News

New school health services

19 April 2017 0 Comments

Innovative new school health services underway across Kent

New school health services are being rolled out in Kent which will see greater access for children and young people to support for physical and mental health issues.

Kent County Council has awarded two new contracts – the Primary School Public Health Service and the Adolescent and Targeted Emotional Wellbeing Service – to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).

The new contracts for school-age children were drawn up after consultation with people using and working with the services. It will start on 1 April and parents, children, young people and schools will notice a variety of improvements over the next couple of months including:

  • increased opening hours from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday
  • easier access with one number, email and online referral to contact the service
  • uniforms to make the school health team more visible
  • increased drop ins at schools, youth clubs and community venues
  • for children and young people, with web chat.

(more…)

Children, Education, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

Need urgent help?

15 April 2017 0 Comments

Check the helplines listed on our Useful links page

National Domestic Violence Helpline Tel: 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/helpline/
provides services to women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Refuge www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/
offers a range of services which gives women and children access to professional support whatever their situation.

Samaritans www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us Tel:116 123. or
visit the local branch www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-ashford-and-tenterden
offers confidential and emotional support for those who are experiencing despair.

Saneline www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/  0300 304 7000 from 4:30pm – 10:30pm every evening
offers information and support for those with mental health issues.

Release the Pressure www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure
Tel: 0800 107 0160
Chat online www.mentalhealthmatters.com/our-services/helpline-services/time-online/
A KCC funded service provided by an independent charity, offers advice and help for those suffering from stress

FRANK www.talktofrank.com/contact-frank Tel: 0300 123 6600,
Need a quick answer? Text a question and FRANK will text you back Text 82111 or
Chat online www.talktofrank.com/livechat 2pm – 6pm every day
helps people with drug problems.

Drinkline Tel: 0300 123 1110
free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s.

Shelter http://england.shelter.org.uk/contact_us Tel: 0808 800 4444
offers housing advice.

Runaway www.runawayhelpline.org.uk/advice/  Tel or Text 116 000,
Chat online using link above, or
email: 116000@runawayhelpline.org.uk
advises young people aged 17 if they are thinking about running away, if they have already run away, or if they have been away and come back and those that are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused.

Childline www.childline.org.uk/get-support/ Tel: 0800 1111,
Chat online: www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/, or
Email: www.childline.org.uk/locker/inbox/
helps children or young people in distress. Tel: 0800 1111

Silverline www.thesilverline.org.uk/ Tel: 0800 470 8090
provides information, friendship and advice for older folk.

Children, Health, News, Safety, Wellbeing, Young people

Victoria Way development decision confirmed

11 April 2017 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have granted the permission, that the Council’s Planning Committee agreed in October / November 2016, for the development at the Junction of Beaver Road and Victoria Road.

The decision was subject to the developers entering into a Section 106 agreement for the development. The Landowners, HCA, and Developers, HDD Ashford, have now signed the Section 106 agreement with Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council.

The agreement for the residential part of the development includes a contribution of £ 150,000 toward the Victoria Park improvement project. This will be combined with contributions from other recently permitted developments. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development

Cllr Harold Apps

10 April 2017 0 Comments

It is with regret that we inform you that Councillor Harold Apps passed away in the early hours of this morning.

Councillor Apps, Ashford Borough Council member for Victoria Ward had been a a member of the Council for over 40 years.

Until a by-election has been held, residents of Victoria Ward who have matters that they would like to raise with their Borough Councillor should contact Cllr. Dara Farrell. Alternatively, for residents in the South Ashford part of Victoria Ward, use the Contact Form on the South Ashford website southashford.org.uk/index.php/contact-us-2/, to contact South Ashford Community Forum, who will try to direct your query to the appropriate council officer.

 

Ashford Borough Council, News

Prepare for Easter weekend

10 April 2017 0 Comments

Ashford Clinical Commissioning GroupThe NHS is urging east Kent residents to make sure they are prepared for Easter by checking they have the medicine they need and downloading Health Help Now to their smartphones.

