Swale Borough Council - Get Involved in National Empty Homes Week

Homeowners and members of the community can join in this year’s National Empty Homes Week by reporting empty homes in their area to Swale Borough Council or applying for a loan from Kent County Council (KCC) to bring their property back into use.

The annual National Empty Homes Week by charity Action on Empty Homes focuses on bringing back into use the 238,306 long-term empty homes in England, and this year it runs from Monday, 28th February to Sunday, 6th March.

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

“We’ve helped people find the right support and funding to help bring their previously disused properties back into use.

“Forty-one properties have been bought back into use in Swale so far this financial year, twenty-two of which are thanks to more than £1 million from KCC’s No Use Empty loan scheme.

“The scheme aims to create sustainable accommodation across Kent by helping landlords, owners and developers bring properties that have been empty for more than six months back into use.

“The loans are interest free, range from £25,000 to £175,000 per applicant and must bring properties back into use via renting or selling.

“We also have a reporting tool on our website for members of the community to report any empty homes in their local area.

“Bringing empty homes back into use helps us meet local housing needs and creates safer and more resilient communities.”

To report an empty home or find out how to bring a property back into use visit: www.swale.gov.uk/housing-council-tax-and-benefits/housing/abandoned-properties

Swale Borough Council

The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church, Upchurch

The Rainbow Café - Thursday 3rd March

10:00am - 12:00pm

Hi everyone,

We just want to say thank you for your support over the past few years. It has meant we have been able to get to know you and use our income to give support to some young people in Uganda; paying their school fees and making sure they had uniforms, shoes and stationary. 

Please read a recent letter from Lesley Ambrose who runs the project in Uganda:

Dear Gill,

I just wanted to give you an update on your sponsored children. We've spent the last 2 to 3 weeks going around all the schools paying the fees. The younger children have been out of school for some time and so had many needs including uniforms, books, shoes and bags. There was some good credit so we have done as much as we can for the children.

Raymond's mother has sent him to a place called Buweya which is very near, just across the lake. His mother is not around very much and so can't take care of him. I also go across there once a week and so we were able to visit him. Raymond is staying with his aunt and attends a school called 'Delight'. It's just a small school but looks to be very nice. and he seems to be happy. We paid his fees, lunches, uniform and sportswear. I'll check on him again soon.

Florence attends 'God is Able' a small Christian school; she's in Primary 1. What an absolutely lovely welcome I received when I went there a couple of weeks ago. We have several of our children in that school and it's very good.

Joshua is now in P4 at Kiwafu Primary School, he's doing well and he's happy.

Lesley went on and asked if we could help support two more children which we said yes to - how could we not. Thankfully some kind people have covered the donations while we haven't been able to open.

Which leads me to the next bit...

We will be open in March. It will be a slimmed down Rainbow while we work out how we can safely open at full capacity.

So do come and have cake, a hot drink and a chat on Thursday the 3rd of March between 10:00am and 12 midday at St Mary's Church, Upchurch.

Cake and a hot drink will be a very reasonable £1.50 and will help us to keep on supporting the wonderful work in Uganda.

God bless you all ♥️

Gill and the Rainbow Café Team

Swale Borough Council - Western Area Committee Meeting at Upchurch Village Hall

The next round of Swale Borough Council Area Committee Meetings begins on Tuesday 1st March with the Western Area Committee Meeting at 7:00pm in Upchurch Village Hall.

Area Committee Meetings are an opportunity for residents to talk directly to borough councillors about the issues in your community.

To submit a question, Email: areacommittees@swale.gov.uk

For more information and to view the agenda, visit: https://bit.ly/3Ihx7Jx

Upchurch Matters

UPDATED: Latest 2022 Police Surgery Dates in Upchurch

New village PCSO Lorraine Holmes will be holding regular Police Surgeries in Upchurch so residents can speak to her about any local policing issues they may have.

Police Surgeries in Upchurch will take place on:

Friday 21st January 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

Monday 28th February 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

Friday 25th March 2022 between 2:00pm and 3:00pm at Snaffles

If residents need to contact PSCO Holmes before these dates, they can ring the 101 number or mobile: 07970 458645.

Upchurch Matters

KCC Public Protection: ALERT! Doorstep Criminals Target Kent Residents After Storms

Rogue traders active in Kent

Following Storm Eunice and continuing high winds, be alert to rogue traders knocking on your door. We have received reports of over-priced repairs to fencing in the Kent area.

Common tactics include:

• Repairing damage on your roof,
• Removing tree branches overhanging on a footpath that could cause injury or
• Repairing your damaged fence to protect your property.

Do not panic - close the door on the cold caller.

Remember:

• Never agree to work on your house or garden by someone who knocks on your door.
• Request free No Uninvited Traders door stickers
• Reputable builders, roofers and gardeners do not cold call.

Order a 'No Uninvited Traders' Door Sticker at: https://bit.ly/3p8JdNL

If you need storm damage work done, find safe local traders on Trading Standards Checked or

call: 03000 41 64 38 (open 9:00am - 6:00pm on weekdays and 9:00am - 5:00pm on Saturday).

Report cold callers to Kent Police on: 101 or call: 999 if they are aggressive or refuse to leave.

For free advice, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on: 0808 223 1133.

Please warn family members, friends and neighbours!

We know doorstep criminals tell us our roof tiles are loose, our chimney stacks are dangerous, our trees are diseased and our driveways need jet washing.

Help keep your community safe. Report doorstep criminals as soon as you see them or tell your local Community Warden or Police Officer.

Even if you're not sure if they are a criminal tell us anyway, we want to know.

For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards contact:

Citizens Advice consumer helpline on: 0808 223 1133
Consumer Advice scams action line on: 0808 250 5050
Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Kent County Council Public Protection

Garage and Shed Broken Into - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/33356/22

Between 23:00 on Friday the 18th of February and 05:00 on Saturday the 19th of February, somebody broke into a garage at a residential property in Keycol Hill, Newington.

Crime Number: 46/33680/22

Between 19:00 on Saturday the 19th of February and 09:30 on Sunday the 20th of February, somebody broke into a shed at a residential property in Keycol Hill, Newington.

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