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Medway Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the extension of six Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Medway.
Medway Council has launched six consultations on the extension of PSPOs in Medway which are more commonly known as Alcohol Control Zones and Dog Control Orders.
Alcohol Control Zones are not blanket bans on drinking alcohol in public places within the zone, but people could be prevented from drinking alcohol if they are behaving anti-socially.
The council is consulting on extending the Alcohol Control Zones in Strood, Gillingham, Rochester and Chatham town centres for three years from 17th October 2020.
The extension of the PSPOs will not stop residents and visitors drinking alcohol in licensed premises during normal licensing hours, for example, in pubs and bars. Pubs, restaurants and off licences do not form part of the PSPO.
If someone is found drinking alcohol and behaving anti-socially in a PSPO it could be confiscated and disposed of, and the individual could face a fine of up to £500.
Medway Council is also consulting on the extension of Dog Control Orders in Capstone Farm Country Park and Riverside Country Park in Gillingham for three years, from 17th October 2020. This means that dogs must be kept on leads in certain areas within the country parks, which are clearly marked on maps on the park notice boards, and are not allowed in other areas, such as play parks.
If someone is seen walking their dog off the lead in one of the designated areas, or if their dog is in an area where canines are not allowed they will be asked to put their dog on a lead or to remove the dog from that area. If they do not comply the pet owner could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100.
The consultations end at midnight on Friday 17th July 2020.
Cllr Adrian Gulvin, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Resources and Chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, said:
“In the last three years our preventative approach to tackling anti-social behaviour across Medway has seen a 29 per cent reduction in the number of incidents reported. We are determined to reduce this figure further and we will continue to work closely with our partners to tackle anti-social behaviour. I would encourage residents to take part in the consultation and have their say.”
For more information about PSPOs, and to take part in the consultations, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/consultations
Medway Council
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Councillor Roger Truelove. |
A council report has confirmed Swale Borough Council allocated more than £1 million to open space, leisure and environmental improvements in the financial year 2019/20.
The funding came from council reserves and included:
• £523,000 for new and refurbished public toilet facilities across the borough.
• £165,000 for hall improvements in Sheppey and West Faversham, and for Faversham pool.
• £159,000 for parks and play areas.
• £93K for environmental improvements.
In addition to these, further allocations were made to the Mill Skate Park, Dolphin Barge Museum site, and the Artesian Well at Oare.
The detailed allocation of the Special Project Fund is part of a report on the council’s finances in the last financial year which goes to the cabinet on Wednesday, 8th July.
The leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, Roger Truelove, said:
“The first year of the coalition was one of sound financing. Despite considerable pressures on spending, especially from homelessness, the accounts for the year shows a surplus of £64,000 which will go into reserves.
The reserves remain buoyant at over £23 million and we believe that it is only right that we should carefully use a relatively small part of those reserves to make one off improvements in the borough.
We want local people to enjoy their open spaces and so it is unacceptable that Swale has not previously done enough to provide decent public toilet facilities.
We want people to enjoy our parks and we want children to have decent play areas that are stimulating.
We want people to have proper community hall facilities and we want to provide funding for our climate emergency initiatives.
This is just a start and despite many financial challenges, we will continue to make these improvements a priority for our communities.
With the introduction of new area committees some of the future funding will be devolved so that local members can decide the priorities for their areas.”
Swale Borough Council
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Temporary Pedestrianisation - High Street, Sittingbourne - from 6th July 2020
To help achieve social-distancing for economic recovery following the Coronavirus pandemic, the pedestrianisation times for High Street, Sittingbourne have been extended.
All vehicles will now be prohibited on High Street from the existing gate near the junction with Station Street to the junction with Central Avenue, Mondays to Thursday inclusive each week between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
This comes into force from Monday 6th July 2020 and remains in force for up to 6 months.
Whilst in force, this over-rides the existing traffic regulations that prohibit traffic on the above roads.
These restrictions have been requested by and in conjunction with Swale Borough Council, and any enquires concerning this should be addressed directly to them.
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Upchurch Parish Council will be holding the above meeting via Zoom on Thursday 2nd July 2020 at 7:30pm.
