Latest News

October, 2021

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

Garden waste collections have been cancelled for the rest of the week ending 27 August.

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

Visitors to The Glen in Minster will soon be able to enjoy new and improved pond thanks to more than £11,000 from Swale Borough Council

Work on the new, purpose-built bridge at Barton’s Point Coastal Park in Sheerness has finished

Pet owners can now have their animals’ chip checked and have their dog over the age of eight weeks old microchipped for free at two community events in Faversham.

Visitors of Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham town centres will see freshly painted benches, new street signs and alleyway artwork this summer thanks to ongoing work by Swale Borough Council

People can now have their say on conservation areas in Milstead and Sittingbourne

Garden waste collections have been suspended from 2 - 6 August.

Betting Shop Operations Limited application to transfer a licence.

July, 2021

Swale Borough Council has installed new CCTV cameras in in Leysdown to cut down on crime and anti-social behaviour

Waste carriers were targeted last week (23 Jul) as part of another day action to crackdown on fly tipping

People can visit their local parks and green spaces and join in events this week as Love Parks week gets underway.

Next week’s Swale council meeting cancelled due to rising covid cases

Children and young people on free school meals can take part in activities this summer.

The leader of the council urges people to use their common sense as covid restrictions end.

Swale visitors and locals will be able to travel around Sheppey this summer thanks to a new pilot bus service from Swale Borough Council

Read about the annual update the electoral register.

Councillors have voted unanimously to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, which has been presented to the House of Commons.

Temporary road closures in Faversham, Sheerness and Sittingbourne will be removed from 19 July following the Government’s latest announcement on the easing of restrictions.

There is still time to purchase your tickets for Swale borough Council’s 1920s weekend in Sittingbourne.

Voluntary and community groups can bid for money from their local councillor as Swale Borough Council’s member grant scheme opens again.

Children and parents will soon be able to enjoy revamped and freshly painted play areas around the borough this summer thanks to a £28,000 investment from Swale Borough Council.

You could receive a partial refund if you successfully complete a stop smoking course after receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice for dropping a cigarette butt.

Work to restore the Coronation Clock Tower in Sheerness High Street to its former glory is expected to begin in late summer

People visiting beaches this summer will now see lifeguards every day until the end of the summer.

June, 2021

Visitors, mariners, and boat enthusiasts will have access to a new, eco-friendly toilet and shower block at the All Tide Landing at Queenborough harbour this summer, thanks to almost £7,000 from Swale Borough Council

Councillors heard, at last night’s council meeting, how the borough is planning to bounce back stronger than ever from the pandemic

The leader of Swale Borough Council has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to tackling climate change and improving biodiversity by creating a dedicated cabinet position to focus on the issues

People will soon see cleaner residential streets as Swale Borough Council restart their weekly deep cleaning programme

People with mobility challenges now have easier access to Faversham town centre after 10 new disabled parking bays were installed in the town’s car parks

Work begins next week to prepare ground for installation of the new bridge at Barton’s Point next month

A notorious railway bridge will be safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross thanks to a £40,000 investment by Swale Borough Council.

Visitors to Minster Leas beach can now use the brand-new toilet block near the promenade.

Councillors have agreed the principles for the new waste collection and street cleansing contract that begins in late 2023.

A local business has been fined £1,000 for breaching covid legislation.

People are being asked how to decide which local buildings and green spaces make a positive contribution to the character of the borough.

People are being asked to have their say on how Swale Borough Council deals with breaches of planning permission.

After more than 18 months, the Swale Youth Forum will be meeting again in September.

May, 2021

We're asking for your views on the criteria we'll use to list assets on the local heritage list.

We're asking for your views on the Avenue of Remembrance memorial in Sittingbourne.

We're asking for your views on whether to permanently close Swale's town centre roads.

Locals, out-of-towners and repeat offenders that have been fly-tipping in Marine Parade in Sheerness have been fined more than £9,000.

Leysdown, Minster Leas and Sheerness beaches have all received the coveted blue flags this year.

Businesses in Swale have taken the top spot in Kent by borrowing 10 electric vans from Kent County Council’s (KCC) Kent Realising Electric Vans Scheme (REVS).

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

Swale Borough Council urges electric scooter users to comply with the law by only using them on private land where they have permission to ride.

Disadvantaged children aged 0-7 years old on the Isle of Sheppey could soon receive additional support from local charity Children and Families following a grant of almost £40,000 from Swale Borough Council.

See the latest results for the May 2021 elections.

If you voted yesterday and want to know what happens next, you’re in the right place.

April, 2021

New toilets at Milton Creek Country Park are now open for visitors.

People crossing the bridge from Sheerness High Street over to Tesco’s can enjoy seeing the flowing Moat without rubbish floating along the top.

Swale Borough Council has committed an initial £45,000 to carry out maintenance in some of the 13 closed churchyards they are responsible for around the borough.

Swale Borough Council will be hosting a free compost giveaway on Saturday, 24 April from 10am to 2pm.

Flowers are beginning to bloom around Swale as the spring weather encourages daffodils, tulips and hyacinth buds to open.

Six elections are taking place next month on 6 May and deadlines for registering for the different ways to vote are fast approaching.

Thoughtless vandals have destroyed two dog waste bins at the Rectory Playing Fields in Sittingbourne.

We're removing the temporary bridge at Barton's Point Coastal Park to help nesting swans.

March, 2021

People urged to act responsibly this Easter weekend

On Thursday 6 May residents in Swale will have their say on who represents them at Kent County Council, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Swale Borough Council Sheerness Ward by-election, Warden Parish Council by-election and Faversham Town Council by-elections for Abbey Ward, Priory Ward & Watling Ward.

Swale Borough Council is preparing to oversee the elections taking place on May 6, 2021.

The leader of Swale Borough Council is warning local people not to be complacent about the number of new coronavirus cases.

Councillors have approved plans that will save around 70 tonnes of carbon a year through the first stage of the refurbishment of Swale House.

Community organisations that support Swale’s most vulnerable residents, will receive a share of £55,000 from Swale Borough Council’s winter support scheme.

The site of a watermill dating back to Roman times is being improved for the local community.

Swale Borough Council will be placing stickers on household waste and recycling bins over the coming weeks to help residents cut down on recycling contamination.

Swale Borough Council’s 1920s weekend is set to go ahead in July after being postponed last year due to lockdown.

An Eastchurch resident carrying scrap metal in Minster has been prosecuted by Swale Borough Council for carrying controlled waste without a waste carrier licence, scrap dealer licence or waste transfer notes.

Work to replace the severely storm-damaged roof of Swallows Leisure Centre has been completed.

New signs reminding people that not every disability is visible have been installed on all disabled toilets around the borough.

Councillors are being asked to approve funding to repair the Coronation Clock Tower in Sheerness High Street.

A council scheme to help children think about the air they breathe has been awarded a government grant of more than £100,000.

Visitors to Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park will be able to find out more about the site’s history and biodiversity thanks to a grant of more than £8,000 from Swale Borough Council.

Work has begun to install two new disabled parking bays at the Little Oyster car park at Minster Leas.

Sheppey Sea Cadets have been granted £15,000 from Swale Borough Council’s special project fund to go towards the costs of their headquarters at Barton’s Point.

Councillors are being asked to approve changes to four conservation areas in Borden Parish, and one in Tonge.

Councillors are being asked to approve Swale Borough Council’s health and wellbeing plan to address the health inequalities across the borough.

Masters House in Sheerness could receive a £1.3 million upgrade if Swale Borough Council’s low carbon refurbishment proposals are agreed at next week’s cabinet meeting.

People can now take part in Swale Borough Council’s waste and street cleansing survey.

A man has been fined £400 for fly-tipping household clearance waste in Shellness Road car park in Leysdown.

February, 2021

Band D households in Swale will be asked to pay just £3.54 per week for Swale Borough Council services in the coming financial year.

Local communities can have their say on council decision making for their community at the next round of area committee meetings in March.

A Queenborough trader has been sentenced by Maidstone Crown Court for environmental waste offences.

Councillors have agreed to extend Swale Borough Council’s local plan review consultation to Friday, 30 April.

Swale Borough Council has planted 600 trees in Milton Creek Country Park.

The iconic clock tower in Sheerness High Street has been fenced off due to safety concerns about the structure.

Councillors will observe a minute’s silence following the death of Sheerness councillor Mark Ellen at tomorrow night’s full council meeting. Cllr Ellen lived in Sheerness for nearly 40 years, and was first elected to the council in 2005.

Work has begun to install a temporary phone mast in Central Car Park in Faversham. EE have been granted an 18 month licence for a temporary mast at the site whilst they identify a permanent site.

Councillors are being asked to extend Swale Borough Council’s local plan review consultation to Friday, 30 April.

Read the latest about bin collections following the recent bad weather.

Crews have been working hard to catch up on delayed general waste collections following last week’s snow.

Waste Carriers were targeted on Friday (12 Feb) as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly-tipping.

Swale Borough Council has agreed to make funding available to help boost cycling and walking in Faversham.

Councillors agree to go out to consultation on the draft Local Plan Review.

Peter Morgan given the honour of Freeman of the Borough of Swale at a special meeting of the council.

Swale council is working with local volunteers to provide free essential transport to covid-19 vaccination sites in the borough.

Councillors are being asked to approve the award of a three-year enforcement service contract to LA Support Ltd.

Band D households in Swale will be asked to pay just £3.54 per week for Swale Borough Council services, if budget plans are approved later this month.

After discussions the decision has been made to extend the temporary road closures that are currently in place.

January, 2021

One hundred and ninety-seven families impacted by covid have received pre-packaged essential food boxes through Swale Borough Council’s covid winter support scheme.

Swale Borough Council are urging anyone who might have information about a white and brown springer spaniel that was found in Iwade to come forward.

People still have two weeks to have their say on Swale Borough Council’s health and wellbeing plan

Councillors are being asked to approve Swale Borough Council’s draft local plan for 2022-2038.

Council Leader Roger Truelove responded to questions from Cllr Julian Saunders at last week’s council meeting (6 Jan) about the much-needed upgrade of Brenley Corner in Faversham.

Swale Borough Council will now save more than 30 tonnes of carbon every year with a fleet of nine new electric vehicles.

December, 2020

Seven residents and a business owner have been given fines totalling £2,200 for fly-tipping and littering in Sheerness.

Council Leader says Planning at all levels of government becomes a difficult task when the messages and instructions keep changing so radically.

Swale Borough Council’s most recent finance report shows how the council is coping with a nearly £4 million gap in this year’s funding.

Swale Borough Council is working to improve air quality for residents living in Keycol Hill in Sittingbourne after a new Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

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.

The Standards Subcommittee considered a report from the Monitoring Officer regarding the conduct of a Swale Councillor.

People can now have their say on Swale Borough Council’s health and wellbeing improvement plan, designed to help address health inequalities across the borough.

Cllr Roger Truelove is disappointed to see that Swale is again being reported as having the highest infection rate in the country.

A Sittingbourne resident who had their music equipment seized by Swale Borough Council has been found guilty of flouting anti-social behaviour laws by playing loud music throughout the day and night.

The Kent and Medway Health and Wellbeing Board answers questions from the public on the Covid-19 Local Outbreak Control Plan.

People living in temporary accommodation who have previously slept rough will soon be able to move into more permanent housing thanks to more than £380,000 from the government’s Next Steps Accommodation Fund.

There may be delays to waste and recycling collections this week as more members of staff have had to self-isolate to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Leader of Swale Council says that whilst the news of vaccines against coronavirus is welcome, now is not the time to relax.

Swale Borough Council has contributed £20,000 to foodbanks in Swale to help support the people most in need this winter.

November, 2020

People living with dementia will soon be able to access council services more easily as Swale Borough Council becomes dementia-friendly.

The Government has announced that Swale, along with the rest of Kent and Medway, will be placed into Tier 3 – Very High, from 2 December

An emergency meeting has taken place to help tackle the number of cases of coronavirus in Swale.

Swale could face a longer period of high-level restrictions for people’s social life and the economy if the rate of covid infection cannot be contained.

Businesses that have been forced to close or have been severely affected by the new restrictions can apply for one of the following business grants from Swale Borough Council: Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) or Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).

Councillors have approved a three-year plan that will stimulate the borough’s economy by securing investment and infrastructure, supporting local business and improving skills.

With new national restrictions in place, Swale Borough Council is taking action to help support local people and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November and Armistice Day, 11 November the borough will stand with the nation to remember all of the people who have lost their lives in armed conflicts.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday, we are working to prepare for the new restrictions coming into place on Thursday.

October, 2020

Swale’s new Visitor Economy Framework Action Plan, which outlines how Swale Borough Council will work with local businesses to attract more visitors to the borough, has been approved.

People will soon have a space to explore their creative and artist talents as Swale Media Arts Centre take over the lease at No 34 High Street in Sittingbourne.

Leading members of Swale Borough Council met with Andrew Scott-Clark, Director of Public Health at Kent County Council (KCC), yesterday (26 Oct) to discuss the recorded rise of Covid infections in Swale.

Swale Borough Council is proposing to set up a housing company to help deliver affordable homes for local people.

People will soon be able to get food and drink from the new kiosk at Faversham Rec after councillors approve the lease for local company HatHats Coffee.

Parks and green spaces across the country have raised their Green Flag Award with pride in a year when millions of people have seen the value of having great quality green spaces on their doorstep

More businesses across the borough will be checked to make sure they’re operating safely during the pandemic.

Waste carriers were targeted this week as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping. Swale Borough Council teamed up with Kent Police’s Rural Task Force to carry out enquiries, arrest people suspected of fly tipping, seize vehicles and collate evidence with a view to prosecuting offenders for waste related crimes.

A Sittingbourne resident has had their music equipment seized by Swale Borough Council after continuously flouting anti-social behaviour laws.

Swale towns, villages and community gardens have been recognised for their outstanding horticulture, environment and community work in this year’s south and south east in bloom competition.

People needing extra support this winter can now reach out to Swale Borough Council’s Fuel and Water Home Adviser Service for help and advice.

Shoppers and visitors to town centres will continue to have 30 minutes free parking added to their parking tickets until 10 January.

People are being encouraged to walk and cycle more and drive less for this year’s Clean Air Day.

Councillors have approved the appointment of Larissa Reed as the new chief executive of Swale Borough Council.

People will soon be able to use the new toilet facilities in Milton Park country park thanks to a £75,000 investment from Swale Borough Council.

Volunteers collected 200 bags of litter from around the borough last month as they took part in the Great British September Clean.

People are being asked if there need to be any changes to conservation areas in Borden Parish and at Tonge.

September, 2020

Read about the changes we're going to make to certain email addresses from our Council Tax, business rates and benefits services.

A vehicle believed to be used for repeat fly tipping incidents around Swale has been crushed after being seized by Swale Borough Council Environmental Officers and Kent Police’s Rural Task Force during a crackdown on fly tipping.

Swale Borough Council’s stray dog service has been highlighted as one of the best in the country by the RSPCA for the twelfth year in a row.

People still have a few days to submit their opinion on the proposed changes to Swale Borough Council’s housing allocation policy.

Information about the 2020 electoral register updated.

Councillors will review the projected financial impact of COVID at this week’s cabinet meeting

Councillors have approved plans for a new 9-lane bowling alley in Sittingbourne.

Swale Borough Council has received more than £180,000 from the government’s Next Steps Accommodation Programme to help provide interim accommodation and support to rough sleepers.

Tackling poor air quality St Paul’s Street and Keycol Hill

£1.9 million transformation of Faversham Rec

Thirteen Kent councils have teamed up with the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP) to write to the Magistrates Association to urge greater collaboration efforts to tackle fly tipping and waste crime across the county.

People can now have their say on how Swale Borough Council plans to stimulate the borough’s economy.

The Old Forge War Time House in Sittingbourne will be getting grants of more than £10,000 to help repair the roof.

People exploring Oare Marshes nature reserve can once again refill their water bottles from the Harty Ferry Well.

Councillors have approved powers that allow Swale Borough Council to issue fixed penalty notices to people who leave their vehicle idling while not in use.

People can now have their say on how Swale Borough Council allocates social housing.

From July 2020 if you miss a Council Tax instalment we may now contact you by phone, text message or email to reminder you that your Council Tax payment is due before we send a reminder by post.

Toilets closed for substantial repairs

We're looking for local not-for-profits and commercial organisations to run the new catering kiosk at Faversham Rec

Easier access to healthy living centre in Sheerness with new disabled car parking

Government figures show we had the second highest reduction in rough sleepers in the country

The streets will be even cleaner streets thanks to doubling of deep cleans

Sing, dance and drink at Sittingbourne’s Wassail celebration this Saturday (1 Feb) at Lakeview Village Hall

With the slight easing of lockdown, many of us can now spend more time outdoors, but please remember to use your common sense.

Due to essential updates, our online e-claim system won't be available on Saturday, 25 April, between 9am and 1pm

Swale Borough Council’s cabinet will receive an update on the financial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) next week.

Councillors are being asked to agree locations and contractors for a new toilet block along Minster Leas beach front

We have reopened tenders to refurbish the street furniture in Sheerness town centre, following a pause during COVID-19

Swale Borough Council will now have additional officers patrolling the boroughs bathing beaches to provide an additional layer of support to beach goers.

