Ask the Leader

​Dear Mr G

Firstly please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.
Government guidance on how to calculate the supply of housing land is set out in the national planning practice guidance.  It addresses the issues that should be covered but is not specific in terms of providing a methodology or set approach to how housing land supply should be calculated. However, when calculating the Housing Land Supply, a buffer should always be applied to ensure flexibility and choice.  In normal circumstances, the buffer is set at 5%.
In 2019, the government introduced the Housing Delivery Test.  Local planning authorities that deliver below 85% of their target have to apply a 20% to their housing supply calculation.  Swale failed the Housing Delivery Test for 2019 and 2020 and was required to apply a 20% in both of these cases. It is unfortunate that there were miscalculations and the Council onerously thought it had achieved a 5 year housing land supply.  The statement for the monitoring year 2020/21 is currently being prepared and measures are in place to safeguard against miscalculation in this and future statements. 
The reasons for the Council not having a 5 year housing land supply are many and varied.  Many of the factors are beyond the control of the Council.  These includes infrastructure capacity issues such as the delays to the improvements at M2(J5), the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit (i.e. the supply of labour and materials) and the general state of the economy.  The Council believes it is doing all it can to ensure that a 5 year housing land supply is achieved.  This includes progressing with the local plan review to identify the sites needed to meet our housing needs that will increase to 1048 per annum from 2022 and progressing with new policies that support SME housebuilders and homes for older people.  Planning applications are being processed in accordance with the required/agreed timescale. 
Securing a 5 year housing land supply is a priority and the Council has looked at ways housing delivery in the Borough can be improved.  This is set out in the Council’s Housing Delivery Test Action Plan that will be published shortly. It sets out more detail on the challenges faced and on the actions the Council is undertaking to increase supply and secure a 5 year HLS position.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​

​Dear Ms B
Thank you for your question and many apologies for the delay in responding.
The responsibility for bringing forward the junction improvements lie with Kent County Council as the Highways and Transportation Authority for the area.  With regard to the A2 / A251 Junction, the Council as the Local Planning Authority has secured and will be securing additional funds from new housing development through S.106 developer contributions towards the cost of the junction improvements being promoted by the County Council.  These monies are passed onto KCC accordingly.  To date we secured a commitment of approximately £750,000.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

​Dear Mr B
Thank you for our recent question.
The Council has been using a guide of notifying properties within a 50m distance of a red line on major housing schemes of 50 dwellings or more.  The 50 metre distance from the red line boundary of the Nelson Road site only includes one side of Nelson Avenue and Scocles Road.  The properties on the other side of both these roads are in excess of 65metres from the red edge.  However, in response to this issue, the Council has arranged for all resident households in Nelson Avenue and Scocles Road plus those in Back Street on this application to be notified and the consultation period to be extended to enable the full 21 days for any comments to be submitted.  The letters should be sent out by 11 June. 
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​

​Dear K
Thank you for recent question regarding new development within the Sittingbourne area and associated highways and transportation infrastructure.
The Council is very concerned that the highways and transportation network should have the capacity to handle future growth including that generated through new development expected by Central Government,  As a Council we are continually applying pressure to ensure that sufficient funding and support is provided.
With regard to the M2 Junction 5 with the A249, Highways England have brought forward proposals for a major improvement to the capacity of the junction and these have been subject to a public inquiry.  The outcome of this should be announced in the next few weeks and once confirmed would expect the works to be completed in 18 months.  It should be noted that the Council has restricted the amount of development that can take place in advance of the junction works given the current capacity issues.  Additionally, funding has been made available for A249 junctions with A2 London Road and the Grovehurst roundabout at Iwade.  These schemes should follow on shortly after the M2J5 improvements.
The Council has also secured significant funding to support public transport and alternative access initiatives through developer agreements upon granting of planning permissions.  These initiatives should secure some reduction in anticipated growth of vehicular traffic over the coming years.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

