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Swale Borough Council has been recognised by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as one of 123 districts across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action.
CDP’s A-List is designed to encourage and support districts to ramp up their climate action and ambition and is based on the environmental data they disclose. This year just over one in ten districts (12% of such cities) received an A.
To score an A, districts must publicly disclose through the CDP’s reporting platform, have a renewable energy target for the future, and have a published climate action plan. They must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how they plan to tackle climate hazards.
Cllr Julian Saunders, chair of the environment committee and the council, said:
“We’ve made it a priority to understand the impacts of climate change in Swale and reporting our progress to the carbon disclosure project is just one way we commit to becoming a net zero borough.
“We approach tackling climate change as a whole council, sharing best practice and results across departments and embedding climate change action into our decision-making and procurement contracts.”
Cllr Tim Valentine, vice chair of the environment committee and the council, said:
“We’re delighted to be rated A by the carbon disclosure project.
“The recognition highlights our commitment to science-based targets to tackle global heating, by planting trees, insulating council buildings, and decarbonising our fleet of vehicles to name just a few actions we have taken.”
• Swale is one of 123 districts to receive top score on climate action from Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
• A-List districts build climate momentum, taking twice as many climate mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A Listers
• Only 12 per cent of districts received an A score in 2022
• Swale is the only authority in Kent to receive an A rating
Swale Borough Council
People struggling to feed their families and pay their bills could be eligible for more support this Winter.
Swale Borough Council has received more than £250,000 from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Household Support Fund to help households access food boxes, get vouchers to pay their electric, gas and water bills, and purchase the items needed to keep warm.
The money has been allocated to organisations within the local community who have been on the ground helping people navigate the cost of living crisis.
Swale Foodbank and Children and Families will be delivering emergency food parcels, West Faversham Community Association will be providing meals to the young people visiting their youth hub and Age UK will be delivering hot meals and shopping to pensioners.
The council’s fuel and water home advisor and Citizens Advice Swale will be providing Fuel Bank Foundation fuel vouchers to people with pre-paid meters, and Children and Families will be providing Mastercard vouchers for people with billed utility accounts.
People can also request help with items that will help keep them warm this Winter such as water bottles, blankets, and draft excluders from the council’s fuel and water housing advisor.
Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“We’ve received more than £250,000 from KCC’s household support fund this time around.
“We received money from the first round this Summer and used it to support almost 8,000 households around Swale.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t received as much money as we did in the first round, but the criteria for who we can help has been relaxed this time, so we hope to be able to reach the households that weren’t eligible last time.”
Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“Alongside helping with energy bills, we can also help residents with the cost of hot water bottles, blankets, and draft excluders.
“The funding is available until March, so anyone struggling to feed their family or keep their home warm this Winter can contact us for support.”
Swale Borough Council
Click plan to enlarge.
Gladman Developments Limited is challenging Swale Borough Council's refusal in May 2022 to grant permission for outline planning application: 21/501839/OUT for up to 74 dwellings at land off Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch, with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system and vehicular access point - all matters reserved except for means of access, and has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate and requested a public inquiry.
The Swale Borough Council planning decision notice, and Medway Council consultee comment, letters of objection along with appeal documents can be viewed at >> https://bit.ly/3wJ9Ahx
Upchurch Matters' post regarding the original planning application can be viewed at >> https://bit.ly/32CKIrU and the developer's pre-application consultation at >> https://bit.ly/3v7X4oL
Queen Elizabeth II 1926 - 2022.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Cllr Simon Clark, Mayor of the Borough of Swale, said:
“It is with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and I would like to express our sincere condolences on behalf of Swale Borough Council and the people of the Borough of Swale to the entire Royal Family.
“The Queen was known across the world for her strong sense of duty and commitment to serving the country and the Commonwealth.
“Her Platinum Jubilee showed the respect and admiration we had for her tireless work, and as we mourn her passing we must reflect on how fortunate we have been to live through her reign.”
As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast across all council buildings.
Books of Condolence are being opened at Swale House, Faversham Town Council Offices and Sheppey Gateway to allow local people to pay their respects from 10:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am to 12 midday on Saturdays.
Floral tributes will be laid at the war memorials in Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham.
Also, as a mark of respect, civic and council events and meetings have been cancelled until after the funeral.
Swale Borough Council
Click image to enlarge.
