Kent County Council

KCC Country Parks Consultation

3 August 2017 0 Comments

Kent Country Parks Strategy 2017-2021

Kent County Council

Opens 10 Jul 2017
Closes 11 Sep 2017

Introduction

Kent County Council is privileged to own and manage a range of country parks and countryside sites which contain some of the highest quality natural habitats and landscapes that Kent has to offer. We have drafted a four year strategy which sets out how we intend to protect and manage these natural environments at the same time as providing high quality opportunities for individuals, families and communities to play, learn and relax.

Have your say

We would like your views on this strategy to ensure that we do all we can to meet the needs and expectations of Kent residents.

The draft Strategy is available to download from the ‘Consultation Documents’ section below. Please let us know your thoughts by completing the online questionnaire (via the ‘Respond to this Consultation’ section). The draft Strategy and questionnaire are also available in Word.

We have published a copy of our Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for you to read and make comments on via the consultation questionnaire.

Your responses will be compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Country Parks Strategy.

Alternative Formats

If you require any of the consultation documents in an alternative format or language please email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421553 (text relay service number 18001 03000 421553). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.

Consultation Documents

Respond to this Consultation

Consultation Links

Consultation Summary

Name Kent Country Parks Strategy 2017-2021
Description KCC’s four year Country Parks Strategy sets out how we intend to protect and manage our Country Parks and provide high quality opportunities for people to play, learn and relax. Tell us your views on our draft Strategy.
Dates From 10 Jul 2017 at 13:00 to 11 Sep 2017 at 23:59.
Status Open
Consulting Organisation Type Kent County Council
Consulting Organisation Name Kent County Council
District / Borough areas affected by the consultation Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells
Consultation Topic General interest, Arts, culture, sport and leisure, Environment and countryside
Consultation Methods Online survey / questionnaire / forms, Other survey / questionnaire / forms
Contact Details You can contact us by email at Kentcountryparksbusinesssupport@kent.gov.uk

Our postal address is:-

Kent Country Parks
Invicta House
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XX

Kent County Council 10 July 2017
http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/countryparksstrategy/consultationHome

Environment, Kent County Council, Leisure, News

KCC Consults on Infant Feeding Services

1 August 2017 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilInfant Feeding Service

Kent County Council

Opens: 17 July 2017
Closes: 3 September 2017

Families across Kent are being asked their views on proposed changes to infant feeding services, including breastfeeding support.

KCC Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark explained: “The current contract is coming to an end and we have been investigating what service users and providers need – the consultation runs until the beginning of September and considers timely support, more joined up services and more information about the peer support teams with rapid referral to a lactation consultant when needed.

“As part of the development of the Health Visiting model, there have also been discussions with PS Breastfeeding CIC, Early Help and KCHFT. As a result of these conversations, we are consulting on transferring responsibility for community infant feeding support to the Health Visiting Service and are inviting people’s views.”

He adds: “We expect that this proposal will enable all families to access nutrition advice as part of a comprehensive infant health service that links to Children’s Centres and maternity services, making best use of the existing professional skills and resources in the Health Visiting Service. (more…)

Children, Consultation, Heritage, Kent County Council, News

Norman Road closure

16 July 2017 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilWhen we plan to carry out the work and how long it will take:

This is to let you know that, as part of the on-going maintenance and improvement of the highway network, Kent County Council will be strengthening and resurfacing the circulatory of the roundabout and approaches at the junction with Gallagher Retail Park/ B&Q access Rd

The work will take 3 nights to complete, between 28th July 2017 and 1st Aug 2017 (excluding the weekend). All work will be between the hours of 7.30pm and 5am. This type of work can be affected by bad weather, so if it is not possible for us to carry it out at this time, we will arrange a new date and let you know via a letter drop to your home. We will also put up signs along the road, before we start, showing the date we plan to start work.