​Dear Mr A
Thank you for your recent question.
With regards to ownership of land, Swale Borough Council only holds records of the land that it owns and any enquiries related to availability should be directed to the Property Services Team at propertyservices@swale.gov.uk HM Land Registry holds records of all the registered land and searches are available online.
Unfortunately identifying a suitable and appropriate area of land for off road bikes is very difficult due to the various ecological designations on the Isle of Sheppey, such as the marshland and finding somewhere that does not cause statutory noise nuisance to neighbours. Any proposal for a track would need planning permission and the effect on neighbouring properties from noise and dust etc would play a major factor in gaining permission.  As such we have not been able to identify any suitable land and this includes that formerly used at Barton’s Point Coastal Park which was subject of noise complaints from local properties. 
I sorry it has not been possible to identify a suitable piece of land to use for off road biking but I wish you well in your endeavours to find somewhere.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr G
Thank you for your recent question, which was received by my office on 12 May.
Kent County Council (KCC) hold responsibility for road closures and repair, therefore, I have included the link to the KCC website that gives you the information you need to report and inform KCC.
https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/roads 
Please note that  KCC are not responsible for motorways or trunk roads in Kent, so please contact Highways England https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roads-managed-by-the-highways-agency
I am sorry we are unable to assist any further, If you would like to make a complaint direct to KCC, please do so via their online form and website: https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/complaints-and-compliments
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​

​Dear Mr A,
Thank you for your recent question.
Requiring new houses to be built with solar panels seems like an obvious way of delivering renewable energy and negating the need to have solar farms.  However, solar panels are not effective on all buildings. For optimum performance, panels need to be south facing.  Shading is another consideration.  Other buildings or trees, even chimneys, can impact on the effectiveness of solar panels if they cast a shadow.  All new developments need to meet building regulations around energy efficiency and water efficiency and there are other technologies that could be more appropriate for a particular dwelling type or location so those requirements are met in other ways.
The houses currently being built around Faversham and elsewhere in the Borough were granted planning permission under the policies in the current adopted Local Plan, Bearing Fruits.  The Council’s Local Plan Review seeks to secure more stringent renewable energy requirements including the use of solar panels and more sustainable design and construction with a greater emphasis on water efficiency and use of sustainable drainage systems.
The solar farm proposal at Graveney Marshes was determined and granted permission by the Secretary of State as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Swale Borough Council did not support these proposals.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr W
Thank you for your recent question.  I have consulted with officers and can advise as follows:
The AQMA (no 6) at Ospringe was originally declared in 2011 and extended in 2016 to include The Mount. The AQMA was declared for exceedances  of the annual average Air Quality Objective (AQO) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which is 40ug/m3. There is also an hourly AQO for NO2 of 200ug/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year. This hourly objective is not being breached at Ospringe or in any of the other AQMA’s within the borough.
Monitoring is undertaken in Ospringe by way of continuous monitoring equipment (site name ZW3) and also Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes (Tube Numbers SW22, 28,29, 30, 31, 32, 95 and 96). All monitoring data can be accessed via the Kent & Medway Air Quality Partnerships website www.kent.org.uk On the website, the latest data for the Ospringe continuous monitoring site can be accessed as can hour by hour data for any chosen period u​sing the ‘Download monitoring data’ tab. 
Levels of NO2 have fallen in the Ospringe AQMA over the past few years with a number of the Diffusion Tubes sites and also the continuous monitoring site being below the annual average AQO. Swale Borough Council has a Strategic Air Quality Action Plan which considers more wider measures to improve air quality across the whole district as well as measures specific to individual AQMAs.  
I hope this answers your question.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance​
​​

​Dear S
Thank you for your recent question, I have consulted with the Public Transport Unit at Kent County Council and they have advised me as follows:
Homewood Avenue and Borden Lane are both bus routes and have been for many years, although there are a couple of recent changes to schools services that may have prompted such an enquiry.
Up until last year school services were allowed onto Westland School grounds where there was a drop off and pick up area designated for buses. Unfortunately the decision was made by the school to close this facility and buses are now forced to stop on Adelaide Drive. I suspect that some of these services continue to Borden Lane as they are unable to turn around in Adelaide Drive, or it may be that they are coming into Adelaide from Homewood Avenue having also served Fulston/Borden and Highsted.
In addition recent developments with respect to the Covid pandemic have meant that a number of duplicate vehicles are now operating on these services to ensure social distancing can be maintained while providing extra capacity to get all children to school safely. This has meant an increase in buses. We have also seen a drop in the uptake of Kent Travel Saver and we believe that many parents are choosing to drive their children contributing to an increase in congestion around school sites. The districts parking enforcement team may be able to confirm this and may be able to provide some targeted enforcement in this area?
I hope this provides some useful information. Of course the majority of these public school buses are provided by operators on a commercial basis and it is they who are responsible for timetables, routing and vehicles used. I am not aware that Borden Lane has any width or weight restriction placed on it so operators would be free to use this road.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​