Virtual meetings are open to members of the public.
Anyone wishing to watch will need to contact the Clerk for the login details, they will also be allowed to raise questions or comments to Councillors during public time.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish CouncilTel: 01622 739324
The village food bank for those shielding during the Coronavirus pandemic is starting to wind down now and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported and donated.
Every single thing went out to people who needed it.
Overall we delivered 44 food parcels and 33 prescriptions/medications.
It has been lovely to see how generous the villagers have been and I am really grateful for your support.
Thank you
Cia Merrall
15 Forge Lane, Upchurch
Telephone: 07916 151299
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Councillor Gary Rosewell installed four lovely new basket planters along the Recreation Ground fence in Oak Lane this week.
Upchurch Parish Council secured a grant from Swale Borough Council this year towards them.
🌷🌸🌼🌺🌸🌼🌺
Upchurch Matters
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Calling all Carers
Do you look after someone who would struggle to care for themselves without your help?
Are you helping a friend, neighbour, child or relative who has an illness or disability, or providing some extra support to someone during a difficult time?
If so, you are a carer.
We at Carers FIRST understand the difficulties you may be facing in these ever-changing times and understand that it can be difficult to look after yourself when your focus is always on the person you care for. One way to support your own wellbeing is by informing your GP surgery of your caring role.
Each surgery maintains a carers register and by simply informing your surgery that you are a carer, your name will be added to the list. Registering allows your GP to better support your needs and offers additional benefits such as receiving the seasonal flu jab.
Carers FIRST now has a member of staff working in GP surgeries across Medway, who will soon be getting in touch with all carers on the carers register to offer free health checks.
A carer is anyone, of any age, that looks after another person who could not manage without them. The care they provide is unpaid. There are no qualifications or criteria that stipulate who is, or isn’t a carer.
At Carers FIRST, we understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn’t be. We work directly with and for unpaid carers to provide personalised information, advice and support; making it easier for them to continue living their lives to the fullest.
Medway Communications and Engagement
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
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Councillors have approved plans to give local communities a greater involvement in council decisions affecting them.
Last week’s virtual full council meeting agreed to set up four area committees to spread power into local communities and give people a greater say on council matters.
Cllr Mike Baldock, deputy leader of the council, said:
“Area committees give local councillors a chance to reconnect with the public, help develop area-focussed strategies and bring valuable local insight to council decision-making.
Each committee will have a budget and a mandate to monitor core services in their area. Members working together will be able to make suggestions and vote on how to spend money in their area, giving us a much-improved local focus.
They will also be a valuable source of information for cabinet and services, and members of the public and local parish and town councils will be able to ask questions and comment on relevant subjects.
This is a fantastic way to involve more councillors in the decisions that affect their areas and will improve the quality and quantity of engagement in the decisions affecting local communities.
We now need to work out how we can get these committees up and running with the current public health restrictions in place. We would like to see them operational as soon as possible.”
The leader of the council, Roger Truelove, said:
“This is the first major step towards bringing Council decisions closer to the public and in redressing the balance between the Executive responsibilities of the Cabinet and the involvement of all members.”
The four committees will be made up of:
• Eastern
Abbey, Boughton and Courtney, East Downs, Priory, St Ann’s, Teynham and Lynsted and Watling wards.
• Sheppey
Minster Cliffs, Queenborough and Halfway, Sheerness, Sheppey Central and Sheppey East.
• Sittingbourne
Chalkwell, Homewood, Kemsley, Milton Regis, Murston and Roman.
• Western
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow, Borden and Grove Park, Hartlip Newington and Upchurch, the Meads, Woodstock and West Downs.
The full report that was agreed at the full council meeting on Wednesday 17th June is available on the council website
Swale Borough Council
The cascading planter brightening up the corner of Horsham Lane and The Street is beginning to look lovely again this year.
Last seasons planter gave the village weeks of beautiful colour.
Upchurch Parish Council secured a two-year grant from Swale Borough Council last year towards funding both planters.
