Medway Council - New Government Discretionary Grant Fund for Small Businesses

Small businesses in Medway will be able to apply for funding as part of a new scheme to further support the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has introduced a discretionary grant fund for small businesses which are experiencing financial difficulties.

Medway Council has pledged to continue supporting its local small businesses throughout the pandemic and is encouraging eligible business owners to apply for this new funding scheme. The council will be granting funding of up to £10,000 to small businesses which meet the criteria, as part of the new government fund.

The discretionary grant fund is only for businesses with fewer than 50 employees and which have not benefited from other government COVID-19 support schemes, excluding the coronavirus job retention scheme (furlough).

Medway Council will prioritise the funding for the following businesses, in line with government guidance:

• small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, which do not have their own business rates assessment

• regular market traders with fixed building costs, who do not have their own business rate assessment

• bed and breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates

• charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief, and which would otherwise have been eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief

Businesses in Medway have between Tuesday, 26th May and 12noon on Friday, 5th June to submit their application for the discretionary business grant fund. Medway Council will be making payments to successful applicants from late June onwards.

Medway small businesses eligible to apply for this funding must do so by the deadline and by visiting medway.gov.uk/coronavirusbusinesses

Cllr Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council, said:

“Medway has a diverse economy made up of 14,000 businesses of all sizes and some of those will be eligible to apply for this new discretionary grant fund. I would encourage small businesses which meet the criteria and are experiencing financial difficulties due to the current coronavirus restrictions to apply to Medway Council for this financial support. We will continue to do all we can to protect our local businesses and strengthen our economy so Medway continues to build a sustainable future with jobs and a variety of amenities on our doorstep.”

Medway Council

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UPDATED - Notification of Works - Traffic Signals at A2 - Key Street Interchange

Click drawing to enlarge.

Further to the notification below I have to inform you that the planned start of the construction works has been delayed. The anticipated new start date for the construction is Monday 6th July 2020, but again this assumes that Kent County Council receive approvals for the design and legal agreements from Highways England are in place.

In order to maintain the current Highways England road closure order for the A249 slip road we will be undertaking a single nights work on Monday 1st June 2020 with the slip road closed. The only works being undertaken on this night will be setting out and scanning for statutory undertakers apparatus. There will be no construction activities on this night. If we were not able to undertake this single nights slip road closure then we would have to apply for a new temporary slip road order which would result in our works being delayed until August 2020.

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The A2 Key Street Interchange Traffic Signal installation work is due to start on Monday 1st June with the Principal Contractor Amey Highways undertaking the installation.

The works entail the installation of traffic signals to the northbound off slip road to the A249. The existing pedestrian crossing point to the slip road is to be upgraded to a signal controlled crossing point. Road markings will also be changed to the roundabout gyratory to include destination legends and arrows to the lanes. The changes are to assist with traffic flow and capacity both on the slip road and roundabout gyratory.

We are currently in the process of obtaining Technical Approvals with Highways England. This has been a challenge, especially as the DBFO are also involved, and a Section 6 Agreement is currently awaiting sign offs but we hope that this will not cause any undue delay.

The works will be carried out overnight weekday nights between the hours of 8:00pm and 5:00am over a period of 4 weeks.

KCC Streetworks bookings are confirmed and the Highways England TTRO for night time slip road closures is in place.

We will be installing variable message signs, carrying out a letter drop to residents and businesses close by and notifying other stakeholders who could be affected all in advance of the works. We will also be contacting Swale Borough Council Environmental Team.

I have attached a drawing extract indicating the location of the traffic signal works for your information.

Andrew Bond

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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Urgent Road Closure - The Street, Hartlip

Urgent Road Closure - The Street, Hartlip - Tuesday 26th May 2020

Kent County Council gives notice that The Street, Hartlip will be closed to through traffic, on or after Tuesday 26th May 2020 for up to 4 days.

The road will be closed at the junctions of Munns Lane and Hollow Lane.

The alternative route is via Hollow Lane, A2 and Munns Lane.

It is planned that the road will be closed between 08:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs each day.

This is to enable drainage repairs to be carried out by Kent County Council.

For information regarding this closure please contact Kent County Council on:

03000 418181 (9:00am - 5:00pm)
03000 419191 (5:00pm - 9:00am)

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Message to Residents from Cllr Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council

Cllr Alan Jarrett.

“Dear residents,

I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the lovely weather.

My last message followed the Prime Minister’s announcement which outlined a route map for the gradual lifting of restrictions over the coming months. We are now enjoying the benefits of some of the gentle changes, such as being able to safely enjoy our open spaces and country parks in the warmer weather we’re currently experiencing and see more of our loved ones safely.

I continue daily to wonder at our marvellous NHS staff who so selflessly put the wellbeing of others before their own. We thank them and the other First Responders for everything they are doing for us on a daily basis in order to keep us safe and well. Of course Medway Council is also a First Responder, and all too often the major contribution being made by all our staff is not necessarily recognised by the wider public. Council staff are all too often the unsung heroes in a crisis, and never more so than over the last weeks.

I’m aware a few residents have been in touch querying if you’ll get a reduction in council tax, suggesting that our services are closed for business. I can reaffirm that we are and have remained opened for business throughout the pandemic. In fact, I am extremely proud of your council’s commitment to continue to provide as many services as we possibly can within government guidelines and our quick response to adapt our services at the beginning of the pandemic to offer innovative ways to ensure residents could still access Medway’s services whilst at home during lockdown. I want to share with you today just some of the many things we have been doing.

Supporting the most vulnerable in our communities remains one of the most important things we do and our social workers have continued to be at the front line every single day. Whether that has been working with our children and families, or with the over 6,000 adults who are amongst our ‘shielded’ population, the contribution of our social workers has been amazing.

So too colleagues in Public Health, who have been very much at the sharp end of this crisis. Whether that has been overseeing the delivery and distribution of food parcels to those in need, or the packing and delivery of over 100,000 meals, or their wider work with the community and community and voluntary groups providing shopping and prescription collection services or just phoning isolated residents for a chat, their efforts have been unstinting.

Most of our schools have remained open in order to host the children of our key workers, in order for them to continue working on our behalf. Children with special needs and disabilities have also been able to attend school as required. For the commitment of our school staff – whether that is in maintained schools or academies and free schools - no praise is too high and I joined with many yesterday in thanking them on National Thank A Teacher Day.

Our contractors at Medway Norse have worked miracles in maintaining our marvellous weekly waste collection service, one of your most valued services. When closed services have been reopened, once again our contractors have stepped up to the plate with grass cutting resumed from early May, and our HWRCs reopened just this weekend. As soon as government guidance allowed we reopened our country park car parks, making it easier for our people to enjoy our beautiful open spaces. All of the contracted services have of course been overseen by our full-time staff.

Our Finance Team have worked tirelessly to implement swiftly government financial support schemes to ensure those most in need receive the support required. They have supported Medway across the spectrum from council tax benefits to small business grants. The distribution of grants has so far exceeded £55,000,000 and there is more to come.

We have continued a busy schedule of road maintenance ready for when more traffic returns to our roads. 732 jobs have been completed on our roads since 23 March as well as a major project to replace lamp columns.

Our Customer Support team has taken around 5,000 calls a week to help residents’ queries ensuring you have someone to turn to in need of help and we have worked hard throughout to communicate important messages to you and ensure you can also access many of our services online.

Where we’ve not been able to provide services directly, we’ve come up with some creative solutions. Our libraries have given residents access to thousands of ebooks, audio books and emagazines and we’ve created a huge number of free online videos of live sports work outs, health and well being sessions and creative courses.

Ensuring the well being of our children and young people is one of Medway’s top priorities and our Early Help teams have provided many children and families with activity and reading packs over the past months and the many letters of thanks have demonstrated how much they are enjoying them. And our Youth Services Teams have been holding many different activity sessions to keep young people busy each week online.

