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Nominations for this year’s Try Angle Awards are now open.
The Try Angle Awards recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements of young people and groups who really try their best whether at school, work, college, in business or in their wider community across Kent.
Any young person or group of young people aged 11 to 18 or 11 to 25 (with special educational needs) from Kent can be nominated for an award.
All young people nominated receive a certificate, with many going on to be recognised with District Try Angle Awards, before the final Spirit of Try Angle Awards which will take place in March 2022.
There are 8 award categories are:
Arts: recognising personal achievement in the arts, in any form.
Community action: recognising the contribution made to the community or in such initiatives as school councils, youth forums, charities or environmental projects.
Courage: recognising acts of courage displayed in coping bravely with illness or other adversity.
Good friends and young carers: recognising those who spend time being a good friend or carer to another in their family or the local community.
Music: recognising personal achievement in music in any form.
Personal development: recognising special achievement in education, training, or other activities not covered in other categories.
Positive intervention: recognising an intervention where an individual or group has prevented harm, bullying, discrimination or damage.
Sport or outdoor activities: recognising personal achievement in a sport or outdoor activity, demonstrating sportsmanship, fair play and commitment.
Make a Try Angle Award nomination at: www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/young-people/try-angle-awards
The deadline to nominate a young person or group is Friday 5th November 2021.
All those nominated will receive recognition, and many of those go on to be our district category winners. Following judging, the final 24 nominees will be invited to the Spirit of Try Angle Awards county final.
Kent County Council
Clubs, community groups, schools, and early years settings are being invited to apply for funding to provide extra activities that will help children and young people reconnect to their pre-pandemic lives.
The funding is being made available through the Kent County Council-led Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People programme and can be used for activities, events or local projects that address gaps in learning missed, promote health and happiness, encourage the take-up of sports or other outdoor activities, help children and young people reconnect with friends, family or communities or generate more work-related opportunities.
Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to open up this latest round of funding so that more children and young people can take part in activities that will help them get back to doing the things they love or trying new pursuits.
“In the summer, thousands of children and young people were able to enjoy activities provided by local clubs and community groups and funded by Reconnect grants. Feedback from young people about these activities was so positive and we would really encourage local community organisations, schools, and early years settings to take full advantage of this funding to reach even more children and young people in the county.”
Amounts of up to £2,000 are available to small groups and organisations, schools, and early years settings to run local projects or events, while larger community organisations can apply for up to £8,000.
Young people can also apply for up to £2,000 to run their own projects or events if they are supported by a youth hub or youth organisation.
The activities need to be inclusive and provide equal access to all children and young people between now and the end of August 2022. Full details of the application process, funding criteria and the online form to apply are available on the Reconnect website
Funding applications will be decided by the 12 Local Children’s Partnership Group (LCPG)
The closing date for applications is Sunday, October 24th.
Suz Elvey
Kent County Council
Medway Council joins KCC’s No Use Empty homes scheme
No Use Empty, the longest-running empty property initiative in the country which is run by KCC, is expanding its operations by partnering with Medway Council.
Latest council tax records show that there are a total of 6,798 long-term vacant dwellings in Kent alone. However, without the 500 properties per year which NUE is returning to use, the number of long-term empty properties would be significantly higher.
Medway’s figure for long-term vacant properties is 1,573.
The NUE team has seen an unprecedented increase in loan applications over the last 18 months with 63 individual loans being awarded with a value of £9.6million. This means a further 166 homes will soon be back into use providing much-needed homes across the county.
Since 2005 NUE has recycled loans to the value of £43million which has leveraged an additional £37million from the public/private sectors, making a total of £80million investment into tackling the problem of empty homes.
The programme is delivered by KCC in partnership with all 12 district councils in the county.
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Derek Murphy, said:
“No Use Empty has been combating the on-going problem of empty homes through a variety of interventions with impressive results. In these challenging times, initiatives such as this are becoming increasingly important.
“We realised that the scheme could be replicated and are pleased to announce that Medway Council are our latest partner to join us.