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Upchurch Matters
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Upchurch resident Elizabeth Shorthouse would like to downsize from her 4 bedroom home of the last 40 years to a 3 bedroom semi in the village.
Interested in either buying or selling?
Thank you
Elizabeth Shorthouse
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Introduction
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group has suspended DMC Healthcare’s contract to provide dermatology services in Medway, Swale, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.
This briefing note outlines the current situation.
Background
On 1 April 2019, the North Kent Dermatology Service, run by provider DMC Healthcare, went live offering patients across Medway, Swale, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.
The procurement process for the new service, which was led by Medway CCG, followed a period of engagement which included patient, staff and clinician involvement.
DMC Healthcare was chosen as the provider following a full procurement and due diligence process, allowing the CCG the opportunity to scrutinise providers to ensure the service on offer was safe, efficient and could be delivered for the duration of the contract. The selection process, which involved dermatology patients, was made on an anonymised basis which offers assurance that decisions are based on merit.
Why has DMC’s contract been suspended?
The CCG has recently had concerns about whether the way the service is managed is in the best interest of patients, the clinical assurances around the service as well as DMC’s ability to meet NHS standard contract requirements.
Recently DMC provided new data that indicated a significant number of patients could be at risk. The data is now being clinically analysed but we believe around 1,000 patients need to be seen urgently.
What action has the CCG taken?
Upon receipt of the new data, the CCG verbally suspended DMC’s contract to provide dermatology services on Friday 19 June. We also requested all clinics be cancelled due to patient safety concerns. This was followed up with written confirmation on Monday 22 June.
Prior to this, we had been working with DMC for some time holding weekly contract meetings to support safe delivery of the service. Unfortunately insufficient improvements were made and we suspended the contract to ensure patient safety.
What happens to patients now?
In the short term, patients who need urgent investigation following review by their GPs will be referred to Sussex Community Dermatology Service. They are already an alternative provider delivering dermatology care in the area through patient choice and have the has capacity to provide additional support until longer term solutions are established.
We have also made arrangements for the most at risk patients to be seen as soon as possible. The CCG has rapidly sourced another provider known as the 18 Week Support team, which has worked in partnership with the NHS since 2014, specialising in reducing waiting lists and getting patients referred for treatment.
The team has an agreement in principle to see patients who are most at risk within six weeks at Rainham Healthy Living Centre in clinical rooms that have not treated patients with Covid symptoms. The recovery will be clinically led by the founder of the 18 Week Support team Dr Conal Perrett; he is a Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he leads the skin cancer service.
How will this affect other services?
DMC is also a primary care provider. The decision to suspend DMC’s contract will not currently affect primary care, but as with all providers we are closely monitoring the services provided.
DMC also runs a much smaller dermatology service in East Kent but cancer patients and more serious cases are seen by East Kent University Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.
What happens next?
The CCG is now working with DMC Healthcare, NHS England and the Care Quality Commission to review the dermatology service, as well as the primary care services that DMC provides in Medway, Swale and Maidstone.
This is a developing situation and we will endeavour to keep you up-to-date as and when it is appropriate.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
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Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Bull Lane, Newington from Wednesday 22nd July 2020, between the hours of 09:30 and 17:00, with estimated completion by 4th August 2020.
The road will be closed between the junctions with Old House Lane and Wormdale Hill, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via Old House Lane, Lower Hartlip Road, A2 London Road, High Street, Bull Lane and vice versa.
Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while trees surgery works to hang overhead fibre are undertaken by BT.
For information regarding the closure please contact BT on: 0800 800150, who will be able to assist with the scope of the works.
The KCC Highways 24hr Contact Centre helpline is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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KCC commits extra £1million to community warden service
Kent County Council has confirmed an additional £1 million investment for its frontline Kent Community Warden Service over the next two years.
For 18 years the Kent community warden service (KCWS) has served local communities by preventing crime, supporting vulnerable residents and tackling social isolation. It is a proactive and visible presence promoting stronger and safer communities.
KCC’s Community Wardens are hard at work every day, and since the end of March they have been helping residents cope with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Among many other activities, the 70-strong force are delivering essential medical prescriptions, food parcels and hot and cold meals to vulnerable isolated residents and working with shops, food producers, restaurants, food banks, Age UK, Community Cupboards and many other partners to maintain supplies. (Some examples are included below).
Before the pandemic, the demand for the community-based warden scheme was already high, with wardens currently working across 128 Kent communities. The public health crisis has not only added to this demand but highlighted just how valuable the service is to our communities.
KCC has prioritised investing in the enhancement and expansion of the service. This investment will enable service improvements and an increase in warden numbers, enabling more of Kent’s communities and residents to benefit as the service becomes more accessible.
We will be recruiting new staff and expanding into new areas, during the latter part of 2020, and into early 2021.
Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said:
“I am extremely proud of the Kent Community Warden Service. Wardens have provided invaluable support for communities all over Kent for many years.
“Their work was championed during the County Council’s Select Committee for Loneliness and Social Isolation last year and this year has seen the service adapt and work to deliver vital support during this time of crisis. I am delighted that we are able to invest in the service and make it available to more of our communities in Kent.”
Here are just a few examples of the work they are doing across the county:
After warden Susan Beeney dropped a leaflet into Ossies Fish Bar in Canterbury, the owner contacted her with an offer of free fish and chips for the elderly and vulnerable. Susan collected order of 45 fish and chips and distributed them to sheltered accommodation Franklyn House in Sturry, to isolated residents in the area and to Paffard Court sheltered accommodation, where the elderly residents were grateful that the community was looking out for them.
Wardens are continually delivering prescriptions to self-isolated vulnerable residents, including a delivery by David Harmes to a boat on the River Stour! They are also working with GPs and Parish Councillors to ensure protocols are put in place to minimise the risk of the spread of the virus.
Warden Gordon Guillou-King had been working to support an ex-army serviceman, living with mental health/PTSD issues and a suffering alcoholic. After several months of working with partners including the Forward Trust, Porchlight and the Royal British Legion real progress was being made with the alcoholism - and then came COVID-19!
Unable to travel and isolated from the built-up support network, it was more important than ever to maintain that support, which has been achieved through regular direct phone calls, emails and indirect messages of support from the team.
Richard Sinden, the Community Warden in Wye, has been working with a small group of volunteer residents on a phone buddy scheme. Volunteers provide a regular friendly phone call to help reduce the feelings of isolation. An appeal was put out on the village Facebook page and more than 20 volunteers came forward to help.
Murray Evans
Kent County Council
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Report of the Parish Council June 2020
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Play Area
Following Government guidelines to stay safe by avoiding using playgrounds, as it cannot be guaranteed with the volume of people using them that they are not contributing to the spread of the virus as playground equipment cannot be sanitised after each use.
Upchurch Parish Council has closed the Play Area at the Paddock until further notice.
Government guidelines on social distancing should be observed at all times when exercising at The Paddock and Recreation Ground and also when walking or running along public footpaths and this will help keep all members of our community safe.
Planning
Ref: 20/501698/FULL
Address: 3 The Street Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AJ
Proposal: Erection of single storey side extension, fenced enclosure to existing plant and relocation of ATM. Extension of vehicular crossover to include 3no. parking spaces and resurfacing.
Councillors considered the application and noted there had been no responses on the planning portal. Concern was raised that children walk along the pavement at the vehicular crossover between the Newsagents and the Coop to buy their sweets and the parking creates a potential danger for them. Concern was raised about the flat roof extension which is in a Conservation Area. Although three parking spaces are being provided, two spaces on the road will be lost. Cars will have to pull into the parking area before being able to see if there is a vacant space; if there is no parking available the vehicle will have to reversed out onto the road as it will not be possible to turn round in the parking area. The boundary fence between the Coop and the Post Office will need to have good sight lines. Any refrigeration units on the outside must not disturb the neighbours.
Councillors agreed that in principle they had no objections but questioned the flat roof in a Conservation Area. Any refrigeration units on the outside must have “silent packs” and not emit any noise especially at night. Councillors welcomed the inclusion of a disabled parking space but had concerns about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, in the area.
