News and Campaigns

January, 2023

Cllr Cameron Beart, ward member for Queenborough and Halfway.

Successful £20 million bid to improve health, education, leisure and employment in Sheerness.

New waste contract agreed to help improve service and reduce emissions.

Boughton and Dunkirk Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Councillors approve new low cost, low emission car club for Sittingbourne.

You now need photo ID to vote at a polling station

December, 2022

Drivers of electric vehicles have more choice of where to recharge.

Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) provides help to rough sleepers during extreme weather.

People are being asked to have their say on Swale Borough Council’s proposed budget for the next financial year

Information sessions are being held in advance of the 2023 Borough elections for anyone looking to find out more about becoming a Councillor.

Changes to council services over the Christmas period.

November, 2022

It will be easier than ever for visitors to explore Barton’s Point Coastal Park next year, after a successful funding bid

People can now have their say on Swale’s first draft domestic abuse policy outlining how we manage our response, legal duties, roles and responsibilities, staff training, partnerships and raising awareness

Councillors are being asked to approve consulting on the draft budget

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

People are being invited to join us this national tree week planting trees in parks, recreation grounds and green spaces around Swale

Councillors have agreed their priorities for cycling and walking improvements in Swale which can now be used to bid for funding from the Government’s Active Travel Fund

People struggling to feed their families and pay their bills could be eligible for more support this winter

Get help with food and utility bills from the Household Support Fund Extension (HSFE).

Sustainable warmth upgrades energy inefficient homes of low income households to help save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions

Mayor of Swale, Councillor Simon Clark, gives his message for this years poppy appeal and Remembrance Day

Read about this year’s Civic Service of Remembrance, by a Remembrance Sunday Event Organising Group.

People can now have their say on how air quality is tackled across the borough.

Funding available for local organisations supporting people with cost of living crisis

People wanting to park their vehicle in one of Swale’s pay and display car parks will soon have more ways to pay with new pay units being installed from next month

The old walkway along the former rifle range at Barton’s Point Coastal Park is now open

October, 2022

Swale Borough Council has submitted a bid for £85,000 from the Government’s Levelling Up Parks Fund to make improvements at Barton’s Point Coastal Park.

Waste Carriers were targeted on Friday as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping

Almost 8,000 households in Swale have received help from local community groups to pay their energy bills and feed their families

Swale Borough Council’s commitment to animal welfare has again been recognised by the RSPCA

Local shopkeepers are being encouraged to sign up to Swale’s new radio communication scheme to help reduce crime and theft in Swale town centres

People are being asked for their views on proposed changes to our council tax reduction scheme to make it easier for working age people to get support with council tax bills

Swale House is closed to the public, council staff and councillors to allow for testing for asbestos

September, 2022

Pensioners who receive Council Tax Support will be receiving an £87.00 payment.

Information about joining the planning appeal meeting for Windmill Farm on Tuesday 27 September, 2022.

Read about changes to bin days following the Bank Holiday Monday, 19 September 2022.

Buckingham Palace has announced the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Severely disabled people will be able to use a new large accessible toilet at Swallows leisure centre thanks to funding from the Government’s Changing Places Fund

August, 2022

A contract for more than £100,000 has been awarded to Kent-based Pierra Limited to rebuild the crumbling flint wall at St Michaels Church in Sittingbourne

Young people in Swale with a project idea that improves the environment are being offered £500 to make their idea a reality

Swale Borough Council has responded to the appalling OFSTED report on the Oasis Academy at Minster

People living in Lucas Close, Queenborough could become part of Queenborough Town Council instead of Sheerness Town Council if changes to local boundaries are agreed

July, 2022

Swale Borough Council has submitted an ambitious £20 million bid to the Government to improve health, education, leisure and employment opportunities in Sheerness

Milton Creek Country Park and Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park have been awarded Green Flags

A plan for futureproofed, accessible, and affordable electric vehicle charging has been agreed

The current Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) contract has been extended for an additional two years

We’re working with Southern Water as they work to support Sheppey residents through this water shortage

Read about the annual update the electoral register.

Culture, sport, recreation, health, environment and community safety projects that benefit the local community could receive funding from Swale Borough Council’s member grants

People struggling to feed their families and pay their bills could be eligible for support from Swale Borough Council

Local organisations on the Isle of Sheppey and in Faversham and surrounding villages can now bid for funding for their community projects from Swale Borough Council’s Eastern and Sheppey area committees

June, 2022

We’re sorry the ongoing nationwide shortage of chlorine means we haven’t been able to reopen the paddling pool at Beachfields, Sheerness yet

New Mayor of Swale Cllr Simon Clark has announced Swale Your Way and Porchlight as his chosen charities for the year ahead

Swale Borough Council has joined local and regional authorities from across the UK in signing a letter to the UK Environment Secretary George Eustice pledging to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) targets on deadly air pollution ten years ahead of the Government's 2040 deadline.

