Public Health England has confirmed further coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kent, bringing the total to 9150 in Kent and 1233 in Medway (28 Sept 2020). This equates to a rate per 100,000 of population – 578.5 for Kent and 442.6 for Medway. The new Covid-19 NHS Test and Trace app is now available in England…
KCC Chairman Graham Gibbens has raised just over £3,600 – more than twice his original target – for his chosen charity, Porchlight, with a four-day hike across the county. He passed through 20 of the 72 KCC Divisions as he walked from Northfleet to Canterbury. Setting off from Ebbsfleet Football Club, over the four days…
This Stoptober, a new app is available in Kent, offering digital help to residents who want to quit smoking. Latest Office of National Statistics figures show the number of people in Kent who smoke has fallen from 15% in 2018 to 13.7% last year and is at a record low but with COVID-19 still prevalent,…
Kent County Council has set a 2030 target to reach net-zero carbon emissions for its own services and estate. The government declared a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but KCC plans to accelerate its own action to reach that target 20 years earlier. KCC Cabinet Member for Environment Susan Carey said: “I am…
A new nationwide campaign, #YouCanAdopt, is being launched Kent to dispel myths around who is eligible to adopt and encourage more people to consider adoption The number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in four years but almost 3,000 children in England are still waiting to find their new family* Independent research…
An important new study looking at transport improvements to support growth and regeneration in the corridor between Abbey Wood and Ebbsfleet has just been launched called AW2E Connectivity transport study. Funded by the Ministry for Housing and Local Government (MHCLG), who have pledged up to £4.85m, the work will be overseen by the AW2E Partnership…
Kent County Council has had to take some difficult decisions in order to balance its budget as it tackles the impact of Covid on its finances. The pandemic has resulted in extra costs this year totalling £96.3million. Although much of this has been offset by central government grants and underspends on activities that could not…
Kent now has the protection of two important plans which secure the sites needed for waste management and minerals in the county. After extensive consultation and an examination by an independent Planning Inspector, Kent County Council has adopted both a Minerals Sites Plan and an Early Partial Review of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local…
This morning (Friday) Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne officially opened the 20mph town-wide trial zones in Faversham and Tonbridge. In addition, two town centre 20mph schemes in Margate and Tunbridge Wells came into force. The changes around both towns include 20mph road markings and signs as well as signed…
Pupils returning to The Wyvern School in Ashford this term have their electricity supplied by the power of the sun. Kent County Council’s environment champion Susan Carey visited the school to flick the switch for 320 solar panels. Wyvern School is a special school for children with severe, profound, and complex needs that caters for…
The Kent Rail Strategy 2021, which aims to influence train services in the county for the next decade, goes out to consultation later this month. Kent County Council has set out certain requirements it considers are needed for rail infrastructure enhancements to keep pace with demand for rail services. This includes ensuring there is an…
A junction improvement scheme for the A229 Blue Bell Hill goes out to consultation today (Tuesday). The dual carriageway, which runs between Junction 6 of the M20 in Maidstone and Junction 3 of the M2 at Blue Bell Hill village, is a key link between the M20 and M2, as well as between Maidstone and…
As the local economy emerges from the Covid-19 lockdown, a Kent & Medway Employment Task Force has been launched bringing together senior figures from the public and private sectors to support local people without a job into work. Close links have already been forged with the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus, responsible…
This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept), people are being reminded of the help available in Kent including an easy to use mental health text service. As part of the Release the Pressure campaign, texts are free on all major mobile networks – by texting the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258, you will start…
Seven ‘Living Warriors’ from Kent have had their words about getting through life – after coming close to ending it all – made into inspirational high-quality short films. The films were created following funding from ‘The Saving Lives Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund’, launched last year to support local projects by the Kent and Medway Sustainability…
Plans for a new railway station at Cliffsend to unlock and boost economic growth in Thanet and Dover have been approved by Kent County Council’s planning committee. Known as Thanet Parkway, it is hoped the new station will help attract investment and regeneration by improving accessibility to East Kent. Approved at KCC’s planning committee on…
Self-employed people in Kent are being urged to check their eligibility for a Government grant worth up to £6,570. With a number of other Government grant schemes ending in August, KCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development Mike Whiting and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Jo James are urging self-employed people in Kent and…
