The Town Council is taking steps, where appropriate, to respond to Government’s changed requirement that we “Stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives”.

Anyone wishing to read more about social distancing and the Government’s publication “Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy” published on 11 May 2020 can do so via the Government website: 

·       Social distancing https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

·       Our Plan to Rebuild https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy

We understand the Government’s ambition of planning to ”return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS.”

Lowestoft Town Council has always strongly encouraged use of its open spaces, including by implementing a policy of providing sports and leisure facilities without charge for clubs and the public. We believe that exercise and outdoor activity is an important part of mental and physical health. We also recognised the need to implement measures to help contain spread of the virus and we did what we could to support this position in relation to our own assets and services.

Government has now decided to remove some of its initial limitations on outdoor exercise and is encouraging a return to work in certain circumstances. In response, the Town Council has implemented the following measures:

• There will be some increase in grounds maintenance at our main parks from Wednesday 13^th May 2020. Limited activity might also take place at other sites as and when possible and safe to do so. Social distancing remains an essential safety measure. While public use of sites is actively encouraged, we ask all users to respect the need for social distancing, including in relation to the grounds maintenance workers so that they can work safely. These workers are also likely to have a higher workload owing to the reduction in grounds work during the lockdown.  Any concerns can be raised through the main Town Council telephone number or email address (as detailed on this site). Please note that the office staff are working remotely and usual office hours apply.
• Litter bins will continue to be emptied; this might be on a more limited basis, depending on staff availability and park users are encouraged to take litter home
• Public conveniences and car parks will be reopened
• Play areas remain closed in line with Government guidance
• Tennis courts at Normanston Park and Kensington Gardens will be open for use during the day but will be closed overnight
• At tennis sites, notices will be displayed applying terms and conditions for use. Notices will reserve the Council’s discretion to close the sites at any time and will state the need to respect social distancing rules, exercise with only one other person (no team games) and to limit use to an hour maximum so that other users can play
• There is no special provision being made for any team sports including football and cricket
• Bowls and other clubs will be approached to ascertain what plans they might have for a return to their activities at a later stage when it is safe and permitted to do so
• A no-tolerance policy to abuse and/or violence directed towards staff on site.

We continue to review the position and you will wish to monitor the information posted here to see any updates on our sites and services.