​Dear Ms H,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding Caravan Park Homes remaining open during the closed winter season 2020/21. 
In accordance with Government guidelines set out by the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, Caravan Parks have been permitted to remain open during Corona Virus restrictions to protect vulnerable groups such as those who would have otherwise been made homeless as a result of closures, and key workers who need to stay in a particular local area to carry out their work. Caravan Park Homes have been instructed to remain closed to all other occupants who do not fall within these categories. 
The Government has also issued guidance to support the culture and tourism sectors, with local planning authorities being encouraged to exercise discretion to enable holiday sites to remain open over the winter season. In response to this, Swale BC has invited holiday parks to either apply for temporary planning permission covering the period up to the 1st March 2021, or submit a Planning Contravention Notice detailing their intention to stay open throughout winter 2020/21. Park homes that remain open beyond their usual summer season will be required to follow the governments national Covid-19 secure guidelines and adhere to Tier 3 restrictions to protect customers, visitors and staff. 
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​

​Dear Ms P
I am pleased to confirm that there is no intention of closing the Forum car park, even with the opening of the MSCP. It is important that we offer residents a variety of options and recognise that different groups use car parks for different reasons. With the opening of the cinema, bowling and restaurants soon and with the hotel, we need to have these extra spaces.
You are correct that the MSCP cannot offer disabled parking concessions due to the fact it is a barrier entry car park and not staffed all the time. Therefore, there is no way of allowing free entry and exit. For this reason we increased the number of disabled spaces when the Forum car park was redesigned as part of the regeneration works. 
I hope this answers your query.
Kind regards
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance​
​​

​Dear Ms G
Thank you for your recent question and
the points you have brought to my attention.
 
I can advise that the Sea Front Team have
been updated and they will be keeping an extra eye out over the coming weeks. 
We do clean the area in question and the
Beach Cleaning team will ensure that any issues are addressed as and when they
find them. 
We have experienced an uplift in issues
of litter, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour over the recent months and are
working with a range of partners and authorities to try and address as many of
the issues as we can. 
We have security patrolling the area
between 10am – 6pm and will also ensure that they are made aware. 
Kind regards 
Cllr Roger Truelove 
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance​​
​

Dear Mr Cox
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
The issue of birds as pests is the responsibility of the property or landowner concerned.  Where the birds are wild or feral they have certain protections within the Wildlife and Countryside Act which restrict how and which birds can be controlled by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) licensed contractors. 
 
Where bird populations thrive due to nesting under solar panels it is the owners or landowner’s responsibility to pest proof the panels.  Solar panel schemes such as Solar Together Kent which Swale Borough Council support provide owners with this option when panels are installed. 
 
Our role is to advise owners and landlords to protect their property on the basis that prevention is better than retrospective proofing for birds.  We only take action if officers consider there is a demonstrable risk to public health or safety under statutory nuisance or community protection legislation with the circumstances being considered on a case by case basis.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance
​
​

Dear Mr S
 
Thank you for your question.
 
I can advise that the building was insured. The insurer’s position is that much of the damage was caused by wear and tear. This is not an unreasonable position for the insurer.
 
There were a number of options and we choose to replace both roofs (sports hall/pool hall and the one over the reception café), separate roofs but same design which are 30 years old and had a life expectancy of 25 years.
 
The pool hall roof was damaged in the storm and the insurance have agreed to fund an element for repair, but the wider roof was not covered by the insurance as it was not damaged by the storm.
 
The works last year decorated the internal space frame and patched repaired some areas that were leaking.
 
The works have commenced and are due for completion in November. There will be some additional disruption when the smaller (café) roof is done. The pool hall and sports hall remain closed and will not open until the whole project is completed.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr L
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
I can advise that the team work hard to prevent fly tipping. We undertake lots of work to prevent fly tipping. As an example, we are aware that the majority of fly tips in Swale are from household waste. To combat this we have undertaken various campaigns via the press, on billboards and on social media to promote the Duty of Care messages. This is the legal duty on all persons who have waste removed, to ensure that the waste is taken away by a registered carrier. This allows us to find the person responsible for dumping the waste. Failure to do so may result in a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution.
 
As another example we undertake regular operations with the police to target anyone carrying waste on the Highway. This may be intelligence led via information gathered by us or other local authorities. We then request waste carrier documentation and carry out checks on where the waste has come from and where it is going. By working with the police, we have seized some vehicles for offences as a result of this operation.
 
We focus on our top 10 fly tipping hot spots each month. We often deploy signs at these locations to deter fly tipping. Alternatively, we may deploy cameras to catch offenders. I appreciate that this is not always possible, especially in the area where you live as some of the roads in that area are subjected to fly tipping in slightly different locations along the same road. This makes surveillance more challenging.
 
In relation to the littering issues our Enforcement Officers issued over 1000 Fixed penalty notices across swale and regularly patrol the High Streets.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr C
 
Thank you for your interest in the 20mph scheme in Faversham.
 
Department for Transport and KCC are funding the experimental traffic regulation order for the implementation of Faversham's 20mph limit, and the work required to put it into place.
 
Creating healthier, safer and cleaner streets requires the co-ordination of all strands of government, both national, local and across varies departments within the civil service.
 
Only recently the PM has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code, which would introduce a hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.
 
At the end of July the DfT launched "Gear Change, a bold vision for cycling and walking,
and one of the key contributors to this document was Phil Jones Associates, who designed the 20mph scheme for Faversham and have a proven track record in designing schemes that bring safer streets, healthier residents by encouraging walking and cycling and breathing less polluted air as there will be fewer cars on the roads of Faversham.
 
Earlier this month, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State with responsibility for cycling and walking, launched which also has much input from PJA the designers of our Faversham 20mph scheme.
 
I agree that local residents must have a say in whether the 20mph limit is made permanent, or what changes they feel are needed to the scheme.
For that reason Faversham Town Council have launched a website to collate residents views. Kent County Council also have a website detailing the 20mph scheme, and from 18th September 2020, the KCC consultation will open.
 
The main benefit of a 20mph limit is that it saves lives and makes the area that it covers a much more pleasant place to live. However it also saves tax payers money because there are few collisions and the collisions that do happen are less costly to the NHS, less time on accident investigation and the time of our emergency services and fewer post accident road repairs.
 
The 20mph scheme in Faversham is designed to reduce the number of cross town car journeys, and there is a good bus service. Clearly not all commuters will be able to use public transport to get to their place of work, however there will also be some that will decide that instead of driving their commute to work, they will cycle or walk instead, particularly within Faversham.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr C
 
Thank you for your question.
 
The information we have from the CCG and acute Trusts is there are no plans or requirements to add an additional acute hospital to serve Swale.  We are currently reviewing our Local Plan and the infrastructure needs to service this through the infrastructure delivery plan, this take into accounts all needs, based upon the modelling and demand predictions provided from the relevant organisations.  Primary care does of course feature in terms of additional need reflected by the population growth and these will feature in our revised Local Plan.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr T
 
Thank you for your e mail.
 
We have had many complaints from chalet owners and I understand the frustration that you feel.
 
Chalet homes are included in the tax base that we calculate for the annual budget process. That applies for the borough council, KCC, Police and Fire-whilst the borough collects all Council Tax we keep only around 10% of it and pass on the remainder.
 
During lockdown all Councils have had to continue to provide services which Council Tax funds- whether that’s schools, social care or Police and Fire services.
 
Whilst Councils have received some Government funding its massively short of the estimated additional costs and loss of income which we are incurring. Across the county this figure is £262m.
 
For Swale we have an estimated impact of £4.1m and we have received £1.6m from Government.
 
So the overall impact of this is that we are not able to give Council tax reductions.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Ms W
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
Household Waste Recycling Centres are operated by and the responsibility of Kent County Council.  Here is a link to their frequently asked questions which will provide you with information about restricted access.
 
If customers do not have access to the internet or have an email address, it is possible to telephone their customer service team who will complete the online form on their behalf.  The number is 03000 41 73 73.
 
You indicated that such restrictions were understandable for the peak of the pandemic but less so now.  Due to the risk that infection numbers could start to rise again, local authorities have to continue to implement measures to protect the public and their staff.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr P
 
Many thanks for your email and continued interest in the Sheppey area.
 
We are of course aware of the continued coastal erosion around the Island. The Shoreline Management Plan is created by a range of local authorities and national organisations such as Environment Agency. This sets out the policy for what action can and should be taken. Working with national partners, large parts of the coastline have been defended from the risks of flooding or erosion.
 
Some areas, due to their significant natural special interest or where the costs of defending the land outweigh the potential loss are unfortunately left for ‘no active intervention’. Where an area is set at ‘no active intervention’, the Council is unable to access Government funding and the costs of a scheme (such as those you mention) are beyond the ability of a small Borough Council to undertake. As a new administration, we are looking at the options for these areas and how we might change their designation.
 
Can I thank you again for suggestion.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Ms H,
 
Thank you for your Ask the Leader question regarding hours of construction. We do offer guidance on this as follows, but this is not mandatory.
 
