News

During this COVID-19 pandemic, limited contact with the outside world may make you or someone you know feel unsafe but Kent Police’s specialist teams are still here to help 24/7, in the same way they always do.

Kent Police will respond to your call and can arrest anyone committing
offences against you.

In an emergency dial 999 or 101 for non-emergencies. You can also speak to someone online at www.kent.police.uk

More functions are to be added to “MyAccount” on the Folkestone and Hythe District council website this week – making things simpler for residents and business owners when contacting the council.

It’s a great time to join the thousands of people who’ve already signed up to the online system, and enjoyed easier and quicker interactions with Folkestone & Hythe District Council ever since.

Regulatory services will be among those added:

·         Licensing;

·         Private sector housing;

·         Environmental health;

·         Food hygiene;

·         Health and safety;

·         Environmental protection.

The additions will mean you can fill out online forms and make payments for the same transaction – something that hasn’t been possible before in some instances. Previously, some forms have had to be printed out and filled out manually.

MyAccount allows residents to see the information relevant to them all in one place – such as bin collections, local councillors, benefits and council tax. More than 8,000 people have registered since it was first launched in August.

For more information or to sign up for MyAccount, visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/myaccountinfo

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.

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:

• Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)
• Closed Business Lockdown Payment
• Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)

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

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

Action Fraud has received reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for the vaccine. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form has looked very similar to the real NHS website.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/coronavirus-vaccine-scams-warning

How to protect yourself:

In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.

– The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.

– The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.

– The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

– The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.  

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.