Kent PCC Annual Policing Survey 2023 - Get Your Views Heard

Get your views heard

Every year, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott conducts his Annual Policing Survey to help shape his Police and Crime Plan, which sets the priorities Mr Scott expects the Chief Constable to deliver. The priorities are shaped by what the residents and businesses of Kent tell him matters most to them.

The Police and Crime Plan is the document that outlines the priorities that Kent Police is held to account on by Matthew Scott.

This survey seeks to understand the views of Kent residents and businesses, whether they agree with the priorities that Mr Scott has set for the force, and to find out what matters to them and how safe they feel where they live.

It also focuses on how much you trust Kent Police, how safe you feel in your area, and your preferences on how offenders of crimes, such as antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, are punished through out-of-court orders.

It is that time of year when the PCC puts the spotlight on you, the public, to share your views on policing performance, your experiences of being a victim of crime, and what crimes matter most in your communities.

Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous survey.

Your responses will be carefully studied. Your voice matters to help shape what you want your police force to be focused on.

Complete the survey online at >> www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/KentPolicingSurvey2023 or you can ask for printed copies to be sent to you.

The Office of Kent Police and Crime Commissioner website is >> www.kent-pcc.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters

Free Bus Travel for Eligible Families This Summer

Families with children on free school meals can enjoy free bus travel across the county during the summer holidays.

Thanks to funding provided through the government’s National Bus Strategy and the co-operation of Kent’s local bus operators, eligible families can benefit from the scheme, titled Bus About Kent, between 23rd July and 31st August.

Families of up to four can take advantage of the offer, as long as there is at least one adult in the party, and a maximum of two.

Families already in receipt of benefits-related free school meals will automatically receive an e-voucher that contains the digital bus pass via email from their child’s school before the end of term.

David Brazier, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:

“We are pleased to be able to promote this offer to some of the county’s most hard-pressed families and thank the bus companies and their staff involved for their co-operation in implementing it.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

“Supporting Kent County Council with providing free bus travel to children on free school meals during the holidays is yet another important way we’re helping families in Kent save money through the cost of living increase and make the most of the fantastic days out and holiday opportunities Kent has to offer.

“People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we’re providing Kent County Council with over £37 million to boost its bus services.”

To check if you are eligible for free school meals use our eligibility checker on our website: Free school meals - Kent County Council

Families, with up to four people travelling each time, will be able to use it as many times as they like between 23rd July and 31st August. Simply show it to the bus driver.

There are some restrictions on the use of this bus pass:

• At least one child and one adult must travel together;
• Journeys cannot start after 8:00pm in the evening;
• It is only for use by the family to whom it was allocated;
• These passes are only valid for journeys in areas maintained by Kent County Council. The passes cannot be used to travel into or out of the county (for example on services that start or operate in Medway, East Sussex, West Sussex or the Transport for London area); 
• Medway is covered by a different local authority so residents in those areas should contact Medway Council for information about support for children and families.

The pass is valid in Kent on the following buses:

• Autocar
• Arriva
• Chalkwell
• Farleigh Coaches
• Go Coach
• Hams Travel
• Kent Coach Tours
• Metrobus
• Nu-Venture
• R&J Coaches
• Redroute
• Regent Coaches
• Stagecoach
• Starline Coaches

For further information and to check your eligibility, visit: www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/bus-travel/bus-passes/free-summer-bus-travel-for-eligible-families

Kent County Council

KCC - Kent Community Warden Service Review - Have Your Say!

To help meet the financial challenge Kent County Council is facing, the Community Warden service has been asked to reduce its annual budget by £1 million by 2024-25.

To achieve this level of savings, the council will need to redesign the service.

The Consultation document provides information on:

• The current Community Warden service, including what it does and how it operates.

• Why KCC is proposing to make changes and how they have developed their proposals.
• The proposed changes to the service and details of other options that have been considered.

The proposals presented in the consultation have been developed with information from service users and input from staff and partners.

Most of the service’s £2.4 million budget provides the salaries of community wardens. To reduce the service budget by the required £1 million, staffing reductions are needed. In summary, KCC is proposing to:

• Redesign the service, ensuring there is a core Community Warden presence across the county, with teams covering 2 districts.

• Reduce the service by 32 warden posts and 2 management posts.

• Retain the remit and community-based way the service currently works but cover fewer communities.

• Use data and information to identify where to place wardens for the most impact.

The service is currently structured with: 

• 70 wardens, including 6 team leaders.
• 2 area managers.
• 1 volunteer and apprenticeship scheme manager.
• 1 business coordinator. 


Have your say!

Before any decisions are made, the council wants to hear your views on:

• How the proposed reductions and approach to allocating wardens could impact you.

• Any additional information that you think they need to consider.
• Any alternative suggestions for how the service could make the savings.
• The assumptions they have made in the draft Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)

Please read the Consultation document first before completing the online questionnaire below. 

The council is keen to hear your views on its proposals and how any changes may affect you and your family.

You can answer all or as many of the questions as you like. If you would rather not provide feedback on a section or question, just move on to the next one.

The consultation closes on Tuesday the 3rd of October 2023.

Complete the questionnaire at >> https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/community-warden-service/survey_tools/questionnaire

Upchurch Matters

Christmas Market at Upchurch Village Hall - Stall Holders Wanted

The Christmas Market at Upchurch Village Hall was very well supported and enjoyed by all last year.

The market was a fundraising event for the St Mary’s Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund with refreshments provided by Upchurch WI, and it raised a fantastic amount of £602 on the day!

The village children were very excited to meet Santa in his sleigh with giant reindeer, and the good news is that he will be returning this year to see if they have all been good again, courtesy of Upchurch Parish Council.

If you would like a stall this year, register your interest at: upchurchvillagehall@yahoo.com

Thank you 

Upchurch Matters

Residential Property Damaged - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/128426/23

Between 00:01 on Sunday the 1st of January and 11:49 on Thursday the 13th of July, somebody damaged a residential property in Playstool Road, 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

New Members Wanted for the Doctors Surgery Patient Participation Group

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Email: raykemsley@btinternet.com