Typical noise issues we can deal with:

amplified noise ie Televisions, radios and stereos
house and car alarms
barking dogs
DIY and car repairs
domestic appliances
excessive general domestic noise
noise from cockerels
ice cream vans
bird scarers - view the NFU code of practice
noise from building sites and demolition work

There are no specific laws relating to professional builders working during certain times. We suggest the following guidelines - Monday to Friday 7.30am - 6pm and Saturdays 7.30am - 1pm with no work carried out on Saturday afternoons, Sundays or Bank Holidays. Remember these are guidelines only. Any complaint received will be investigated fully to see if it constitutes a statutory nuisance.
 
In relation to your neighbours’ extension the Council has not restricted working hours by a planning condition. It is not normal to do so on small projects in order to allow householders to carry out works themselves, but we would expect neighbours to be considerate towards others. If you consider that the works require further investigation please register a complaint via the Council’s website.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr C
 
I am sorry to hear of the electrical issues you have identified, although you appear to have successfully cured through your own electrical skills and abilities.
 
Unfortunately, from the Council’s perspective we have no powers or functions which relate directly to the quality control of electrical fittings in new development.  As far as building regulations are concerned, Part P certification is acceptable and the installation deemed to be approved.
 
All Electrical equipment that is being sold in the UK and Europe is required to be CE Marked under the Low Voltage Directive (typically shortened to ‘LVD’). This should confirm the quality of the fitting.  The Directive applies to electrical equipment that operates between 50 to 1000 volts for alternating current.  CE Marking Electrical equipment for the European market has been mandatory since 1997.  One of the problems is fake goods which may have a marking and this is the remit of trading standards.
 
Therefore, the only suggestion I can make to follow up this issue is to try the NICEIC as they were the approval body for the electrician who self-certified the installation.  They may be able to give guidance.  Some information can be gleamed on http://www.checkmynotification.com/
 
Sorry I can’t assist you further           
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr C
 
Thank you for your interesting question.
 
Council Tax like, our national taxes, are what we all pay for the public services, some of which we obviously share and some of which provide us with personal services.  Your Council Tax helps to provide services from Swale Borough Council, Kent County Council, our Police and our Fire Service.  The Borough Council provides services such as waste collection, planning, leisure and environmental protection.  Whilst Kent County Council has a responsibility for education and our roads and most importantly care for vulnerable people.  Of course, you are entitled to vote in both local and national elections and we are all given the right to register with for doctor and school places.
 
You can vote in UK elections if you are 18 or older, a British, Irish, eligible Commonwealth or European union citizen living in the UK and you have registered to vote, you can do so online.
 
To apply for a school place you can find the admissions procedure via this link: https://www.gov.uk/browse/education/school-admissions-transport. You would need to make your application through the council with responsibility for education, in this area it is Kent County Council.
 
In a civilised society we pay taxes generally according to our ability to pay, to meet the real needs of everybody in our community the best we can.
 
I hope this answers your query.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance 

Dear B
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
With the Council recently announcing a Climate and Ecological Emergency and with a shift in the use of electric vehicles expected over the next few years, Swale Borough Council is looking at all available options to play our part.
 
We have set out below what we are currently doing and how we will use our own powers and work with other agencies to develop the infrastructure required.
 
1. Charging points - we currently have 8 electric charging bays in our car parks and are planning a further 6 by the middle of the year which will mean points in each town. We are looking at government funded schemes.  We are also looking at fast charge options at strategic locations off the main highway routes.
 
2. On-street charging - Swale Borough Council manage the on-street parking service under a delegated agreement from KCC. This includes the management of resident parking schemes. We believe in and would support the development of more infrastructure to service those roads that do not have off-street parking (driveways/garages etc). We understand that KCC are undertaking a County Parking Review in the near future that may consider this further. It is much more complicated position than car parks as it will require consideration of not only where and how the charging points will be positioned but also the impacts of dedicated bays for EV vehicles on the already difficult on-street parking capacity in our towns. 
 
3. Planning policy – our current plan encourages new developments to be designed to enable charging of electric vehicles. We are working on our new plan which will take our commitment to the issue further.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Dr J
 
Thank you for contacting me about the Syrian Resettlement Scheme.
 
The Council has arranged to take another 3 families during February 2020. There is a shortage of landlords offering accommodation to give us the opportunity to resettle more families. To date we have only been offered one property in the Faversham area.
 
We also have to take into consideration the provisions that have to be put in place by Kent County Council such as support workers, English lessons and work skills courses for all of the families across Kent. Intensive English lessons and work skills courses are currently being provided to all of our 11 families.
 
We are currently in discussions about taking further families later in the year, this has to be balanced against us ensuring that the families who are already here are settled and gaining employment.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr S
 
Thank you for your question and I am concerned to hear about the type of incidents you are reporting outside the St George’s CE School in Minster.
 
Kent County Council have responsibility for roads and signage and you will find information about how to report these safety issues on their website via this link: https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/roads/changing-roads-in-your-area
 
I would also suggest that you contact your Kent County Councillors who are Andy Booth andy.booth@kent.gov.uk and Ken Pugh ken.pugh@kent.gov.uk
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr O
 
Thank you for your recent question, I will answer each question in the order you raised them.
 
1. The Council has not taken £38m of borrowing and never planned to. There was reference to £28m for Sittingbourne Town Centre. To date the Council has taken out £25m for STC plus a number of other purchases and projects.
 
2. All the borrowing undertaken to date is short term from other local authorities with duration of 12-18 months.  Under local authority rules when a capital scheme is funded from borrowing legally an amount has to be set aside annually to repay the loan.
 
3. The Council will look at a range of options when looking to borrow to finance capital expenditure. At the moment the cheapest option is borrowing from other local authorities.
 
4. I am not sure what £800,000 you are referring to. Any capital scheme with a cost over £100k will be subject to a formal Cabinet report and will therefore be in the public domain. There is no consultation with the public.
 
Kind regards,
 
Cllr Roger Truelove Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr S
 
I apologise for the delay in responding.
 
I am aware that Kent County Council have plans to provide improvements to pedestrian and cycling access along the old Queenborough Road.  A crossing is however needed over the A249 and I understand discussions are taking place with Highways England as the trunk road manager.  Swale Borough Council will also work with KCC to attempt to secure the link through the planning process where appropriate and support the discussions with Highways England to provide crossing facilities to the numerous amenities at Neats Court.
 
Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact KCC Highways directly and please copy me in should you wish to do so.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr S
 
The Council owns the freehold and leases the site to the CYC Coastal Club. In order to control the use of this site so that it is occupied as holiday accommodation only the lease has always contained restrictions on the occupancy period which used to be 8 months. In 2013 a new lease was granted as the Club wanted the occupancy period extended to 10 months in line with other sites and the Council’s revised planning policy, designed to allow a longer “open season”, but ensuring that sites are used for holiday purposes only.
 
The Council agreed to this at the CYC Coastal Club on the basis that exactly the same conditions were included in the new lease as would be imposed under a modern planning consent. This includes a number of restrictions designed to prevent the use of the site for residential purposes, and to permit the use of the site for holiday accommodation only. As part of these restrictions, the accommodation cannot be used as a permanent residence, no post can be delivered to the leaseholders and they must have a full time residential address elsewhere. This is a standard requirement on the majority of sites across the Isle of Sheppey.
 
There are some older sites on the Isle of Sheppey, (Minster Park for example) which had planning applications for 10 month occupation approved in the 1990s. These restrictions do not apply to those holiday chalets. They still have to be vacated during the “closed season”.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear G,
 
Thank you for your question about the works currently being undertaken in the Forum car park and the wider regeneration scheme agreed by the previous administration. I appreciate your full understanding of this situation and share your concern for the impact on local people.
 
The works currently taking place in the Forum car park relate to the installation of additional bollards and railings to enhance the safety for users of the car park and for pedestrians walking between the bus area/Station and the High Street.
 
A series of meetings took place prior to the works with the Councils parking team, Erith Contractors, Spirit of Sittingbourne (The developer) and Praxis who manage the Forum to discuss and agree ‘prior’ and ‘during works’ notification/signage, methodology, safety and programme delivery. It was agreed by all that works could commence on the basis that some parking within the Forum car park be retained throughout the works, signage would be installed within St. Michael’s Road to re-direct the majority of parkers to the multi-storey car park and that the works could be concluded ahead of the Xmas period. Praxis were also asked if they can open their double doors by Pound Stretcher during the works to create a direct link between the multi-storey car park and the Forum centre.
 
Since the start of works most customers have continued to park in the Forum car park rather than the multi-storey and to date this has not adversely hindered the contractors progress. We will continue to work with the developer and contractor to ensure that periods when customers cannot use the Forum car park are kept to an absolute minimum. 
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Truelove
Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance

Dear Mr P
 
Thank you for your question.  I can categorically confirm there have been no issues whatsoever with the lift shafts or subsidence at the Multi-Storey Car Park and there are absolutely no plans to demolish the building. As part of the ongoing works the height of the balustrade has been increased over one portion of the structure but this has been done in conjunction with a number of other outstanding items. The building is due to open in early September.
 
The tariff charges are as follows:
 




Class of vehicle


Days of operation of parking place


Hours when charges apply


Scale of charges





Motor Cars; Private Light Goods Vehicles Electric Vehicles; in the bays specifically delineated for those purposes.
Monday to Sunday Including Public Holidays
8.00am – 6.00pm


Up to 1 hour = £1.00
Up to  2 hours = £2.00
Up to 3 hours = £3.00
Up to 4 hours = £4.00
Up to 5 hours = £5.00
Up to 6 hours = £6.00
Over 6 hours = £15.00




Hotel Parking Concession
Monday to Sunday Including Public Holidays
At all times
24 hour period = £3.00


Cinema Parking Concession
Sundays
At all times
No Charge


Lost Ticket fee
Monday to Sunday
At all times
£15.00



 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear Ms W
 
Thank you for your question about the toilets in Milton High Street.
 
We are very concerned about the provision of public toilets generally and we appreciate how difficult it must be for you with your children when visiting Milton High Street.  The toilets were closed two years ago because of a high level of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.  In fact, the buildings do not belong to Swale Borough Council but we will explore ways of getting them open, at least in the day time when you would most need them. 
 
In the long term we are aiming to introduce new schemes into the Borough, and I would hope that Milton High Street would be involved in that.  I recognise this doesn’t meet your immediate concerns but it is something we will work at to find a solution as soon as possible.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear G
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Hedgehogs themselves are partially protected from being taken or killed under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, however in law there is no particular protection for their habitat.
 
Therefore, neither the current Local Plan nor the new NPPF have any specific references to the protection of hedgehogs and their habitats. However, under Policy DM28 of the Bearing Fruits Local Plan 2031 and under the new NPPF Requirements to enhance biodiversity in general that given this one might argue that new developments should encourage hedgehogs and their habitats. With this in mind and noting the recent publication of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society report titled Hedgehogs and Development, the Majors team do encourage developers, via the consideration of planning applications, to provide measures for hedgehogs such as putting holes at suitable points in all new fences and walls to provide access for hedgehogs to all areas of the site.  It is also the case that developers are generally required to include native species planting in new developments and this will provide both potential habitat for hedgehogs and a potential supply of invertebrates and other food sources for them.
 
Given that this is a relatively new initiative there appears to be a lack of certainty about how such a requirement could be effectively enforced. You should also note that under permitted development such measures can be replaced with solid fences or walls without the need for planning permission.
 
You might find the guidance for developers of interest, provided by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr RogerTruelove
Council Leader

Dear Resident
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Kent Highways and Transportation advise that as Plough Road is a public highway, unless there is a width or weight restriction on this road (which there isn’t) any vehicle (irrespective of size or weight) is legally entitled to pass and repass along this road.
 
Nevertheless in view of the concerns you have raised I have asked the Planning Enforcement team to visit Plough Road to try to ascertain the source of such large vehicles and whether they are related to any specific building developments along this road.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear Mr U,
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Lighting is not something that we as a borough council have any control over, apart from in our own buildings, unless lighting is directly causing a nuisance to a householder in which case our environmental health officers can act.
 
Street lighting is a Kent County Council matter – many of the street lights have been changed to LED recently and are much more energy efficient and therefore less polluting than in the past. 
 
As regards businesses again many have installed LED lights.  Those that leave lights on may argue that they are needed for security, shift workers etc.
 
We have a regular ebulletin newsletter to businesses and can mention lighting in it but we can only influence not enforce.
 
We regularly signpost businesses to sources of grants and guidance for energy efficiency and have arranged a Carbon Trust workshop to address business needs.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear Mr O,
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
The M2 and the A249 are managed by Highways England with other, more local roads managed by Kent County Council, as the Local Highways Authority.  As such, responsibility does lie with KCC and their budget for highways is always subject to cuts.  Local Members do what they can to raise the need for improving the condition of KCC roads but it is a slow and tiring process.  There has been significant growth in traffic over several decades which has placed considerable pressure on the road network, with congestion causing delay, contributing to air quality issues and impacting on road safety.  Whenever significant new development proposals are considered, a Transport Assessment is required and the Council works with Kent Highways and Highways England to try and ensure that the impacts arising from the development are mitigated against. 
 
We are therefore working closely with both Highways England and KCC to look at what can be done to not only improve road connections, but also encourage better provision and use of public transport.  The immediate focus at Sittingbourne is on securing the necessary improvements to M2 Junction 5 and at the Key Street and Grovehurst Junctions, connecting the local road network with the A249.   Over the coming months we will be looking more widely at what priority we need to give further improvements and, working with the highway authorities and others, develop the strategy through which we can deliver them. 
 
