Census day will be on March 21. Households across the country will receive letters with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on computers, phones or tablets from early March.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that provides the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.

“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”

The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

As the next step to tackle congestion, improve health and support more walking and cycling B&NES Council has invited residents to have their say on the city’s transport system over the next decade, by taking part in the six-week consultation on the Bath Transport Delivery Action Plan.

The aim of the Plan is to identify deliverable transport solutions that can be developed over time providing the opportunity to create better connected, healthier and more sustainable communities in which to live and work.

It will focus on three key areas:

• delivering sustainable transport
• improving connections
• improving transport provision for people travelling into city in the short, medium and long-term.

For more information on the Transport Delivery Action Plan and to take part in the online consultation visit https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/travel-and-transport-consultations All responses must be received by Monday 1 March.

You can also register in advance for a webinar about the plan here:

https://bathnes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gyExOv2bSvKvQER99ujIMA

The webinar is on February 1 at 5.30pm

From Dr Bruce Laurence – Director of Public Health, B&NES on 14^th January

We’ve seen a rapid rise in the number of Covid cases across Bath and North East Somerset.  The Clutton, Pensford, and Temple Cloud areas are particularly high, with a rate of over 800 new cases per 100,000 in the week ending 6^th January.  This is mostly in people aged between 20-59 – those of working age.  We are asking you to work with us urgently to contain this rise in cases.

We urgently need to amplify the message that residents in these areas, as elsewhere, must stay at home and leave only for essential purposes such as:

• Work – where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home
• Absolutely necessary shopping
• Exercise
• Health care

It is against the law to meet socially with family and friends, unless they are part of your household or support bubble.  People cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes such as sitting in a park or a social meeting.

We appreciate your help in reinforcing these messages.  We can only control this together.

Please contact us if you have any further suggestions for this or wish to feedback your local knowledge on how we can support residents in driving cases down.  More information can be found at www.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus.

The Community Wellbeing Hub can also help with food, medicines and other support.  It can be contacted on 0300 247 0050.

Sadly, whatever the calamity someone, somewhere, will set out to exploit it. This has proved true for the Covid-19 outbreak, especially since the vaccination programme has begun.

To book an appointment for the vaccine you may be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or a local pharmacy. At no point will payment be requested, the vaccine is always free of charge.

Beware of any text message claiming to be from the NHS offering the opportunity to click on a link to an online form that asks for personal and financial details. The online form may look very similar to the real NHS website. It is always a scam.

Please remember:

• The NHS will never ask you for your bank or card details.
• The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
• The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to provide the vaccine.
• The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.