Swale Borough Council - Councillors Agree 2023 - 2024 Budget

Councillors have agreed to a savings package of more than £2.8 million in the next financial year through a restructure of services and a review of fees and charges.

The savings proposals were approved at the full council meeting on Wednesday 22nd February where the budget for 2023/24 was set.

The meeting also agreed that the Swale element of the council tax for the next financial year would increase by 2.99% - a rise of less than 11p a week for a typical band D property.

Cllr Mike Baldock, leader of the council, said:

“We’ve seen a significant increase in our costs in the last year, and there has been a rise in demand for our help with things like housing as local people struggle with the cost of living.

“After years of cuts to our funding from central Government, we have been left to make some incredibly difficult decisions.

“Despite this, we have worked to agree a balanced budget that still looks to protect vital services that local people value.

“Our share of the council tax bill will cost a typical band D household just £3.75 a week, though most people in Swale will be paying less as most households are in the lower bands.

“I still think this represents real value given the range of services we provide, and maintains our position as one of the lowest council taxes in Kent.”

The final council tax bill people receive is made up of several charges from local services.

For 2023/24 the council tax bill for a typical band D property will include charges for:

• Kent County Council: £1,534.23 (4.995% increase)
• Kent Police & Crime Commissioner: £243.15 (6.57% increase)
• Swale Borough Council: £194.94 (2.99% increase)
• Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority: £87.30 (6.01% increase)
• Parish or town councils in areas where they exist.

The full budget report can be read on the agenda page for the full council meeting on Wednesday 22nd February.

Swale Borough Council

Memorial Service at St Mary's Church, Upchurch

Do come and join us at 4:00pm on Sunday the 26th of February for our Memorial Service to remember all those who have died recently or in the past.

We have not been able to hold one for three years, 2020 was the last one then the pandemic came. So this service will be especially significant for us all.

During this service, there will be hymns, some time for reflection and prayers.

Any names given to the clergy will be read out and remembered. There will also be an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

This is a very special service and everyone will be made most welcome.

Refreshments will be available after the service.

Sue Rossiter

Update: Southern Water Wastewater Pumped Main - Lower Halstow to Motney Hill

Southern Water wastewater pumped main

Lower Halstow to Motney Hill 

Tankers running 24 hours a day were required in 2021 to transport sewerage from the wastewater pumping station at Lower Halstow to the treatment works at Motney Hill, Rainham, while Southern Water carried out temporary repairs and then ultimately replaced large sections of their wastewater pumped main pipework that crosses the marsh between their treatment works at Motney Hill, Rainham and Poot Lane, Upchurch.

Temporary compounds were established in Poot Lane while contractors worked to install approximately 900m of new pipe there before eventually returning Lower Halstow Wastewater Pumping Station to normal operations.

Another burst means more tankers

A further burst in the main, which is a pressurised sewer, has now been discovered close to the original works in Poot Lane in 2021.

To repair the pipe, Southern Water needs to empty it. They will do this by pumping the wastewater into tankers parked at Lower Halstow Pumping Station and then taking it to Motney Hill for treatment. A fleet of around 20 tankers is required.

Tankers have to run 24 hours a day during this period to make sure Southern Water can keep customers' toilets and other wastewater facilities working.

The tankers intend to wait in a layby in Raspberry Hill Lane and will only be called to the pumping station in The Street when needed, so there should be no lines of tankers waiting in Lower Halstow village. The routes the tankers will travel between Lower Halstow and Motney Hill, Rainham, are not yet known.

Southern Water hopes its contractor can repair the burst in the main over a weekend, beginning work on Saturday the 25th of February 2023 and plans to finish on the evening of Monday the 27th.

Temporary partial road closures

The Street, Lower Halstow and Poot Lane, Upchurch

A temporary partial road closure of The Street, Lower Haltow, will be in place while tankers are working at Lower Halstow Pumping Station, with access to the village maintained.

Businesses will be open as usual.

It will also be necessary to temporarily close part of Poot Lane, Upchurch, from Saturday the 25th of February 2023, with access to properties maintained.

Details of both KCC road closures can be found below or under the 'Roads' category on our Notice Board page.

Upchurch Matters

Emergency Road Closure - The Street, Lower Halstow

It will be necessary to close The Street, Lower Halstow from Saturday 25th February 2023 for up to 8 days.

The road will be closed between the junctions of Burntwick Drive and Vicarage Lane.

The alternative route is via Sheerness Road, Basser Hill, Church Lane, Boxted Lane, Breach Lane and Forge Lane.

This is to enable wet well cleaning to be carried out by Southern Water.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Emergency Road Closure - Poot Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close Poot Lane, Upchurch from Saturday 25th February 2023 for up to 8 days.

The road will be closed outside The Old Stables.

The alternative route is via Poot Lane.

This is to enable wet well cleaning to be carried out by Southern Water.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Changes to Opening Times at Sheppey and Sittingbourne Minor Injury Units

From Monday the 27th of February, Sheppey and Sittingbourne Minor Injury Units will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm every day.

While our hours are changing, the reasons you can come and see us are still the same.

You can see us for urgent care if you have:

■ minor illness (including possible chest, urinary, eye, ear, skin or throat infection)

■ fractures, bumps or grazes, strains or sprains
■ abscesses, bites, burns, scalds, cuts or wounds
■ removal of objects from ears or nose
■ emergency contraception
■ minor head injuries (with no loss of consciousness)
■ small eye injuries or objects in the eye (but not in the eyeball).

Find out more at: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/urgent-treatment-centres

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust