Covid-19: Moving to STEP 4 from 19th July

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STEP 4

From today, England will move to the next step of the roadmap.

Everyone should be cautious while managing the risks as cases of Covid-19 remain high.

Find out more at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

#Coronavirus | #Covid_19 

Upchurch Matters

Update from NHS Kent and Medway CCG: Wearing a Face Covering

While the Government is lifting restrictions on Monday (19th July), it has asked that everyone continues to act carefully and remain cautious in their approach to everyday life.

That is especially true for healthcare services; where some patients don’t have as much immunity to the virus as others.

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Nurse Paula Wilkins said:

“The virus has not gone away and we must do all we can to protect patients and staff from it and keep it under control.’’

All healthcare settings in Kent and Medway will keep the current infection prevention and control (IP&C) measures that are already in place.

That means:

• Masks will still need to be worn by patients, visitors, staff and anyone else entering a healthcare setting (unless you are medically exempt) - this includes hospitals, clinics and GP practices.

• Masks will also continue to be worn by healthcare staff entering a patient’s home.

• Social distancing will remain - both in waiting rooms and in wards beyond 19th July.

• A flow of fresh air will be encouraged in all healthcare buildings.

• Some restrictions managing visitor numbers may still apply - this may vary depending on space available and other service specific issues, hospitals will provide clear information on any visiting restrictions.

• You may need to have your temperature taken when you go into a healthcare setting.

Each healthcare provider may have further local approaches to keep people safe, so please check on site for these.

We understand this may be frustrating for some people who do not wish to wear a mask or socially distance, but this is for the benefit of everyone; please don’t abuse NHS staff who are here to protect and care for patients and their loved ones.

Paula said: 

“Please remember that having both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine offers the best protection against the virus; it is, however, still possible to contract Coronavirus, so anything we can do to protect each other and ourselves remains vitally important. We know that having two doses also decreases household transmission by up to half.’’

• Please continue to regularly wash your hands or use hand sanitiser, avoid touching your face if you can and remember not to get too close to people - hands, face, space.

• Continue to regularly self-test; free kits are available from www.nhs.uk

• Make sure you self-isolate if you show symptoms, test positive or are contacted by Test and Trace. From 16th August, this changes for people who are fully vaccinated - visit Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If anyone hasn’t yet been vaccinated, it is really quick and easy to grab a jab.

1. Use the national booking service at Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or phone 119.

2. If you don’t want to book, there are dozens of walk-in centres across Kent and Medway offering vaccinations at a time and place to suit you. Find out more here: Vaccination walk-in clinics: Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk)

Find out more about the NHS position on face coverings here

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Vehicle Damaged - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/123779/21

On Saturday the 10th of July around 22:02, somebody damaged a Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet parked in the road by moving it along the road.

The police are continuing their enquiries.

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

Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2021

Report of the Parish Council June 2021

Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence

Defibrillator

The defibrillator has been removed from The Three Sisters, the pub is being redecorated and a new site needs to be found for the defibrillator.

The Council is extremely grateful to the landlord of The Three Sisters for having the defibrillator at the pub, this has been an important service to the village and greatly appreciated.

 

Highways and Street Lighting

The contractor is confident the remainder of the lights will be completed week beginning 19th July. A certificate of work will need to be completed and there will be further paperwork. The streetlights need to be labelled in case of an accident. A UMS Certificate will be obtained.

 

Footpaths

The Council had applied many times for a kissing gate to be installed at the footpath opposite Bradshaw Close. The landowner agreed to this and KCC PROW has installed kissing gates at both ends. Councillors are grateful to the landowner for agreeing to the gate which will make the footpath more accessible.

 

The Queen's Platinum Jubliee Beacons 2^nd June 2022

Councillors have agreed to take part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons in 2022. A subcommittee will progress the plans for the event.

 

Planning

i) Ref: 21/502543/FULL 

Address: 18 The Poles Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7EX.

Proposal: Erection of a single storey front extension to form wet room.

Councillors considered the application and had supported the proposal.

 

ii) Ref: 21/502694/FULL

Address: 76 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Gillingham Kent ME8 7XH.

Proposal: Section 73 - Application for minor material amendment to approved plans condition 2 (to allow small increase in footprint of ground floor and internal layout alterations) pursuant to 19/503930/FULL for - Erection of a detached two storey, 3 bedroom house with associated car parking at 76 Wallbridge Lane, Upchurch, Kent.

Councillors considered the application and had no further comment to make save that the views of neighbours be taken into account.

 

iii) Ref: 21/503136/ADV

Address: Suzuki (Medway) Rainham London Road Rainham Gillingham Kent ME8 8PT.

Proposal: Advertisement consent for 1no. internally illuminated folded aluminium freestanding double sided 'Suzuki' totem sign, 2no. internally illuminated folded aluminium 'Suzuki Medway' fascia signs, 1no. non illuminated folded aluminium freestanding single sided 'Welcome' totem sign, and 2no. non illuminated free standing directional signs.

Councillors considered the application and had no comments to make.

 

This is a precis of Council business; full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.

 

Date of next meetings:

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18^th August at 7:30pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall.

Full Council - Thursday 2^nd September at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

 

All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

The Rivers Restaurant Open Day at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Email: rivers@rivervalleygolf.co.uk
Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Swale Councillors Vote to Support New Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill

Councillors have voted unanimously to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, which has been presented to the House of Commons.

At the last council meeting (23rd June), following a speech by the newly appointed climate and ecological emergency cabinet member Cllr Tim Valentine, councillors voted unanimously to support the new bill.

The bill requires the Government to draw up a strategy to meet our commitments under the Paris agreement to cut carbon emissions to halt the degradation and loss of nature and to restore soils and habitats.

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

“Last December the Government announced a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 and a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution.

“The new Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill requires the Government to draw up a strategy to turn this ambition into climate action.

“We declared a climate and ecological emergency here at the council in June 2019 and our action plan outlines steps we will take to reduce our carbon emissions and restore nature across the borough by 2030.

“We are doing all we can, however, as a borough council, we need support and funding from the Government to reach our goals. For example, by insulating homes and investing in better, cleaner public transport.

“We committed to call on the Government to provide the powers and resources we need to reach our 2030 target, and that is exactly what we are doing by supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.

“At the current Government targets, the planet only has a 50 per cent chance of limiting global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is just not enough.

“We are calling on the Government to pass the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and make good on its promise to significantly reduce emissions.

“With the proper funding and support, local councils and organisations around the country can make the leaps and strides needed to meet the targets that humanity needs.”

To find out more about the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, visit www.ceebill.uk/bill

For more information about Swale Council’s actions to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency, visit www.swale.gov.uk/cee-update