NEWS AND EVENTS

July 2020

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01.07.2020

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Have your say on Medway's ward boundaries

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Published: Tuesday, 17th December 2019

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people for their help to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Medway Council.

The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across Medway. 

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The Commission has also announced that Medway Council should have 59 councillors in future: four more than the current arrangements. 

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Medway. 

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More information can be found on Medway Council's website:

https://www.medway.gov.uk/news/article/506/have_your_say_on_medways_ward_boundaries 

June 2020

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30.6.2020

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28.6.2020

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SMI Neighbourhood Watch Consultation launch

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SMIRA launches its new consultation for residents feedback by midnight Monday 13 July 2020.  To view the proposals click here.

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17.6.2020

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SMIRA 2020 Newsletter is out!

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The SMIRA newsletter 2020, delivered to all addresses on the island mid-June,
is now available to read online too. Read the newsletter as a pdf here. 

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9.6.2020

Road resurface works at Samphire Way - 22 - 27 June 2020

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Medway Council will shortly be commencing road works on Samphire Way as per the letter received by residents of Samphire Way.

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SMIRA and CMT have discussed how CMT can provide support during this time to reduce the impact on residents. As part of CMT's ongoing commitment to residents, they have made arrangements for affected residents to park all day at the SMI Community Centre car park for the duration of the works.

Dean Marsh, CMT's Contract & Procurement Facility Manager said; "We are hoping this will help reduce some of the pressure that residents face, of not being able to park outside their homes, during this time".

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5.6.2020

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SMI Neighbourhood Watch

As part of the 2020 work programme, SMIRA has been developing proposals in conjunction with Chatham Maritime Trust (CMT) for a SMI wide Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

As always SMIRA value resident voice and will be shortly publishing its proposals for residents feedback before delivery.

One Island, One Community, One Voice

May 2020

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Countryside recommencing work on St. Mary’s Island

You may be aware that Countryside Properties, has over the last couple of weeks, started to remobilising their Construction sites, albeit with new health and safety procedures in place to manage the Covid-19 situation.

At the end of last week St Mary’s Island was given clearance to recommence construction. This week Site will look to recommence with the remaining, outstanding piling within Sector 15. The majority of piling remaining is in the western portion of this sector adjacent to the River Medway. This work will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.

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March 2020

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23.3.2020

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Play Parks on St. Mary's Island Closed from Monday 23.3.2020

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Message from Chatham Maritime Trust

The play parks on St Mary’s Island have been monitored by CCTV over the weekend to see how these are being used by the public. It is clear that social distancing rules are not being observed within the play parks. Furthermore, we consider that risks of potentially spreading the virus are increased by the use of the play equipment as children use the equipment, as the hard surfaces of the equipment cannot be maintained as clean due to constant usage.

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The decision has therefore been taken to close the play parks as of today. Signage will be displayed on the entrances to each park confirming the reasons behind the closure.

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20.3.2020

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COVID-19: Flexible Payment Arrangements for Annual Rent Charge

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At this difficult time for everyone dealing with COVID-19, SMIRA has been working with CMT to find ways to address the impact on resident income over the coming weeks and months. 

CMT have agreed for this year that they will offer up to ten months to pay the annual rent charge for any resident facing financial difficulties. 

Anthony Sutton, CMT Chair, says: ‘It is important that the Trust supports all residents who pay the annual rent charge by offering more flexible payment arrangements.’

Both SMIRA and CMT hope this will help residents in the short term.

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Please contact CMT on 01634 891888 or by email at info@cmtrust.co.uk

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13.3.2020

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The Easter Egg Hunt, SMIRA Meetings and Resident Drop Ins cancelled until the end of April at the Earliest

The SMIRA Board has carefully considered the ongoing situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the impact it may have particularly on our community. The Government is predicting the situation will get much worse over the coming weeks and is increasing the actions we need to take.

The Board has therefore taken the unfortunate decision to cancel this years Easter Egg Hunt, all resident drop ins and formal resident meetings until the end of April at the earliest. The Board will of course monitor the situation and decide on future meetings nearer the time.

Chris Reynolds - SMIRA Chair

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March community events by Litter Free Maritime and
Living River Foundation

1. 28th March, 9:30am at Central Point, St Mary's Island - Litter Free Maritime Community Clean Up. Please register on Facebook or on our website:
   
   
   
    

2. 23rd March. 13:00, St Mary's Island - The Primary School of St Mary's Island is organising a clean-up. If you are one of the parents or simply just happy to help out and have a valid DBS check, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 
   
    

3. Any day of the week commencing 16th March - Year 3 pupils at Elaine Primary School are initiating a clean-up in the Chatham area (exact location to be confirmed). Again, if you are one of the parents or just happy to help out and have a valid DBS check, we would love to hear from you.

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