UPDATE from SGN - Gas Network Upgrade in A2/High Street, Newington - Tuesday 31st March

I’m writing to you further to my previous Email about our ongoing work to upgrade our gas network in A2/ High Street, Newington.

We know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our communities will rely on us now more than ever to keep them safe and warm. The safety of our communities and our employees will remain our number one priority in the weeks and months ahead.

We need to continue with our safety-critical project to upgrade the gas network in A2/ High Street. This needs to continue now, rather than wait until the pandemic passes, to ensure your local community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.

We’re working closely with UK Government and public health bodies to make sure we work safely and in line with expert advice during the coronavirus outbreak. We have extra safety precautions in place to protect our colleagues and our customers from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out our safety-critical project.

There’s more information about our coronavirus preparations on our website: sgn.co.uk/coronavirus

Thank you for your understanding and support during these challenging times.

Kind regards

Paige Roberts

Stakeholder and Community Manager

SGN Gas

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POSTPONED - Public Inquiry into M2 Junction 5 / A249 Stockbury Roundabout Improvements

Watch the video

The video may not be visible in our Email version of this post.

If not, you can watch it here: youtube.com

Highways England is upgrading the M2 junction 5 / A249 Stockbury Roundabout which they say will support improvements to safety and the potential for economic development and growth in the region.

The scheme includes a new flyover which will create an uninterrupted link for drivers staying on the A249 and will free up extra space on the Stockbury roundabout.

Objections

Stockbury Parish Council, MP Helen Whately, along with residents and business owners, have all raised concerns and objections over the current plans put forward. Because of these objections, the Secretary of State has now ordered a Public Inquiry to take place.

It's believed all would support the scheme providing a bridge or underpass is added to the proposed new road layout. They are concerned that as a result of the upgrade scheme, the village could be cut off and become dangerous and difficult to travel to.

They acknowledge and support the need to modernise the Stockbury roundabout but cannot support the current scheme which they believe will irreparably harm the cohesion of the community, which has small businesses and significant settlements on both sides of the A249.

Public Inquiry - Postponed

In line with latest Government advice regarding Coronavirusaa and to avoid unnecessary and non-essential travel and social contact with others, the Inspector has now postponed the 8 day Public Inquiry announced by the Secretary of State which was due to open on Tuesday 28th April 2020.

The inquiry was due to be held at Hempstead House, London Road, Bapchild, Sittingbourne ME9 9PP in the Heritage Suite.

Members of the public were invited to attend the proceedings and if they wished to make an objection, declare support or have specific questions, they needed to submit their intention of this to the Inspector by Monday 23rd March 2020.

An independent Programme Officer has been appointed. Information about how to appear at the inquiry, the programme and additional documents have been made available on their website at http://programmeofficers.co.uk/m2j5

If you have questions specifically about the inquiry you should contact Yvonne Parker directly via Email posltd@virginmedia.com

Full details of the orders and improvement scheme can be found on the Highways England website at https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/m2-junction-5-improvements

The Inspector notes that under the present circumstances, it is not possible to finalise and publish the inquiry arrangements in order to give notice to interested parties in a timely manner, in accordance with the requirements of the associated inquiries procedure rules. This reinforces his view regarding the need to postpone the event.

Once new dates have been arranged the website will be updated and participants notified. In the meantime, if you have an urgent enquiry, please contact the Programme Officer.

Upchurch Matters

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Coronavirus - Guidance on Access to Green Spaces

Guidance on using green spaces and protecting yourself and others.

The government’s priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.

However, exercise is still important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, so the government has said people can leave their homes for exercise once a day.

Please use the following guidance in order to stay safe:

• Stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible - do not travel unnecessarily.
• You should only go outside alone or with members of your own household.
• Keep at least 2 metres apart from anyone outside your household at all times.
• Gatherings of more than two in parks or other public spaces have been banned and the police will enforce this.
• If you have a garden, make use of the space for exercise and fresh air.
• Take hygiene precautions when you are outside, and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors.