Young people in Swale with a project idea that improves the environment, or encourages others to help the environment, are being offered £500 as part of Swale’s Great Big Green Week activities, funded by the Climate Coalition.
The youth climate competition gives young people aged 11-16 years old the opportunity to get together in small groups to develop a project that benefits the environment and the local community.
Cllr Julian Saunders, chair of the environment committee at the council, said:
“We want to hear from young people about what they think we can do to improve our local environment, so we’re offering them the opportunity to turn their idea into a reality.
“In groups of four to six people, anyone aged 11-16 years old can take part in the competition, with the winning team being awarded £500 to carry out their plan.”
Cllr Tim Valentine, vice chair of the environment committee at the council, said:
“We’ll be looking for how the project improves the environment, what benefits there’ll be for the local community, and how they plan to deliver the project, including where the materials and resources come from and how they’ll market it.
“We encourage applicants to be as creative as possible, using presentation slides, word documents, videos and photos to outline their ideas.
“You have until Thursday, 15th September to enter your idea, with the top entrants going on to present their project to a panel of judges two weeks later on Thursday, 29th September.”
Applicants must submit their ideas by Thursday, 15th September, and be available to present their project on Thursday, 29th September at Swale House in Sittingbourne.
Culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety projects that benefit the local community could receive funding from Swale Borough Council’s member grants.
Every year, the council provides each of Swale’s 47 councillors with £2,400 to spend on small-scale local projects that benefit their community.
Local voluntary and community groups can apply to one or more councillors for funding and could have all, or part, of their project funded, and this year the council is welcoming any projects that address the challenges caused by the cost of living crisis.
Last year, Sunny Bank Primary School in Sittingbourne received £1,210 for outdoor cooking equipment, Brogdale CIC received £200 towards the restoration of a walled garden in Faversham, and Faversham Pools received £2,200 towards a robotic pool cleaner.
Queenborough and District Naval Ensign Association also received £750 for the Wildfire 3 memorial parade, and Minster Cricket Club received £1,150 towards a new equipment store.
Member grants are available every year from July to January.
Swale Borough Council
People struggling to feed their families and pay their bills could be eligible for support from Swale Borough Council.
The council has received almost £500,000 from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Household Support Fund to help families with children and pensioners access food boxes and vouchers to pay their electric, gas and water bills.
The money has been allocated to organisations within the local community who have been on the ground helping people navigate the cost of living crisis.
Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“Thankfully we’ve received almost £500,000 to help support our most vulnerable residents as the cost of living continues to rise.
“This money is primarily to help families with children and people of pension age access food parcels from local food banks and help paying their gas, electric and water bills.
“We’ve allocated money to local organisations that have been on the ground with residents and can identify their need and find the help they need.”
Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chair of the community committee at the council, said:
“We’re working with Family Foodbank in Sheerness, Swale Food Bank and Diversity House in Sittingbourne and West Faversham Community Association who will provide food boxes to those who are struggling to feed their families.
“Our Fuel and Water Home Advisor will be providing vouchers to people who have pre-paid meters for their gas, electric and water.
“We’re also working to set up a service that will provide people without prepaid meters the vouchers they need to pay their bills.
“Pensioners looking for support should head over to Age UK who can deliver hot meals or food shopping.
“Although this funding is primarily aimed at families with children and pensioners, I urge anybody struggling to pay their bills or feed their families to get in touch to see what help is available to them.”
For more information, to check eligibility criteria and find the right support visit: www.swale.gov.uk/hsfe
Swale Borough Council
Swale Borough Council Stray Dog Service is offering free microchipping for dogs and cats at Newington Recreation Ground, Orchard Drive, ME9 7NH on Thursday 28th July, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
Have your pet's microchip checked free of charge, including small furries and even horses.
Please be aware they are unable to microchip cats or scan small furries unless they are bought to the event in an appropriate carrier.
Due to having only a limited number of microchips available, they will not be offering the service to litters of puppies or kittens.
Upchurch Matters
Swale Borough Council wheelie bin collections are not affected by the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend.
Upchurch Matters
Swale Borough Council has refused Gladman Developments Limited outline planning application: 21/501839/OUT for up to 74 dwellings at land off Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch, with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system and vehicular access point - all matters reserved except for means of access.
The Swale Borough Council planning decision notice, and Medway Council consultee comment, letters of objection along with associated documents can be viewed at >> https://bit.ly/3wJ9Ahx
Upchurch Matters' post regarding the original planning application can be viewed at >> https://bit.ly/32CKIrU and the developer's pre-application consultation at >> https://bit.ly/3v7X4oL
As part of its targeted response to rising energy bills, the government has introduced a council tax rebate payment to help residents with rising energy costs, known as the Energy Rebate.
We have been working in line with government guidance to deliver the payments to residents as quickly as possible. We would have liked to do this earlier, but we had to be sure the new payment system works - we’ve seen instances elsewhere where there have been mistakes which we obviously want to avoid.
The revenues and benefits team have been working tirelessly to make sure we can make the payment by the end of April, and we’re grateful for their efforts.
We have made 33,563 payments today to those who are eligible for the government's £150 Energy Rebate payment and who pay by Direct Debit. This should appear in people’s bank accounts next week.
A further 21,000 households who do not pay their council tax by Direct Debit will be able to claim the rebate through a form on our website next week, and we will be writing to let them know where to find the form.
Please remember that we will not call you and ask for bank details - so please pass on this message ‘do not give out any details to anyone claiming to be calling from the council'.
Updates will be available on our website, and we will be issuing further messages throughout the process.
Cllr Alan Horton - Swale Borough Council
Ward Councillor serving Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch
Councillor Mike Baldock.
Cllr Mike Baldock has become the new leader of Swale Borough Council.
Cllr Baldock was elected at an extraordinary council meeting held last night, and he replaces Cllr Roger Truelove, who announced he was stepping down as leader last month.
Cllr Mike Baldock, said:
“It is a great honour to be elected as leader of Swale, as I care deeply about the whole borough.
“Roger has set a very high standard to follow but he also showed that differing groups could work constructively together.
“The move towards a new committee system is an exciting opportunity to make sure that every elected councillor - regardless of party-affiliation, or location in the borough - can be genuinely involved in issues affecting their residents.
“We all have serious challenges ahead, and I believe the best way for us to approach them locally is by working together and making sure that our debates and decisions are fully informed and focussed on supporting local people and our local communities.
“I look forward to now working with my fellow councillors to drive forward further improvements across the whole borough.”
The leader confirmed his deputy will be Cllr Monique Bonney, and the cabinet will be:
• Climate - Cllr Tim Valentine
• Finance - Cllr Roger Truelove, with Cllr Derek Carnell as deputy
• Health - Cllr Angela Harrison, with Cllr Hannah Perkin as deputy
• Housing - Cllr Ben Martin, with Cllr Ghlin Whelan as deputy
• Planning - Cllr Mike Baldock, with Cllr Alastair Gould as deputy
• Community - Cllr Richard Palmer, with Cllr Elliott Jayes as deputy
• Economic development - Cllr Monique Bonney, with Cllr Sarah Stephen as deputy
• Environment - Cllr Julian Saunders, with Cllr Eddie Thomas as deputy
Swale Borough Council
Councillor Roger Truelove.
Cllr Roger Truelove will be standing down as leader of Swale Borough Council after almost three years.
Cllr Truelove said:
“I have had the pleasure of serving Swale as a councillor for 28 years, the last three as leader of the coalition.
“I was very doubtful about standing as a candidate in 2019 and I long ago decided I would not stand in 2023.
“We are now moving towards a new committee structure, and I believe it will be in the best interest of this council for someone else to take up the new leadership role for the next 12 months.
“So, I will be standing down as leader, but I will continue to play a part in the new council system for the next year.
“There are a number of people who have the talent and commitment to take Swale forward, both from the administration or the opposition.
“I have been enormously lucky to have the support of an excellent cabinet over the last few years and I am pleased that we have shown that coalition politics in local government can work.
“I am also immensely grateful to council officers for their hard work, commitment and forbearance.
“Personally, in my time as leader I have tried to bring stability to the council, as well as unlock the resources needed to deliver improvements, and make us a kinder council.
“The last three years of this council has seen movement in several directions: the constitutional changes, the determination to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, the enhanced links with the voluntary sector, the climate change initiatives and the improvements to our public realm with a sense of our heritage.
“None of this is work completed and I hope we will see continuity into the committee period, over the next year.”
