Notice Board

Saturday, 22 December 2018

Swale Borough Council Draft Air Quality Action Plan - Focus Group Workshops

People are being asked for their views on Swale Borough Council’s plans to improve air quality across the borough by 2022.

Under the provisions of the Environment Act 1995, each local authority is obliged to review and assess the air quality within its area. The aim of this review and assessment process is to establish whether or not the Statutory Air Quality objectives for the 7 named pollutants are likely to be exceeded.

The 7 pollutants are as follows:

• Benzene

• 1,3 - butadiene

• Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Lead

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

• Particles (PM10)

• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Swale Borough Council have considered all 7 pollutants and by a process of elimination identified pollutants for which there may be a risk of exceedance.

To help tackle air pollution in the borough, a consultation on the council’s draft Air Quality Action Plan is running to help get views from residents, parish and town councils and community groups.

The draft plans were put together following extensive research and monitoring of air quality, including latest traffic modelling to account for developments currently planned across the borough.

Swale currently has 5 air quality management areas (AQMAs) - East Street, St Pauls, Newington, Teynham and Ospringe - where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above the annual mean objective of 40ug/m3.

The plans contain 12 measures to help the council focus resources to deliver improvements in air quality - 7 borough-wide strategic measures, and 5 local measures focussed within each AQMA.

The latest modelling predicts all except East Street and Ospringe will be compliant by 2022, but the council is proposing taking action that will benefit the whole borough.

Proposals include:

• Reducing emissions from HGV’s
• Reducing the volume of HGV's using the A2, especially through East Street and Ospringe
• Encouraging smoother traffic flows through the AQMAs
• Developing policies to encourage lower emission developments
• Encouraging alternatives to car use

To deliver these, the council is proposing a new clean air zone/corridor along the A2 and revising planning guidance on air quality.

Focus group workshops

If you would like to respond to the draft Air Quality Action Plan consultation, but have questions or are not sure how to take part, attending a focus group workshop may help.

Swale Borough Council is holding 3 workshops in January 2019 where you will be able to get advice and ask questions ahead of filling out the consultation. The workshops will be held in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Newington at:

Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne - 7:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2019.

Guildhall, Market Place, Faversham - 7:00pm Thursday 10th January 2019.

Village Hall, High Street, Newington - 7:00pm Thursday 17th January 2019.

To find out more about the consultation, visit >> www.swale.gov.uk/swale-aqap-consultation

The consultation is running until Tuesday 29th January 2019 and can be completed at >> www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AQAPSwale2018

For further information on air quality in the borough >> www.swale.gov.uk/air-quali ty

Upchurch Matters

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Friday, 21 December 2018

Kent County Council ALERT! - Doorstep Criminals Active In The Swale Area

Kent County Council has received reports of doorstep criminals cold calling residents in the Swale area.

How it works

They claim to be carrying out work as part of ‘Swale Funding Information’ on behalf of the government and councils. This company is NOT working with Swale Borough Council and is not an official provider of Energy Company Obligation Grants.

What to do

• Do not open the door to the doorstep cold caller

• If you want to apply for an Energy Company Obligation Grant, contact the Warm Homes scheme direct who provide quotes from trusted contractors at: www.kent.gov.uk/warmhomes

• For more information on Energy Company Obligation Grants contact your energy supplier

• Warn vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours living in the area

If you feel afraid or threatened by a doorstep caller, phone 999

Want to report a doorstep criminal?

Report them to Trading Standards at the link here >> www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards

For advice and to report issues to KCC Trading Standards, contact Citizens Advice consumer service on: 03454 04 05 06
Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer

Kent County Council Public Protection

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Thursday, 20 December 2018

New Children’s Play Equipment in The Paddock

Outdoor play facilities specialists, Streetscape have installed new children’s play equipment in the Paddock.

4 small swings, a flying saucer and a springer suitable for disabled children, all with essential safety matting have been added to compliment the existing play equipment.

Upchurch Parish Councillor, Pam Denny worked with Streetscape to secure the grant of £9805.00 from The Big Lottery Fund which has paid for the new play equipment.

The Parish Council hope children enjoy the new play equipment and that it will be treated respectfully, particularly as it was a gift! Councillor Denny would like to add some more play equipment for older children at some point too.

Upchurch Matters

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