The long weekend can be one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS, but with a few simple steps people can avoid an unnecessary trip to A&E.

Dr Navin Kumta, Chair of NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “GP surgeries will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday so we’re urging people who take regular medication to check they have got enough to last until at least the week after Easter.

“Please make sure your medicine cabinet is well stocked too – no one wants to spend the holidays driving around in search of paracetamol, plasters or children’s medicine.

“There are local pharmacies open on Good Friday, Saturday as usual, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday and, to find them, people can use Health Help Now which is available on the web at www.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk or it can be downloaded from the Google Play and the App Store.” (more…)

Health, News

Tougher measures to target rogue landlords

9 April 2017 0 Comments

New rules in force from 6 April 2017 will help crackdown on rogue landlords that flout the rules and improve safety and affordability for renters.

Announcing the measures, Housing Minister Gavin Barwell confirmed the powers will give local authorities the tools to crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords who shirk their responsibilities.

This comes as part of the government’s plan set out in its housing white paper to create a bigger and better private rental sector that meets the needs of tenants and landlords alike, giving those who rent a fairer deal.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/fixing-our-broken-housing-market

Councils are now able to impose fines of up to £30,000 as an alternative to prosecution for a range of housing offences. They will be able to retain all of the income to make sure it is used for private sector housing enforcement purposes.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-penalties-under-the-housing-and-planning-act-2016

Rent repayment orders, which can be issued to penalise landlords managing or letting unlicensed properties, have also been extended to cover a wider range of situations. These include the illegal evictions or harassment of the occupiers of a property, using violence to secure entry and the breach of a banning order.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/rent-repayment-orders-under-the-housing-and-planning-act-2016 (more…)

Consumer, Government, Housing, News

Banning letting agent fees paid by tenants

9 April 2017 0 Comments

Department for Communities and Local Government

Opens: 7 April 2017
Closes: 2 June 2017

This consultation seeks views on the implementation of a ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants.

The government announced at the 2016 Autumn Statement that it would consult on introducing a ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants, to improve competition in the private rental market and give renters greater clarity and control over what they will pay.

This consultation paper invites views and comments on how the ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants in England should be implemented and enforced.

To support the consultation process, the government has organised a series of workshops. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and the workshops will be tailored to different parts of the sector. Find out more details on the workshops and book your place. (more…)

Consultation, Consumer, Government, Housing, News

KCC Election candidates announced

5 April 2017 0 Comments

The candidates for the Kent County Council elections on 4th May have been announced.

The candidates for Ashford South Division (includes Beaver and Victoria district wards) are:

  • Dara Farrell – 38 Luddenham Close, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5SE – Labour Party
  • James Galloway – 21 Jemmett Road, Ashford, TN23 4QD – Liberal Democrats
  • Ryan Macpherson – 105 Beaver Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5NU – UKIP
  • David Robey – The Old Farmhouse, Faversham Road, Throwley, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0JN – Conservative Party
  • Claire Wallington –  12 Baileys Field, Ashford, Kent, TN23 4XE – Green Party

The Candidates for Ashford East Division (includes Norman district ward) are:

  • Steven Campkin – 7 High Trees Close, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0ND – Green Party
  • Martin Chandler – 88 Christchurch Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7UZ – Labour Party
  • Garry Harrison – 2 The Haven, Appledore Road, TN29 9UB – UKIP
  • George Koowaree – 28 Tadworth Road, Kennington, Ashford, TN24 9LA – Liberal Democrats
  •  Larry Krause – Stable Cottage, Church Lane, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent, TN26 1EL – Conservative Party

You must register by 13th April to vote in this elections

http://gov.uk/register-to-vote

For more information about the KCC elections, visit the KCC website
www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/how-the-council-works/kent-county-council-elections

Democracy, Kent County Council, News