New Forest District Council Update 30th July

We are sending emails like this one to residents of the New Forest with information about our services, and updates as we respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
You can unsubscribe at any time – see the end of this email.

Our health and leisure centres open next week

Our five health and leisure centres reopen next week to Fitness Direct members for gym sessions and group exercise sessions, with all pools to be re-opened by mid-August.

Applemore, New Milton and Ringwood open on Monday 3 August, with Lymington and Totton opening on Friday 7 August.

Inside the centres and behind the scenes staff have been busy making lots of small but important changes, all to keep customers safe while they enjoy their activity.

The centres are only available for current members but this will be reviewed after the centres have been open for a while.
All activities must be pre-booked.

Find out more at http://leisure.newforest.gov.uk/

Fawley Waterside development gets the go ahead

Our planning committee have given the go ahead for a major redevelopment at the old Fawley Power Station site.

The plans will create a new waterside community, providing 1,500 homes, around 2,000 jobs and public open space on currently disused land.

The application has been approved by both us, and the New Forest National Park Authority.

You can read more at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1621/Fawley-Waterside-development-given-go-ahead-at-NFDC-planning-committee

Crabby selfie competition

From today (Thursday 30 July) visitors to the coastal areas of Calshot, Milford on Sea, and Barton on Sea will come face to face with a giant crab, and a reminder to take litter home. To make life easier, we have provided litter bags meaning there is no excuse to leave rubbish behind. And you can enter our #crabby selfie competition, displayed on billboards, with an opportunity to win £100.

Read more about the crabby litter project and how to enter the competition at https://newforest.gov.uk/crabby

Help for better health

Public Health England’s ‘Better Health’ scheme aims to support people to live healthier lives and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19.

There are suggestions, free tools and apps, if you want to eat better, be a healthy weight, drink less alcohol, and get active https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/

How to contact us

From tomorrow (Friday 31 July 2020), the 285588 number is no longer an NFDC number.

Find out how to get in touch with us at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/1162/Contact-us

Don’t let your dog overheat this summer

As temperatures begin to rise, take extra steps to keep your pets safe this summer.

A car can reach unbearable temperatures on a warm day even if you are parked in the shade. When it’s 22 degrees outside, a car can heat up to 47 degrees within an hour.

Never leave your dog in a car on a warm day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot vehicle, call 999.

Our dog warden advises that, on a hot day, you should always do the pavement temperature test before taking your dog for a walk. Stand barefoot on the pavement, if you are unable to keep your feet on the path for five seconds then it’s not safe to walk your dog. Try walking your dog in the morning or evening when it’s cooler or on grass for a safer and more comfortable experience.

For more guidance about keeping your pets safe in hot weather see https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/summer and https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/summer-survival-guide-pets

Are you a New Forest Ambassador?

The New Forest National Park Authority is inviting people to become New Forest Ambassadors to help support work protecting this internationally-important area.

They have created a list of practical ways you can help, alongside the increased patrols and activities already being carried out by rangers and staff.

Read more about being an ambassador at https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/communities/get-involved/what-you-can-do-the-new-forest-ambassador-scheme/

Eat out to help out

More than 53,000 outlets across the UK have so far signed up to the UK Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

Get 50% off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person if you eat or drink in
every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 August and 31 August.

Find a participating place near your postcode: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant

Further information for businesses, including how to register and make a claim, is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-more-information-about-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme

Latest information from NFDC:
https://www.newforest.gov.uk/coronavirus
Latest information from central government: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus