Extra £1million for KCC Community Warden Service

KCC commits extra £1million to community warden service

Kent County Council has confirmed an additional £1 million investment for its frontline Kent Community Warden Service over the next two years.

For 18 years the Kent community warden service (KCWS) has served local communities by preventing crime, supporting vulnerable residents and tackling social isolation. It is a proactive and visible presence promoting stronger and safer communities.

KCC’s Community Wardens are hard at work every day, and since the end of March they have been helping residents cope with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Among many other activities, the 70-strong force are delivering essential medical prescriptions, food parcels and hot and cold meals to vulnerable isolated residents and working with shops, food producers, restaurants, food banks, Age UK, Community Cupboards and many other partners to maintain supplies. (Some examples are included below). 

Before the pandemic, the demand for the community-based warden scheme was already high, with wardens currently working across 128 Kent communities. The public health crisis has not only added to this demand but highlighted just how valuable the service is to our communities.

KCC has prioritised investing in the enhancement and expansion of the service. This investment will enable service improvements and an increase in warden numbers, enabling more of Kent’s communities and residents to benefit as the service becomes more accessible.

We will be recruiting new staff and expanding into new areas, during the latter part of 2020, and into early 2021.

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said:

“I am extremely proud of the Kent Community Warden Service. Wardens have provided invaluable support for communities all over Kent for many years.

“Their work was championed during the County Council’s Select Committee for Loneliness and Social Isolation last year and this year has seen the service adapt and work to deliver vital support during this time of crisis. I am delighted that we are able to invest in the service and make it available to more of our communities in Kent.” 

Here are just a few examples of the work they are doing across the county:

After warden Susan Beeney dropped a leaflet into Ossies Fish Bar in Canterbury, the owner contacted her with an offer of free fish and chips for the elderly and vulnerable. Susan collected order of 45 fish and chips and distributed them to sheltered accommodation Franklyn House in Sturry, to isolated residents in the area and to Paffard Court sheltered accommodation, where the elderly residents were grateful that the community was looking out for them.

Wardens are continually delivering prescriptions to self-isolated vulnerable residents, including a delivery by David Harmes to a boat on the River Stour! They are also working with GPs and Parish Councillors to ensure protocols are put in place to minimise the risk of the spread of the virus.

Warden Gordon Guillou-King had been working to support an ex-army serviceman, living with mental health/PTSD issues and a suffering alcoholic. After several months of working with partners including the Forward Trust, Porchlight and the Royal British Legion real progress was being made with the alcoholism - and then came COVID-19!

Unable to travel and isolated from the built-up support network, it was more important than ever to maintain that support, which has been achieved through regular direct phone calls, emails and indirect messages of support from the team.

Richard Sinden, the Community Warden in Wye, has been working with a small group of volunteer residents on a phone buddy scheme. Volunteers provide a regular friendly phone call to help reduce the feelings of isolation. An appeal was put out on the village Facebook page and more than 20 volunteers came forward to help.

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2020

Report of the Parish Council June 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.

Play Area

Following Government guidelines to stay safe by avoiding using playgrounds, as 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. 

Upchurch Parish Council has closed the Play Area at the Paddock until further notice.   

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.

Planning

Ref: 20/501698/FULL

Address: 3 The Street Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AJ

Proposal: Erection of single storey side extension, fenced enclosure to existing plant and relocation of ATM. Extension of vehicular crossover to include 3no. parking spaces and resurfacing.

Councillors considered the application and noted there had been no responses on the planning portal. Concern was raised that children walk along the pavement at the vehicular crossover between the Newsagents and the Coop to buy their sweets and the parking creates a potential danger for them. Concern was raised about the flat roof extension which is in a Conservation Area. Although three parking spaces are being provided, two spaces on the road will be lost. Cars will have to pull into the parking area before being able to see if there is a vacant space; if there is no parking available the vehicle will have to reversed out onto the road as it will not be possible to turn round in the parking area. The boundary fence between the Coop and the Post Office will need to have good sight lines. Any refrigeration units on the outside must not disturb the neighbours.

Councillors agreed that in principle they had no objections but questioned the flat roof in a Conservation Area. Any refrigeration units on the outside must have “silent packs” and not emit any noise especially at night. Councillors welcomed the inclusion of a disabled parking space but had concerns about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, in the area.

