NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Changes to shielding guidance for vulnerable people

Government guidance on shielding has now been paused. This means big changes to the daily life for many people in Kent previously told to stay indoors to protect themselves from the virus.

You can now take a walk, see family and go shopping remembering to stay safe and wear facemasks when in shops.

The government has advised that you can go out to more places and see more people:

• You can go to work as long as the workplace is COVID-secure - but carry on working from home if you can.

• Children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can go back to school (when the rest of their class goes back).

• You can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise - keeping 2 meters away wherever possible. 

Click here for up-to-date guidance and support.

End of free food parcels for shielded people

The new advice from the government also means that free food parcels offered to shielded people will stop from August 1st.

The Kent Resilience Forum has issued the following advice for anyone who is worried about these changes;

• Priority slots for online shopping are still available at all participating supermarkets. If you are able to register for these deliveries do this as soon as you can.

• If you cannot shop online, contact family and friends and neighbourhood schemes to tell them that you may still need help to get food or to collect prescriptions.

• If you still need support then you can access this through the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/kenttogether or on 03000 41 92 92

Stay safe 

You may still be at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus, so stay at home as much as you can and continue to take precautions when you do go out.

You can do this by washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face and keeping 2 metres away from people outside of your household -or bubble- wherever possible.

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Swale Borough Council - Have your Say on How Social Housing is Allocated

People can now have their say on how Swale Borough Council allocates social housing.

The council reviewed its housing allocations policy earlier this year to provide better access to affordable housing for those who need it most.

The policy is now open for public consultation until Friday 2nd October, giving people 8 weeks to submit their views on the proposed changes.

The changes include tapering income considerations to provide a more realistic approach for single people and larger families that are at opposite ends of the spectrum, moving homeless households from band C to B to make it easier for them to be moved from temporary housing into permanent accommodation, and reducing the amount of time a resident is expected to have lived in the area from four to two years.

Cllr Ben J Martin, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:

“We’re confident that the proposed changes to the housing allocation policy will make sure we use the accommodation we have available efficiently, to provide homes to those who need them most.

Local, affordable housing is a priority for us. The demand for housing has never been higher and we know how important it is for local people to have access to affordable housing for their families.

The policy helps ensure we provide a fair and transparent system that prioritises social housing by making efficient use of the homes available, promoting choice to applicants and developing sustainable mixed communities.

Consultation is open until Friday 2nd October, and we encourage people to have their say on how the proposed changes could affect them.”

For more information about the housing allocation policy visit: www.swale.gov.uk/housing-allocations-policy

Swale Borough Council

Rainham Tuition Centre setup in Upchurch Village Hall

Rainham Tuition Centre are running their Summer Holiday Programme for children throughout August this year in the village hall.

The large and spacious main hall provides the space needed to accommodate the children with adequate social distancing.

Parents have been impressed with the location and facilities provided.

David Steward

Chairman - Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee

Temporary Road Closure - A2 London Road, Sittingbourne

Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on A2 London Road, Sittingbourne from Monday 24th August 2020 for up to 1 night between the hours of 20:00 and 05:00.

The road will be closed between the junctions with Wises Lane and Borden Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic travelling eastbound is via A2 London Road, West Street, St Michaels Road, Crown Quay Lane, B2006 Eurolink Way, Mill Way, St Pauls Street, Staplehurst Road, Bobbing Interchange, Sheppey Way, Key Street Roundabout and A2 Key Street.

The alternative route for any through traffic travelling westbound is via A2 Key Street, Key Street Roundabout, Sheppey Way, Bobbing Interchange, B2006 Staplehurst Road, St Pauls Street, Mill Way, Eurolink Way, A2 Crown Quay Lane, St Michaels Road, Dover Street and London Road.

Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while carriageway resurfacing works are undertaken by Kent County Council.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Kent County Council on: 03000 418181, who will be able to assist with the scope of the works.

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

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Poolside Bar Courtyard - VJ Day 75th Anniversary Celebration with Annie Love at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

From 8:00pm • Free Entry • Non-Members Welcome

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Vehicle Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/130466/20

Between Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th of July, a silver Ford Focus, reg number: EJ1 WOR was stolen by unknown means from Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane, Upchurch.

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging