RSS from Medway en-gb Copyright North East SHA. All rights reserved. 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT 23 Feb 2012 03:22:13 GMT http://news.medway.gov.uk http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4324 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4324 4324 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The council’s Employ Medway Advice Centre has helped its 600th jobseeker find work. 23-year-old Nigel Wren from Strood has been recruited as an apprentice bricklayer on the Rochester Riverside housing development and become the 600th person to find work using Employ Medway. After searching for a job for nearly four years, Nigel was referred to the centre on Chatham High Street last October and within ten weeks had landed his new role working for Owen Contractors Ltd. “I was always looking for a job but couldn’t seem to get one for years. In the end I didn’t think I was ever going to find work” Nigel said. “Then my advisor at Employ Medway told me about this apprenticeship and introduced me to Zoe at the Skills and Employment Centre at Rochester Riverside. “I really hoped I had a chance but wasn’t confident. Zoe helped me get through an interview and arranged a work trial with Owen Contractors Ltd. I always wanted to work in construction because I like being outdoors and like making things. This apprenticeship has given me a real chance to get on in life”. Nigel’s apprenticeship will last two years during which he will be based on site and spend one day a week studying a diploma and NVQ in bricklaying at Mid Kent College, Maidstone. To help Nigel get started he was given a set of tools worth £75 from the council’s EU funded SUCCES project. George McAllister, Director of Owen Contractors Ltd, said: “It’s great to have an apprentice on board and we’re looking forward to showing Nigel the ropes and getting him involved in the project here at Rochester Riverside.” The contractors will gain a £2,000 subsidy towards Nigel’s training costs as part of the council’s apprenticeship subsidy scheme, GAPs. Funding for the £200,000 scheme, which launched last October and helps businesses with an apprentice’s wage or training costs, is split equally between Medway Council and the Interreg 2 Seas programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The council's apprenticeship schemes have also seen more than 250 apprenticeships created at local businesses over the past year, through both the subsidy scheme and the national 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign, which created more than 190 trainee positions. Employ Medway Advice Centre has been open since September 2009, and as well as helping jobseekers, has also provided more than 800 people with training on basic IT, interview and CV skills. Medway businesses can also benefit from the council’s Start-up grants and Partners for Growth loans for small firms, which to date have helped more than 250 companies. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth, Cllr Jane Chitty, said: “I am extremely proud that Employ Medway has now helped 600 people into work and we will continue to do all we can to help Medway residents who are looking for employment. "We are dedicated to supporting growth in Medway to create employment and help businesses thrive and our range of business loans and grants as well as our continued commitment to apprenticeships is testimony to this. "It’s fantastic to see people like Nigel not only finding their way into work, but also gaining valuable training opportunities that will set them on their career path for the future.” False Economic Development http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4322 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4322 4322 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Funnyman Chris Addison is appearing at Chatham’s Central Theatre next month (March). Tickets are still available to see his new show – The Time is Now, Again – on Thursday, 1 March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20. Fresh from his TV appearances on the latest series of Mock the Week, Chris is taking to the road with his new show that promises to be super smart and gloriously funny. Don’t miss this top class comedy from one of the best stand ups around. To book tickets phone the box office on 01634 338338 or visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk [Ends] False Arts and Theatre http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4330 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4330 4330 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medway’s council tax will remain Kent’s lowest under proposals to keep it frozen for a second year. The charge for an average Band ‘D’ property will remain at £1,119.15 a year – around £130 cheaper than anywhere else in the county - if the proposals are agreed. The council tax freeze forms part of Medway’s plan for a balanced budget, which went before the council’s Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday, 14 February) and will now go before Full Council later this month. The budget proposals for 2012/13 have taken into account a shortfall of £14.3million from increased demands and a reduction in government grant of 8.3 per cent. This follows an unprecedented cut in government funding last year of 11.9 per cent and an overall deficit of £23.5million, which had to be found. The government has stated that extra cuts to funding will take place for two more years after this budget until 2014. And it is widely expected there will be more reductions after this date. The proposals for next year’s budget aim to safeguard frontline services while proposing where savings can be made. They reflect the fact that staff are one year through a three year incremental pay freeze – saving the council £1.6million a year. And they take into account that the council's Better For Less efficiency programme is on target to make cumulative savings of almost £14million over three years. As well as proposing a budget to fund all the vital services the council provides - such as schools, highways and weekly waste collections - the proposals include funding for numerous