With many of our services closed down we have seen staff either working from home or redeployed. Staff have been redeployed to assist with packaging and deliveries, the crematorium, and indeed going to wherever they are needed to ensure residents continue to receive our ongoing help and support. There has been a demonstration of flexibility and commitment to Medway’s people the like of which we have never seen before and I would like to pay tribute to them all for all their hard work. Much of this goes on behind the scenes. You may not be seeing people out and about every day but I can assure you that we have never been busier.

Whilst we continue to work hard in response to the ongoing pandemic and deliver vital services for you all, as well as offer affected services in different ways, we are also planning for when our services can return to normal.

This pandemic is affecting us all and as this week is also Mental Health Awareness Week we are reminding residents of the support services available during COVID-19 including the Release the Pressure helpline and text service. Residents can text the word ‘Medway’ to 85258, to start a conversation with one of the many trained and experienced volunteers. People needing support can also call 0800 107 0160 where support is available from trained and experienced staff on this freephone number 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Please do look after yourselves and your loved ones at this difficult time.

Stay alert, control the virus, save lives.”

Cllr Alan Jarrett

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - April / May 2020

Report of the Parish Council April / May 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.

Parish Council Meetings

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.

Cllr Tyrone Ripley has been elected Chairman and Cllr John Arnold has been elected as Vice-Chairman.

COVID-19

Following Government guidelines to stay safe by avoiding using playgrounds, Upchurch Parish Council has closed the Play Area at the Paddock until further notice. 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. 

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.

The Council has accepted an offer of a grant from KCC Cllr Whiting’s Grant Fund to purchase ​hand sanitiser ​for the village. ​This will be distributed to the school, volunteers, the surgery and Nursery Days to help control the spread of any infections.

Planning

i. Ref: 20/501448/OUT Address: Land At Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY

Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 7no. residential dwellings (all matters reserved except for access).

Councillors considered the application and acknowledged the changes made against the previous application. Councillors did not object to the new proposal in principle but had great concerns over the possibility of future potential applications on the land at the back of this plot and wanted to see some method of ensuring the development does not spread on to surrounding plots. Any S106 should remain in the village.

ii. Ref: 20/501475/FULL Address: Land Rear of Eden Meadow, High Street Newington 

Proposal: Erection of 40 No. residential dwellings including affordable housing and associated car parking, hardstanding, landscaping and open spaces, infrastructure including SuDs and earthworks accessed from the existing junction serving Eden Meadow from the A2 High Street.

Although not in the Parish, Councillors considered the application and agreed to object to the proposal. Concern was raised about the impact of the development on Upchurch as it will generate additional traffic on an already overburdened road system through the country lanes and the A2. This will further add to the pollution and poor air quality especially given the recent changes in road improvement schemes along the A249 where Swale Borough Council is withdrawing support for highway junction improvements on the A249 and M2J5/A249.

iii. Ref:20/501340/FULL Address: 8 Chaffes Terrace Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BQ

Proposal: Erection of part two, part single storey side extension.

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that neighbours’ comments be taken into consideration.

iv. Ref: 20/500657/FULL Address: 90 Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BH 

Proposal: Erection of a single storey front/side and rear extension.

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested that neighbours’ comments be taken into consideration.

v. Ref: 20/501183/FULL Address: Caravan Storage Area Otterham Quay Industrial Estate Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch Kent ME8 7UX

Proposal: Change of use of land for the siting of up to 36no. specialist residential mobile homes with associated services, access, parking and turning area.

Councillors were concerned at the lack of detail in the proposal. There needs to be more detail as to the makeup of residents for these homes given its close proximity to Beckenham Park which is for people over the age of forty and there are restrictions on pets permitted. 

Councillors agreed to object to the proposal due to the lack of information, lack of services and cohesion with the local community.

vi. Ref: 20/501645/FULL Address: Gore Farm Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BE

Proposal: Erection of an agricultural building for secure storage, including provision of an area of hardstanding and concrete for access and bin storage.

Councillors considered the application and supported the proposal subject to local comments.

vii. 20/501701/FULL Minor material amendment to 16/506986/FULL (Demolition of no. 116 Oak Lane and construction of 2 no. three bedroom houses and 1 no. four bedroom with associated garages and parking.) to allow amendments to the proposed road widening and traffic calming measures.

