Everyone Counts in Census 2021

Kent residents are being reminded the 2021 Census is coming and that it is important to take part because the information it collects helps plan the services, like new hospitals, schools and GP surgeries, we need.

The unique survey happens once a decade, providing a snapshot of every person and household in England and Wales. It also gives us valuable insights into how our society is changing - further helping to ensure public money funds the facilities communities require, now and in the future.

As usual, Census 2021 will include standard questions about people’s sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. But for the first time in its 220-year history, the census will also ask if people have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16-and-over about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Everyone will be asked to take part online using any digital device, including mobile phone or tablet. Census Day is Sunday 21st March, but the form can be completed as soon as people receive their access code in the post. If household circumstances change on Census Day, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), who runs the survey, just need to know.

The ONS will also be providing support to anyone who wants it. This includes a free contact centre that can advise how to fill out the form, give guidance in a range of languages and accessible formats, including braille, and provide paper questionnaires to people unable to use, or access, the internet.

Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough said:

“The census is the biggest data-gathering exercise in the country and it tells us lots about ourselves - from the size of our population to how we heat our homes to our faith and education

“Given the changes created by the pandemic, and by leaving the EU, the 2021 Census is a particularly significant one and everyone counts.

“Numerous organisations, including local authorities like Kent County Council, emergency responders and charities, use census information to help to inform decisions on key services such as healthcare, education and transport. Given these things matter to us all, and are the foundations on which our communities function, we urge everyone to complete the questionnaire.”

Because it is such an important fact-finding project, taking part in the census is a legal requirement and, following Census Day, ONS field officers will visit homes that have not submitted the survey to ensure they get the support needed to finish it. The field officers will be supplied with PPE, will socially distance, not enter properties and will work in line with all government guidance - the same way as post or food is currently delivered.

The census form should take about 10 minutes to complete the household questions and 10 minutes per person. Everyone’s details are protected by law and results, published within 12 months, are anonymous. Census records are kept secure for 100 years and only then can they be seen by future generations.

You can find out more, including where to get help, and how Census 2021 will be carried out safely, via www.census.gov.uk

You can also follow @Census2021 on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram

Kent County Council

Allotment Storage Broken Into - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/30389/21

Between Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd of February, the storage shed at Newington Allotments, Orchard Drive, Newington was broken into, however, nothing was reported stolen.

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

Win a Fairtrade Hamper at Upchurch’s Co-op - Raising Money for MIND

It's Fairtrade Fortnight and to celebrate Upchurch’s Co-op is fundraising again for their chosen charity partner this year, MIND - the mental health and support charity.

Win a Fairtrade Hamper

Full of Fairtrade goodies including wine and chocolates!

Enter in store for £2 per strip - Please ask a member of staff at the till.

To be collected upon winning. The winner will be drawn on Monday the 8th of March.

Good luck 🤞🏼

Read more about MIND at: www.mind.org.uk

Thank you 

Sally - Upchurch’s Co-op

UK Government: COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 - The Roadmap out of Lockdown for England

Click infographic to enlarge.

The government has published the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England and how it will continue to protect and support citizens across the UK.

‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ is available to download and read in various formats at >> www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021

#Coronavirus | #Covid_19 | www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Upchurch Matters

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Kent and Medway hits milestone in Covid-19 vaccination programme

The NHS in Kent and Medway met its first national milestone in the vaccination programme this week by offering vaccinations to everyone in the top four priority groups: people aged 70 and over, those on the shielded patient list (considered clinically extremely vulnerable), older adults in care homes and frontline health and care workers.

Together, this achievement means we have delivered a total of 455,910 vaccines in Kent and Medway, protecting hundreds of thousands of people from the worst effects of this deadly virus.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the most complex and important health intervention of our lifetimes – this was an ambitious target and it would not have been possible without the collective effort of so many people across the Kent and Medway health and care system.

If you have not yet had your first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and are either 65 years and older, on the shielded patient list (considered clinically extremely vulnerable) or a frontline health and social care worker, you can book your first dose appointment through the national booking system.

You can book online or by phoning 119.

Read our latest vaccine programme update on our website

Thousands more people invited for Covid-19 vaccine

The NHS is now offering vaccinations to people aged over 65 and those who have underlying health conditions. These two groups are cohorts five and six as indicated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI.)

Cohort five is people aged 65 to 69. If you are in this group, you will receive a letter from the national booking service and you can book an appointment at one of our large vaccination sites or community pharmacy services.

Cohort six includes people aged 16 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions and carers. They will be invited by their GP surgery for a vaccination appointment.

More details on our website: www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine

More people to be asked to stay at home and shield

The Government has announced (16th February) that many more people, who may be at serious risk from Covid-19, will be asked to stay at home and shield.

New technology has allowed clinicians to identify people for whom a combination of factors puts them at greater risk from Covid-19.

If you are one of these people, you will be sent a letter from NHS England in the coming days with further advice.

If you are over 70, you will have already been invited for a covid vaccine, but adults aged between 19 and 69 years, who fall within the new group, will now be prioritised and invited to receive a Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Kent Together has information online about support available for people who are advised to shield or you can call 03000 41 92 92.

Medway Council has information online about support for people who are advised to shield or you can call 01634 333 103.

Free school meals

With schools operating differently due to the Covid pandemic, and many families financially worse off, your child (or grandchild) might now be eligible for free school meals due to a change in circumstance.

If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you can check if you can get free school meals for them on Kent County Council's or Medway Council's website.

Read the full bulletin at >> http://bit.ly/3dwmI0g

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Swale Borough Council - Local Plan Consultation Could be Extended Until the 30th of April

Councillors are being asked to extend Swale Borough Council’s local plan review consultation to Friday, 30th April.

The extension will be discussed at the upcoming full council meeting on Wednesday, 21st February 2021.

If approved, the additional 38 days will increase the total consultation period to almost 12 weeks.

Cllr Mike Baldock, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said:

“We are proud of the policies and innovative approaches proposed in the local plan review in response to the imposed Government housing targets.

“We have never before had to conduct a review of a local plan during a pandemic. Without the ability to hold face-to-face meetings and make draft documentation available in public places, running an effective and inclusive consultation is more difficult.

“We’re working to overcome these challenges the best way we can by holding virtual meetings, making the plan available on our website and mailing out hard copies to those who need them

“As a listening council, we want to respond positively to public requests for more time, and we are asking councillors to extend the consultation period to the 30th of April.

“We know it’s important for local people to have enough time to review the draft plan and put forward their representations, so we’ll be asking councillors to approve the extension to the consultation period at next week’s full council meeting.”

The consultation started on Monday, 8th February and the local plan review can be viewed on the council’s website here

With libraries and council offices closed due to the pandemic, it won’t be possible to provide physical copies of the plans at these locations. Hard copies, or extracts from documents, may be made available on request from: LPcomments@swale.gov.uk or by calling: 01795 417 014.

The full report can be viewed here

Swale Borough Council