The announcement was made at a full council meeting on 30th March, where Cllr Truelove confirmed he would continue in the role until a new leader is elected at an extraordinary council meeting on 27th April.
Swale Borough Council
People who have been approached by Swale Borough Council’s enforcement officers as part of their anti-idling campaign have done their bit to improve air quality.
Since the council introduced the anti-idling legislation and launched the education campaign late last year, officers have been visiting school hotspot locations across Swale where idling engines are at their highest.
The seven schools identified as hotspots where parents leave their engines running include:
• Fulston Manor school in Sittingbourne
• South Avenue Primary School in Sittingbourne
• Highsted Grammar school in Sittingbourne
• Ethelbert Road Infants School in Faversham
• Bysingwood Primary School in Faversham
• Davington School in Faversham
• Ospringe Primary School in Faversham
Research shows that an idling vehicle can emit up to 20 times more of some pollutants than one travelling at 32mph and these pollutants can cause asthma and be particularly damaging for children.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the climate and ecological emergency at the council, said:
“Our enforcement officers have approached 16 drivers who had their engines idling while waiting to collect their children from school since the campaign begun and they’ve all been understanding and switched their engines off.
“Our officers can issue a £20 FPN to drivers who refuse to switch off their engines, but we don’t want to jump straight to a fine and think we’ll have better results by educating people to the increase in pollution an idling engine can have.
“Each car we approached was given a leaflet with idling advice and information on air pollution and the impacts on health.
“We put up 42 signs around the seven school hot spots and drivers seem to be happy to switch their engines off, especially around schools.
“By leaving your car idling it emits 20 times more pollution than one travelling at 30mph and what most people don’t realise is that if you leave your car engine running the pollution levels inside will be worse than outside.
“Idling for an hour can waste half a gallon of fuel or more so switching off your engine will save fuel and money.”
The next hotspots to be added to the anti-idling campaign include Fulston Manor school and Lansdowne school in Sittingbourne, Faversham train station, Bank Street in Faversham and Vincent Road in Sittingbourne.
People can report a hotspot for investigation by calling the council on: 01795 417850.
Swale Borough Council
Councillor Roger Truelove.
The Leader of Swale Council, Roger Truelove, has written to Highways England calling for urgent action to clear up the extensive litter along the A249 between Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
Drawing particular attention to the stretch between Grovehurst and Bobbing, Cllr Truelove points out that Highways England are responsible for this road and despite discussions and assurances, the situation remains unacceptable.
Cllr Roger Truelove, leader at the council, said:
“I know that litter is everywhere along the side of main roads, but the situation here is awful.
“We’re encouraging people to come to Swale, and especially to Sheppey in the summer, and this massive amount of litter impacts our prospects of doing that.
“We clear up litter and empty the litter bins in the lay-bys on the A249 on their behalf, but we don’t have the ability to clear away the excessive amount of rubbish and plastic carrier bags along the side of the road and in the adjoining trees.
“We hope this letter will prompt the litter to be cleared away and we’re looking forward to improvements in the near future.”
Swale Borough Council
Homeowners and members of the community can join in this year’s National Empty Homes Week by reporting empty homes in their area to Swale Borough Council or applying for a loan from Kent County Council (KCC) to bring their property back into use.
The annual National Empty Homes Week by charity Action on Empty Homes focuses on bringing back into use the 238,306 long-term empty homes in England, and this year it runs from Monday, 28th February to Sunday, 6th March.
Cllr Ben Martin, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:
“We’ve helped people find the right support and funding to help bring their previously disused properties back into use.
“Forty-one properties have been bought back into use in Swale so far this financial year, twenty-two of which are thanks to more than £1 million from KCC’s No Use Empty loan scheme.
“The scheme aims to create sustainable accommodation across Kent by helping landlords, owners and developers bring properties that have been empty for more than six months back into use.
“The loans are interest free, range from £25,000 to £175,000 per applicant and must bring properties back into use via renting or selling.
“We also have a reporting tool on our website for members of the community to report any empty homes in their local area.
“Bringing empty homes back into use helps us meet local housing needs and creates safer and more resilient communities.”
The next round of Swale Borough Council Area Committee Meetings begins on Tuesday 1st March with the Western Area Committee Meeting at 7:00pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
Area Committee Meetings are an opportunity for residents to talk directly to borough councillors about the issues in your community.
