Swale Borough Council Meets with KCC Director of Health to Discuss the Rise in Covid Infections in the Borough

Leading members of Swale Borough Council met with Andrew Scott-Clark, Director of Public Health at Kent County Council (KCC), yesterday (26th Oct) to discuss the recorded rise of Covid infections in Swale.

On behalf of KCC - the lead authority in monitoring and controlling the spread of the virus in the county - Mr Scott-Clark confirmed that Swale had the highest level of infections in Kent at 102 per 100,000 people.

While this is still below the national average, Mr Scott-Clark explained that the virus was spreading much more seriously amongst younger people than in the first wave, and that the Isle of Sheppey had the highest levels in the borough, with some higher levels also emerging in Central Sittingbourne and Milton.

He reported that a number of cases in workplaces in Swale were a cause for concern, particularly because transmission looks to be happening outside the workplace as people socialise together. Care homes and food distribution companies are also a cause for concern.

Thankfully there are some areas of the borough with very low levels of infection and the council is working closely with KCC to keep the public properly informed.

Both the council and KCC are concerned about alarming messages being publicised in print and social media, and cabinet members are concerned that this could cause a mixture of fatigue and complacency making suppression of this second wave more difficult.

Cllr Angela Harrison, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at the council, said:

“It is of utmost importance that we do not become complacent when it comes to protecting ourselves, our families and our communities.

“Whilst we mourn every death and understand the impact it has on families, we did not suffer the same impact in the first wave as many other parts of the country.

“This second wave already suggests that we’re facing a real challenge, and we urge people to adhere to government guidelines by washing your hands frequently, wearing a face covering and remembering to maintain social distancing.

“Thankfully levels of hospitalisation are manageable for the moment, but we cannot take our NHS for granted.

“Alongside studying infection rates and levels of hospitalisation, we are also out visiting businesses to ensure they are covid compliant and sharing information and advice with them.”

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader at the council, said:

“Our officers have started compliance checks in the pubs and restaurants in our towns and have found good compliance procedures.

“Businesses have been welcoming and are clearly working very hard to keep their customers safe, however we did have some concerns about take away food businesses and will work with them to ensure they are compliant.

“We will soon be visiting rural establishments and hope for the same high standard we’ve seen so far.

“During lockdown earlier this year, we monitored the situation daily, and reported to the senior leadership team and cabinet every week to ensure we were doing everything we could to keep the residents of the borough safe, and will do the same again now that we are experiencing a second wave.

“We urge you to do your bit to limit the spread of the virus and keep your family and community safe.”

Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council Proposes New Housing Company

Swale Borough Council is proposing to set up a housing company to help deliver affordable homes for local people.

A report going to cabinet on Wednesday, 28th October proposes setting up a local housing company to increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough, without placing a financial burden on the council.

If approved, council-owned land at the old bus depot in East Street Sittingbourne, Fountain Street and Cockleshell Walk car park would be transferred to the company to provide around 139 new properties, in exchange for an equity share in the company.

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

“The prospect of setting up of a housing company is a key indicator of the high priority we place on delivering decent affordable housing residents need, and, if approved, will enable us to intervene directly in the local housing market.

“It would also give us control of the density, location, environmental standards and management of any scheme, so we won’t be at the mercy of developers trying to maximise profit.

“By owning equity shares in the company, we can get an income stream on assets that should go up in value over time, which reduces the financial risk to the council.

“We estimate build costs, energy efficiency and lifecycle costs of developing, managing and maintaining the initially planned 139 properties to be up to £23 million, which we would initially pay for through 50-year loans to the company.

“If approved, the company will enable us to build additional affordable housing, on top of the ones provided through the planning system, and housing associations utilising their homes England grant money in Swale.

“This would be a real ray of hope for local people who are in need of local, affordable housing.”

Cllr Ghlin Whelan, deputy cabinet member for housing at the council, said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to provide the affordable housing the borough so desperately needs.

“Social housing is a nationwide issue and councils are looking for ways to meet the demand without being at the mercy of large developers.

“The number of people needing local, affordable housing is only rising, and it’s our duty to do what we can to meet that need.”

The full report can be viewed here

Swale Borough Council

KCC Announces Dedicated Helpline for Free School Meals Support This Half-term

Kent County Council has announced vouchers for food are available during half-term for families whose children are eligible for free school meals, so that no Kent child goes hungry.

The county’s families most in need will receive supermarket vouchers for each eligible child to ensure they are able to feed their children outside of term time.

A dedicated helpline has been set up and is now open so that Kent’s low-income families are able to quickly and easily access the help they need when they need it most, including during the school holidays. Families who apply will receive one voucher of £15 per child.

The announcement comes after KCC Leader Roger Gough pledged that no child should ever go hungry during school holidays, or at any time.

Speaking after today’s announcement, Mr Gough said:

“Kent County Council and our partners in district and borough councils have already helped thousands of Kent residents, including families with school-aged children, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the weekend, with the half-term holiday approaching, I reminded residents about the help the Kent Together helpline and webpage offer and urged anyone who was struggling to contact us.

We have now taken that offer of help a step further, setting up a dedicated helpline families can call to apply for vouchers for Free School Meals to be used in a local supermarket during the school holidays. This dedicated helpline will streamline and speed up the process so we can get urgent help to those that need it.

This support for families in need has always been in place. I hope, though, that this helpline will enable people who need urgent help to get it, and to get it quickly.

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we support the most vulnerable within our community. I hope that this service will quickly provide families with the help they need and ensure that no child in Kent is left to go hungry.”