Ref: 20/501714/FULL

Address: 5 Church Farm Road Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AG

Proposal: Demolition of garage and erection of single storey side extension and creation of front parking area.

Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal and requested consideration be given to run-off water and drainage. Neighbours’ comments should be taken into account.

Ref: 20/501839/FULL

Address: 42 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AU

Proposal: Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of a two storey rear extension (Resubmission of 20/500756/FULL).

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

Allotments

The Parish Council is grateful to plot holders for repairing the track. A sleeper will also be laid at the entrance which will address the problem of water running off the road and flooding the entrance when it rains. This will enable the two plots near the entrance to be used.

Footpaths

Concern has been raised about PROW ZR10 which is difficult to use and this will be monitored. Councillors will meet with the KCC Public Rights of Way East Kent Area Officer when restrictions are eased.

Concern has also been raised about the footpath from The Poles to Horsham Lake which is being used as a public toilet, this has been to the Swale Borough Council Environment Team. There is an issue about the number of cars and car transporters which are being stored at the front end of Horsham Lake and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Swale Borough Council Planning Enforcement Team.

Environment

The cascade planter has returned to the village centre for the summer. The Council has purchased four barrier baskets which will be installed on A frames in the Recreation Ground.  Cllr Rosewell is kindly making the A frames.

Another dog waste bag station has been installed on the footpath at the back of Chaffes Lane and it is hoped that this will help alleviate the problem with dog fouling. Residents are reminded that they must clean up after their dog.  

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 2^nd July 2020 at 7:30pm

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 15^th July at 7:30pm.

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.  Please check the website for details of the meetings

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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Swale Borough Council Approves New Park Home Planning Policy

Swale Borough Council has approved a new interim policy that outlines how the council will manage planning applications for park home sites across the borough.

The policy was agreed at the virtual council meeting (17th June) this week and gives the council an opportunity to widen its housing options.

It will especially increase options for the elderly who make up an increasing number of the borough’s population and have no specific provision in the current local plan.

The policy will also protect the council when it seeks to enforce the current 8-10 month occupancy rules, which are currently vulnerable to appeal.

Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, said:

“I am relieved that the new park home policy was passed at the council meeting.

Since February 2019, we’ve been unable to provide a five-year housing supply as set by the government which leaves us vulnerable to planning applications in areas outside our approved local plan.

This policy finally gives our officers, and our planning committee, a sound basis upon which Swale can judge park home applications. 

Park homes are not housing on the cheap - they are good, quality homes set in warm and supportive communities.

We anticipate a possible 200 to 300 new park home units from across the borough, as such homes are generally not appropriate in flood or coastal erosion zones.

We are currently working on a new, more realistic local plan that will take us to 2038 and help us demand the investment in local infrastructure we desperately need.

A local plan based on delivering local need and a wider range of housing options than has been the case in the past.

Thanks to this new policy, we will have an extra layer of protection from accepting planning applications that not only lay outside our approved local plan, but that don’t have the necessary infrastructure needed to support it.”

For more information about the policy can be found here

Swale Borough Council 

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Swale Borough Council Seeks Interest in Running an Art, Cultural and Creative Space in Sittingbourne

Local not-for-profit and commercial organisations are being invited to express their interest in running an art, cultural and creative space at 34 High Street in Sittingbourne.

The property - owned by Opportunities for Sittingbourne Ltd, a partnership between Swale Borough Council and U+I Ltd - is available for local organisations to occupy, manage and maintain for up to 20 years.

To express their interest, businesses will need to submit a business plan to the council outlining the desired lease length and annual rent on offer.

The business plan will also need to include the basics - proposed use of the building, opening times and events and activities - alongside the financial projections, marketing proposals and a demonstration of existing collaborations within the community.

The large two-storey building has previously been run as an arts and cultural centre and includes a shop front on the ground floor with offices above and access to an outside decked area and balcony.

There is also a large cellar and parking for eight vehicles to the rear of the property.

Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy and property at the council, said:

“We hope that a local organisation will express their interest in running an art, cultural and creative hub for the community.