Upchurch Matters
Community groups and voluntary organisations in Swale can apply for grants from Swale Borough Council to host events in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June.
The council is offering grants of up to £1,000 to local groups in support of small-scale projects and events that bring cultural, heritage or educational benefits to the local community during the long weekend.
Celebrations are being held across the country during a four-day bank holiday weekend from Thursday, 2nd June to Sunday, 5th June.
Councillor Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community, said:
“We’re making £25,000 available to help fund Platinum Jubilee community events, street parties and celebrations across Swale.
“Local groups can apply for up to £1,000 to help fund their project or activities and I encourage communities to get in touch with their town or parish council, local charities and community groups to get involved.
“Beacons, street parties, tree planting and heritage projects are some of the activities we’re seeing coming through and it’s a wonderful opportunity for communities to come together.
“Our communities have shown great resilience throughout the pandemic but there is now a growing appetite to do more and enjoy our leisure time.
“The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our friends, family and neighbours by coming together and celebrating the historic 70-year reign.”
Platinum Jubilee grants are available now until the end of the year.
Swale Borough Council
People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s plans to regenerate Sittingbourne town centre.
The plans are outlined in a draft supplementary planning document that is now available for public consultation after it was approved by councillors in December.
Following consultation, the document will then become part of the current local plan and will shape how the council considers new development proposals, outlining what developers and landowners need to include in planning applications.
Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, said:
“These exciting new plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre will bring much needed life to the area and we want to know what local people think.
“We plan to develop a leisure quarter, a historic quarter and a community hub, but it’s important that we hear from local people. They know better than anyone what their community needs
“Once this draft supplementary planning document has gone through the consultation and approval process, it will sit alongside our current and future local plan.
“We have important heritage that will need to be considered when developing Sittingbourne town centre and it’s important that we preserve and promote what we have whilst incorporating these plans for the future.”
Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy at the council, said:
“We have essential plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre, bringing much needed footfall to the high street and providing better links to surrounding areas.
“We’ve been committed to investing in our town centres and high streets and we want to hear from local people who really know what will benefit the area.
“We know we need not only leisure and businesses in our town centre but also a better healthcare provision that is easily accessible.
“We also need a range of housing in our town centre to meet the diverse needs of the population from young to old, including affordable homes.
“The consultation is now open and will run for six weeks, and I encourage people to take this opportunity to have their say on how we bring life and much need investment to Sittingbourne.”
The consultation is open from Monday, 7th February until Monday, 21st March at 5:00pm.
The Sittingbourne draft supplementary planning document can be viewed online at www.swale.gov.uk/sittingbourne-spd or in-person at The Forum, Swallows leisure centre and Sittingbourne library.
Comments can be made on the council website, by email to lpcomments@swale.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy Team, Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne ME10 3HT.
Swale Borough Council
People struggling to pay their bills, buy warm clothes or feed their family this winter could be eligible for support from Swale Borough Council.
The council has received government funding to help support local people who are struggling because of the impact of covid.
Anyone in rent or mortgage arrears, struggling to pay their council tax or utility bills, or need help while self-isolating should get in touch with the council to see what help might be available to them.
Cllr Ben Martin, cabinet member for housing at the council, said:
“We’ve received money from the government to help people on the local level who need our support.
“Covid has had many knock-on effects in the local community. People are struggling to pay their bills and feed their families.
“With this funding, we’ll be helping people who are struggling to meet their household bills, who are self-isolating or having trouble buying food to feed their family.
“There’s no amount of money that is too big or small to apply for. We’ll be assessing each case on its own merit and doing what we can to help meet outstanding rent or mortgage payments, council tax or utility bill arrears, providing food boxes, baby supplies and warm clothing.
“Last week we helped a single mum of two with vouchers to buy winter coats for her children because, although she was just managing to pay her rent, she had no money left over for clothing.
“If you need help this winter, please get in touch to see what we can do to help.”
Cllr Ghlin Whelin, deputy cabinet member for housing at the council; said:
“The fear of losing your home because you can’t pay your bills, or not being able to feed your family because you’ve lost your job is something more people are experiencing than we think.
“We’re here to help. Don’t delay, get in touch with our prevention team to see what help is available to you.”
For confidential advice on what help is available, contact the prevention team:
Swale Borough Council
