Dartford Borough Council News

Older residents living in Dartford are being given the chance to join a free class to help prevent falls.

The classes aim to prevent falls and associated problems and are suitable for people who have a fear of falling or anyone with poor posture and balance. The classes are also ideal for frail or elderly older people who have already had a fall as trained professionals at the classes can give excellent practical advice and support to prevent a second fall.

They aim to improve the stability when standing, walking and making other movements by strengthening the muscles around the hip, knee and ankle. They also teach a range of associated techniques, including how and when to get up following a fall.

Classes include a warm up, gentle endurance work, resistance exercises and finally a 10 minute cool down followed by a cup of tea and a chat.

The hour long classes will take place at Alamein Gardens Supported Housing Scheme, Alamein Gardens, Dartford, DA2 6BW from Friday 20th January for 13 weeks. Transport may be available if required for people living in the Borough.

Falls can pose a serious danger to older people. Over 30% of the over 65s have a fall in any one year and this percentage increases with age. These falls can lead to injury, time spent in hospital and in the most severe cases they can result in a permanent disability or death.

Residents who want to join the falls prevention classes should visit their GP or other health professional and complete the referral form and send it to Dartford Borough Council. Alternatively, people can refer themselves by calling Dartford Borough Council’s Health team.

Cllr Ann Allen, the Council’s Lead Member for Health, says: “Falls can pose a serious danger for older residents, but in many cases they are preventable. By attending this free programme, older residents could help to avoid a serious injury or something worse.”

For further information contact the Council on 01322 343067 or e-mail health@dartford.gov.uk

The falls prevention programme is run by Dartford Borough Council in partnership with NHS West Kent.

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Council tenants and leaseholders have the chance to voice their views on services at the upcoming Dartford Borough Residents’ Forum public meeting. The meeting, taking place on Wednesday 11 January at Temple Hill Community Centre, features presentations from Trading Standards about how residents can beat scammers and from Digital UK on how to keep switched on after the April 2012 digital switchover.

The meeting is open to all Dartford Council tenants and leaseholders and refreshments will be provided from 6.30pm. For more information or to advise of any special requirements, contact the resident involvement officer on 01322 343682.

The forum is made up of Dartford Borough Council tenants and leaseholders who work in partnership with the Council and its contractors to monitor the delivery of housing services. The forum has been involved in a number of projects during the past year including developing the new Rent Arrears and Tenancy Fraud Policies and revising the Resident Involvement Agreement.

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Dartford Borough Council has launched the Community Grant scheme. With a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £3,000 available, local ‘not for profit’ registered charities and community groups can apply in order to improve their offering to Dartford’s residents.

Eligible projects must fit objectives, aiming to improve Dartford’s sporting provision, or services to young or older people. The Council will support voluntary projects that promote sporting excellence, work towards improving club standards through accreditation or training; or that provide new, (or expand upon existing), services and activities which directly benefit young or older people. Applications will be judged by a panel of councillors and successful applicants will receive their funding before the end of the current financial year.

Cllr Jennifer Rickwood is Chair of the grants approval panel and says, “Dartford Borough Council places great emphasis on empowering residents to improve their own communities. The Community Grant scheme will do just that – and reward innovative and effective local projects and volunteers with funding to continue to improve the services and activities available locally in Dartford. I look forward to seeing the worthy array of projects Dartford has to offer and awarding the grants.”

Further information and an online application form is available at www.dartford.gov.uk/business/DartfordBoroughGrants.htm. Applications must be received by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012 and should be sent to grants@dartford.gov.uk with requested supporting documents.

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The second annual Carol Concert in Dartford’s Central Park has been hailed a success with over 400 Dartford residents braving the distinctly chilly weather to enjoy this year’s event on Wednesday 14 December.

The Carol Concert, which was free to Dartford residents, featured Dartford Choral Society, the Salvation Army Band (Dartford Corps) and barbershop quartet Voice Male.

Carols and musical performances were interspersed with readings by the Mayor, Council Members and Officers.

Councillor Jeremy Kite, Leader of the Council, said, “After the success of last year’s Carol Concert, we would’ve been daft not to do it again. Wednesday’s concert was great and it was fantastic to see so many of the Borough’s residents turning out again on such a cold night.”

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The Deep Clean team are coming to an area near you and need your help.

If you lend a hand, you will be working alongside the Deep Clean team to tackle everything from graffiti and litter to overgrown pathways, and make your community sparkle.

You will be provided with all the equipment you need to help the Deep Clean team clean up your area – all you need to do is turn up!

The Deep Clean team are hitting Dartford’s streets on Monday 5 December to clean up the River Darent from Brooklands Lakes to Mill Pond Road. On Tuesday 6 December they will continue to the Burnham Road area for a two-day long intensive cleaning spree. Roads around Dartford Town Centre will be the focus for Thursday 8 & Friday 9 December.

To register your interest in helping clean up your community, call 01322 343353 or email janice.collins@dartford.gov.uk

Councillor Chris Shippam, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said, “It will be great to see the local community lending a hand at the Deep Cleans in and around the town centre this week. It’s true that many hands make light work and we can all do our bit in tidying up the town.”

For more information about the initiative and upcoming Deep Clean dates, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/deepclean

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A benefit cheat has been brought to book by Dartford Borough Council after they were found to have illegally claimed more than £4,600 of tax payers’ money.

Following a joint investigation by Dartford Borough Council and the Department for Work & Pensions a benefit claimant from Stone was found to have fraudulently claimed £4,619.90 in benefits.

The investigation established that they had failed to inform the authorities that they has received an inheritance and therefore had capital in excess of the £16,000 capital limit (which precludes people from receiving Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Job Seekers Allowance (Income-Based)). Whilst being in receipt of this undeclared capital they incorrectly claimed £2,682.75 Housing Benefit, £414.25 in Council Tax Benefit and £1,522.90 in Job Seekers Allowance.

The claimant pleaded guilty to benefit fraud at Dartford Magistrates Court on 30 November 2011 and was handed a £200 fine and ordered to pay £100 towards the prosecution costs. A £15 victim surcharge was also imposed.

The court took into account the claimant’s willingness to assist fully with the investigation and the fact that all of the overpaid benefit had been promptly paid back to both Dartford Borough Council and the Department for Work & Pensions.

If a member of the public suspects a case of benefit fraud then they can contact the Council’s Anti-Fraud Team, in complete confidence, on 0800 496 3245.

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Dartford Town Centre is getting ready for some festive sparkle as the Big Christmas Switch-On takes place on Saturday 19 November.

A fun-filled programme* of events is planned, with the action starting at 2.30pm in the High Street.

A range of tribute acts will get the party atmosphere going before this year’s special star guests take to the stage with the Mayor of Dartford – Orchard panto star Ann Widdecombe, Chas Hodges (of Chas & Dave fame), Rory the Lion, and, of course, Father Christmas – ready for the town’s Christmas lights to be switched on at 5.15pm.

Councillor Patsy Thurlow, portfolio holder for leisure & events, said, “The town centre’s Christmas tree and lights bring a big dose of festive spirit and sparkle to Dartford. The Big Christmas Switch-On is always hugely popular and we hope this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.”

For full details of the Big Christmas Switch-On, visit www.dartford.gov.uk/christmas/christmaslights or call 01322 343352.

*Programme may be subject to change.

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Notes to editors:
Ann Widdecombe stars alongside Craig Revel Horwood in ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from 9-13 December. To book, visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.