Councillors considered the application for minor amendments to the traffic calming scheme, the original proposal for the houses has already been permitted. A traffic calming scheme is the desire of the Parish Council and is supported by the public consultation although some residents do not want the scheme as it is. Residents are also concerned that vehicles frequently mounting the pavement. 

It was agreed to ask if KCC Highways consider it to be safe at this point in Oak Lane to have traffic calming and leave the design up to the expertise of the engineer from KCC Highways.

Paddock and Recreation Ground

The Council has accepted a quotation to install adult outdoor fitness equipment in The Paddock. This will be paid for by the S106 money from the development at Kent Terrace.

Burial Ground

The rose beds at the Burial Ground have been consecrated by the Ven Stephen Taylor, the Archdeacon of Maidstone, and Bishop Rose, the new Bishop of Dover.

Church Clock

The clock is functioning really well although there has been an issue with the chimes but this has now been resolved. The Council has been trying to get a plaque for the eastern side of the church door to commemorate the refurbishment of the clock for the centenary of the end of the Great War. Swale Borough Council Planning Department has advised that a full architect’s report and a planning application are required, this would be very expensive and might not get approval so it would not be appropriate to pay for this. It is hoped that some recognition of the act can be placed internally in the church.

Highways and Street Lighting

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lighting contractor has advised the Council that there is a problem sourcing the parts for the upgrade of the street lighting. Due to a huge increase in the cost of Air Freight following the COVID-19 lockdown and the parts will now be delivered by sea and there will be a delay in upgrading the streetlights to LEDs.

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 4^th June 2020 at 7:30pm

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 17^th June at 7:30pm 

All meetings will be held remotely due to the Government lockdown.

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

Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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Statement from Cllr Roger Truelove, Leader of Swale Borough Council

Cllr Roger Truelove.

“It is two months now since the council closed its offices and councillors and staff took their laptops and set up office in their homes.

Since then the work has continued, with normal services maintained and a whole set of new responsibilities carried out at the request of Government.

We have run community support hubs, supported foodbanks, distributed government business grants and found accommodation for rough sleepers and a growing number of homeless people.

We have worked with the Government, the County Council, the NHS and the Police. We have had officers out at weekends monitoring the public response to social distancing.

Like other Councils we have fought to maintain as high a level of waste collection as possible.

We now estimate the extra responsibilities and the loss of normal income will leave with us a shortfall of £4 million on our basic budget. This will be hard but I believe we will manage.

This is the worst of times. The isolation forced on so many, especially frail and vulnerable people is difficult to maintain.

It is hard for all of us to be cut off from family and friends and to be denied those things that we enjoy in life, such as going to a football match, the cinema, to restaurants or meeting friends in a pub.

It is asking much of faith groups not to attend church, mosque or synagogue.

Above all, and dependent on our different temperaments, we share an underlying anxiety, about health, jobs, the economy and of course our children.

We want to see an end but we don’t know when that end will be.

Ironically, there are some ways that this has been the best of times.

We have seen an outburst of decency, of community support, of care for others, of courage and selflessness.

We have seen an improvement in our environment, cleaner air and quiet only broken by the sound of birds.

The advice to take daily exercise has enabled people to discover peaceful walks into our countryside.

We have discovered just how important our frontline workers are.

Let us hope that when we get back to watching football and eating out, that we retain this sense of community and mutual regard.

This is a time for wisdom, not foolishness. We have seen how important our public services are and how important it is to work together.

I am conscious that as a Council we must play our part in building a recovery. There will be a legacy that goes beyond the need for health care. We already see a rise in unemployment.

But we must not be overcome with anxieties.

We will continue with our determined aim of improving our public spaces, our town centres and our coast.

We will work with others to build a stronger local economy.

We will continue work to improve our environment and we will create stronger links between our council and voluntary and charitable groups in the community.

We have worked well remotely. Meetings are held through Skype, within Swale and with others across the county and the country.

It has been very hard for everyone but we will learn lessons and build a strong recovery.”

Cllr Roger Truelove
Leader, Swale Borough Council
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