News

Sandgate Parish Council are delighted to have completed the installation of the Sandgate CCTV system. The system covers much of the length of Sandgate High Street, Castle Road Car Park, Golden Valley Shopping Centre and Sandgate Park.

The multi-camera recording system has been funded from a variety of sources including grants from the F&HDC High Streets Fund, the Sandgate Society, District Councillors Tim Prater and Gary Fuller, County Councillor Rory Love and Sandgate Parish Council funds.

Ongoing, the Parish Council will be paying around £4,000 a year to power and maintain the system – lower than the cost of other systems in the district. It is possible to extend the coverage of the system in future, but the current system will be evaluated before any options to do so are considered.

The Sandgate Park CCTV cameras are infrared to ensure the system is able to view detail at range at night. The other areas have sufficient light at all times not to need infrared.

The CCTV is a recording only system, and it will be operated according to protocols agreed by the Parish Council and laid down at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/cctv/

Cameras are NOT focused on private homes, gardens or other areas of private property. Should a Resident have a concern about an area of CCTV focus the Parish Council will, on receipt of a request in writing arrange to remove the area of concern from CCTV view. Any local resident concerned about the view of a specific camera of their property can arrange to check the area monitored. To arrange to do so, contact clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk or call 01303 248563.

There are signs advising of the CCTV system in each of the areas being monitored, and more signs will be erected soon. We don’t want to clutter the area with signs, but equally know that one of the most important elements of a CCTV system is its deterrent effect!

Regular crime statistics from Kent Police show that Sandgate is one of the safest places to be in the Folkestone & Hythe District, with a low crime rate. We hope that the new CCTV system acts as additional reassurance for residents and visitors.

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