain events in Scotland, to operate a reasonable system for checking that attendees over 18 years old are fully vaccinated (or are exempt from the requirement to demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated). Premises and businesses that are subject to the Scheme include late night venues open after midnight with alcohol, music and dancing, unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people in the audience, unseated outdoor live events with more than 4,000 people in the audience and any event, of any nature, which has more than 10,000 people in attendance. Affected businesses must also prepare a compliance plan that describes how their systems operate and other measures they have in place to prevent or minimise the spread of COVID-19. The Regulations will be enforced by councils in Scotland. The Regulations came into force on 1 October 2021, but the enforcement provisions are delayed until 18 October 2021 to give businesses time to implement the Scheme.

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New regulations and guidance for councils to support victims of domestic abuse

The government has published guidance setting out how councils should support victims of domestic abuse and their children to help ensure they are supported in the right accommodation under changes brought in under the Domestic Abuse Act. Councils will have to work with partners such as police and local domestic abuse charities and publish strategies on how they will provide support to victims who need safe accommodation by January 2022. Minister for rough sleeping and housing Eddie Hughes MP said “Domestic abuse is a horrendous crime and specialist support from experienced domestic abuse services is key if victims and their families are going to get the help they need to rebuild their lives. This is an important step in making sure victims up and down the country who need a place of safety receive the level of care they deserve.”

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International Trade

New hotline and online service launched to help UK businesses export to Europe

The Department for International Trade and Cabinet Office have launched a new hotline and online service to assist UK businesses seeking to export to Europe, including EU member states and non-EU countries such as Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The new service will handle queries in relation to exports of both goods and services. Such queries might, for example, relate to compliance with new rules of origin requirements, rules regarding product regulations and conformity assessments, the recognition of professional qualifications, and visa issues when travelling to Europe for business. The new service will supplement existing online government guidance, including Export goods from the UK: step by step and Selling services to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

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Planning and housing

£16 million for pilot projects to support people experiencing homelessness

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid has announced £16 million in funding for pilot projects to support people experiencing homelessness after being discharged from hospital. As part of the government’s programme to end rough sleeping by 2024, the schemes aim to reduce pressure on NHS and help people who are homeless find accommodation. 17 pilot schemes will benefit from the funding to help vulnerable members of society with basic needs such as housing, employment and drug cessation. Mr Javid, said “No one should ever have to sleep rough – extra support will ensure those who do not have a home can get the help they need, recover more quickly and end the cycle of readmission to hospital.”

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If you have any questions about the issues raised in this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch.