It will be necessary to close Granville Road East, Sandgate from 18th January 2021 for up to 8 days.
The road will be closed outside 9 Granville Road East.
The one-way system on Granville Road East has been suspended to allow access.
The alternative route is via Sandgate High Street and Parade Road.
This is to enable emergency gas escape works to be carried out by SGN.
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Financial support is still available for eligible businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place.
There are three schemes being administered by Folkestone & Hythe District Council on behalf of central government during the third national lockdown:
Cllr David Monk, F&HDC Leader, said: “This money is a crucial lifeline for businesses currently unable to trade as they usually would.
“This is about supporting our local economy as best we can right now. We have been working hard to ensure this funding is getting to the businesses which provide much-valued products and services to residents across our district in a timely manner.
“It’s been fantastic to hear such positive feedback ranging from small traders to bigger businesses with larger overheads. Many have said the grants have made this current situation less stressful and acted as a real lifeline during lockdown periods.”
While more information about all of the support available can be found at folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/covid-19/business-support, here is a basic breakdown of the three:
Local Restrictions Support Grant
This is aimed at businesses which have been legally required to close due to localised restrictions and are business rate payers. Where possible, we have contacted eligible businesses.
For those who have successfully applied for an LRSG in the past, subsequent grants will be paid automatically when applicable – meaning you do not need to fill in any further forms at this stage.
More than £2.25 million has been issued for the second national lockdown, as well as the Tier 3 and 4 restrictions, since the beginning of November.
For more information, visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/local-restrictions-support
Closed Business Lockdown Payment
This payment was introduced by central government for the national lockdown beginning 5 January. It is only for those who are legally required to close and are business rate payers.
All eligible businesses that have already applied for an LSRG for the national lockdown period in November 2020 period will automatically receive this additional grant.
For more information, visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/local-restrictions-support
Additional Restrictions Grant
This is discretionary grant is available for businesses which have been impacted by the national lockdowns but have not been legally required to close or are not business rate payers.
To be eligible for this grant businesses need to have been significantly impacted (at least 25%) and incurred fixed business costs that cannot be cancelled.
This scheme is paying awards equivalent to the LSRG and Closed Business Lockdown Payment available to businesses legally required to close and are business rates payers.
To date, the council has received around 335 ARG applications with some 136 approved. The grant funds awarded so far total more than £1.2 million – which is around 55% of our original allocation from central government.
For more information, visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/additional-restrictions-grant
It has been more like weather for frogs and ducks rather than community gardeners this week, but some of us made it to the garden at some point suitably dressed for the occasion in all over wet weather gear and some determination to get a few jobs done. Last year the wet weather left pools of water on the surface of the soil, and we came away with muddy boots, but this year there is none of that so we can already see that the compost and wood chip paths are helping the structure of the soil.
The Oca got cleared, more beds mulched with compost, wood chips bagged up, sedge grass and brambles removed then composted, and the perimeter hedge trimmed. On pulling up a parsnip, one of our gardeners was surprised to find that the entire body of the root had been invaded, hollowed out and made into a red ant nest teeming with ants, larvae and eggs. He managed to grab a few photographs before the inhabitants scurried off with the nest contents to pastures new. That was an unexpected encounter for both parties.
There are always things to be found in the garden to surprise and interest. Below is a picture of one of our Romanesco broccoli heads which are now nearly ready to be picked. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fibre and carotenoids. More interesting is the fact that it has the most fabulous pattern, and is apparently a natural fractal vegetable representing the Fibonacci or golden logarithmic spiral. The head is made up of smaller heads which exactly mimic the shape of the larger head, and repeats itself ad infinitum until too small to be seen; it is quite mesmerising, and tastes pretty good too.
Although plant growth at this time of year is slow or even dormant in some cases, the plants we have will be making some good root establishment below the soil, and preparing themselves for the warmer, longer days which will eventually come. The broad beans can be seen pushing up against the fleece, but need the protection from the icy blasts of the wind. They also need protecting from the pigeons that have already taken liberties with a few of the purple sprouting leaves sticking out of the netting. You can tell it is bird beak damage as opposed to slugs or snails as the birds will tear at the softer parts of the leaf around the main stem and ‘veins’ , leaving a skeletal structure – slugs and snails generally just eat the lot!
We share what we have grown as it is harvested and although there is not enough to store over the winter months, some of us have stored a squash or two from our own gardens which if kept cool and dry should keep well into the spring. Below one of our gardeners has shared a photo of her ‘Prince’ squash picked some three months ago, cut open to show the lovely deep orange flesh which then ended up in a delicious soup. There is nothing finer on a cold and wet wintery day.
What’s Next?
The Civic Centre site in Folkestone is due to be used as a vaccination centre against COVID. Residents will be invited to get the vaccine when it is their turn and advised where they should attend to get their jab.
The Folkestone & Hythe District Council owned site is going to be part of the massive immunisation rollout of the COVID vaccine when it becomes operational as a vaccination centre later this month.
Vaccinations will take place in the car park of the site.
The Civic Centre site will predominantly cater to patients from the following GP surgeries: The New Surgery, Guildhall Street Surgery, Sandgate Road Surgery and Manor Clinic.
Oaklands Medical Centre is another vaccination hub in the district catering to patients of Sun Lane Surgery, White House Surgery, Oaklands Health Centre, Hawkinge and Elham Surgery, The Folkestone Surgery, Folkestone Health Centre and New Lyminge Surgery.
The vaccinations are being given to certain individuals first in line with the national priority list. You will be invited to attend when it is your turn to be vaccinated.
Please do not turn up on site or ring the site as you may hamper the vaccination effort and will not get a vaccination without an invitation.
Cllr David Monk, Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide the use of the Civic Centre site. This vaccination programme is crucial to us being able to get back to normal. It’s important we all take up the offer of this protection and I am eagerly awaiting my own invite to get vaccinated.”
In addition, Folkestone & Hythe District Council proposed the use of Folca – the former Debenhams building – before Christmas. Officers have been working hard to explore plans and practicalities with the NHS Kent Community Health Foundation Trust ever since and continue to do so.
A service for the Romney Marsh area is also in the final planning stages. Subject to being approved a service at Lydd Airport is expected to open in the week of 18-24 January (exact date to be confirmed).
For more information about other vaccination sites, please visit kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine
Sandgate Parish Council will broadcast this meeting as a video on Facebook live at the time of the meeting itself on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/sandgatepc/ Comments made on the Facebook video during the meeting will not be monitored and are not a way of feeding back to the Council.
Members of the public can ask a question at a Full Council meeting. Any questions (deemed to be reasonable) sent to clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk will be read and answered at the meeting. If a member of the public would prefer to ask their question themselves, they can do so by emailing clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk at least 2 working days before the meeting asking to put a question to Full Council. Members of the public joining a Council meeting to make a representation will be asked to follow the protocol at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/public-speaking-at-online-meetings-of-sandgate-parish-council-protocol/
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Sandgate Parish Council will broadcast this meeting as a video on Facebook live at the time of the meeting itself on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/sandgatepc/ Comments made on the Facebook video during the meeting will not be monitored and are not a way of feeding back to the Council.
Members of the public can ask representations regarding an application. Any comments sent to clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk will be sent to all Councillors prior to the meeting and acknowledged by the meeting. If a member of the public would prefer to speak to the application (for up to three minutes) themselves, they can do so by emailing clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk at least 2 working days before the meeting asking to speak to Planning committee, specifying on which application. Members of the public joining a Council meeting to make a representation will be asked to follow the protocol at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/public-speaking-at-online-meetings-of-sandgate-parish-council-protocol/
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