“This is a tremendous boost for our nationally recognised NUE brand which continues to go from strength to strength and now has banket coverage across Kent and Medway. NUE is ready to administer new loan applications and help Kent’s economy recover as well as delivering the homes required.”
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
“I am pleased that we have joined the No Use Empty Scheme which will help bring empty properties in Medway back into use, providing much-needed homes for residents. I would encourage residents with empty properties to find out more about the scheme and how we can help them turn their house into someone’s home.”
Loan products offered by NUE are:
• Interest Free Loans - Funding available to help owners/developers refurbish/convert empty homes or redundant commercial buildings to provide good quality residential accommodation. On completion, properties must be made available for sale or rent. Loans are secured as a first or second charge and offered over 2 or 3 years.
• Top Up Loans - Folkestone & Hythe DC, Dover DC and Tunbridge Wells BC have allocated funds to offer an additional £15k on top of the NUE loan of £25k providing up to £40k per unit to help with refurbishment costs.
• Live Margate - The focus of the project is regeneration by converting or redeveloping poorly managed, dilapidated, or vacant HMOs into quality family homes (target of 66 homes to be created). NUE has an allocation of £2.9m from the Live Margate project.
• NUE Commercial - In 2018, KCC was awarded £1m Growing Places Fund (GPF) for the NUE Commercial project Funding allocated over two financial years. The project aims to return long-term empty commercial properties to use, for residential, alternative commercial or mixed-use purposes. A further £2m was awarded from GPF for a second phase to be launched 2021-22.
• Interest Bearing Loans - Subject to the level of funds available interest-bearing loans have been introduced to help developers bring projects which are of a larger scale either as a top up or to fund the whole scheme. Loans are secured and administered on a phased basis and interest will be charged at market rates.
• New Build Loans - Subject to the level of funds available interest-bearing loans have been introduced to help developers bring forward smaller plots of land which have planning permission for new build homes. Loans are secured as a first and only charge on title, interest charged at market rates and collected quarterly basis.
All funding is subject to availability.
For further information and/or to apply for a loan, go to: www.no-use-empty.org.uk
Murray Evans - Kent County Council
Booking to visit a KCC Household Waste Recycling Centre
Kent County Council is seeking the views of residents about the future of the booking system for visits to its Household Waste Recycling Centres, sometimes known as the 'tip'.
Access to KCC’s HWRCs has been through an online booking system since Coronavirus restrictions meant KCC had to allow for social distancing throughout the pandemic.
Now, the council would like to understand whether residents think it should be retained for the council’s 18 HWRCs.
Currently, residents can book slots scheduled every half an hour through the council’s website. Customers without internet access or an Email address can call KCC’s contact centre.
The booking system has evolved in response to customer feedback and surveys, as Coronavirus restrictions have eased, and they are now looking at whether residents would like to continue using it in the future.
The consultation is now open and runs until Thursday 30th September.
New footpath kissing gates have been installed at both entrances to the field in Chaffes Lane, opposite Bradshaw Close.
The field is the first section of footpath ZR 23 that runs from Chaffes Lane to Holywell Lane.
Parish councillors raised concerns on behalf of a resident who highlighted the previous stiles had made the footpath inaccessible to all but the fittest.
Upchurch Parish Council wishes to thank the landowner and KCC public rights of way for their prompt action and for kindly giving consent to make the footpath more accessible.
Upchurch Matters
Kent County Council has launched the first round of engagement to help shape its 'Kent Bus Service Improvement Plan' by asking residents two questions:
What would make bus travel more attractive to you?
and
Do you have any other suggestions on how we could improve the bus service in Kent?
This is just the start, and there will be more opportunities for people to help shape the plan in the coming months. Your feedback will help KCC create proposals which they will share with residents later in the Summer and ask for your views.
You can subscribe to the project to keep in touch and be one of the first to find out about further opportunities to get involved.
Please take a few minutes to answer, and help the council understand which factors may encourage you to travel by bus more often.
Upchurch Matters
Kent County Council has launched "Let's Talk Kent", a new website that gives opportunities to residents to get involved and help shape the future of Kent.
"Let's Talk Kent" is your opportunity to have your say on the projects and proposals you care about.
