Medway Council Pledges Support for Local Businesses

Medway Council has pledged its commitment to continue to support businesses across Medway.

The Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, signed the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Local Leadership pledge on Tuesday 27th June 2023. 

The pledge sets out how local authorities can help small businesses and people who are self-employed to continue to grow, prosper and create new jobs.

It includes engaging with small businesses and ensuring business groups are aware of local consultations, visiting them more frequently and having a dedicated councillor to act as a business champion and an officer to act as a dedicated point of contact for businesses.

Medway Council has also pledged to support businesses, particularly in Medway’s town centres, that wish to look into the feasibility of introducing business improvement districts, encourage pop-up shops and ensure the sensitivities, challenges and opportunities for small businesses are captured in future town centre and tourism strategies.

The council will also continue to ensure business support is accessible to all small businesses which need it and consider what support it can offer businesses that are just starting up.

Medway Council currently offers a range of support to businesses including start-up workshops, scale-up programmes, grants and support for High Street businesses to go digital. The council also sponsors the Medway Business Awards.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said:

“I was delighted to sign the Federation of Small Businesses’ Local Leadership pledge. As part of our 100-day plan, we said we would increase the support the Medway’s small and medium businesses and signing the pledge demonstrates our commitment to supporting our local businesses.”

Cllr Lauren Edwards, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said:

“Medway is home to more than 14,000 businesses and more than 90 per cent are small businesses. We will do everything we can to help businesses through tough economic times, as well as support start-up businesses and those looking to grow. We recognise that a supportive business environment is key to Medway’s economic regeneration, particularly in its town centres, and are committed to delivering it.”

Tim Aker, Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway, said:

“On behalf of the Federation of Small Business, we are extremely pleased that Medway Council has signed the FSB Local Leadership pledge. This demonstrates Medway Council’s commitment to its small businesses and highlights the importance of supporting small businesses in the largest unitary authority in the south-east.”

To find out more about the support on offer for businesses across Medway, visit: medway.gov.uk/MedwayForBusiness

Medway Council

Poolside Bar - Steak Wednesdays at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Swale Foodbank Collection - Call into the Church for A Cuppa and a Chat

Swale Foodbank Collection

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your generous support for the foodbank again last month.

I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday the 5th of July, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Please bring your items in carrier bags. We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

All donations are helpful, providing the food is long life and well within date.

Thank you, and may God bless you ❤️

A Cuppa and a Chat

While you are there, why not call into the church for A Cuppa and a Chat in the Lady Chapel.

We will have the kettle on from 10:00am until 12:00pm.

There will be a warm welcome.

Followed by a prayer for our village from 12:00pm.

Is there someone or something you would like a prayer for?

Pop in and join us or leave a note.

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

Property Broken Into - Hartlip

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/111613/23

Between 00:01 on Tuesday the 23rd of May and 15:06 on Friday the 23rd of June, somebody broke into a vacant property and stole TVs, water pipes and a water tank at Hartlip Hill, Hartlip.

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

Kent Police - Your New Neighbourhood Police Officer

PC Jez Chittim.

I would like to introduce myself as the new Kent Police neighbourhood beat officer for Hartlip, Newington, Upchurch, Bobbing, Iwade, Lower Halstow and Kemsley wards.

I have worked for Kent Police for 17 years, mostly within neighbourhood policing and really enjoy this type of work. I will be on foot patrol throughout the area and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

If you see me please come and say hello and let me know of anything I can assist with.

Also please share the MCV link with any neighbours and friends so their local beat officer can also communicate with them. It is only with your support and engagement feedback that we can help to address what matters to you most in your communities.

Thank you for your support.

PC Jez Chittim

Kent Police - Swale Neighbourhood Officer

Email: Jez.Chittim@kent.police.uk

Contact your local policing team at: https://bit.ly/3pprLHW

Is it an emergency? If so, please Call: 999 now.

Upchurch Parish Council Report - May 2023

Report of the Parish Council May 2023 

Planning

I. 23/501726/FULL 130 Horsham Lane single storey rear extension.

UPC has no objections.

II. 23/501751/FULL Court Lodge, Breach Lane detached garage.

UPC has no objections.

III. 23/501110/FULL 19 Woods Edge garage door.

UPC has no objections.

IV. 23/501613/FULL land to East of Orchard House defer to next meeting.

Clerk to get an extension.

Upchurch Parish Council reporting

I. General Purpose & Planning Committee - No updates

II. Paddock and Recreational Ground

Bat boxes - Cllr Ripley to arrange with Les Oxley to start the work when Cllr Denny returns.

III. Burial Ground & Churchyard

(a) Consider request from resident for ashes interment in burial plot.

It was resolved to allow ashes interment as long as all rules regarding interments are met.

IV. Highways & Street Lighting

(a) EDF - it was proposed by Cllr Bernsten and seconded by Cllr Horton and resolved to speak to EDF and hold all payments until issue on estimated annual consumption are resolved with EDF.

Clerk to report next meeting.

(b) Highways - Cllr Horton reported that residents have commented about Upchurch Village following other local areas and introducing 20 miles an hour zone.

UPC has already had a consultation with the public regarding this and UPC has no plans to consider this at the present time.

(c) Clerk to chase KCC regarding the warning signs for horse riders in the village.

(d) Loose kerbs reported on Oak Lane.

(e) Clerk to chase planning officer for any updates on the traffic calming in Oak Lane.

V. Footpaths - No updates

VI. Environment

Clerk to chase date for planters. Cllr Bernsten to chase Co-op for sponsorship.

VII. Village Hall

Cllr Lewin reported new planting outside UVH.

Cllr Horton reported the use of the village litter pickers for village litter picks.

VIII. KALC

Cllr Lewin reported the lack of local plan causing issues. Cllr Ripley reported any councillor can attend the KALC meetings if needed.

Clerk to speak to KALC about adding comments to agenda for meetings.

IX. Allotments - To receive update

(a) Clerk has visited site and confirmed plots available.

Clerk to investigate a new numbering display.

(b) Repairs to fence, one quote received.

clerk to ask for 2 more quotes.

X. Village Defibrillators

(a) Cllr Sheppard to report to next meeting with options to consider updating the units.

It was proposed by Cllr Rosewell seconded by Cllr Ripley and resolved to arrange a schedule for the upgrades.

(b) Clerk to investigate grant options for the upgrades.

Insurance

It was proposed by Cllr Horton, seconded by Cllr Ripley and resolved to renew the insurance.

Grant Application

Clerk reported this was still ongoing with no updates.

Noted.

Adoption of policies and documents for the ensuing year

It was proposed by Cllr Horton, seconded by Cllr Ripley and resolved to approve and re-adopt all policies.

Annual Return

I. To approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2022/23 Section 1 of the Agar for the year ending 31st March 2023.

The council considered and approved section 1 of the AGAR the Chair and Clerk signed and dated on behalf of the Council.

II. To approve the Accounting Statements for 2022/23 Section 2 of the AGAR for the year ending 2022/23 with the supporting Bank reconciliation to 31st March 2023 and the explanation of variances.

The council considered and approved section 2 of the AGAR.

The Chair and the Clerk signed and dated on behalf of the council.

Clerk Updates

I. Clerk noted UPC is no longer eligible for General Power of Competence.

Items to be considered for inclusion on the next Full Council agenda

Planning 113 Chaffes Lane 23/501613/FULL.

Quotes for the Scout Road resurfacing.

Access issues to the Scout Hut / Gates.

Upchurch Parish Council Meeting Schedule 2023/24

Full Council

Thursday 6th July 2023

Thursday 7th Sept 2023

Thursday 5th Oct 2023

Thursday 2nd Nov 2023

Thursday 7th Dec 2023

Thursday 4th Jan 2024

Thursday 1st Feb 2024

Thursday 7th March 2024

Thursday 4th April 2024

GPC & Planning Committee

Wednesday 19th July 2023

Wednesday 20th Sept 2023

Wednesday 18th Oct 2023

Wednesday 15th Nov 2023

Wednesday 20th Dec 2023

Wednesday 17th Jan 2024

Wednesday 14th Feb 2024

Wednesday 20th March 2024

Wednesday 17th April 2024

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk
Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk