It has been difficult to get information about the local vaccination plans but I have now got details from the Hillingdon GP Confederation which includes all the GP practices in Hayes. They confirm that all patients in the priority groups will be contacted in the next few weeks if they have not heard already. This will be by text for people with mobile phones or by landline for those without. All patients will be invited to attend for a vaccination, most likely at the Navnat Centre in Printing House Lane in Hayes. They have been focussing so far on those over 80 years of age and then over 75s. People are requested to wait to be contacted to avoid GP staff being overwhelmed with calls. The Confederation has produced a video which explains the whole process from the phone message to the needle in the arm. Click here to view.

With more people now being contacted for their vaccinations the number of fraudulent calls is also on the increase. The Police and the NHS have produced guidance for the public on what to look out for. The key messages are that the NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text confirming that you want the vaccine.. Nor will it ever ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details. Click here to see the full advice

There has been a lot of publicity in the media about a Government move to pay £500 to everybody who tests positive for coronavirus. This follows the publication of figures that show that only 17% of those with symptoms are coming forward for testing. Loss of earnings because of self-isolation is thought to be one factor involved. Currently there is a payment of £500 for people who have been tested positive or who have been told to self isolate but only if they are in receipt of benefits. Is this widely known? Click here to find out more about the Test and Trace Support Payment. The Government says that the idea of £500 for all is not official policy.

Many residents are surprised at the number of shops that are still open in Hayes Town even though there is supposed to be a lockdown. Government rules have been changed slightly since the first lockdown. Most traders are complying but a minority are not playing the game. Council inspectors have now issued 57 formal warnings and imposed 7 fixed penalty charges. Phone shops are allowed to be open if they offer click-and-collect or repairs or money transfer but does this apply to all of them in Hayes? Click here to see the report on the inspections and send an email if there are premises causing concern.

Besides the damage to physical health caused by the coronavirus there has been an enormous impact on the mental health of millions of people. Bereavement, fear, isolation and loneliness have all taken their toll but there is probably a lot more help out there than most people realise. Hillingdon Health and Care Partners have put together a really useful guide to what is available locally, Click here to see.

It has been compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport for seven months and 90% of people do so. A small number are exempt because of health reasons but some are just selfish. Transport for London has recently increased the number of enforcement officers to a total of 500 across the network. The latest figures are as follows:

Hillingdon Council has introduced free temporary parking permits for vehicles in controlled parking zones that currently have no permits but which are being forced to park because of the lockdown. In addition, residents with permits are being allowed to park on yellow lines in their parking zones provided that they display a permit and park safely. Click here to find out more.

Office block HP3 at Hyde Park Hayes in North Hyde Road will soon be emptied and turned into flats. The Council's Major Planning Applications gave permission at its meeting on Wednesday 20 January. To be fair, it did not have much choice since, some time ago, the Government introduced a special procedure for such changes of use to happen with minimal planning controls. There is no requirement to provide gardens or green spaces or to make contributions to local health services or schools. Once the conversion is completed there will be 114 flats. Click here to see the report (agenda item 10)

Last week the Council agreed funding for the installation of an outdoor gym at Lake Farm Country Park. This is part of programme to have gyms across the Borough. It will be near to the Botwell Common Road side of the Park. A precise opening date is not yet available but the works have to be completed by Wednesday 31 March.