Swale Borough Council - New Air Quality Action Plan

Swale Borough Council has published an action plan setting out how it will work to improve air quality across the borough.

The new Air Quality Action Plan outlines what the council will deliver between 2023 and 2028 to reduce concentrations of air pollutants and people’s exposure to air pollution.

The council takes the issue of air pollution very seriously as it causes health issues such as being a factor in the onset of cancer and heart disease.

The plan will have a positive impact on the quality of life and the health of residents and visitors to Swale.

Some new measures include:

• More car clubs and bike hire schemes

• Installation of more electric vehicle charging points

• Anti-idling campaigns

• Campaigns to educate the public about air pollution

• Improving walking and cycling infrastructure

The council will also work with Kent County Council to improve bus services and public transport infrastructure and improve traffic flow through Swale’s Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA).

Air Quality Management Areas in East Street and Teynham have seen marked improvements in air quality, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recommending their AQMA statuses be revoked.

East Street and Teynham have been compliant with the minimum readings for air pollutants for four and five years respectively but will continue to be monitored closely when their AQMA statuses are revoked.

The Action Plan offers a look into the evidence used and explains the decision-making process behind measures being implemented within their powers.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment Committee, said:

“The health of our residents is of utmost importance to us,

“And this Air Quality Action Plan outlines the efforts we are going to take to improve the air quality of Swale.

“We are pleased to see some improvements but will remain vigilant and continue to monitor air pollution levels across the borough, including the areas which DEFRA have insisted we revoke the Air Quality Management Area status for.

“There is still work to be done, and this action plan shows how we will reach our important health targets.”

Read the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan at: www.swale.gov.uk/aqap

Swale Borough Council

Vehicle Stolen - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/167286/23

On Sunday the 17th of September, around 00:07, somebody stole a red Jaguar X Type, OU19***, from a driveway in Woodruff Close, Upchurch.

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Spaces Available at Upchurch Cubs

Cubs - preparing young people with skills for life

Cubs has moved to Monday evenings from 7:00pm - 8:15pm.

We currently have spaces for girls and boys ages 8 - 10½ years.

If your child is interested in joining, call or text: ‭07917 003374‬ or email: upchurchscoutgroup@gmail.com for more information.

Our mission

Scouting actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

Come and begin your adventure!

#SkillsForLife

Darren Hatcher

Upchurch Scout Group

Thank You from Foodbank Co-ordinator Gill Gay and Swale Foodbank

Dear Upchurch,

Again, your generosity was a delight to behold.

Lots of you dropped off your gifts this month, and we were able to give £50 to the foodbank, which was donated by a few people.

You are a real blessing to those in need. You filled 3 trolleys, and under Rev. Julian's direction, we gave 2 bags away to someone in immediate need.

See the photo above, which also shows the lovely Esther, who runs Swale Foodbank and her colleague.

God bless you all ❤️

I will be collecting your donations for Swale Foodbank again next month at the bus stop opposite the church on Wednesday the 4th of October, between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Can I also remind you that the Rainbow Café opens again on Thursday the 14th of September, starting at 2:00pm in St Mary's Church.

We will have delicious cakes, savouries, and the same wonderful kid's snack deal of 5 items for £1.

As before, some of our income will be helping 5 children in Uganda go to school.

Please come and support us - which you will do by eating our delicious wares!

Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator

Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk

CANCELLED: Upchurch Choral Society - Choral Singing Workshop

Choral Singing Workshop

Saturday 16th September

Join Upchurch Choral Society for a day of choral singing and learn some beautiful music in the wonderful surroundings of our medieval church under the leadership of Vicki Stilwell, a professional soprano, singing teacher and founder member of Sonare

The day will start at 10:00am and finish around 4:00pm. The cost is £10 for UCS members and £12 for non-members. An informal performance of the music learned will be at 3:30pm.

Members of the audience will be charged £2 - thank you.

Parking is available at Holywell School.

All are welcome!

For further details and an application form, contact UCS Secretary Sue Rossiter.

Tel: 01634 234780 Email: sue.rossiter1@outlook.com

Upchurch Matters

Swale Borough Council - Rural Swale Small Business Grants

A new pot of funding to support rural communities and businesses has been launched by Swale Borough Council.

Eligible organisations are being encouraged to put forward small capital investment projects that support growth and carbon reduction measures, or which help develop the local visitor economy.

Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said:

“We want to support schemes that improve the environmental and financial sustainability of rural businesses through carbon reduction measures or, that help safeguard or increase rural employment.

“These grants can help give a boost to our distinctive rural communities, offering new funding opportunities for projects that specifically address rural needs.”

Using money from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the Rural Swale Small Business Grants scheme is focussed on projects in the wards:

• Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow

• Borden & Grove Park 

• Boughton and Courtenay
• East Downs
• Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch
• Sheppey Central
• Sheppey East
• Teynham and Lynsted
• West Downs

Projects outside these areas may be considered if they can show they will support local rural businesses.

Examples of schemes that can apply for funding of between £1,000 and £7,000 include:

• Investments which support carbon reduction and support the future financial and environmental sustainability of the business.
• Improving or creating business or visitor accommodation, venues and facilities that support the rural economy.
• Purchasing new equipment that supports business growth and productivity, for non-farmer owned businesses.

Applications for the Rural Swale Small Business Grants are open now with a closing date of 13th October 2023.

To find out more about the scheme, and to apply for a grant, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/rssbg

Swale Borough Council