Run! Deep in the Amazon - By David Wood

David Wood.

David Wood has just had an article about the Amazon with detailed information about his and Nigel Barling's experiences there published on an American website named 'Extreme travel Stories'.

You can read it  Here

Upchurch Matters

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The Gullands guide to Continuing Care Claims

There has been a considerable amount of media attention to nursing home fees in recent months.

Many people have mistakenly been charged nursing home fees when they should in fact be paid by the relevant Primary Care Trust (PCT). They assume that if they have a reasonable amount of savings or own their own property that they would not be eligible for nursing home fees to be paid for them.

In fact the criteria is not financial stability, it is the primary need for health care. The individual’s needs are assessed and if it is agreed that the primary need for the individual going into a nursing home is that of healthcare, the NHS is responsible for all of the nursing home costs. Not just the healthcare costs, all of the costs.

It pays to understand nursing home fees.

Media coverage has often implied that the opportunity has now passed to make such a claim but this is not necessarily correct. If you have paid nursing home fees between 2004 and March 2011 the deadline to register a claim was 30 September. However, if you have already written to the PCT and not yet received a response you will possibly have complied with the deadline. As such your claim is in time and in the system. It is possible that you are now waiting for a retrospective review of an assessment. In some cases the first assessment may be about to take place.

Following initial investigations claims are sometimes rejected on the basis that there is no Primary Health Care need. The rules and regulations surrounding this are quite complex. There are several stages of appeal available and some cases have been agreed on the second or third appeal.

For care fees paid between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 the deadline for making the application is not until 31 March 2013. Claimants should submit an initial letter to the PCT so the matter can be investigated. Once the request for review is logged and accepted, the process has begun.

The assessment process is based on twelve areas of care needs from behaviour to an all-encompassing “other significant care needs”. The areas include cognition, mobility and continence. Each of the different sections is graded on the level of care needed between “no need” and “priority need”. The level of care assessed will decide whether you are entitled to be considered for continuing care. It is this twelve step criteria that makes the process complicated and time consuming.

Clearly it is important that people who should not have paid for care are refunded and in the future those entitled to have their care paid for by the PCT are properly assessed.

If you have a relative or are thinking that you may need to go into nursing care, it is worth knowing and understanding the questions to ask at the initial process and ensuring that a formal request for assessment is made.

If you have paid nursing home fees you may still be entitled to a refund.

For further information about continuing care contact Jacqueline Beadle by:
Email at:  j.beadle@gullands.com
Direct dial:  01622 689751  

Website:  www.gullands.com

Gullands Solicitors

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Upchurch Choral Society seeks new Music Director

This 40 strong mixed voice non-auditioned, friendly choir, established since 1968, is looking for a Music Director to rehearse and conduct the 3 concerts it usually performs for charity each year.

Rehearsals take place weekly in St. Mary’s Church, Upchurch from 8.00pm – 9.30pm on Fridays. The repertoire includes both sacred and secular music.

For further details please contact the secretary, Liz Walters, on: 01634 361897.

Liz Walters

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Upchurch Parish Council - Vacancy for one Councillor

Due to the resignation of Cllr Catford, there is a vacancy for one councillor. The Parish Council would like to co-opt someone to fill this vacancy.  

Anyone interested in coming on to the Council should apply in writing to the Clerk as soon as possible. The qualifications are that you should be a European national, at least 18 years old, an elector and living within three miles of the parish for 12 months or someone with land or a primary place of business in the parish.

Please include the following in your written application:

• • Contact details
• • Length of residence in Upchurch
• • Profession or trade
• • Other relevant interests outside work including other Upchurch organisations
• • Brief statement as to how you feel you can contribute to the work of the Parish Council

If you would like to find out more about the roles and responsibilities of a Parish Councillor, please contact the Chairman or the Clerk. 

Mrs Sara Tucker
Chairman  
1 Jubilee Fields
Tel: 01634 388971

chair@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Mrs Claire Attaway
Clerk
33 Church Farm Road
Tel: 01634 363906c
clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Parish Council Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - November 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 4th October 2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 5 members of the public.

Administration – Resignation of Chairman – Cllr Tucker reported that a letter of resignation had been received from Cllr Catford. Appreciation of his long service was expressed. Election of Chairman –It was decided to hold a signed vote. The Clerk reported that Cllr Tucker received 4 votes and Cllr Lewin 3. Cllr Arnold stood down as Chair and Cllr Tucker thanked him.  

Public Time – Highways- A resident reported that a gully in The Poles constantly overflows. KCC Highways were aware of the situation and Cllr Arnold was following this up. Minutes- Also he referred to page 23/12-13 of the minutes of 6^th September, item 47 iv). He requested that this be amended. Members noted his concerns and assured him that no objections to this proposed diversion had been submitted. Chairman- A resident referred to the resignation of Cllr Catford and hoped that the Council was planning to recognise his service to the Council. He was assured that members would arrange this at the Annual Parish Meeting. Local Needs Housing- He also commented that he supported the proposed local needs housing scheme in Upchurch as he felt that the village needed homes for young people. Allotments- A resident asked for an update on clearing up the allotments. It was reported that this would be carried out shortly. Overgrown vegetation- He also asked for an update on the trimming of the hedge outside 17-21 Oak Lane. Cllr Arnold offered to follow this up with KCC Highways.

Planning -Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:

Permissions granted:

SW/12/1015 6 Wallbridge Lane – Variation of condition (4) of planning permission SW/11/1150 to permit four mothers and babies (plus staff) at any one time instead of three.

Appeal decision:

APP/V2255/A/12/2169572 Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane, Lower Halstow – The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for 5 years for “change of use to residential – stationing of 3 mobile homes for a gypsy family”.

Other Planning matters – Local Needs Housing -  Update from sub-group meeting & on Councillors vote – Cllr Tucker thanked those for attending this meeting and reported that she wished to retract her request to vote on this issue. It was agreed to ask the Parish to vote on whether to proceed with the scheme and that members should represent the Council as a united body. It was commented that members sign a declaration of interest form at the start of any meeting. Advice from Mark Radford indicated that if any member felt that there was a chance they may have an interest, then they should declare this. It was agreed that members would not vote on returning a decision to ERHA & ACRK that it was not the right time for the village to undertake such a scheme. Revised covering draft letter to accompany voting form – A copy had been circulated. Cllr Tucker explained that this letter had been rewritten as it would now be distributed after the ‘drop-in’ event. It was reported that the voting outcome will be the instruction the Council gives to ERHA. Arrangements for ‘drop-in’ event/”Public Forum” and distribution of voting forms – The Clerk confirmed that Upchurch Newsagents had agreed to place the ballot box in its shop. All agreed to help distribute the voting forms after the ‘drop-in’ event.  The Clerk was given permission to publish the result of the Public Count on the Parish Council website and Notice boards. 

Finance – Expedition to Peru & Tanzania – It was suggested that ideas for small tasks could be forwarded to the Clerk, for example, litter picking, bulb planting. The Clerk could then email the list of ideas to the residents in order for them to choose. Authorised bank signatories – It was agreed that Cllr Denny, Cllr Rossiter and Cllr New would be the signatories. Cllr Tucker would assist with the checking of invoices prior to start of the meeting.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Risk Assessment – Cllr Apps reported that the water meter was still faulty despite several visits from Southern Water. The Clerk will write a letter to Southern Water expressing concerns with this continual issue. Cllr Apps suggested obtaining quotes for installing a stop cock on the Councils side of the allotments. Allotment gate – It was agreed to accept the quote from Peter Rayfield to the sum of £325 for the relocation of the gate.

Paddock – Lease – The Clerk reported that there was no update on the progress of the renewal of the lease. Litter Bin – The Clerk reported that the old bin had been vandalised. This had been reported to the Police. Cllr Apps offered to remove the damaged bin. Trees overhanging properties in Bradshaw Close – Cllr Kennard reported that he had visited the properties and suggested work required. The Clerk will contact the Conservation Officer at Swale BC for advice.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Church yard wall – Cllr Rossiter, Cllr Lewin and a resident will meet in the Churchyard to discuss areas that required the application of weed killer. Trees requiring attention in the Church yard – The Clerk advised that this would be discussed at the Budget/Precept sub-group meeting. Possibility of allowing cremated remains in the Church yard – Cllr New advised that the PCC will be discussing this further with Ian Dodd.

Environment – Tree Planting for Jubilee Celebrations – Members discussed ideas. It was suggested to discuss this again at the next meeting. Cllr Tucker and Cllr Kennard will investigate the cost of buying a tree. The Clerk will consult the Conservation Officer.

Highways - Street light energy – The Clerk reported that the electricity contract with EDF Energy had been renewed. The cost per month would be around £197.00 plus VAT for 35 months. Street light identification labels – It was agreed to accept the quote from Stock signs to the sum of £226.50 plus VAT for the printing of black and white labels. These labels would state the number of the street light and telephone contact number of the Parish Council.  

Next meetings – 8^th November and 6^th December. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell School starting at 7.30pm and the Public are welcome to attend this meeting. The Public may put questions and/or make comments to members and it is helpful if you let the Clerk know in writing prior to the meeting. Please contact the Clerk if you require further advice.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch. Tel: 01634 363906

Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Upchurch Parish Council.

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Charity Fund Raising Event in aid of the British Heart Foundation and CRY

A Charity fund raising event takes place on board S.B. Edith May at Lower Halstow dock on Tuesday November 27th from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

The proceeds will be shared between the British Heart Foundation and CRY (cardiac risk in the young).

Tea and homemade cakes will be served and there will be various stalls including a bring and buy and a raffle. Prizes include a homemade christmas cake, a local artists Painting, a voucher from The Three Tuns and a golf lesson from Upchurch Pro Greg Diddams.

Jane Gransden

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