Robin Vickery shared a post calling for black and Asian people to be deported.

One post called for black and Asian people to be deported.

West Suffolk Council, external has given £154,300 to the firm which runs its leisure centres to try to help it cope with the loss of income due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Abbeycroft Leisure, external runs gyms and leisure centres in Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Newmarket and Mildenhall.

Image source, Abbeycroft Leisure

Staff there, and at the company's leisure centres in other council districts, have been furloughed and the finance will help Abbeycroft meet the costs for April, May and June.

John Griffiths, Conservative council leader, said: "Like other leisure operators, their income has stopped while costs continue, and we have worked with them to get them government support.

"The support will be reviewed in mid-June, when further measures for lifting lockdown are rolled out and we can work on recovery."

The artwork supporting the anti-racism movement was covered with black paint following a complaint.

Visitors to the seaside are being asked to take their rubbish home, after an increase in rubbish being left on beaches and seafronts.

Tendring District Council, external in Essex said 130 extra bins had been put out along the coastline and litter-picks were also taking place, but it is was not able to "cover the whole coastline and must prioritise safety tasks".

It looks after areas including Clacton, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze.

Image source, Tendering District Council

Alex Porter, cabinet member for leisure and tourism said: "We put significant additional resources in every year to counter this problem, but ultimately responsibility lies with people, whether you live locally or come to visit our beautiful district.

“If a bin is full use another one or take your rubbish home with you. Please don’t place rubbish next to bins, as however neatly you leave it, it will get spread around by the wind or wildlife".

Work to help homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic needs to continue, according to a council leader.

During the pandemic, councils have intervened to keep rough sleepers off the streets, for their health and to stop the spread of the virus by placing them in shelters with the help of homelessness charities.

Alan Waters, leader of Labour-controlled Norwich City Council, external, said: "Having found people accommodation and having worked with groups of people to make sure that they can have a positive change of direction in life, we wouldn't want that work in anyway hindered."

Image source, PA Media

Pete Cooper
BBC News

A drunk man trying to win a bet had to be rescued by lifeguards on Clacton beach after his inflatable began drifting out to sea.

Tendring District Council said it does not usually operate its Beach Patrol in term times, but luckily for the man it is running extra coverage as most children are still off school.

Image source, Tendring District Council

The coastguard received three 999 calls with concern for the man yesterday evening.

A lifegaurd's jet ski travelled 500 metres off the beach to rescue the man, who was battling in vain against the waves.

Upon reaching him Beach Patrol said they realised the man was intoxicated, and learned he had been attempting to row out to a marker buoy after a bet.

Alex Porter from Tendring District Council said: "Sadly rescuing inebriated people who foolishly think they are stronger than the tide is nothing new.

"However, this misadventure – a third of a mile out to sea on an inflatable – was particularly dangerous, and at a time when public and emergency services are stretched dealing with Covid-19."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A local authority is facing a shortfall of up to £20m as it battles to reduce the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Documents reveal that current lockdown arrangements are costing Southend Borough Council, external up to £3m every month – and may leave arrears of up to £9.5m for its key services.

The council, which is led by a Labour, independent and Liberal Democrat coalition, has a budget of £130.5m for 2020-21.

Image source, Google

The report, which will be discussed at cabinet next week, external, explains the estimated cost is "very difficult to quantify" but there was declining income from parking and penalty enforcement notices during lockdown, combined with the high demand for social care.

Last month, the council’s deputy leader Councillor Ron Woodley (independent) revealed parking revenue, which would usually bring in around £500,000 a month had been cut to "nil".

When the council was asked whether this could mean cuts would be made to services, a spokesman said there would be "financial challenges" but it would be "too early to speculate on cuts".

Suzie Vaughan says she thought her "heart was going to burst" when she saw her daughters again.

Jessica Frank-Keyes
Local Democracy reporter

A council has warned it could face a financial loss of more than £5m due to the cost of responding to the Covid-19 crisis.

Image source, Getty Images

An in-house report for Breckland Council in Norfolk warns the local authority increased costs and lost revenue could amount to £2.8m over six months and £5.5m over nine months.

Philip Cowen, executive member for finance and growth, said: "All councils in the country are facing an unprecedented call on resources."

The council has received almost £1.5m in emergency coronavirus funding from central government.

Alison Chubbock, chief accountant, said in the report to the council’s cabinet, external on Monday, that "the council is facing considerable challenges".

She said: "This funding is unlikely to cover our losses to the end of June and certainly will not cover losses from July unless additional funding is provided."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The number of cases of coronavirus in Suffolk stands at 1,502 according to the latest figures.

That's up from 1,464 confirmed cases at the beginning of last week.

A breakdown of the number of cases by district council area shows that of those tested there are 348 cases in Ipswich, 608 in East Suffolk, 174 in Mid Suffolk, 147 in Babergh and 225 in West Suffolk.

Ipswich with 253 cases per 100,000 of the population has the highest number of cases relative to the size of its population.

But the borough only saw three more cases this week compared to last week.