Register with the website to be amongst the first to find out about new opportunities to have your say on how KCC shapes council services.
Registering is simple, and you can set your preferences to only find out about the topics that matter to you. From Adult Social Care to Transport and Roads, there are many topics to choose from, or you are welcome to select them all.
Upchurch Matters
Operator Chalkwell Coach Hire is currently reviewing their provision of bus services to the villages of Upchurch and Lower Halstow between the hours of 0900 and 1400 and would welcome passenger feedback regarding their current timetable.
Primarily this is the window residents would use for medical appointments, shopping and other socially necessary functions.
Are buses at the right times for residents, and do they need to be earlier/later?
What are the preferred destinations?
What is the optimum length of time at each destination?
Do residents mainly want to go into town for an hour or so, or is 3 hours preferable?
Chalkwell hopes that by slightly amending their timetable, they can improve their current bus times for passengers. At the same time, they are not proposing to reduce bus services or change any journeys outside of what is highlighted in yellow on the current timetable below.
Click timetable to enlarge.
Upchurch Matters
Thursday 6th May 2021
There was one contested seat for
Kent County Council Swale West Division
The Government delayed some local elections last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. They will now take place on Thursday 6th May.
Residents living in Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch and Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow wards, who are eligible can vote in 2 elections, both administered by Swale Borough Council.
Voters will choose who represents them at Kent County Council, and the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.
1. To choose a Kent County Councillor to represent Swale West
Kent County Councillors represent their local area and residents at County Hall and contribute to the development of KCC policies for public services such as education, transport, highways, strategic planning, emergency services, social services, health, public safety, waste disposal as well as policies for the Kent economy and environment.
The candidates are:
2. To choose the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner
The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled across the county. PCCs help control police budgets and hold the force's chief constable to account for the performance of officers and staff. They ensure your local police force are prioritising what matters to you.
In this election, you can vote for a first and second preference of who you want to win.
The candidates are:
You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections or referendums.
The deadline to register to vote in the elections taking place on Thursday 6th May was midnight on Monday 19th April.
If you are not already registered to vote, it is now too late to register to vote in these elections.
Polling Stations will be open between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm on Thursday 6th May 2021. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote.
A recent postcard mailing sent out to households from Swale Borough Council included advice about safe voting during the pandemic and encouraged anyone concerned to register for a postal or proxy vote.
Whichever way you vote, make your vote count on Thursday 6th May!
Upchurch Matters
Parents and carers whose children may be eligible to receive Free School Meals due to the family’s financial circumstances are being urged to apply for them ahead of the upcoming April school holidays, even if their child is in Years R, 1 or 2.
The Government announced this month that it was extending the Covid Winter Grant Scheme until Friday, April 16th to allow local authorities to help vulnerable families feed their children and keep them warm during the Easter holiday period.
Kent County Council will use some of its share of the money to provide families with one £15 voucher per eligible child per week of the two-week holiday, which can be spent in supermarkets and local shops.
Even if a child receives Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) during term-time, because they are in Year 2 or below, eligible families will still need to apply for benefits-related Free School Meals in order to receive vouchers during the Easter break.
Both primary and secondary schools receive additional Government funding, called Pupil Premium, for each of their pupils who receive benefits-related Free School Meals. Schools use this funding to support pupils’ learning so signing up for Free School Meals will likely benefit a number of pupils in addition to parents and carers’ own children.
Schools will allocate the vouchers to their pupils, as they have done during previous holiday periods, so parents and carers should direct any enquiries to their child’s school.
The scheme was launched towards the end of 2020 and vouchers were issued to families for the December school holidays and February half-term.
Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply here: www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals
Kent County Council
On Thursday 6th May residents in Swale will have their say on who represents them at Kent County Council, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Swale Borough Council Sheerness Ward by-election, Warden Parish Council by-election and Faversham Town Council by-elections for Abbey Ward, Priory Ward & Watling Ward.
To vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. With the deadline to register to vote fast approaching, Swale Borough Council is urging people who have not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 19th April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. This year residents in Swale will be voting in a total of seven different elections and will select:
• Kent County councillors, who represent their local area and residents, and contribute to the development of policies in areas such as transport, social care or housing
• The Police and Crime Commissioner, who oversees your local police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to you
• Swale Borough Council by-election for Sheerness Ward
• Warden Parish Council by-election
• Faversham Town Council by-elections for Abbey Ward, Priory Ward and Watling Ward.
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said:
“You can’t have your say in these important elections unless you are registered to vote. It’s quick and easy - it takes just five minutes online at: www.gov.uk/registertovote
“If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote.
“If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your local authority on: 01795 417 316.”
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot - in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6th May.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5:00pm on 20th April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5:00pm on 27th April.
For information on elections in their area, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.
Swale Borough Council
Swale Borough Council is preparing to oversee the elections taking place on May 6th 2021.
The Government delayed some elections scheduled to take place last year due to the pandemic but have confirmed they will take place in May this year.
Swale is responsible for administering elections in the borough and has been working on plans to ensure the elections can take place safely.
The elections taking place in the borough are:
• Kent County Council - there are six electoral divisions for county council elections in the borough, which will return seven county councillors. For more information, visit the Kent County Council website, where you can also view public notices about the election.
• Kent Police and Crime Commissioner - the person responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled across the county. For more information, visit the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner website or call 0808 196 2170.
• Swale Borough Council by-election: Sheerness Ward
• Warden Parish Council by-election
• Faversham Town Council by-elections:
- Abbey Ward
- Priory Ward
- Watling Ward
To vote in elections in your areas, you need to be on the electoral register and Swale wrote to 62,850 homes last month to remind people to check their details were correct.
The deadline for registering to vote is midnight on Monday, 19th April. You do not need to re-apply if you are already on the register - if you're unsure, call the helpline on 01795 417 316.
The recent postcard mailing to households also included advice about safe voting during the pandemic and encouraged anyone concerned to register for a postal or proxy vote.
The deadline to apply to vote by post, is 5:00pm on Tuesday, 20th April, and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5:00pm on Tuesday, 27th April.
Swale Borough Council
The first of Kent’s new mobile library vehicles have hit the county’s roads, bringing a range of books to residents eager to nourish their love of reading during lockdown and beyond.
KCC’s Libraries, Registration and Archives service has invested in five new vehicles to cover all the routes across Kent - including the surrounding areas of Ashford, Dover, Maidstone, Northfleet and Sturry. The vehicles carry a great range of books and crucially offer greater reliability, reduced maintenance costs, and are more economical to drive than the older vehicles.
Wheelchair access is available thanks to the access steps being part of the wheelchair lift and, teamed with the rear air suspension, the entry and exit is kept comfortable for all customers.
The most recent figures available, for 2019-20, record that KCC’s mobile libraries assisted more than 28,000visitors and issued nearly 80,000 items.
Mike Hill, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I am delighted that the first of our new mobile libraries is being enjoyed by our customers. There was a real need to replace the older vehicles so that we can maintain the excellent customer service residents expect from Kent Libraries.”
“We know from customer feedback that the mobile service has been a real lifeline to many residents during lockdown, and I am pleased that our new vehicles will be reliable, comfortable and improve customer experience.”
“Close attention had been paid to the need to provide mobile libraries that were as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Their “green” specifications include:”
• A lighter chassis than the current libraries with better aerodynamics, producing lower emissions and improved fuel economy.
• An auto gearbox that analyses the load in the vehicle and the road conditions to put the vehicle in the correct gear, making multiple decisions instantly to get the smoothest, most comfortable and most fuel-efficient drive, maximising the running costs of the vehicle.
• A smart pack that provides a monthly report showing data on fuel consumption and driver behaviour, journey profiles, and tips to improve driving style for fuel consumption and vehicle optimisation; and
• Roof-mounted solar panels providing a clean green method of running the internal features of the library. If required, the vehicles can be plugged in overnight to give whatever charge may be required, and this will auto shut off when the batteries reach 100%, thus reducing the need to pull power from the national grid.
For more information on Kent Libraries and the mobile service, visit: www.kent.gov.uk/libs
Kent County Council