Three households who were in temporary accommodation after the cliff collapse in Eastchurch have been told they are able to return home.

Micro businesses who have been severely impacted by COVID-19 could now be eligible for a discretionary grant from Swale Borough Council.

August, 2020

We're investing more than £218,000 to help rough sleepers get off the streets for good

Waste carriers targeted as part of a day of action to crackdown on fly tipping

Bourne Place multi-storey car park in Sittingbourne is now open 24 hours a day every day

The cabinet is being asked to approve an action plan to tackle the climate and ecological emergency across the borough.

People will be able to help save marine life at our beaches thanks to new recycling bins

Update on our work to provide essential services during the coronavirus crisis

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced measures to support small businesses in response to the coronavirus outbreak

The 20’s spectacular planned for Sittingbourne has been put on hold until next year.

read the terms and conditions for our reuse competition

We have launched an appeal to raise money for the voluntary and community groups helping support local people during the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out about change to our council tax reduction scheme

Players at Faversham Strike Force Football Club could soon have a new boiler thanks to our £6,000 grant

You've got until the end of February to apply for a council sports grant

Defra is warning that areas of moderate and higher air pollution levels are possible across southern England this weekend

Additional business rates measures that will apply from 1 April 2020.

Plans to increase the amount of affordable housing available for local people will be discussed next week.

The leader of the council shares his thoughts on the ongoing response to the coronavirus

Faversham Pools has a brand-new heating system following our £93,000 grant

The amount of domestic waste being collected across Swale has increased by almost ten percent compared to last year.

Councillors are being asked to approve an ambitious budget for the upcoming year

People in Painters Forstal are one step closer to a new community hall thanks to a £50,000 grant

£200,000 to refurbish and install new public toilets in Faversham, Leysdown and Minster Leas

The leader of the council responds to the ongoing coronavirus crisis

New monitoring tubes to check air quality in Faversham

Thank you for your understanding of the cancellation of our garden waste service last week

We've made changes to parking restrictions to help local people stay safe at home during the coronavirus outbreak

The cabinet is being asked to approve a public space CCTV policy for managing the in-house CCTV system

Get active on the new state of the art gym equipment installed at Faversham Rec

Find out about changes to empty property exemptions for council tax

Some council meetings will resume next week after being suspended during lockdown

Funding to help support vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis is available from Kent Community Foundation

Councillors have approved changes to the council tax reduction scheme

Let us know what you think about changes to our street trading policy

From Monday 3 August, you'll be able to search the Local Land Charges Register by using our mapping system.

The deputy leader has been appointed our heritage champion

We've given Citizens Advice Swale £20,000 to support their free advice service to local residents

Frontline staff from across Kent and Medway are leading this weekend’s stay-at-home appeal to residents during the ongoing lockdown

£10,000 to get water flowing again at Oare Marshes artesian well

Councillors are being asked to approve changes to the council tax reduction scheme

Garden waste collections are being suspended so we can focus on other collections due to the impact of coronavirus

We received more than 700 entries from schoolchildren in Sittingbourne for the annual flowerbed design competition

You've got until the end of February to get a grant from your councillor to help improve your local community.

He have opened our member grants scheme to help voluntary and community groups provide coronavirus support

Children will be able to enjoy a refurbished play area in Newington later this year thanks to our £20,000 grant

An update from the leader about our work during lockdown.

There’s still time for local groups and organisations to apply for funding for environmental projects

The small minority of motorbike users who are riding irresponsibly risk having their bikes seized by police

The chief executive of Swale Borough Council, Mark Radford, has died.

The leader of the council has welcomed the improved funding announcement to meet extra costs in dealing with coronavirus

People are being reminded to avoid unnecessary travel to coastal areas and other popular open spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus

We're supporting people with no-one to help them get food or essential items while they are self-isolating

Help shape and protect the future of the park and historical buildings

We've adopted a new strategy to protect and celebrate the borough’s heritage

New grant scheme to support local foodbanks

Visitors to the popular Shingle Bank beach can now park on the bank thanks to a new height restriction barrier

The old damaged bridge between Barton’s Point Coastal Park and the Queenborough Lines has been removed

If you need help with food, find a foodbank near you.

People should not be visiting beaches or country parks this weekend

We're working to make sure no-one is sleeping on the streets

Find out what progress we've made on our targets after declaring a climate and ecological emergency last year.