A council in Essex has published a video of people littering one of its parks to highlight its concerns:

BBC Radio Norfolk

The train company which runs services from King's Lynn in Norfolk to London is spraying carriages with a virus killer that makers claim gives surfaces protection against coronavirus for up to 30 days.

Govia Thameslink, external staff are spraying rolling stock and stations with a viruscide that sticks to surfaces.

Image source, Govia

Engineering director Steve Lammin said: "Since the outbreak of this pandemic we have been doing all we can to protect our passengers and staff by ensuring our trains, and stations have enhanced cleaning regimes, and a switch in focus to high-touch areas and the increased use of anti-viral agents.

"We are now using a product that will kill coronavirus for up to 30 days and we are applying this to surfaces across our network on a 21-day cycle.

"We want to do everything possible to work with passengers and staff to keep them safe and this will further protect everyone who is working so hard for this country."

• More than £50m has been paid by North Norfolk District Council to support small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, the EDP, external reports
• The Norwich Evening News, external reports that a DJ, who has been getting people to dance on their doorsteps to lift spirits, has been told he can keep doing it despite complaints
• While in Fakenham, people are having their mail delivered by posties dressed up as Scooby Doo, a chicken, banana or a jester to help cheer customers up and to raise money for charity, the Lynn News, external reports

A multi-stage music day, mela and waterfront maritime festival all bite the dust due to coronavirus.

Alex Pope
BBC News Online

A seaside town that saw an influx of visitors to its beach this week is calling on people to "don't travel, stay local".

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, external has got a campaign to make people think twice before coming to the town this bank holiday weekend.

Leader Ian Gilbert said: “For many weeks we ran a successful Don’t Visit Southend campaign, but the government’s lifting of restrictions have put us in a very difficult position as day trips and sunbathing are allowed, and takeaways can be open for business."

Community safety officers, parking enforcement officers, marshals, police, beach welfare officers and "stay safe stay apart" volunteer marshals will be in place, the council said.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

For those who want to get out and about this weekend without discomfort public toilets have been reopened in some Ipswich open areas following the coronavirus lockdown, the borough council , externalsaid.

The riverside skatepark has also been reopened with new signs displaying social distancing reminders.

Five of the council’s public toilets, at Major's Corner (pictured), Christchurch Park, Holywells Park, Lawn Cemetery and Millennium Cemetery will be open between 10:00 and 16:00 initially.

Disabled toilets will be open on a strict "one person in, one person out" basis. The council confirmed there would be sanitising for cubicles after each use.

A council spokesman said: "These are considered to be those which are used more frequently, where there are hand-washing basins, where we believe at this point in time there is a demand and where can supply resource to regularly sanitise them."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A warning has been issued about possible bacteria infestations in water supplies at businesses planning to reopen after the long lockdown because of Covid-19.

Epping Forest District Council, external said Legionnaires' disease bacteria could be present in water systems and could cause serious illness to staff when buildings reopen after a lengthy closure.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Possible vulnerable businesses include shops, hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms, hotels, pubs and campsites, the council said.

• NHS: Legionnaires' disease, external

A statement said "water systems that are not being used and maintained effectively are very likely to have increased levels of bacteria present, including the Legionella bacteria".

"The warmer summer months will lead to more Legionella bacteria in water systems that are not being used or maintained," it continued.

"Groups of people susceptible to Legionnaires' disease are similar to those most susceptible to serious complications from Covid-19 infection."

The council recommended the Health and Safety Executive, external website for further advice.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Some road layouts in Ipswich town centre could change under proposals to enable greater social distancing.

Image source, Geograph/Adrian Cable

Ipswich Borough Council, external is working with Ipswich Central, external business group, police and county council on a plan to begin opening up the town centre to more people from 1 June.

Currently the only stores open are those deemed essential.

Full details are due to be revealed on 29 May, but discussions are understood to include managing pedestrian flow and whether some narrow alleyways would need to close or be one-way only. How deliveries and rubbish collections are managed will also be considered.

Labour borough council leader David Ellesmere said: "Plans are under way to follow government guidance and reopen the town centre – when the time is right."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Southend Borough Council, external has responded to criticism that it did not do enough to deter visitors from its beaches where it is alleged social distancing laws have been broken during this week's hot weather.

Leader Ian Gilbert said in a statement: “We want people to think twice before visiting and ask if their journey is really necessary.

"The government’s lifting of restrictions allows day trips and sunbathing, but many of our attractions are shut, and parking and public toilets are more limited than usual to all for greater distancing and sanitation.

"We would urge people to stay safe and stay apart if they are here.”

Neil Stock, leader of Tendring District Council, external in north east Essex which covers Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, Brightlingsea and Dovercourt, warned visitors should maintain social distancing and avoid crowded areas.

"But please remember if you’re coming to the Essex Sunshine Coast, or one of our parks and gardens, there’s nothing to do – nowhere to buy ice creams, you can’t sit down for a coffee or a beer," he said.

"You can bring your own refreshments, but please use a bin or take your rubbish home with you."