Please see the latest government guidance on social distancing

Please be aware that if you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19) or at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus, then you must stay at home. See the latest guidance from Public Health England

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Forestry Commission

Environment Agency

Natural England

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Upchurch Infant School - Christmas Show 1957/1958

Click the photograph to enlarge.

Just for fun

Thanks to Elaine Hare for sharing this old photograph she came across recently of children performing in the Christmas Show at Upchurch Infant School.

It's not known exactly which year it was taken, possibly 1957 or 1958.

The names Elaine remembers are:

Back row
Wendy Pamplin, Susan Carroll, Richard Daniels, Sylvia Murr, Pamela Griffin.

Middle row
Elaine Stokes (now Hare), Linda Waters, Geraldine Madden, Joy?, Bryan Andrews, Pamela Edmonds.

Front row
Derek Phillips, Carol Button, Marlene Ashdown, Stephen Murray?, Pamela Cripps, Glynis (Poppy) Tyler, Stephen Davies.

Who do you recognise?

Upchurch Matters

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Mr Fizz Sock Mask - Kid’s Magic Fun!

Click on my instructions to save or print them.

Hi Kids,

I've created a special Mr Fizz Sock Mask for all the children to have fun making at home.

Print out my simple A4 instructions above or follow them from your screen.

And don't forget to send all your finished mask pictures to Upchurch Matters. They will add them to the comments on their Facebook post.

Always ask a grownups permission first.

See you all soon.

And remember to always have fun and stay safe!

Terry Knight - Mr Fizz
www.mr-fizz.co.uk
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Swale Borough Council - Coronavirus Support Schemes Summary

The Government has announced a number of schemes for Swale Borough Council to administer to help people and businesses in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Following the receipt of more detailed guidance from the Government, officers have been working to prepare systems and processes to provide the support.

SBC has put together the attached summary of the support available so far. As and when other schemes are brought in, they will try to update this and circulate it so Councillors have as up-to-date information as possible.

Please bear in mind that there can be a delay between announcements being made by the Government and SBC receiving the details they need to put together the schemes. This is why they are encouraging people to keep an eye on the dedicated section of their website www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus and their social media channels where they will be putting as much information as they can.

Businesses should sign up to the Swale Means Business ebulletin where information is being shared as soon as possible.

Alan Horton

Ward Councillor serving Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch Ward

Email: alanhorton@swale.gov.uk

Tel: 07447 925760

Summary

Council tax support

Those residents who receive Council Tax Support will shortly receive an additional amount of up to £150 towards their council tax for 2020/21. This is from the government’s council tax hardship grant

If you are in receipt of Council Tax Support you do not need to contact the council, this will be awarded automatically.

If your income is currently reduced, you may be able to claim help towards your Council Tax. Further information and our online claim form is available at www.swale.gov.uk/ctax-support-scheme

Business rate relief

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no business for the financial year 2020-21. Following guidance published by the Government, we have identified businesses that qualify for the retail discount and are working to get your bills recalculated and sent out in the next few weeks.

Childcare providers

To support nurseries during this time, the Government has decided that providers of childcare who are Ofsted registered will pay no business rates for 2020-21. We will be provided with more information about this shortly and will send new business rates bills to those affected as soon as possible.

Business grants

The Government has made cash grants available to support small businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through the period of disruption caused by coronavirus.

Only one grant can be awarded per property.

Small business grant

The small business grant is a support payment of £10,000 for small businesses. To qualify for this grant, the business must:

• have been liable for businesses rates on the property on 11th March 2020

• have qualified for small business rate relief or rural rate relief on 11th March 2020

• have a rateable value of under £15,000.

Retail, hospitality and leisure grant

The retail, hospitality and leisure grant is a support payment for businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000 who are eligible for the expanded retail discount.

• Businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.

• Businesses with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999 will receive a grant of £25,000.

To qualify for this grant, the business must:

• have been liable for business rates on the property on 11th March 2020

• have qualified for the expanded retail discount on 11th March 2020, had the scheme been in place on this date

• have a rateable value of under £51,000. 

We are currently working on system issues to enable us to make these payments.

Swale Borough Council

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