Swale Borough Council - Cabinet Plans for New Priorities

The first cabinet meeting since the local elections heard about the new coalition administrations ambitious plans for the next four years.

Plans are being drawn up to create a special projects fund of £1 million a year for the next four years which will allow greater investment in projects that make a difference to the borough.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“We are sitting on huge levels of reserves that are more than double what we realistically need to have set aside.

“This is local people’s money, so it’s only right we use it to improve services around the borough.

“Of course, this has to be done responsibly as the funds are not unlimited, so we are working on setting up a special projects fund of £1 million per year.

“Any projects that are funded will need to demonstrate its value and be in addition to what our services are already providing.

“This will give us the chance to fund specific initiatives that can make a real difference to people’s lives, which would previously have been seen as too costly, even if they would save money in the longer term.”

The meeting also heard updates on progress the administration is making towards its priorities, including:

• A new housing strategy is being put together that will see an increased focus on affordable housing.

• Additional investment is planned to help prevent homelessness and stop the use of bed and breakfast for temporary accommodation by the end of the year.

• Looking at making sure the staff it and its contractors employ are paid the real living wage.

• Declaring a climate emergency to commit the council to coming up with plans to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

• Review the approach to the next local plan to ensure developments are suitable and come with the necessary infrastructure.

• Review the constitution to give residents more opportunities to participate in decision-making.

• Recruiting a health and wellbeing officer to coordinate council services work in areas affecting health.

The agenda for the cabinet meeting where these were discussed can be found here: http://bit.ly/2XiiOjP

Swale Borough Council

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Medway Council - Let’s Tackle Loneliness Together

Let’s tackle loneliness together

Medway Council is launching a campaign to combat loneliness and social isolation in Medway.

Loneliness can affect anyone of any age and there are many reasons why people could feel lonely including moving to a new area, family or friends not living close by or life changes such as retiring or having a baby.

Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health and it’s estimated that around 12,000 people in Medway feel lonely. To combat this Medway Council is launching the A Better Medway - Together campaign this Loneliness Awareness Week.

The campaign aims to reduce loneliness by supporting people to make more connections in their local community. This will include raising awareness of activities, services and events in Medway that support people to make connections with each other.

From Monday, 17th June, you can make the Medway Together pledge to connect with your community and help tackle loneliness in Medway. Pledges can be big or small and made by individuals, groups or businesses. You could pledge to say hello to your neighbour, host a coffee morning, or volunteer at a community event.

Medway Council arranges activities throughout the year to give residents opportunities to meet new people.

Medway Sport also offers a range of senior sport sessions which have been tailored to help older residents keep fit and socialise, including badminton, walking football, short mat bowls, chairfit and boccia. Medway Council also offers free swimming for residents aged 60 and above. For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/seniorsport. There are also number of different clubs in Medway for all ages, interests and disabilities visit: www.medway.gov.uk/sport. To find out more about free health walks and cycling groups across Medway visit: www.medway.gov.uk/abettermedway.

Medway Adult Education runs a community engagement programme called Create Medway which aims to encourage family learning and provide opportunities for social interaction. Classes include family wellbeing and yoga and weekly painting sessions at the Sunlight Centre in Gillingham. For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/mae.

Men in Sheds is just one of the many projects available in Medway where people can make new connections. Men in Sheds supports local men stay well by getting together to share their interests and skills, including sessions such as woodcraft, music sessions and art. Men in Sheds focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on men over 25 who are not in work and retirees. For more information call: 01634 338600.

Medway Men in Sheds organises four sessions each week which focus on different interests and skills.

Gardening has many benefits, which Steve Claringbold Chief Executive of the Sunlight Centre is proud of. He said: “I’ve seen new friendships made by people who wouldn’t have met and our members also meet outside the group too. They find gardening really rewarding and it gives them responsibility in a really relaxing environment.”

Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adults’ Services, said: “Loneliness and social isolation are not just issues which affect older residents. Anyone, of any age, can become lonely. There are lots of opportunities to connect with others in Medway and we are working with partners to help our residents make more connections in their local area. Together we will tackle loneliness and make A Better Medway.”

A simple hello can help combat loneliness

Tackling loneliness doesn’t have to mean making a big gesture. Sometimes a simple hello can make a big difference. We know it can be hard to start a conversation with someone new, so here are our top tips:

• Ask someone’s opinion, for example, ask what they think of the weather.

• In a queue? Say hello to someone.

• Ask open questions and avoid questions that only have a yes or no answers, for example ask what someone’s plans are for the weekend.

For more information on our Together in Medway activities, and to get involved by making a pledge, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/community.

Follow #MedwayTogether on social media to find out more about ways to connect with your community.

Medway Council

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June News from Upchurch Horticultural Society - From the Potting Shed

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

June ushers in the summer with longer days and higher temperatures and everything will be going like the clappers. The beginning of June has been wet so you are guaranteed plenty of weeds, so keeping the borders and vegetable patch clear will be a big task. This is probably one of the most boring jobs in the garden and best done little and often but it does provide plenty of compost. It is best to dispose of weeds that have flowered to avoid putting the seeds back in the ground and dig out and discard all bindweed as this will thrive in a compost bin.

The recent rain has done the lawn a lot of good but I still have plenty of bare patches that I am trying to re-seed so keeping the lawn watered is important as we head into summer. If we hit dry weather raise the blades on the mower and let the grass grow a little longer as this will hold moisture at the roots. June is also a good month to do a second Weed & Feed to get the lawn at its best before any chance of drought when it is not a good idea to fertilise and apply weed killer.

Keep on top of the borders and containers with regular deadheading and trimming to keep the flowers coming and give everything a regular potash (K) feed. Prune shrubs that flower early in the year as soon as the blossom falls and hard prune old woody shrubs to generate lots of new green growth. Start clearing the top growth on spring bulbs by raking it gently with your fingers. Dead growth will come away easily leaving green growth for a later date. Stake and support tall plants that can be battered in bad weather and remember to take cuttings of your favourite perennials before there is a chance of really hot weather. Some of you may have heard of the “Chelsea Chop” which I thought was a form of defensive martial arts practised by military pensioners. It is in fact a hard prune of roses and tall perennials performed at the beginning of June aimed at producing an abundance of fresh growth and flowers in time for summer. I haven’t done it myself but some believe it makes all the difference…. maybe next year!

Hopefully the vegetable patch is fully planted out and starting to produce a crop. As you take salad crops re-sow for a second later in the year. As tomatoes and beans race up supports pick out the tops to encourage the fruit but also pick out any side shoots on tomatoes as these will generate lots of small fruit which will collapse the plant. Early potatoes planted in March will be ready as soon as the flower has dropped. If you want to thicken the skins cut the stems down to about 6” and leave for another 2 weeks. Otherwise lift and start eating. Also lift onions and garlic as the top growth turns yellow and let them dry on the soil before collecting into sacks or plaiting and hanging.

Continue to thin out any surplus fruit to allow the best to grow to a good size and peg down strawberry runners if you want new plants for next year. Battle the pests and look out for codling moth on plums that will get going this month.

Keep everything well watered and fed and start to enjoy the garden at this time of year. This is when outdoor living should hopefully get started and a well maintained garden becomes an asset to your home. So let’s raise a glass to all the hard work… but first let me get the weeds sorted.

We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

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Upchurch River Valley Golf Course - Poolside Courtyard Presents The Legends Show Performed by Paul Cantara

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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UPDATE - Karl Clifton is Walking Over 600 Miles to Raise Money for Cancer Research UK

Walking over 600 miles across Spain (unsupported) in May and June 2019
for Cancer Research UK because of losing loved ones to Cancer.

Karl Clifton set off from his home in Lower Halstow on Thursday the 23rd of May to begin his 600+ mile walk across Spain (unsupported) to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Karl has now walked over 400 miles in just over 3 weeks, and is now half way across the 2nd mountain range on his epic trek along Camino Norte/Primitivo to Cape Finisterre.

There's still time to help Karl on his way towards reaching his total of £1500 by giving whatever you can to combat this terrible disease at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karl-clifton

Or if you prefer, you can donate to Karl in person using his sponsor form on the bar at The Three Tuns, Lower Halstow. The pub is collecting your donations on Karl's behalf.

Thank you

Read more about Karl's amazing walk on Upchurch Matters here >> http://bit.ly/2LQu3eW

Upchurch Matters

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New Village Planter

The new seasonal planter for the corner of Horsham Lane has arrived.

Upchurch Parish Council secured a Swale Borough Council grant towards

funding the planter.

Upchurch Matters

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