Drivers of electric vehicles could soon have more than double the chance to charge their vehicles with 18 new charging bays across Swale if plans are approved later this month

Local people are being encouraged to have their say on Boughton and Dunkirk’s neighbourhood plan while it’s available for public consultation

Join the planning appeal hearing on 14 June for Greyhound Road, Minster-on-sea.

There's a month to go until we bid for £20 million for Sheerness.

May, 2022

Lifeguards are back on our award-winning beaches

Visitors to local beaches are being asked to take two minutes to help keep them litter free and prevent pollution of our coastline

Council Leaders across North Kent are calling for greater opportunities to plug the local skills gap.

The structure of the Council's committee system has been announced following annual council on Wednesday 18 May.

A Sheerness resident has been fined £635 by Sevenoaks magistrates court last week (11 May) after pleading guilty to carrying scrap metal without a waste carrier’s license of transfer notes

Street parties, BBQs, parties in parks, tree planting and beacon lighting are just some of the events happening around Swale on The Queens Jubilee long weekend

Standards Sub-committee hearing for Councillor Monique Bonney.

Leysdown, Minster Leas and Sheerness beaches have all received blue flags again this year

The Swale Means Business team were one of over 200 exhibitors at yesterday’s (11 May) Business Vision Live event, returning after a two-year hiatus

Swale Borough Council’s cabinet and deputy member for housing visited one of Sittingbourne’s housing development’s last week to see the progress of 140 affordable homes

April, 2022

Village halls, churches, activity centres and car parks are some of the locations around Swale that now have public access defibrillators thanks to grants from Swale Borough Council

Cllr Mike Baldock has become the new leader of Swale Borough Council

The 100-year-old war memorial in Sheerness has been restored

Take a bike out for a spin, join the new car club, and teach the kids how to improve air quality for the first annual KentAir week

Swale Borough Council held its final cabinet meeting last night on Wednesday, 13 April

Councillors have agreed to extend the boundaries of Tunstall and Rodmersham Green conservation areas

Access to a new job and home could be on the cards for people experiencing homelessness in Swale

Swale Borough Council’s motion to condemn violence of any kind against women and children has been passed by councillors

The Coronation Clock Tower in Sheerness will be coming home next month

Swale Borough Council has invested £24,000 to restore the Eastchurch aviation memorial on the Isle of Sheppey

Advice about how to help support the Ukraine.

March, 2022

Charges come into force for replacement blue and green household bins.

Waste Carriers were targeted this week as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping

Cllr Roger Truelove will be standing down as leader of Swale Borough Council after almost three years

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

Swale Borough Council is launching a three-year trial of a local car club in Faversham to help people get convenient access to cleaner vehicles, without the expense and hassle of ownership

Councillors have agreed to designate a new conservation area at Rodmersham Church Street in Sittingbourne

Millfield play area in Faversham will be transformed into a fun, engaging park for children and young people

Work to repair storm damage to the historic TS Hazard building in Faversham will begin soon

People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

The Leader of Swale Council, Roger Truelove, has written to National Highways calling for urgent action to clear up the extensive litter along the A249 between Sittingbourne and Sheppey

The bid for £20 million of funding to revive Sheerness is being discussed by councillors next week

People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s draft electric vehicle (EV) strategy which outlines how the demand for electric vehicles will be met up until 2030

Joint statement from group leaders on the situation in Ukraine

February, 2022

The consultation on plans to try to unlock £20 million of funding for Sheerness has closed

Swale Borough Council has teamed up with Peel Ports and Historic England to commission a condition survey of the Grade I listed boat store in Sheerness

Former Swale councillor Lynd Taylor has died aged 77

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

Swale’s popular beaches earn top marks after last year’s monitoring by the Environment Agency

Swale Borough Council is facing major financial pressures due to covid costs, uncertainty around Government funding, increased expenditure, such as the rising cost of homelessness and loss of income on items such as car parking

People could see the borough's first electric refuse collection vehicle collecting their refuse, recycling and garden waste as part of a trial by Biffa

Swale council is introducing food waste collections for Marine Town residents as part of a three month trial.

Councillors will be reviewing the possible traffic impacts of potential development across the borough next week

People can now have their say on how Swale Borough Council shapes their £20 million levelling up bid to bring real investment to Sheerness

January, 2022

We're writing to local Kent County Councillors to ask them to oppose cuts to homelessness support.