Anyone eligible for free school meals who needs extra financial support to help feed their children can now visit www.kent.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or call the dedicated helpline on 03000 41 24 24. You have until next Monday 2nd November 5:00pm to apply.

Meanwhile, the KentTogether helpline remains open for any other Kent resident who needs support with food, collection of medication and prescriptions and other urgent needs during the pandemic, 24 hours a day. You can get help by visiting www.kent.gov.uk/kenttogether or calling 03000 41 92 92.

Suz Elvey

Kent County Council

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Helping your community

The NHS is preparing for winter and the added pressures we usually experience at this time of year.

We can all play a part in making sure NHS services are available for those who need them by staying as active and healthy as possible.

One of the ways we're doing this in Kent and Medway is by recruiting Covid-19 Community Champions to help share information about how to stay healthy and safe.

Kent County Council, Medway Council and NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group are working together to recruit local people to:

• Update their community with the latest information.

• Talk to groups most at risk (including older people and BAME communities) to help them stay safe.

• Promote positive lifestyles, including healthy eating and physical activity.

Anyone interested can sign up to attend fortnightly champion update meetings and receive regular updates.

To register or find out more, Email: abmchampions@medway.gov.uk

Get your flu vaccine and spread the word

The flu vaccination provides protection from the virus which is common throughout winter. Vaccinations began in September and will continue over the winter months, with appointments available throughout the season (so there is still plenty of time to book).

Priority is given to those who are most at risk of complications from flu. GP practices and pharmacies are receiving phased deliveries of the vaccine and flu clinics are scheduled to coincide with these deliveries. By staggering appointments over the winter months, the NHS can help protect as many people as possible from flu.

If you know you're on of the at risk groups, because for instance you have a long term condition such as asthma, are pregnant, or disabled, you should speak to your GP surgery or local pharmacy about the vaccination.

Parents and carers of two and three year olds should receive an invitation for their child to have the vaccination at their GP practice before the winter. If you haven’t heard by early November, contact the practice directly to make an appointment.

For primary school-aged children and those in Year 7 at secondary school, a vaccination session will be held at school during the autumn term. Your local healthcare team will contact you via the school.

Carers and those who live with people who are required to shield are also eligible for the flu vaccine.

Help spread the message in your community by sharing this message and this link to a new flu awareness video

Cold weather alerts

Public Health England's cold weather alert service, operated by the Met Office, is moving to a new, upgraded platform. Current and new users must register their Email address with the new system by the 1st November. Due to compliance with GDPR, it is not possible to subscribe current users to the new system automatically.

The service begins on 1st November 2020 when the current distribution list will be retired and the service will only be delivered to those who have signed up via GovDelivery. Click here to register

Find out more about the cold weather plan and health on the government website

Medway and Swale

Swale CVS is looking for volunteers willing to do weekly shopping for elderly or vulnerable people who are unable to go themselves. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. If you think you can help, please contact Zoe on 01795 473828 or Email zoe.deveson@swalecvs.co.uk

Read the full bulletin at https://bit.ly/3modxjr

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Support for Local Families Struggling Through the School Holidays

Following the recent government decision not to extend the free school meals scheme, Cia Merrall has teamed up with St Margaret’s Church, Rainham to fundraise and provide local families with deliveries of fresh and frozen food and essentials.

If you are going to find it difficult to feed your children over the October half-term holiday, please contact Cia. Families can self refer or are referred by schools.

Or if you would like to donate funds, food or other essential items and volunteer to deliver parcels, please get in touch with Cia.

Donations of funds can be made at >> www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cia-merrall

Any excess will be donated to St Margaret’s Foodbank, Rainham and the Trussell Trust.

Upchurch Support Network is still here to support you.

Contact:

Cia Merrall - 15 Forge Lane, Upchurch
Telephone: 07916 151299 - Email: ciamerrall@hotmail.com

Upchurch Matters

Co-op Membership has Changed - Choose a Local Cause

Co-op membership has changed

From the 30th of September 2020, the Co-op doubled the amount they give to local causes on behalf of their Members and began offering Members the chance to save on their shopping each week with personalised offers and more discounts and deals on Co-op services and products.

Now, when you buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 you spend goes into your Co-op membership account. 

You can spend the rewards you earn on most things you buy - not just Co-op products. 

You can join the Co-op for £1 to save money with personalised offers and earn rewards to spend in-store. If you’re not already a Member, you can buy a temporary membership card for £1 in any Co-op food store. The £1 you paid for the temporary card will be used to pay for your share in the Co-op.

Each week, you can go online or on the Co-op app to see new offers on products you like to buy or might want to try. Choose the 2 offers you want to use then scan your Co-op membership card in the app to use your offers.

Upchurch local causes have returned

For the first time in a year, Co-op Members can choose to support three local causes a bit closer to home.

The tremendous support villagers and the wider community give the busy Upchurch store has already benefited village local causes to the tune of thousands of pounds.

Choose a local cause

When you become a Co-op Member, you can choose a local cause to support through your membership.

As you spend on selected Co-op products and services, you'll also be contributing to your chosen local cause.

For every £1 you spend, 2p will go into your membership account and the same will be given to your chosen local cause.

If you do not select a cause to support, the Co-op will share the funds you raised equally between the 3 causes in your community.

It is now also possible for Members to donate the rewards they’ve earned to local causes.

The Co-op will give you a new set of causes to choose from every October.

You can change the cause you support at any time.

If you would like to see more local causes, please use the search function on the membership website at the link below.

Become a Member and choose a cause at www.coop.co.uk/membership

Upchurch Matters