Notice Board

Thursday 2 July 2020

KCC Announces Schedule for Reopening Some Libraries

Following the Government’s latest announcements to ease lockdown restrictions, Kent County Council will start a phased reopening of its libraries from Monday, 13th July, with a new ‘Select and Collect’ service that will temporarily replace bookshelf browsing.

The reopening will initially start with 12 of the county’s main town centre libraries and will focus primarily on the Select and Collect service, as well as free PC and WiFi use, which will be bookable in advance.

The 12 libraries scheduled to reopen include:

- Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope

- Dartford Library

- Sittingbourne Library

- Herne Bay Library

- Gravesend Library

- Broadstairs library

- Southborough library

- Deal Library

- Ashford Gateway Plus

- Tonbridge Library

- Kent History & Library Centre, Maidstone

- Folkestone Library

James Pearson, KCC’s Head of Libraries, Registration and Archives, said:

“Our priority is to make Kent’s libraries as safe as possible, so not all of our services will be available initially.

Our Select and Collect service will provide a book-borrowing service where orders can be made both online and over the phone, allowing customers to pick their items up from one of the 12 libraries at an agreed date and time. Crucially, the Select and Collect service will avoid the need for physical bookshelf browsing - keeping our customers and staff as safe as possible.”

KCC plans to launch the Select and Collect book ordering service from 7th July. Customers who order items from that date will be contacted and given a time slot to pick up their items when libraries reopen from Monday, 13th July. From that date, the book collection service, along with pre-bookable PC and WiFi usage, will be available from each of the 12 libraries 10:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

“We know many of our customers have lots of books and other items that they borrowed before the lockdown,” said Mr Pearson. “We can reassure everyone that there will be no overdue charges for any items for this period and we are renewing all items taken out before lockdown until 31st December.”

Customers will be able to return borrowed items to any of the 12 libraries listed to a drop box or a return bin outside one of the 12 open libraries from Tuesday 7th July.

In addition, KCC has already restarted its Home Library Service deliveries, along with its postal loan service to the blind and partially sighted - ensuring it continues to provide crucial services to its most vulnerable customers. KCC expects to restart the mobile library service in late July.

These services complement the various digital library offers currently available online at: www.kent.gov.uk/libs - including free online joining, e-books, e-audio books, e-magazines, and e-newspapers.

Mike Hill, KCC Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said:

“We know how important our services and spaces are to the entire community and, subject to Government guidelines, we will be opening additional buildings over the coming months and developing our offer, including the return of bookshelf browsing.

We appreciate all our customers’ patience and support while we work to restart our services and we look forward to welcoming them back.”

Customers can start using the Select and Collect service from Tuesday 7th July by visiting www.kent.gov.uk/libs or by calling: 03000 413131

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

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Gill Gay Will Be Collecting For Swale Foodbank Again

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful support we have received on behalf of Swale Foodbank so far.

My husband and I will be collecting again in the bus stop lay-by opposite the Church in Horsham Lane on Wednesday 8th July between 10:30am and 11.30am.

Please come along with your donations (in carrier bags would be helpful) and put them into our open car boot while we remain at a safe distance.

We will then deliver your donations to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, part of the Trussell Trust.

Please tell your friends and family.

This need won't be going away soon, unfortunately, if ever.

Thank you

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

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Wednesday 1 July 2020

Swale Borough Council - Op Assist June

Waste Carriers were targeted this week as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping. Swale Borough Council teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to carry out enquiries, arrest people suspected of fly tipping, seize vehicles and collate evidence with a view to prosecuting offenders for waste related crimes.

Outcomes of the day are:

• 5 vehicles stopped and searched

• 2 Fixed Penalty Notices issued

• 1 producer issued

• 1 vehicle seized.

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

“We’ve seen an increase in fly tipping since lockdown began in March so this crackdown couldn’t have come at a better time.

Household waste and recycling centres are now open, so there is no excuse for people to dispose of their waste illegally.

Appointments can be pre-booked on KCC’s website to help keep people safe, maintain social distancing and reduce queues.

We urge anybody that has been doing any home renovations or clearing out to make sure they use a licensed waste carrier if not disposing of the rubbish themselves.