Johnson Road play area in Sittingbourne is looking in better shape after work to spruce up the equipment was carried out

Swale Borough Council’s climate and ecological emergency action plan has been ranked second in Kent by Climate Emergency UK

Swale Borough Council is working on plans to bid for £20 million from the Government’s levelling up fund to regenerate Sheerness and want to hear local people’s ideas

People across Swale are being encouraged to check if they are eligible to receive help under a new scheme being launched to help local householders be warmer in their homes, lower their carbon emissions, and save money on their fuel bills this winter

The £1.3 million creation of a community and business hub at Master’s House in Sheerness begins this month (Jan)

We're currently being sought for Swale’s new waste and street cleansing contract due to start in October 2023.

Borden bowls club has received funding for a bowling wheelchair.

December, 2021

Councillors have approved plans to revitalise Sittingbourne town centre

People struggling to pay their bills, buy warm clothes or feed their family this winter could be eligible for support

Swale council’s Frisbee Golf has been shortlisted for one of Keep Britain Tidy’s annual awards

Bin collections and opening hours for over the festive period.

Cricket players will soon be able to use a brand-new batting net facility at Upchurch cricket club after the club’s previous batting nets astro turf was stolen

People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s proposed budget for the upcoming financial year

People caught dropping litter from a vehicle, or fly tipping waste, could soon receive an automatic fixed penalty notice (FPN) thanks to new cameras that are being trialled in Swale

Councillors will be asked to review Swale Borough Council’s proposed budget for 2022/23 at next week’s cabinet meeting.

November, 2021

People can now have their say on a new conservation area at Rodmersham Church

Councillors at this month’s council meeting listened as Swale Borough Council outlined what it’s doing to increase affordable housing across the borough

More than 11,000 trees will be planted across Swale this winter.

Small and medium sized businesses can get help to cut costs and support growth with a new grant scheme launched by the council.

People wanting to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday can park for free in any council car park.

Santa’s post train is coming to town this year to collect children’s letters and deliver them to the North Pole.

The Mayor Of Swale's Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day message.

Schemes supporting local unemployed people back to work and providing specialist training for local small businesses are among the five projects in Swale that will be sharing more than £1.5 million of funding.

Drivers who leave their engines idling will be targeted as part of a campaign to improve air quality across the borough

We want your views on our draft Local Plan.

Swale Borough Council has strongly rejected claims that the cost of the Local Plan consultation was more than £620,000.

October, 2021

Council keen to hear community views in advance of funding bid

Swale Borough Council has written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Low income families to get help as part of a project to improve digital inclusion.

The leader of Swale Borough Council is urging government to introduce measures to help reduce the pressure on the NHS.

Give us your views on the Council's review of conservation areas in Rodmersham Green and Tunstall.

The leader of Swale Borough Council has requested a meeting with Southern Water.

Swale Borough Council has been recognised with the Gold Pawprint Award.

A scaled back Civic Service of Remembrance is to be delivered by Swale Borough Council.

Swale Borough Council is calling for former care home sites in Faversham to be earmarked for affordable housing.

The High Court has rejected an appeal for permission to build the new Kemsley North energy from waste plant in Sittingbourne.

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park has once again been awarded the Green Flag Award.

Councillors unanimously agree to change the way Swale Borough Council makes decisions.

The historic walled garden at The Mount in Faversham can now be restored to its former glory thanks to a 25-year lease from Swale Borough Council.

Councillors have approved a new planning enforcement strategy and service charter outlining how breaches of planning permission are handled.

September, 2021

Work to restore the Coronation Clock Tower in Sheerness to its former glory will begin next week.

Councillors are being asked to agree the criteria for Swale’s important buildings and green spaces to be placed on the local heritage list.

Local community groups can now apply for funding to help towards buying and installing a public access defibrillator.

Councillors are being asked to approve a £1.48 million contract to maintain and improve Swale’s green spaces

Swale Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve plans for further consultation on the council’s draft local plan after a meeting last night

On August 19, officers for Mid Kent Planning Support team were testing a solution for issues with the software behind the public access site. During this testing an error occurred, which published dummy decision notices on five randomly selected Swale applications on the live system

Councillors are discussing the lack of options for secondary school places in Sittingbourne and Sheppey at the next round of area committee meetings

Swale Borough Council is supporting local organisations and community groups to host 28 events around Swale for Great Big Green Week

August, 2021

People who are self-isolating due to a positive covid test or being pinged by the NHS test and trace app can apply for practical support while they are unable to leave the house

People can join in with a free family event with workshops, tutorials and giveaways to celebrate the launch of The Mill Skatepark

April, 2021

See the latest results for the May 2021 elections.

December, 2020

People who have been financially impacted by the covid pandemic can now apply for a pre-packaged essential food box from Swale Borough Council to help feed their families.