Swale Borough Council - Op Assist June

Waste Carriers were targeted this week as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping. Swale Borough Council teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to carry out enquiries, arrest people suspected of fly tipping, seize vehicles and collate evidence with a view to prosecuting offenders for waste related crimes.

Outcomes of the day are:

• 5 vehicles stopped and searched

• 2 Fixed Penalty Notices issued

• 1 producer issued

• 1 vehicle seized.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:

“We’ve seen an increase in fly tipping since lockdown began in March so this crackdown couldn’t have come at a better time.

Household waste and recycling centres are now open, so there is no excuse for people to dispose of their waste illegally.

Appointments can be pre-booked on KCC’s website to help keep people safe, maintain social distancing and reduce queues.

We urge anybody that has been doing any home renovations or clearing out to make sure they use a licensed waste carrier if not disposing of the rubbish themselves.

If evidence is found that leads back to the householder, they can receive an on the spot fine of up to £400, so always ask to see a waste carriers license before using them.

We seized a vehicle this time, and any unlicensed waste carriers suspected of fly tipping will also lose their vehicle.”

More and more of these action days are taking place across the County. A tremendous amount of preparation takes place ahead of these days, including the gathering of vital intelligence to support the Council’s Enforcement team with their duties.

What can you do to dispose of your waste responsibly?

Fly tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. However, these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste where ever they can get away with it, including in Kent’s country lanes. Householders or small businesses found to be using criminals to dispose of their waste can and are being prosecuted by local authorities in Kent with fixed penalty notices that go up to £400 per offence. Failure to pay such an FPN may result in court action where fines can be significantly larger.

To prevent this, householders should check whether someone is licenced to carry waste by visiting the Environment Agency website below, or alternatively call 03708 506506. It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to.

https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

The 13 Kent councils, along with Kent Police, are working in partnership to Keep Kent Clean. To keep updated with the councils’ efforts to tackle fly tipping and littering, follow 

#KeepKentClean

Swale Borough Council

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Statement from James Williams - Medway Council Director of Public Health

James Williams.

Published: 30th June 2020

Medway's Director of Public Health has issued a statement regarding a table reported in the media showing areas in England where the number of reported COVID-19 cases has increased in the past 2 weeks

Although new cases of people infected with COVID-19 have been reducing across the country, the virus is still in circulation. This means there is the potential for sporadic cluster outbreaks to occur. Together with all our health partners, we review data on a daily basis to monitor and identify any trends or patterns of virus spread.

There is no comparison to be made between the rates of new cases currently occurring in Medway and areas such as Leicester. A local lockdown has been introduced in Leicester because 10% of all positive cases in the country over the past week were recorded in the city. The number of positive coronavirus cases in Leicester is three times higher than the next highest city and Medway is much lower than this.

As of Monday, 29th June, the total number of cases in Medway, recorded throughout the pandemic, stood at 809 and the rate did not exceed the expected number of cases for the area. We have seen just 28 new cases in the past two weeks.

We have a robust process in place linked to NHS test and trace and our local NHS laboratories to support and protect the people of Medway. This enables us to identify any specific issues related to a location, organisation or individual. The small increase in numbers seen over the last two weeks have been as a result of proactive testing, conducted with identified individuals. Everyone who tested positive has received appropriate advice and support

We have not seen any evidence of any widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in Medway.

There are currently no plans to introduce any lockdowns specifically in Medway. Should, however, the need arise, we will not hesitate to take further steps should it be necessary.

Today we will be publishing the Kent and Medway Local Outbreak Control plan. This plan sets out the actions we will take to manage any surge in cases or local incidents.

It is very important that everyone understands the need to work together as a community to stop this disease spreading. Whilst we welcome the gradual moves to relax some of the lockdown measures,  it is critical that everyone in Medway continues to remain alert and takes action to prevent the spread of the virus to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

All residents are reminded to follow the government guidance. Please protect yourself and others by sticking to social distancing guidelines. Wash your hands regularly. Stay at home and get tested if you develop any of the coronavirus symptoms. This is particularly important this weekend as pubs and restaurants reopen.

Please act responsibly and protect others at all times.   

James Williams

Medway Council Director of Public Health

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Where Should The New Adult Gym Equipment Go?

Upchurch Parish Council is hoping to install adult gym equipment in the village and Councillors are keen to hear the views of residents for the best site and layout.