Ref: 20/501714/FULL
Address: 5 Church Farm Road Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AG
Proposal: Demolition of garage and erection of single storey side extension and creation of front parking area.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested consideration be given to run-off water and drainage. Neighbours’ comments should be taken into account.
Ref: 20/501839/FULL
Address: 42 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AU
Proposal: Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of a two storey rear extension (Resubmission of 20/500756/FULL).
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that consideration be given to neighbours’ comments.
Allotments
The Parish Council is grateful to plot holders for repairing the track. A sleeper will also be laid at the entrance which will address the problem of water running off the road and flooding the entrance when it rains. This will enable the two plots near the entrance to be used.
Footpaths
Concern has been raised about PROW ZR10 which is difficult to use and this will be monitored. Councillors will meet with the KCC Public Rights of Way East Kent Area Officer when restrictions are eased.
Concern has also been raised about the footpath from The Poles to Horsham Lake which is being used as a public toilet, this has been to the Swale Borough Council Environment Team. There is an issue about the number of cars and car transporters which are being stored at the front end of Horsham Lake and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Swale Borough Council Planning Enforcement Team.
Environment
The cascade planter has returned to the village centre for the summer. The Council has purchased four barrier baskets which will be installed on A frames in the Recreation Ground. Cllr Rosewell is kindly making the A frames.
Another dog waste bag station has been installed on the footpath at the back of Chaffes Lane and it is hoped that this will help alleviate the problem with dog fouling. Residents are reminded that they must clean up after their dog.
This is a precis of Council business, full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 2nd July 2020 at 7:30pm
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 15th July at 7:30pm.
The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) Regulations 2020 now gives Local Councils the power to meet remotely during this COVID-19 pandemic and Upchurch Parish Council is now holding meetings virtually. Please check the website for details of the meetings
All residents are welcome to view the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Please contact the Clerk, clerkupc@outlook.com to obtain login details for the meeting.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Swale Borough Council has approved a new interim policy that outlines how the council will manage planning applications for park home sites across the borough.
The policy was agreed at the virtual council meeting (17th June) this week and gives the council an opportunity to widen its housing options.
It will especially increase options for the elderly who make up an increasing number of the borough’s population and have no specific provision in the current local plan.
The policy will also protect the council when it seeks to enforce the current 8-10 month occupancy rules, which are currently vulnerable to appeal.
Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, said:
“I am relieved that the new park home policy was passed at the council meeting.
Since February 2019, we’ve been unable to provide a five-year housing supply as set by the government which leaves us vulnerable to planning applications in areas outside our approved local plan.
This policy finally gives our officers, and our planning committee, a sound basis upon which Swale can judge park home applications.
Park homes are not housing on the cheap - they are good, quality homes set in warm and supportive communities.
We anticipate a possible 200 to 300 new park home units from across the borough, as such homes are generally not appropriate in flood or coastal erosion zones.
We are currently working on a new, more realistic local plan that will take us to 2038 and help us demand the investment in local infrastructure we desperately need.
A local plan based on delivering local need and a wider range of housing options than has been the case in the past.
Thanks to this new policy, we will have an extra layer of protection from accepting planning applications that not only lay outside our approved local plan, but that don’t have the necessary infrastructure needed to support it.”
For more information about the policy can be found here
Swale Borough Council
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Local not-for-profit and commercial organisations are being invited to express their interest in running an art, cultural and creative space at 34 High Street in Sittingbourne.
The property - owned by Opportunities for Sittingbourne Ltd, a partnership between Swale Borough Council and U+I Ltd - is available for local organisations to occupy, manage and maintain for up to 20 years.
To express their interest, businesses will need to submit a business plan to the council outlining the desired lease length and annual rent on offer.
The business plan will also need to include the basics - proposed use of the building, opening times and events and activities - alongside the financial projections, marketing proposals and a demonstration of existing collaborations within the community.
The large two-storey building has previously been run as an arts and cultural centre and includes a shop front on the ground floor with offices above and access to an outside decked area and balcony.
There is also a large cellar and parking for eight vehicles to the rear of the property.
Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property at the council, said:
“We hope that a local organisation will express their interest in running an art, cultural and creative hub for the community.
The property has been an arts and cultural space for the local community for almost 10 years, and we think it’s important to keep that going.
We’re excited to see the ideas and inspiration from local organisations that bring out the creative side of the community, provide fun events and empower people to bring their imagination to life.
We are looking for local organisations that will encourage the arts, cultural, creative and digital enhancement of the town centre.
The EOI process is open to not-for-profit and commercial organisations until 29th June, and we encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch and submit a business plan.”
Swale Borough Council
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From Wednesday 17th June 2020 Kent County Council is pleased to announce that face to face birth registrations will resume at a number of registration delivery points across the county. Since the 23rd March 2020 birth registrations have been unable to be completed unless in an emergency situation due to the social distancing guidance and lockdown enforcement imposed by the Government and Public Health.
While this has been necessary we appreciate that many parents have waited many weeks to register their baby so thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this period while we have worked to ensure the safe return of these appointments for both customers and staff.
During lockdown we have built up a large backlog of birth registrations that require appointments and as a result we will be opening as many appointments as is safe to do so in each location. We will be offering appointments between the hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Saturday.
We will be contacting those couples who had by necessity had their appointments cancelled at the start of lockdown so we can book them a new appointment.
From tomorrow, our website - www.kent.gov.uk/births - will have information on the locations that are offering appointments. You can book an appointment online or call our contact centre on 03000 415151 (Kent) 03000 415252 (Bexley).
You should expect a phone call the day before the booked appointment confirming what to expect when attending the appointment. The registrar that completes the phone call will confirm who should attend the appointment, what to bring with you and anything you need to know about the location of the appointment in advance to make the process on the day as easy as possible.
We would like to thank everyone in advance for your patience and support whilst we work though the volume of birth registrations that we have to complete.
Murray Evans
Kent County Council
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A new video, produced specifically to advise retail businesses in Kent on the new COVID-19 regulations concerning re-opening safely, has been launched today.
Further help and advice will be available during a live Question and Answer session tomorrow at 1:00pm (Tuesday 15th June).
The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline, run by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub, has received many enquiries from businesses asking about the new guidelines and how they can make sure they are following them correctly.
The video, produced by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub in partnership with Kent County Council Trading Standards, Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Water, summarises the key points of the guidelines for retail businesses.
It offers guidance on which types of business are allowed to reopen, which COVID-19 social-distancing and safety guidelines they should follow, fire regulations, how to make sure a store is safe as they re-open and how to make changes to the layout.
There are also links to tools for businesses, such as a sign they should clearly display in their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed COVID-19 guidance. There will also be signposts and links to further guidance.
The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline number is: 03333 602300 and phone lines are open from 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Businesses who are looking to diversify or trade differently, for example start selling new products that maybe imported from abroad or start selling their goods online, should seek free advice from Trading Standards.
To request free COVID-19 related advice from Trading Standards go to: www.kentpublicprotection.info/free-business-advice
The Q and A event, titled “Helping business to re-open and trade safely”, takes place today (Tuesday 15th June) from 1:00pm.
The panel includes Nathan Martin from Kent County Council Trading Standards, Annie Sargent from the Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership and Tudor Price from the Kent and Medway Growth Hub.
It will be hosted online and businesses can sign up for the free event here: kentpublicprotection.info/trade-safely
The video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/iBsWyyrcPEY
Mike Whiting, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said:
“The past few months have obviously been a particularly worrying time for many businesses. They have not only had to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, but they have also had to contend with planning for the future as the lockdown is gradually eased.
I hope this video will give them some guidance on how to cope with the latest situation and that bosses will also take advantage of the Q and A session if they have any specific concerns.”
Mike Hill, the Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services said:
“Over the past few weeks our Public Protection Group, including KCC Trading Standards, have been busy offering free advice to businesses about how to follow the various rules and regulations around their operations.
The situation is now changing on a regular basis and it is important the businesses continue to keep up with those changes and take advantage of the advice on offer.”
Murray Evans
Kent County Council
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