If evidence is found that leads back to the householder, they can receive an on the spot fine of up to £400, so always ask to see a waste carriers license before using them.

We seized a vehicle this time, and any unlicensed waste carriers suspected of fly tipping will also lose their vehicle.”

More and more of these action days are taking place across the County. A tremendous amount of preparation takes place ahead of these days, including the gathering of vital intelligence to support the Council’s Enforcement team with their duties.

What can you do to dispose of your waste responsibly?

Fly tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. However, these unlicensed waste carriers often simply dump the waste where ever they can get away with it, including in Kent’s country lanes. Householders or small businesses found to be using criminals to dispose of their waste can and are being prosecuted by local authorities in Kent with fixed penalty notices that go up to £400 per offence. Failure to pay such an FPN may result in court action where fines can be significantly larger.

To prevent this, householders should check whether someone is licenced to carry waste by visiting the Environment Agency website below, or alternatively call 03708 506506. It also helps if householders receive a written receipt or transfer note, including contact details, description of waste removed and details of where the waste is being taken to.

https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

The 13 Kent councils, along with Kent Police, are working in partnership to Keep Kent Clean. To keep updated with the councils’ efforts to tackle fly tipping and littering, follow

#KeepKentClean

Swale Borough Council

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Statement from James Williams - Medway Council Director of Public Health

James Williams.

Published: 30th June 2020

Medway's Director of Public Health has issued a statement regarding a table reported in the media showing areas in England where the number of reported COVID-19 cases has increased in the past 2 weeks

Although new cases of people infected with COVID-19 have been reducing across the country, the virus is still in circulation. This means there is the potential for sporadic cluster outbreaks to occur. Together with all our health partners, we review data on a daily basis to monitor and identify any trends or patterns of virus spread.

There is no comparison to be made between the rates of new cases currently occurring in Medway and areas such as Leicester. A local lockdown has been introduced in Leicester because 10% of all positive cases in the country over the past week were recorded in the city. The number of positive coronavirus cases in Leicester is three times higher than the next highest city and Medway is much lower than this.

As of Monday, 29th June, the total number of cases in Medway, recorded throughout the pandemic, stood at 809 and the rate did not exceed the expected number of cases for the area. We have seen just 28 new cases in the past two weeks.

We have a robust process in place linked to NHS test and trace and our local NHS laboratories to support and protect the people of Medway. This enables us to identify any specific issues related to a location, organisation or individual. The small increase in numbers seen over the last two weeks have been as a result of proactive testing, conducted with identified individuals. Everyone who tested positive has received appropriate advice and support

We have not seen any evidence of any widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in Medway.

There are currently no plans to introduce any lockdowns specifically in Medway. Should, however, the need arise, we will not hesitate to take further steps should it be necessary.

Today we will be publishing the Kent and Medway Local Outbreak Control plan. This plan sets out the actions we will take to manage any surge in cases or local incidents.

It is very important that everyone understands the need to work together as a community to stop this disease spreading. Whilst we welcome the gradual moves to relax some of the lockdown measures,  it is critical that everyone in Medway continues to remain alert and takes action to prevent the spread of the virus to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

All residents are reminded to follow the government guidance. Please protect yourself and others by sticking to social distancing guidelines. Wash your hands regularly. Stay at home and get tested if you develop any of the coronavirus symptoms. This is particularly important this weekend as pubs and restaurants reopen.

Please act responsibly and protect others at all times.   

James Williams

Medway Council Director of Public Health

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Where Should The New Adult Gym Equipment Go?

Upchurch Parish Council is hoping to install adult gym equipment in the village and Councillors are keen to hear the views of residents for the best site and layout.

The project will be funded by Section 106 money from the housing development at Kent Terrace and so must be situated in The Paddock or the Recreation Ground.

The Parish Council is considering 5-6 pieces of equipment to provide all-round adult fitness for residents of all ages. This can be installed either in a cluster or as a fitness trail around The Paddock or Recreation Ground.

The photographs are an example of some of the gym equipment available. A final decision on which equipment to install is yet to be made.

Please vote for your preferred location and layout.