Contact Providers sought for holiday food and fun programme in East Sussex
Providers sought for holiday food and fun programme in East Sussex
ORGANISATIONS and businesses are being invited to submit proposals for a holiday food and activity programme set to launch across East Sussex at Easter.
East Sussex County Council is asking interested providers submit their proposals by Friday, March 5 if they are interested in being involved in the Government-funded scheme for the Easter break, which will be free for disadvantaged pupils.
Priority areas for Easter include Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Newhaven and Peacehaven, although providers from all other areas can also apply.
The Holiday Food and Fun programme will run for six weeks across Easter, summer and the Christmas holidays for children and young people up to the age of 16.
Providers are invited to deliver activities and food for children who are in receipt of Free School Meals or who are on income related benefits. The sessions will need to run for at least four hours a day and for at least four days of the Easter holidays.
Cllr Sylvia Tidy, the county council’s lead member for children and families, said: “Funded by the Department for Education, the scheme aims to provide children and young people with positive activities and nutritious meals during school holidays. Most importantly, the activities on offer will be free for families who receive income related benefits.
“The Government has now allocated funding to East Sussex County Council and it’s important that we find the right providers in the priority areas to work with us to deliver the programme. I would urge any providers able and interested to get in touch with our officers via [email protected] as soon as possible.”
Activities can include music, arts and crafts, sports, nature, food preparation and cookery, among others. Parents can be invited to get involved and help with food preparation.
With uncertainty over what Covid-19 restrictions may be in place during the Easter break, proposals are invited from organisations who can offer;
Direct work with children and young people alongside a hot meal in a community setting
Online or home-based activities for children, young people and families and food parcels. This could include packed lunches that meet DfE food standards or carefully sourced food that families can cook alongside an accompanying recipe and support to prepare the meal
The enrichment activity or the food offer, and would be keen to work with other providers to enable a joint approach
Have your say on proposed walking and cycling improvements for the A27 corridor
Hampshire County Council is asking local people who live along the A27 corridor for their views on proposals to improve walking and cycling infrastructure at several junctions.
Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has changed travel patterns and behaviour, and many people are cycling and walking more. This is a critical time to consider changes to our roads to support a prosperous, healthy and green recovery from Covid-19 – making it easier for people to sustain healthier lifestyles, whilst supporting local businesses, and helping to meet the County Council’s carbon reduction targets as part of our Climate Change Strategy.”
The proposals would see continuous footways created along the A27 corridor in Park Gate and Portchester by raising part of the side road to facilitate a level crossing for pedestrians and, where feasible, cyclists. ’Give Way’ lining could also be provided before the crossing to give pedestrians priority.
The aim of the scheme is to make walking and cycling easier and safer along the A27 corridor by giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over the traffic. These proposals are being considered as a first step in a longer term aim to improve the attractiveness of walking and cycling in the area through the provision of high standard pedestrian and cycle facilities along the A27.
The proposed schemes being consulted would be for the following junctions:
• Allotment Road in Park Gate
• Addison Road in Park Gate
• Birdwood Grove in Portchester
• Beaulieu Avenue in Portchester
• Nelson Avenue in Portchester
• Westlands Grove in Portchester
An online survey has been made available seeking your views on the plans, so these can be considered in the development of the scheme.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be available online for a four-week period from noon on Monday 22 February until just before midnight on Sunday 21 March 2021.
Those who require a paper copy of the survey are asked to contact: 0370 779 7200.
Councillor Humby continued: “While I’m pleased at how quickly we were able to respond in the summer to secure funding from the Government’s first Emergency Active Travel Fund and install initiatives to support the local economy and protect public health following the first Coronavirus lockdown, the conditions for this second tranche of funding means we have more time to consult with communities and incorporate feedback into the development of our schemes, or review whether to proceed with the projects, if the consultation indicates a lack of public support. I would therefore encourage people to have their say on these ideas now, to ensure we have a good measure of local opinion.”
The schemes, if implemented, will be funded through Hampshire County Council’s successful bid to the Government’s Active Travel
Fund, amounting to £3.28 million awarded for a range of measures across Hampshire to create better spaces for walking and cycling in local communities.
The County Council would like to install measures that the community will support and will use. Therefore, feedback from the public is vital, particularly during the planning stages that we are now in.
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Residents and workers in CM13 Brentwood advised to get tested
Residents and workers in CM13 area of Brentwood advised to get tested following identification of a South African Covid-19 case.
We are beginning surge testing (additional community testing for people who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms) in the CM13 area of Brentwood. This is on the advice of Public Health England. This follows the identification of a single case of the South African variant of Covid-19. Everyone who lives or works in any CM13 postcode is being advised to get a Covid-19 test.
The testing will help us understand and limit any potential spread of the new variant within the local community. It is an approach that has successfully been used in other parts of the country to help supress the South African variant. We are working closely with Public Health England, NHS Test and Trace and Brentwood Borough Council to increase testing capacity in the area.
Every person aged 16 and over who lives or works in CM13 should get a Covid-19 test as soon as possible. There are different ways to get tested, and every household in the area will receive a letter this week explaining where and when they can get a test.
How to get a test if you live or work in CM13
We are asking everyone who lives or works in CM13 to have one test, unless they have had a positive Covid-19 result in the last 90 days or they are currently showing symptoms. Children aged up to 15 do not need to have a test.
Young people aged between 16-18 will need to have the test done by a parent or guardian, whether they get tested at a mobile testing unit or at home.
If you have Covid-19 symptoms and have not yet taken a test, you should book a test on Gov.uk or via the NHS COVID-19 app.
answer ‘Yes’ when asked ‘Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government project?’
select ‘Taking part in community testing’.
You can book your test at one of four mobile testing units:
Shenfield High School car park, Alexander Lane, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 8RY
Thorndon Country Park (south car park), A128 Brentwood Road, West Horndon, Brentwood, CM13 3L
Adult Community Learning car park, Poplar Drive, Hutton, Brentwood, CM13 1BD. (Please note there is no parking available at this site)
The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN.
All four mobile testing units are open from 9am to 3pm, 7 days per week.
Pick up a home testing kit
If you would prefer to do your test at home, you can collect a testing kit from Monday 22 February. Testing kits can be collected from the car park of Adult Community Learning, Poplar Drive, Hutton, Brentwood, CM13 1BD.
You do not need to book an appointment to pick up a home test.
When you get home, follow the instructions in the testing kit. You must return the completed test to Adult Community Learning Brentwood as soon as possible.
You can pick up and return a test between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, or 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Please note there is no parking available at this site.
If you cannot visit a testing unit or collect a test
If you cannot visit a testing unit or pick up a home testing kit, we will contact you. A team of volunteers will be knocking on doors in the area to offer home testing kits to those who cannot leave home. The volunteers will be easily identifiable and will never ask for payment or personal details.
After your test
In most cases, you will get your test result by email or text within 48 hours of completing or returning your test. It can take longer in some cases.
If you test positive, you must self-isolate immediately. You must also self-isolate if you develop symptoms or are told you are a contact of a positive case by NHS Test and Trace at any time.
If you test negative, you must continue to follow Covid-19 guidance around hands, face, space.
“Even if you are feeling well, I would urge everyone to play their part to keep their community safe”
Dr Mike Gogarty, Director of Public Health, said: “Testing is an integral part of our Covid-19 response in Essex. It is vital that anyone over 16 and living or working in CM13 of Brentwood gets tested so we can better understand and suppress any further spread of the South African variant.
“We know this variant is highly transmissible and so it is important to break the chain of transmission as quickly as possible, which is the aim of surge testing. The quickest way of doing this is for individuals who test positive to self-isolate immediately.
“Do not be alarmed, but even if you are feeling well, I would urge everyone to play their part to keep their community safe. If you receive a letter please book a Covid-19 test as soon as possible.”
“This precautionary measure will provide us with valuable insights about any potential spread”
Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We absolutely do not want people in this area to be concerned about the rolling out of surge testing. This approach is part of a national routine response to the emergence of new variants that cannot be linked to foreign travel or contact with people who have been abroad.
“This is a very much a precautionary measure which has been carried out in other areas of the country. It will provide us with valuable insights about any potential spread of this particular variant and help us to suppress it.”
For more information, support and advice, visit the coronavirus hub.
How many cases of the South African variant have been identified?
There has been just one case of the South African variant found in the CM13 area of Brentwood. As far as we know, it has not spread any further.
Where did this variant originate from in the area?
We do not know how the individual contracted the South African variant, but it is not linked to international travel.
Will additional Covid-19 restrictions be introduced in the area?
No, the area will remain under the current national restrictions.
Is the South African variant more dangerous than other variants?
No, there is no evidence to show it is more dangerous. However, it is more transmissible. It is passed from person to person more easily, which is why we need to do targeted testing and prevent it from spreading.
Do I have to take part in the surge testing?
It is not compulsory but we strongly encourage you to take part if you live or work in CM13.
The only people who do not need to take part are: children aged 15 or under; people who have tested positive in the last 90 days; people who currently have symptoms (but they should still book a test through Gov.uk).
Do I have to take part if I have had the Covid-19 vaccine?
Yes. While the vaccine will help prevent you from getting seriously ill, it is not known whether it prevents transmission. This means you could still carry the South African variant and pass it to others.
Is it safe to visit a testing centre or pick up a test?
Yes, we have increased testing capacity and created designated pick-up and drop-off points for those who want home testing kits. The new capacity will safely meet the level of demand.
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KCC backs call for national strategy on empty homes
KCC is backing proposals from the campaign group Action on Empty Homes for a new nationwide strategy to deliver additional housing for those in most need, utilising properties currently left vacant or in need of renovation.
Among suggestions, launched as part of Empty Homes Week, are a national fund to support councils in bringing tens of thousands of long-term empty homes back into use through a locally focused programme of grants and loans.
KCC’s own “No Use Empty” initiative is already held up as an example of a successful scheme, having on average brought back into use 511 long-term empty dwellings each year over the last five years, with successful projects in all 12 Kent districts.
Chris Bailey: “No Use Empty is an excellent example of what can be done.”
Chris Bailey, Campaign Manager at Action on Empty Homes, said: “The work of No Use Empty in Kent has brought literally thousands of empty homes back to use and is an excellent example of what can be done with real local commitment of energy and resources.
“In Empty Homes Week 2021 we are calling for Government to offer councils new powers and investment so that more great work like this can flourish in all areas of England.”
Will McMahon, Director of Action on Empty Homes, said: “No Use Empty has done great work in Kent bringing thousands of empty homes back to use and supporting the local businesses and charities who make this work happen, but as Kent’s own councillors have said, with more Government support to match-fund initiatives like this, more could be done.
“With our national housing crisis worsening every year we simply cannot afford to see numbers of empty homes going up year after year. Government needs to act so that local initiatives like this can flourish everywhere and so they can bring more empty homes back to use urgently.”
Mike Whiting – supporting the call for a national strategy
Mike Whiting, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, has written to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, offering to meet with his officials to discuss how the Kent scheme could be scaled up across the country.
NUE was set up in 2005 and went countywide four years later. It has to date provided loans to the value of £37.4million leveraging £32million in private sector funds to give a total investment of £70.4million. A total of 2,555 properties have been brought back into use over the past five years.
In the past year a record total of 42 loans with a value of £4.1million have been approved. Taking into account private sector leverage of £1.8million, which also supports individual projects, the total investment for this year is £5.9million to bring long-term empty homes back into use, providing much-needed residential accommodation across the county.
Mr Whiting said: “Our No Use Empty scheme has proved to be an invaluable resource to help bring homes back into use and help tackle the housing shortage.
“I am happy to support the Action of Empty Homes initiative in calling for a new nationwide strategy and, as I said in my letter to the Secretary of State, we would be delighted to share our experience with his team so that what we have learned over the past few years can be of benefit to the country as a whole.”
The table below records all loans since 2005 awarded to date
District
Loan
£
Leverage
£
Total
£
% Total
Dover
9,784,310
7,669,385
17,453,695
25%
Thanet
11,065,500
12,010,491
23,075,991
33%
Folkestone & Hythe
9,617,227
3,059,432
12,676,659
18%
Dartford
651,000
710,616
1,361,616
2%
Sevenoaks
604,000
1,163,530
1,767,530
3%
Swale
2,050,500
2,194,909
4,245,409
6%
Tonbridge & Malling
370,000
483,249
853,249
1%
Tunbridge Wells
727,156
598,298
1,325,454
2%
Gravesham
150,000
57,806
207,806
< 1%
Canterbury
650,000
3,932,849
4,582,849
7%
Maidstone
1,270,000
922,555
2,192,555
3%
The Roma Capital Group has used a loan from the No Use Empty scheme to facilitate the renovation of three properties in Folkestone – two in Bouverie Square and the other in Cheriton Road.
Director Zach Maasbach said: “We worked with KCC and utilised their No Use Empty scheme to convert and refurbish two empty and unused office buildings into a total of 10 apartments.
“These apartments were all let within a week of completion and are now providing a quality home for the tenants within walking distance to places of work and transport hubs in the town.”
The Cheriton Road property was previously operated as a guest house. However, it had been shut and vacated for some time with numerous break-ins and a severe damp issue in the basement.
Through the use of KCC’s No Use Empty scheme, Roma were able to convert this property into four residential apartments.
OGI Properties, run by Matthew and Raweerat Ogilvie, have worked with KCC’s No Use Empty scheme over the last two years and are in the process of completing their second project in Dover with the scheme.
The first project consisted of two empty maisonettes above a large empty shop in the High Street. The maisonettes required some internal reconfiguration and full renovation, and after splitting the shop into two fully-renovated smaller commercial units, all four properties were let-out during the first COVID lockdown.
The maisonettes were rented to social housing tenants through Dover District Council, and the shops were rented to a European grocery store and a private gym/yoga centre.
The couple’s current project is another shop with three unused floors above, which they are converting into a one-bed flat and a two-bed maisonette.
Family Homes, a property management company based in Sittingbourne, has used the No Use Empty scheme to convert a disused church in Dover into nine apartments.
Director Sunil Popat said: “The No Use Empty scheme is providing support to local landlords and property investors in order to bring much-needed family homes back into use.
“It has allowed us to convert empty buildings into long-term affordable rental units, but without this funding these properties would have reminded unusable.
“It’s not only the funds from the NUE scheme which has ensured that these properties are turned into much needed accommodation but also the help, support and guidance from the officers at KCC who have wide knowledge and experience to ensure success for all.”
Among the projects under way in Thanet is the renovation of a property in Nash Lane, Margate by Estia Property Solutions.
Managing director Craig Sherwood said: “We first found out about the NUE loans from our networking group. The scheme works well for us as our core strategy is to bring disused property back to life to help supply much needed accommodation in our investment area.
“NUE has opened a valuable source of financing at a reasonable cost, to us small developers/ landlords, which has helped us to grow our business and deliver more quality homes, at affordable prices for the community we serve…which is a win, win in our book.”
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