The project will be funded by Section 106 money from the housing development at Kent Terrace and so must be situated in The Paddock or the Recreation Ground.

The Parish Council is considering 5-6 pieces of equipment to provide all-round adult fitness for residents of all ages. This can be installed either in a cluster or as a fitness trail around The Paddock or Recreation Ground.

The photographs are an example of some of the gym equipment available. A final decision on which equipment to install is yet to be made.

Please vote for your preferred location and layout.

Click on the form to save it to your device.

Please return your completed form to:

Wendy Licence - Clerk to Upchurch Parish Council

14 Trapfield Close, Bearsted ME14 4HT

Or Email it to: clerkupc@outlook.com

Thank you

Upchurch Matters

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Reopening of the Poolside Bar at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

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Medway Council - Have Your Say on the Extension of Six Public Space Protection Orders

Medway Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the extension of six Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Medway.

Medway Council has launched six consultations on the extension of PSPOs in Medway which are more commonly known as Alcohol Control Zones and Dog Control Orders.

Alcohol Control Zones are not blanket bans on drinking alcohol in public places within the zone, but people could be prevented from drinking alcohol if they are behaving anti-socially.

The council is consulting on extending the Alcohol Control Zones in Strood, Gillingham, Rochester and Chatham town centres for three years from 17th October 2020.

The extension of the PSPOs will not stop residents and visitors drinking alcohol in licensed premises during normal licensing hours, for example, in pubs and bars. Pubs, restaurants and off licences do not form part of the PSPO.

If someone is found drinking alcohol and behaving anti-socially in a PSPO it could be confiscated and disposed of, and the individual could face a fine of up to £500.

Medway Council is also consulting on the extension of Dog Control Orders in Capstone Farm Country Park and Riverside Country Park in Gillingham for three years, from 17th October 2020. This means that dogs must be kept on leads in certain areas within the country parks, which are clearly marked on maps on the park notice boards, and are not allowed in other areas, such as play parks.

If someone is seen walking their dog off the lead in one of the designated areas, or if their dog is in an area where canines are not allowed they will be asked to put their dog on a lead or to remove the dog from that area. If they do not comply the pet owner could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100.

The consultations end at midnight on Friday 17th July 2020.

Cllr Adrian Gulvin, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Resources and Chairman of the Medway Community Safety Partnership, said:

“In the last three years our preventative approach to tackling anti-social behaviour across Medway has seen a 29 per cent reduction in the number of incidents reported. We are determined to reduce this figure further and we will continue to work closely with our partners to tackle anti-social behaviour. I would encourage residents to take part in the consultation and have their say.”

For more information about PSPOs, and to take part in the consultations, visit: www.medway.gov.uk/consultations

Medway Council

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Swale Borough Council Allocates more than £1 Million to Open Space, Leisure and Environmental Improvements

Councillor Roger Truelove.

A council report has confirmed Swale Borough Council allocated more than £1 million to open space, leisure and environmental improvements in the financial year 2019/20.

The funding came from council reserves and included:

• £523,000 for new and refurbished public toilet facilities across the borough.

• £165,000 for hall improvements in Sheppey and West Faversham, and for Faversham pool.

• £159,000 for parks and play areas.

• £93K for environmental improvements.

In addition to these, further allocations were made to the Mill Skate Park, Dolphin Barge Museum site, and the Artesian Well at Oare.

The detailed allocation of the Special Project Fund is part of a report on the council’s finances in the last financial year which goes to the cabinet on Wednesday, 8th July.

The leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, Roger Truelove, said:

“The first year of the coalition was one of sound financing. Despite considerable pressures on spending, especially from homelessness, the accounts for the year shows a surplus of £64,000 which will go into reserves.

The reserves remain buoyant at over £23 million and we believe that it is only right that we should carefully use a relatively small part of those reserves to make one off improvements in the borough.

We want local people to enjoy their open spaces and so it is unacceptable that Swale has not previously done enough to provide decent public toilet facilities.

We want people to enjoy our parks and we want children to have decent play areas that are stimulating.

We want people to have proper community hall facilities and we want to provide funding for our climate emergency initiatives.

This is just a start and despite many financial challenges, we will continue to make these improvements a priority for our communities.

With the introduction of new area committees some of the future funding will be devolved so that local members can decide the priorities for their areas.”

Swale Borough Council

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