KCC - Concern over Increased Use of Rights of Way

The number of people visiting the Kent countryside to get their exercise walking the county’s rural footpaths has shown a big increase since the Covid-19 restrictions were put in place.

However, KCC’s Public Rights of Way service says some landowners are concerned about an increased risk to livestock, such as instances of gates being left open and dogs not being controlled.

There are also concerns that the use of public rights of way through gardens, farmyards and schools is increasing the risk of exposure to the coronavirus to residents and farm workers, but this risk is considered to be very low, as long as people follow the Government’s instructions to maintain social distancing.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

• Tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch them;

• Temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools; and

• Offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so.

Murray Evans
Kent County Council

Space

UPDATE - Some Helping Hands for Upchurch

With the news that some villagers have gone into self-isolation, I just wanted to update everyone on our work in the community so far.

We have delivered over 30 bags of shopping now and collected over 25 prescriptions and medications.

We are also supporting the local Foodbank by supplementing their parcels for those who need it.

We are still here if you know someone who is running low on food or needs medication collected from the Doctors Surgery in Oak Lane.

Please let me know if you know of anyone who may be on their own and needs some support, a phone call or a care package.

We can be reached on: 07916 151299

We will be continuing to run as community support for anyone who needs us alongside the Swale Borough Council scheme to support those residents who are shielded.

Many thanks to those who have already donated.

Please take care of everyone.

Thank you

Cia Merrall

15 Forge Lane, Upchurch

Space

Swale Borough Council - Use Your Common Sense Plea as The Sun Comes Out

Stay away from beaches and parks

People urged to use common sense as the sun comes out

Kent residents are being reminded to avoid unnecessary travel to coastal areas and other popular open spaces this weekend as efforts continue to curb the spread of Covid-19.

With the weather set to be glorious, members of the Kent Resilience Forum including the five coastal authorities Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Swale Borough Council and Thanet District Council, along with Kent County Council, Kent Police and the train operator Southeastern, are reminding everyone to follow the Government’s advice by staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

A spokesman for the five district councils said:

"It is ironic that just as we're being asked to stay in for almost the whole day, the sun comes out.

But as we battle this virus, common sense remains our biggest weapon and most people are using theirs.

Please don't travel to Sheppey, Minster and Leysdown beaches or Perry Woods, Oare gunpowder works or Milton Creek country parks to do your exercise, and certainly don’t go to public places for picnics or social gatherings - stay close to home, only go out with members of your own household once a day for exercise and please avoid creating a crowd.

We're in this together and it is working. Don't stop now #kenttogether"

Government scientists say not getting too close to other people who do not live with you, otherwise known as social distancing, is important to defeating the disease but is incredibly difficult when lots of people are in the same place at the same time.

KCC Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark added:

“You need to stay two metres (6ft) away from other people - that’s either two very big steps or hold your arm out and then double that distance.

Exercise is an important way to help your physical and mental health.

f you can’t keep fit and healthy at home then the Government advice is for one trip out of your house each day for a walk or run.

Stay close to your home and you should not drive unnecessarily or take public transport unless it is absolutely essential.

We have to continue with a sensible approach to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and avoid the strain on the NHS."

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said:

“As part of their routine patrolling across the county, Kent Police officers are engaging with individuals and businesses to ensure they are adhering to the Government’s instructions around social distancing.

Officers are engaging with those going against the instructions, explaining why they are necessary and encouraging them to comply, with enforcement being used only as a last resort.

It is therefore pleasing that police enforcement has not yet been necessary since legislation under the Coronavirus Act was introduced last week.

I would like to thank the people of Kent for continuing to play their part at this difficult time by staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”

Aaron Willcox, Margate station manager for Southeastern, said:

“Southeastern’s reduced timetable is designed for vital key workers making essential journeys, with only half the usual number of trains.

We know a trip to the beach might seem tempting as the weather gets warmer, but please follow the government advice and only travel if your journey is absolutely essential.”

Swale Borough Council
Space

POSTPONED - Upchurch Village Hall AGM

Because of the Coronavirus lockdown, the Upchurch Village Hall AGM planned to take place next Wednesday 8th April has been postponed.

The Management Committee will arrange a suitable date for this public meeting once the current situation is over.

Meanwhile, you can still express your views regarding the future plans for the village hall by taking part in our online survey at:-

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SQ8GMSS

Alternatively, the survey can be found on Facebook @UpchurchMatters or @Upchurchvillagehall

There are only a small number of questions, it is anonymous and it will only take a few minutes of your time to answer them.

Thank you

Edward Murphy

pp Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Space

Message from Cllr Roger Truelove, Leader of Swale Borough Council

Cllr Roger Truelove.

“I would like to thank everyone in Swale for responding as a community to the Government’s call for social distancing, to protect the NHS and to save lives.

It requires tremendous self-discipline at a time of great anxiety when the support of others is so vital.

I would like to share with you my pride at the way our council officers are adapting to new challenges and the way people in the community are rallying to help each other. I would particularly like to say thank you to the many heroes keeping us going - in the NHS, in social care, collecting our waste, keeping our supermarkets going, teachers, postmen and women and many others in key ways.

This is no time to be undermining those responsible for making key and difficult decisions. If anyone at national or local level seeks to exploit our crisis for political ends, it will be they who pay the price, not those they try to weaken. There will be a time to learn lessons, but this is a time for pulling together.

The Government makes key strategic decisions but it is local councils who have to deliver. The Government called on us to set up Community Hubs to help vulnerable people and we have done that.

The first priority is the protection of the Government’s “shielded” population, people so much at risk that they must isolate for at least 12 weeks.

Food and medicines are getting through to them but the Government asks us, in our own way and with our own funding, to respond to a wider group of people who will also be vulnerable in the current circumstances. The council has provided extra funds for foodbanks and for citizens advice.

The Government instructed us to get all rough sleepers accommodated and we did that. However, we know that new challenges will present themselves and that homelessness is growing. We have dedicated staff in the council working very hard to deal with these issues.

The Government also calls on us, even while taking on new duties, to do our best to keep our usual services running as normally as possible. Most critical, of course, is the collection of our waste. We are working daily with Biffa to keep the service going and I would like to thank everyone for understanding the scale of the challenge as operatives begin to call in sick. We have to prioritise and we have now had to withdraw the collection of garden waste.

I hope the community will understand that, like all our colleagues in local government, we are already facing serious financial issues. Income is seriously reduced whilst spending has to increase. I hope it is understood too, that when we collect council tax it is only 10% that we retain for our council, whilst the rest goes to the County Council, who are providing vital care services, to the Police, Fire and Parishes. We have to pass this on. The Government call is for us to spend now and reconcile later, but all councils have to be able to sustain their cash flow.

I am 75 years old. There has never been a moment like this before in my lifetime. This is an awful crisis, for our health and wellbeing and for our economy. It requires courage and unity of purpose but we must win and we will.

Our first priority is this fight, but we need to look to the future too.

When this is over, there will be work to do, getting back to normal but also continuing with the community improvements that we want to deliver.”

Cllr Roger Truelove

Leader, Swale Borough Council

Space

Kent Together - Helpline Launched by Kent County Council

A 24-hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.

The helpline - called Kent Together - provides a single, convenient point of contact for anyone in the county who is in urgent need of help during the Coronavirus outbreak. It is a collaboration between KCC, central Government, District, Borough and local councils, the voluntary and community sector, the NHS, emergency services and other partners to ensure help is at hand for vulnerable people.

It is also the place to report your concerns about the welfare of someone else.

Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough said:

“In every district and borough throughout Kent and Medway there has been an incredible and heartening response to this pandemic, and we have a huge army of remarkable, public-spirited volunteers who are ready and willing to help each other through these challenging times.

We now need to make sure that these vital resources are directed to where they are most needed. The new central helpline will link to Community Hubs across the county and ensure that we are effectively working hand in hand with the amazing teams out in the heart of communities in every part of Kent.”

Kent Together is being coordinated by Kent County Council which will feed the information through the network of volunteers, district and borough council teams and local support groups, to ensure people get the support they need when they need it.

People’s needs will be assessed and staff will liaise with Community Hubs in the districts to prioritise those who need urgent help.

Mr Gough added:

“At this unprecedented time, we all need to support each other to cope with the changes to our lifestyles we’ve had to make in order to delay the spread of Covid-19.

I appreciate those radical changes have brought about difficulties and uncertainty and that we are all having to live our lives very differently.

I hope with the launch of this service we can help bring some sense of familiarity and comfort back to those who desperately need it.”

If you are vulnerable and have an urgent need that cannot be met through existing support networks, you can contact the Kent Together helpline at: www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or by calling on 03000 41 92 92. It is a 24-hour service.

Kent County Council also has a page on its website answering frequently asked questions and the very latest Coronavirus information on its service updates page.

Visit: www.kent.gov.uk to find out more.

#Kenttogether

Kent County Council

Space