other important initiatives. These include an extra £100,000 for the council’s apprenticeship scheme, geared towards helping young people get a foot on the career ladder in these difficult times. Money has been put aside to support the Medway Youth Pass – which provides bus travel at a reduced cost, and £68,000 has been found to provide one-to-one tuition for around 600 primary school children at Key Stage 2 level. In addition, an extra £2million is being provided on last year’s budget for children in care and £75,000 will go towards improving leadership and governance in schools, under the proposals. Money has also been allocated to fight the Mayor of London’s Thames Estuary airport proposal and free swimming for under-11s and over 60s will continue in council pools. There will again be free parking days in council car parks across Medway in the run up to Christmas and the area’s 19 Sure Start children centres are safeguarded, under the budget going before Full Council. In addition, car parking charges will be frozen for another three years until 31 March 2016 following a 20 pence per hour rise from 1 April, under the proposals. This follows a three year freeze to the cost of car parking from 1 April 2009, which was put in place to help local businesses and traders by encouraging shoppers to use Medway’s town centres. Following that three year freeze in 2009, there has been a VAT rise to 20 per cent – as well as rising costs in maintaining car parks - and the council now reluctantly has to propose to put up car parking charges. But this rise still means that Medway will have cheaper car parking than many other authorities in Kent. And longer stay parking in Medway - which shoppers seek – will actually be significantly below most other areas in the county, with three to four hour parking costing £1.50 or lower in council car parks. This is less than half the price of some of the most expensive districts in Kent and compares favorably with many local councils who have proposed steeper increases or even doubled the cost of long stay parking. There is no proposed rise to residents’ or business’ parking permits in Medway. Libraries, parks, greenspaces and festivals are provided for in next year’s budget proposals. However, some savings need to be made to cover the huge £14.3million hole in the council’s finances due to government cuts and increased demands. The draft budget in November had identified savings that reduced this gap to £6.2million. These additional proposals to close the gap include proposed savings made to the council’s supporting people budget, the government programme for funding, planning and monitoring housing related support services. This reflects the fact that there is now no longer a dedicated funding stream for this from government, and that council funding overall is significantly reduced. A review of Special Education Needs (SEN) transport will also take place, under the proposals, with officers examining all individual journeys over £40 a day - including those by taxi - to see if savings can be made while ensuring transport arrangements continue. Elsewhere, the council will continue to take away bulky waste for residents – such as furniture – but, in line with other Kent authorities, proposes to only waive the fee for one item a year, charging £17.50 for each after this. Many councils charge for removing all bulky waste. Cllr Alan Jarrett, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “The council received an unprecedented cut to its funding last year, and we face another huge reduction this year. “But I am pleased to say that these budget proposals will allow us to make efficiencies while maintaining the vital frontline services we provide for our 257,600 residents every day of the year. “We have also found funding to keep free swimming for under-16s and over 60s, bring about one-to-one tuition for primary school children where needed and to ensure our popular apprenticeship scheme, aimed at getting young people onto that vital first step on the career ladder, continues. "We are also able to continue with the Medway Youth Pass, along with other important and popular measures, and the increase in car parking charges will help to fund our overall commitments." The council’s budget proposals will go before Full Council for a decision on Thursday, February 23. How the figures add up? Councils are mainly funded through a combination of council tax, grants paid by central government (mainly from business rates) and locally raised income from charges The total proposed revenue budget for next year is £333.440m, of which £127million is a government grant for schools. Medway Council traditionally receives less than other similar sized unitary authorities in funding, but ministers have not taken this into account yet again, and have failed to make a proportionate cut in Medway’s government funding for next year. This means the council faces tough decisions as it has even less money to provide services than many other local authorities in England – even though it has been continuously judged as providing value for money. Medway Council’s total formula grant, which has now been cut for a second year running, stands at £78,280million for the 2012/13 financial – or £304 per person - as opposed to £85,402million in the previous 12 months. This is in stark contrast to other similar sized councils, which still get far more than Medway Council gets in its government grant for the 257,600 residents it serves For example, Kingston-upon-Hull – which has a population of 271,000 - gets nearly £145million in its grant settlement, which is £534 per person. And Brighton and Hove, with a population of just 260,000, gets £101million or £390 per person. Plymouth – with 265,334 people - is given £105million – just over £396 a head. False Finance http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4327 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4327 4327 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Be prepared to be amazed when superstar vocalists Blake fill The Central Theatre with their unique harmonies. Five years, two Brit Awards, a million albums sold worldwide, more