What we plan to do:

  • We will remove some of the existing road surface by a method known as milling. The complete area will then be swept by a mechanical sweeper to ensure the prepared surface is clean and free of dust and debris.
  • If required, the existing manhole covers or rain water gully gratings will be adjusted or replaced to the correct level before the new surface is laid. Please note that this operation is noisy and can be prolonged as it is carried out using pneumatic hand tools.
  • The new surfacing material will then be laid using a machine called a paver and compacted with a roller. This is a relatively quick process and dependant on the design will either be a one or two layer process.
  • Finally, following completion of the surfacing, all associated high friction surfacing and road markings will be re-painted.
  • The road will then be re-opened.

Please note that during the whole process, audible warning reversing sirens will be heard; this is a health and safety requirement and cannot be turned off but will be kept to a minimum.

How you can help

During these essential works, it will be necessary to close Norman Road, between the junction with Beaver Road and Romney Marsh Road so that we can carry out the works safely for both the workforce and road users. There will be limited access via the diversion route to Gallagher Retail Park and B & Q. An alternative diversion route for traffic will be signed whilst the road is closed. The diversion route for through traffic along Norman Road will be Beaver Road, Kingsnorth Road/ Wotton Rd/ Malcolm Sargent Rd / A2042 Romney Marsh Road. The footways will remain open at all times and pedestrian access to businesses and residential properties will be available.
It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, but we will try to keep this to a minimum. Access to properties will need to be restricted for a short period while work is carried out in front of each property and across road junctions. If you have any particular access needs, please let the workforce on the site know.

We need your help to make sure the work is done as quickly as possible and to the best possible quality. If your vehicle is usually parked on the carriageway, please make sure you park it somewhere else away from the site whilst the works are carried out, so the road is clear for us to resurface.

If you need more information, please call us on 03000 418181

You can also visit our website www.kent.gov.uk/highways to find out how we look after the roads throughout

Kent or report any faults you find on our roads.

For your safety and the safety of our workforce, please drive carefully and slowly through the road works.

Kent County Council 10 July 2017

Kent County Council, News, Transport

Grantley Close closure

16 July 2017 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilRoad closed 17th July for up to 4 days to allow KCC Highways to carry out urgent carriageway repairs. The road will be closed for the entire length. There is no alternative route as the road is a cul-de-sac. Every effort will be made to maintain access for residents whenever it is safe to do so. It is planned that the road will be closed between 07:00 hours and 17:00 hours each day. Please allow extra time for your journey.

Severity: Medium

Category: Carriageway works

Incident time: 17 July 2017 07:00
Completion time: 21 July 2017 17:00:00

Kent County Council 10 July 2017 10:20
http://www.kenttraffic.info/?sid=KCC170710_20&E=600458&N=141537&lyt=planned

Kent County Council, News, Transport

Make the right call

5 July 2017 0 Comments

There are times where it would be unthinkable for you to use your mobile phone – such as playing football, or getting married – so why do it while driving?

KCC – Make The Right Call from Kent Road Safety on Vimeo.

Despite legislation, recent figures have shown that over a third of individuals admitted to using their mobile phones whilst driving to text or access apps. This is troubling statistic considering that when using a mobile device, your ability to react quickly in an emergency is likely to be worse than that of a driver at the drink-drive limit.

Crashes caused by mobile phone use are completely avoidable – so make the right call, don’t use your phone and drive.

Kent County Council
www.kentroadsafety.info/mobiles/

Kent County Council, News, Safety

KCC Strategy for Adults with Autism

29 June 2017 0 Comments

Kent County Council (KCC) is launching its strategy for adults with autism on Tuesday, July 11 which sets out its future commitments and priorities.

In 2010, Government set out a requirement for all local authorities to have a strategy as described in the National Autism Strategy.

Across Kent, approximately over 13,000 individuals are living with autism and current estimates suggest over half these will have autism in the absence of a learning disability.  This strategy addresses these individuals.

The launch event will be chaired by Anne Tidmarsh, KCC Director for Older People and Physical Disability and will include an introduction by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Graham Gibbens.

KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Graham Gibbens, said:

“In Kent, we want to continue to ensure that adults with autism are able to live their lives free from the risk of discrimination, hate crime and abuse.

“This strategy outlines our core principles, and our vision for how we can ensure that individuals are able to live fulfilling and rewarding lives.”

Director of Older People and Physical Disability, Anne Tidmarsh, said:

“Since the announcement by Government in 2010, we have taken time in developing services for this group including a specialist social care team, diagnostic service and commissioning peer support groups.

“We are now pleased to welcome a strategy that addresses the needs of adults with autism which assesses the current situation and looks at future priorities and commitments.”

For further information about the strategy and any queries, please email SensoryandAutism@kent.gov.uk to learn more.

Kent County Council 28 June 2017
https://kccmediahub.net/kcc-launches-strategy-adults-autism745

Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

Registration for the Kent Test

15 June 2017 0 Comments

Registration for Kent Test (11+) is now open for any parent of a year five child who would like them to be considered for a place in a Kent Grammar school for 2018.

Parents have until 3 July to register for the test. These will take place after the summer break on 7 September for children who go to school in Kent and 9 September for those children who go to school outside of Kent. Results will be sent out on 12 October.

Roger Gough, KCC Cabinet Member for Education said: “To speed up the process we urge as many parents as possible to register online. 95% of all test registrations are made this way and allows results to be sent by email.

“The Kent Test helps parents and children find the most suitable type of school for the next stage of their education.

“As more grammar schools include priority for pupils eligible for free school meals in their admissions arrangements we are particularly keen to encourage these families  to register and sit the test.“ (more…)

Children, Education, Kent County Council, News

KCC Older Persons Wellbeing Consultation

13 June 2017 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilOlder Persons and People Living with Dementia Wellbeing Core Offer

Kent County Council

Opens: 12 Jun 2017
Closes: 23 Jul 2017

Kent County Council is developing a new model for the Wellbeing Core Offer of Services for Older Persons and People Living with Dementa.  The offer seeks to improve people’s wellbeing and support them to live as independently as possible.

Kent County Council (KCC) wants to hear your views on the proposal to ensure that the new model meets the needs of Kent residents and delivers the outcomes which are most important to them.

In designing the new model, KCC is proposing to end annual grants which fund older persons and dementia community and voluntary sector services and re-invest the funding in a new contract. The proposed contract will create a more joined up pathway for supporting people to live well, will be delivered through a Strategic Partner approach and will be in place for 5-7 years. (more…)

Consultation, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

KCC and NHS promote jobs in East Kent

12 May 2017 0 Comments

Kent County Council and the NHS organisations providing health and social care in East Kent have launched a website to promote employment in the sector in East Kent.

The move comes as the organisations work together towards the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP). The STP describes what the organisations think needs to be done differently to bring about better health and wellbeing, better standards of care, and better use of staff and funds.

www.takeadifferentview.co.uk/

Care, Employment, Health, Kent County Council, News

George Koowaree retains KCC Ashford East

5 May 2017 0 Comments

Ballot boxGeorge Koowaree has retained his seat as Kent County Council Councillor for Ashford East.

George is the existing KCC Councillor and Ashford Borough Council member for North Willesborough

 

 

Results

Election Candidate Party Votes %
George Koowaree Liberal Democrat 1426 41% Elected
Larry William Krause Conservative 971 28% Not elected
Martin Chandler Labour 534 15% Not elected
Garry George Harrison UK Independence Party 338 10% Not elected
Steven Robert Campkin Green Party 191 6% Not elected

Voting Summary

Details Number
Seats 1
Total votes 3460
Electorate 12888
Number of ballot papers issued 3467
Number of ballot papers rejected 7
Turnout 27%

Democracy, Kent County Council, News