The property has been an arts and cultural space for the local community for almost 10 years, and we think it’s important to keep that going.

We’re excited to see the ideas and inspiration from local organisations that bring out the creative side of the community, provide fun events and empower people to bring their imagination to life.

We are looking for local organisations that will encourage the arts, cultural, creative and digital enhancement of the town centre.

The EOI process is open to not-for-profit and commercial organisations until 29th June, and we encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch and submit a business plan.”

For more information about the property and how to submit a tender visit: www.swale.gov.uk/34-high-street

Swale Borough Council

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Birth Registration Appointments Resume in Kent

From Wednesday 17th June 2020 Kent County Council is pleased to announce that face to face birth registrations will resume at a number of registration delivery points across the county. Since the 23rd March 2020 birth registrations have been unable to be completed unless in an emergency situation due to the social distancing guidance and lockdown enforcement imposed by the Government and Public Health. 

While this has been necessary we appreciate that many parents have waited many weeks to register their baby so thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this period while we have worked to ensure the safe return of these appointments for both customers and staff.

During lockdown we have built up a large backlog of birth registrations that require appointments and as a result we will be opening as many appointments as is safe to do so in each location. We will be offering appointments between the hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Saturday.

We will be contacting those couples who had by necessity had their appointments cancelled at the start of lockdown so we can book them a new appointment.

From tomorrow, our website - www.kent.gov.uk/births - will have information on the locations that are offering appointments. You can book an appointment online or call our contact centre on 03000 415151 (Kent) 03000 415252 (Bexley).

You should expect a phone call the day before the booked appointment confirming what to expect when attending the appointment. The registrar that completes the phone call will confirm who should attend the appointment, what to bring with you and anything you need to know about the location of the appointment in advance to make the process on the day as easy as possible.

We would like to thank everyone in advance for your patience and support whilst we work though the volume of birth registrations that we have to complete. 

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

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Video Advice for Businesses Coping with COVID-19

A new video, produced specifically to advise retail businesses in Kent on the new COVID-19 regulations concerning re-opening safely, has been launched today.

Further help and advice will be available during a live Question and Answer session tomorrow at 1:00pm (Tuesday 15th June).

The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline, run by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub, has received many enquiries from businesses asking about the new guidelines and how they can make sure they are following them correctly.

The video, produced by the Kent and Medway Growth Hub in partnership with Kent County Council Trading Standards, Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Water, summarises the key points of the guidelines for retail businesses.

It offers guidance on which types of business are allowed to reopen, which COVID-19 social-distancing and safety guidelines they should follow, fire regulations, how to make sure a store is safe as they re-open and how to make changes to the layout.

There are also links to tools for businesses, such as a sign they should clearly display in their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed COVID-19 guidance. There will also be signposts and links to further guidance.

The COVID-19 Business Support Hotline number is: 03333 602300 and phone lines are open from 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Businesses who are looking to diversify or trade differently, for example start selling new products that maybe imported from abroad or start selling their goods online, should seek free advice from Trading Standards.

To request free COVID-19 related advice from Trading Standards go to: www.kentpublicprotection.info/free-business-advice

The Q and A event, titled “Helping business to re-open and trade safely”, takes place today (Tuesday 15th June) from 1:00pm.

The panel includes Nathan Martin from Kent County Council Trading Standards, Annie Sargent from the Dartford and Sevenoaks Environmental Health Partnership and Tudor Price from the Kent and Medway Growth Hub.

It will be hosted online and businesses can sign up for the free event here: kentpublicprotection.info/trade-safely

The video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/iBsWyyrcPEY

Mike Whiting, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said:

“The past few months have obviously been a particularly worrying time for many businesses. They have not only had to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, but they have also had to contend with planning for the future as the lockdown is gradually eased.

I hope this video will give them some guidance on how to cope with the latest situation and that bosses will also take advantage of the Q and A session if they have any specific concerns.”

Mike Hill, the Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services said:

“Over the past few weeks our Public Protection Group, including KCC Trading Standards, have been busy offering free advice to businesses about how to follow the various rules and regulations around their operations.

The situation is now changing on a regular basis and it is important the businesses continue to keep up with those changes and take advantage of the advice on offer.”

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

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