than 500 live shows, and 150 live television appearances in 15 countries, the foursome are back on the road and will appear in Chatham on Thursday, 8 March at 7.30pm. Famous for creating unique harmony versions of pop, classical and West End anthems, the four charismatic British singers will take audiences on a two-hour musical rollercoaster. Featuring a new look, new songs and new comic banter, Blake's Love Lifts Us Up show promises to be an uplifting experience. Blake are at The Central Theatre, Chatham on Thursday, 8 March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £19.50 and £21. To book phone the box office on 01634 338338 or visit www.medwayticketslive.co.uk [Ends] False Arts and Theatre http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4318 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4318 4318 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A brand new Sure Start group starting at St John's Infant School is on its way for children in Chatham. The new Talk and Toddle group is being run by both All Saints Children’s Centre and Delce Children’s Centre following requests from local families with young children. The session will run every Thursday at St John’s Infant School, New Street, Chatham, from 1.30 to 3pm and is designed for families with children under five. As well as plenty of fun, games and refreshments for children and a range of information for adults on children’s centres and other services, parents will also be able to shape what happens in the sessions themselves. Jo Bunn, Community Development Coordinator at All Saint’s Children’s Centre, said: “This is all about bringing the services that the centres offer to the families themselves, so that as many as possible can benefit from them. “We want to encourage the parents to say what they want to see at the group to help shape the sessions, so on the first few sessions they will have the opportunity to tell us what they want by writing their suggestions on a piece of paper.” The session starts this Thursday, 23 February and donations of 50p per family are welcome. For more information contact Jo at All Saints Children's Centre on 01634 338833. False Childrens Care http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4227 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4227 4227 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Children will be able to explore sound as they play in the newly refurbished Gillingham Park play area. The play area will be officially opened at 11am on Sunday, 26 February by Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services. A total of £65,900 has been spent on the park. The funding comes from the government’s Playbuilder 2 scheme and Play For All Members Priority scheme. New play equipment includes a climbing mast, sit down roundabout, tree-frog bouncing see-saw, two trampolines and a mirage swing seat designed for children with a physical disability. The sensory equipment includes orbs that rattle when they are leaned on, windpipes that make different notes depending on what pad has been stepped on, and a rotating disk with an optical illusion that will capture children’s imagination. There are also some additional seating and picnic benches, and some traditional play area markings on the ground including a maze and hopscotch. [Ends] False Greenspaces http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4317 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4317 4317 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medway has the honour of hosting the 35th British Transplant Games this summer – and local volunteers are being recruited to help stage the event. One of the largest annual multi-sport events in the UK, The Westfield Health British Transplant Games will run from Thursday, 23 to Sunday, 26 August, between the end of the Olympic Games and the start of the Paralympic games. Organised on behalf of Transplant Sport UK, the purpose of the games is to encourage transplant patients to regain fitness, promote friendship and co-operation between those taking part and to increase public awareness of the value of organ donation. The 2012 Games will take place at Medway Park in Gillingham, with sporting events also taking place across Medway and North Kent. The event will aid selection of the Great Britain team for the World Transplant Games. Medway Council is signing up Medway Sports Ambassadors to help with this and other local and national events being staged in Medway this year, including the Medway Mile, the National England Basketball Playoff Finals and The Medway Festival of Sport. More than 100 local volunteers helped deliver Medway's first global sporting event, the Modern Pentathlon World Cup in April 2010, and many returned for the 2011 Modern Pentathlon European Championships. To find out more about being a Medway Sports Ambassador or to register your interest email sportsdevteam@medway.gov.uk or call 01634 338764. True Leisure http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4314 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4314 4314 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A decision on the future of The Balfour Centre in Rochester has been delayed while officers give consideration to a new proposal from Medway Community Healthcare. The proposal was made on Thursday 9 February, the day that consultation on changes to Adult Social Care services ended. Now council officers will need a period of time to explore the viability of this proposal, and then, if appropriate, consult with service uses and their families so that the outcome can be reported to cabinet. The council began a consultation in mid-December regarding proposed changes to the adult social care services it provides, and has been hearing the views of service users, carers, their families, staff and other interested parties. The proposals include closing the Balfour Day Centre following a significant drop in the number of people using the facility as more Adult Social Care service users opt for personalised budgets. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Services Cllr David Brake said: “Throughout this consultation we’ve been very keen to hear the views from all parties, which has allowed this proposal to come forward. We now need time to consider very carefully this proposal from Medway Community Healthcare and check to see whether it’s a viable option for the people who use the Balfour Centre, for staff and for the council”. Martin Riley, managing director, Medway Community Healthcare added: “We are keen to work with Medway Council to look at the feasibility of supporting the ongoing work of the Balfour Centre. “Before agreeing any long-term commitments we must first take a detailed look at the practical requirements needed to provide the service and ensure that the needs of local people will be met both now and into the future.” Cabinet also agreed to outsource Robert Bean Lodge in Rochester and Platters Farm Lodge in Rainham, and to sell Nelson Court residential home in Chatham. Council officers will now take these decisions forward and involve residents, families, carers and staff over the coming months. True Social Care http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4311 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4311 4311 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Come and sing along with time-honoured songs with a Valentine’s Day theme at Gillingham Library today (Tuesday, 14 February) from 2pm. Join in or just listen to classic songs such as Red Roses for a Blue Lady, My Funny Valentine and Danny Boy. Suitable for the whole community, all levels of singing ability welcome. Light refreshments will be available. Phone Gillingham Library for more details on 01634 337340. False Libraries and Archives http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4308 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4308 4308 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medway Council’s Cabinet have agreed proposals for the Medway Test to be undertaken in primary schools for the majority of children, rather than in independent test centres. The council’s Cabinet met on Tuesday, 14 February, to discuss the proposals for the testing of children attending Medway maintained primary and junior schools and Medway independent schools on a school day in their own schools, following a two month long consultation. The proposals formed part of an annual admissions consultation, which seeks the views of parents, carers and schools on admissions arrangements into primary and secondary schools. Under the plans approved by Cabinet, pupils taking the test this year can do so at their own schools over two days on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 September, although it is up to each individual school whether they opt into these new arrangements. The consultation ran from Friday, 18 November until Friday 13 January and set out key dates for the application process for entry into primary and secondary schools in 2013. The consultation documents were circulated to primary schools, children’s centres and nurseries across Medway as well as being freely available on the Medway website for parents to read and respond, and 147 responses were received, 133 of which supported the option for the testing of Medway children to be undertaken in primary schools, rather than independent test centres. Other issues addressed in the consultation that were approved by Cabinet members included increasing the published admissions number of children at five primary schools in Medway and changes to the criteria for entry into community and voluntary controlled schools, including the number of children who can be admitted. The council will now contact all primary and junior schools in Medway to inform them of the decision and ask whether they will opt into the new arrangements. Full details of the test arrangements will be included in the council's admissions guide for parents, which will be published in June this year. If a school opts out of the new arrangements, testing for children attending those schools would need to take place in an independent test centre on Saturday 22 September, alongside children from out of the area. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: “Our main concern is always to do what is best for Medway children and I’m glad to see support for the proposal to return the test to local schools. “By moving the test back to primary schools, I believe children will be able to benefit from taking the test in a familiar environment where they are more likely to perform to the best of their abilities.” True Learning and Achievement http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4306 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4306 4306 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Don’t get bitten by a loan shark – that’s the message from Medway Trading Standards who have teamed up with pub landlords to warn customers about the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders. Trading Standards has distributed beer mats to a number of Medways pubs and bars to warn the public about falling prey to loan sharks. The beer mats feature a striking image and useful contact details for ways to report loan sharks. This initiative is just part of the teams ongoing work to tackle illegal money lenders, working in partnership with the England Illegal Money Lending Team, a specialist unit in place to investigate and prosecute loan sharks. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact Cllr Mike O’Brien said: “People who have borrowed money from loan sharks can feel they have no one to help them but through Medway Council’s Trading Standards Team’s partnership with the England Illegal Money Lending Team we are trying to support these people, combat illegal money lending and raise awareness of the pitfalls of borrowing in this way.” Trading Standards is urging Medway residents to report any suspicious loan shark activity and help make a stand against illegal money lending in the community by calling in confidence on 0300 555 2222. Calls are answered by a trained investigator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 Text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003 Visit www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks Email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk True Trading standards http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4301 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4301 4301 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medway’s council tax will remain Kent’s lowest under proposals to keep it frozen for a second year. The charge for an average Band ‘D’ property will remain at £1,119.15 a year – around £130 cheaper than anywhere else in the county - if the proposals are agreed. The council tax freeze forms part of Medway’s plan for a balanced budget, which will go before Cabinet next week. The budget proposals for 2012/13 have had to take into account a shortfall of £14.3million from increased demands and a reduction in government grant of 8.3 per cent reduction - following an unprecedented cut in government funding last year of 11.9% and an overall deficit of £23.5million that had to be found. In addition, the government has stated that extra cuts to funding will take place for two more years until 2014. And it is widely expected there will be more reductions after this date. The proposals for next year’s budget aim to safeguard frontline services while proposing where savings can be made. They reflect the fact that staff are one year through a three year incremental pay freeze – saving the council £1.6million a year. And they take into account that the council's Better For Less efficiency programme is on target to make cumulative savings of almost £14million over three years. As well as proposing a budget to fund all the vital services the council provides - such as schools, highways and weekly waste collections - the proposals include funding for numerous other important initiatives. Medway’s 19 Sure Start children centres are safeguarded and an extra £2million is being provided on last year’s budget for children in care. In addition, the area’s libraries, parks, greenspaces and festivals are also provided for in next year’s budget proposals. Some savings need to be made, though, to cover the huge £14.3million hole cut in the council’s finances from Government cuts and increased demands. The draft budget in November had identified savings that reduced this gap to £6.2million. These additional proposals to close the gap include proposed savings made to the council’s supporting people budget, the government programme for funding, planning and monitoring housing related support services. This reflects the fact that there is now no longer a dedicated funding stream for this from government, and that council funding overall is significantly reduced. A review of Special Education Needs (SEN) transport will also take place, with officers examining all individual journeys over £40 a day - including those by taxi - to see if savings can be made while ensuring transport arrangements continue. Elsewhere, the council will continue to take away bulky waste for residents – such as furniture – but, in line with other Kent authorities, proposes to only waive the fee for one item a year, charging £17.50 for each after this. Many councils charge for removing all bulky waste. Councils are mainly funded through a combination of council tax, grants paid by central government (mainly from business rates) and locally raised inciome from charges The total proposed revenue budget for next year is £332million of which £127million is government grant for schools. Medway Council traditionally receives less than other similar sized unitary authorities in funding, but ministers have not taken this into account yet again, and have failed to make a proportionate cut in Medway’s government funding for next year. This means the council faces tough decisions as it has even less money to provide services than many other local authorities in England. This is despite the fact that Medway Council has been continuously judged as providing value for money. Cllr Alan Jarrett, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, said: “The council received an unprecedented cut to its funding last year, and we face another huge reduction this year. “These cut are imposed on Medway and its residents by central government, who do not take into account the fact that we are a value for money authority that receives a lot less in funding from Whitehall and has the cheapest council tax in Kent. “We seem to be getting punished for the fact that we have manage our finances well over the years and now means we have had to make some very difficult decisions to balance our budget. “I am pleased to say, though, that these budget proposals will allow us to make efficiencies while maintaining the vital frontline services we provide for our 257,600 residents every day of the year.” The council’s budget proposals will go before Cabinet on Tuesday, February 14 and will be voted on at Full Council on Thursday, February 23. How the figures add up Medway Council’s total formula grant has been cut for a second year running and stands at £78,280million for the 2012/13 financial – or £304 per person - as opposed to £85,402million in the previous 12 months. This is in stark contrast to other similar sized councils, which still get far more than Medway Council gets in its government grant for the 257,600 residents it serves For example, Kingston-upon-Hull – which has a population of 271,000 - gets nearly £145million in its grant settlement, which is £534 per person. And Brighton and Hove, with a population of just 260,000, gets £101million or £390 per person. Plymouth – with 265,334 people - is given £105million – just over £396 a head. False Finance http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4294 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4294 4294 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Medway students are being warned by Medway Trading Standards to be vigilant over a new student loan scam email. The emails appear to be from Student Finance England or the Student Loans Company and ask victims to send in personal information, including bank account details, in exchange for their student loan payments. The emails contain bogus links that give the impression they go to a secure Direct.gov page. In fact these internet links divert the recipients to a fraudulent website set up by the scamsters who are attempting to obtain personal information, such as usernames and passwords. To encourage students to immediately respond to the message the subject heading of the emails are tagged as ‘Urgent Verify Payment Details’. These deceitful emails, called phishing scams, regularly occur around the key student loan instalment payment dates. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact Cllr Mike O’Brien said: “Our Trading Standards Team is urging all students to be vigilant and extra cautious whenever they provide personal information in response to an email. ”Unfortunately, these fraudsters take advantage of the increase in communications between students and Student Finance England at the beginning of each term.” Students need to report any suspicious emails to their local Trading Standards service on 08454 040506 so they make enquiries in conjunction with Student Finance England. False Trading standards http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4225 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4225 4225 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Learn a new way to communicate as a family thanks to Medway Adult and Community Learning Service. Learn Makaton sign language starts Thursday, 23 February 7pm to 9pm at Strood Academy for 10 sessions. Baby Signing 2 one-day workshop is on Saturday, 25 February and also Saturday, 3 March 10am to 1pm on both days at Chatham Grammar School for Boys. Sign Along 2 session one-day workshop is on Saturday, 10 March and also Saturday, 17 March 10am to 1pm on both days at Chatham Grammar School for Boys. For more details or to enrol phone 01634 338400. False Adult Learning http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4302 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4302 4302 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Businesses in Medway will benefit from three new professional development courses thanks to Medway Adult and Community Learning Service. Developing your Professional Persona Monday, 20 February 10am to 3pm Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester This one-day course is designed to help tutors and trainers explore and refine classroom skills. Course content includes how to overcome nerves, control breathing, and how to strengthen your voice to project a professional, highly engaging persona to your class. Assertiveness for Teachers and Trainers Wednesday, 9 and Wednesday 16 May, 6pm to 8.30pm Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester. This one-day course explores classroom management and communication skills. Learners will practice identifying different personality types, assessing body language and developing awareness of assertive language. Train the Trainer Wednesday, 25 April and Tuesday, 1 May 9.30am to 4.30pm Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester This two-day course is designed to help businesses drive down the costs of bringing in training agencies to deliver skills and knowledge they already possess in-house. Whether its induction training for new staff or product training for clients, delivering courses can be a stressful experience. This intensive two-day course will help new trainers plan and deliver training in a systematic and professional manner. Enrolments for each of these courses are now being taken. For more details phone Jude Sach on 01634 338400 or email jude.sach@medway.gov.uk False Adult Learning http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4304 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4304 4304 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT An event to help businesses in Medway create jobs and tackle unemployment is being held next week. The conference, which will take place at the Corn Exchange, Rochester on Thursday, 16 February, is aimed at letting local businesses know about the range of free employment services on offer to them. Funded by the EU SUCCES project, the event will see representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors from across Europe discuss employment and skills initiatives for the future. Also present will be residents who have found their way back into work, thanks to the range of council run services based at the Employ Medway Advice Centre, Chatham. The council offers a range of services to help create jobs and apprenticeships in the area, including the GAPS initiative - which provides subsidies to medium and small businesses looking to recruit apprentices. GAPS offers £2,000 towards the overall wage/training costs of employing an apprentice, as long as your business fits certain criteria. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth, Cllr Jane Chitty who will open the event, said: “We must ensure we tackle unemployment in Medway and the tough effects of the recession by working closely with our partners in supporting local people to find jobs and training opportunities. "This event is all about letting businesses know what free support is on offer to them and hearing from people who have been helped to find work in Medway." For more information on the Medway Council-run GAPS scheme, please contact GAPS Project Officer Catherine Lepage on 01634 334348 or by email at catherine.lepage@medway.gov.uk. For more information on the SUCCES project and the event itself, contact Jade Berry on 01634 338137 or by email on succes.project@medway.gov.uk False Eu projects http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4303 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4303 4303 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The snow may already seem a distant memory but there’s plenty in store at Medway’s Sure Start Centres this half term to keep children smiling. A whole host of activities are been laid on for families during the February break next week, including messy play, story time and Valentine’s themed arts and crafts. Here are some photo opportunities at Medway’s Sure Start Centres next week: Tuesday, 14 February, 10 to 11:30am: Woodlands Children’s Centre are holding a Valentine's Day themed arts and crafts morning at Woodlands Primary School, Woodlands Road, Gillingham. Children will be getting creative icing biscuits, playing with red play dough and are invited to wear something red on the day. Thursday, 16 February, 2 to 3pm: Messy play at Lordswood Children’s Centre, Lordswood Lane, Chatham. Friday, 17 February, 9.30am to 1pm: Fun, Fitness and Food at Brompton Children’s Centre, Brompton Westbrook Primary School, Kings Bastion, Brompton. Families and children will be able to find out how to cook up tasty treats using their leftovers at a special workshop. Cornflake chicken, spicy popcorn, vegetable pizza, muesli cake and dips are just some of the dishes on the menu, all made out of common household leftovers. Also on the bill at the free family themed events will be apron colouring competitions, a health themed quiz, dancing, a raffle and goodie bags. There are 19 Sure Start Centres across Medway. To find out about your nearest centre and what's on offer, call the Medway Family Information Service on 01634 335566 or email familyinfo@medway.gov.uk False Childrens Care http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4298 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4298 4298 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Plans to create one of the country’s first University Technical Colleges (UTC) in Medway have won the backing of businesses and employers across Kent and Medway. A bid for a UTC specialising in construction and engineering in Medway has been handed into the Department for Education and has won the support of industry leaders and major local employers. Letters of support for the new UTC, which would cater for 14 to 19 year olds with a mixture of vocational and academic training, have been sent to the lead sponsor, the University of Greenwich. Among those welcoming plans for the specialist college, which would also be sponsored by Medway Council, Mid Kent College and local employers, are property business Land Securities, international company Delphi Diesel Systems, construction company BAM and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which has more than 1,000 local business members. In the letters, businesses have not only pledged support for the idea but also offered to help in the delivery and running of the college, including advising on the curriculum, providing projects, mentoring students and offering work experience placements. BAE Systems, one of the forerunner organisations in Medway, has also thrown its weight behind the bid, stating how UTCs “provide businesses with the opportunity of assisting to shape and ensure the delivery of a technically rich and exciting curriculum that meets the needs of local employers in the specialisms of engineering and construction.” Medway’s bid will be assessed by the DfE during the next few weeks and, if shortlisted, the sponsors will be invited to an interview. Medway Council is still seeking views on the proposal and residents can say what they think by filling in a simple survey on Medway Council's website at www.medway.gov.uk/medwayutc. If the plan gets the go ahead it would open in September 2013 and provide up to 600 places for students, who will be taught in industry standard facilities by teachers with real life practical experience. Students would sit GCSEs, followed by A levels and/or vocational qualifications, such as BTECs. Local employers would help to provide practical training, with the funding for the UTC coming directly from central government. The typical school day of a UTC runs from 8.30am to 5pm to prepare students for the working week and to allow for extra teaching and practical time. A number of sites in Medway are being considered for the new UTC including an unused block at Brompton Barracks. A full list of organisations that have written to pledge their support for the creation of a University Technical College in Medway is below, with excerpts from some letters. Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Les Wicks, said: “It’s great to see so many local businesses and leaders in the industries of engineering and construction pledging their support for a University Technical College in Medway. “This college will mean we can offer young people who want to study more vocational courses, the opportunity to learn from industry experts on specialist courses designed to help them excel and fulfil their ambitions.” False Learning and Achievement http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4279 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4279 4279 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Parents looking to share exciting stories with their children should look no further than the Bookstart 20 pledge at Medway Libraries. The Bookstart programme, which gives free books to babies, toddlers and preschoolers, is 20 years old and to celebrate it is encouraging families to sign up to a book pledge at their local library. Medway Libraries is supporting the Bookstart 20 pledge – pick up a Pledge Postcard from a local library or pledge online by visiting www.booktrust.org.uk False Libraries and Archives http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4293 http://www.medway.gov.uk/information/newspages/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=4293 4293 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Young dancers are invited to an exciting community dance event next month (March). Medway Council's Arts Development Team is hosting U Dance Medway at Mid Kent College on Sunday, 11 March. The event is free for 11-19 year olds looking for an opportunity to develop their dance skills and share choreographic tips and ideas with other dancers. All dancers will receive a certificate for taking part. U Dance starts at 11.30am with a dress rehersal. The public performance is at 2pm. Tickets to see the performance are £4 If you’re interested in taking part or attending this event, phone the Arts Team on 01634 338319 alternatively contact the theatres box office on 01634 338338. Tickets will also be available on the day at the venue. More more details about U Dance visit: www.u-dance.org [Ends] False Arts and Theatre