Kind regards,
 
Cllr Roger Truelove Council Leader.

Dear Mr A
 
Thank you for your question.
 
I can advise you that any Member can attend a meeting of the Cabinet and speak with the consent of the Chairman. 
 
It is therefore not the case that visiting members have been banned from speaking at Cabinet meetings.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear Mr A
 
Thank you for your question.
 
The area has not been allocated in the adopted Local Plan 2017 for residential purposes.  The area is covered by an area based Policy to safeguard as a search area for any potential future alignment for the completion of the Northern Relief Road (Policy AS1).
 
It should be noted however, that the Council’s currently undertaking a review of the Local Plan and an area including the Tonge Country Park has been put forward by the landowner as a site that the Council should consider for future residential development.  The Council has not made any decisions on what further sites beyond those currently identified in the Adopted Local Plan should come forward and is not likely to do so until the latter half of 2020 at the earliest.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Roger Truelove
Council Leader

Dear Ms O
 
Thank you for contacting us and for your efforts in litter picking whilst you are out walking.
 
Although Swale Borough Council are the principal litter authority, the A249 is a little different in that Sheppey Route Ltd are responsible for the A249 as part of the DBFO (Design, Build Finance and Operate) Contract,  FM Conway manage the road on behalf of Sheppey Route Ltd.  Swale Borough Council was approached by Sheppey Route Ltd several years ago to assist in the litter clearance on the road, this is carried out by Biffa Municipal Ltd, being the cleansing contractor for Swale Borough Council.  Due to a recent change in Health and Safety Guidance, Biffa are no longer able to litter pick a number of areas on the A249 without a full lane closure to ensure there is an adequate gap between the operatives and any live traffic, unfortunately, as I am sure you can appreciate, there are also strict restrictions on closures on this road due to the level of disruption this causes
 
In order to resolve this issue, an emergency meeting was requested with our contractor and the management company for the A249 to carry out a joint inspection of the road and discuss how we can resolve the issues as quickly as possible. 
 
Biffa have advised of the areas that they can safely litter pick without traffic management and we have requested that this continues on a daily basis, in main this is the laybys on the road as well as a small stretch of the road where the gap between the verge and the live lane exceeds 1.2m.  The Contracts Team are in liaison with Sheppey Route Ltd and have requested a closure of the near side lane along the whole road to ensure a thorough litter pick can be carried out, following this we can then work with Sheppey Routes Ltd to ensure a plan is in place to successfully maintain the area moving forward.  We have been advised that Sheppey Route Ltd have arranged for closures of the worst affected areas between Key Street and Stockbury in both directions this week and litter picking will be carried out alongside resurfacing works, the remainder of the route will be cleansed as soon as permissions have been granted for traffic management to be placed in these areas.
 
We have a small but effective team of contract monitoring officers in Swale who are responsible for monitoring the Council’s major contracts, the monitoring officer for Sheppey drives this route daily and is in regular contact with Biffa to ensure that any areas that can be cleansed safely are kept within grade.
 
Please rest assured this issue is high on our priority list, we appreciate and share your concerns and frustrations and we are working hard to ensure a resolution is found urgently.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr P
 
Thank you for your question.
 
It is the Spirit of Sittingbourne, it’s agents and Contractors responsibility to ensure compliance with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
 
Pedestrian permeability is a key feature of the scheme and something Spirit of Sittingbourne’s Contractor has worked hard to maintain as works progress. The Contractor has managed to create well established links through work areas on a busy functional street, though they have recently come under criticism for offering areas for public use prematurely.  As you can appreciate this is a fine balance when we are making improvements to the centre of our town.
 
In relation to the issue you raise about sightlines these were considered and discussed as part of the permitting procedure with KCC. We have however raised your concerns with Spirit of Sittingbourne and they will make a further assessment when on site next and if needs be instruct some further technical and risk based work to eliminate any residual risk so far as practicable.
 
The station forecourt has not been accepted by Spirit of Sittingbourne and discussions are ongoing regarding the quality and appearance of the paving. It is likely that further remedial work will be undertaken by the Contractor in the coming weeks and the finished article will be subject of extensive scrutiny before accepted.
 
I have also had confirmation from Spirit of Sittingbourne’s communication team that you have contracted them on 6 occasions and all enquiries have been responded to, however, I hope that this response demonstrates that both the Council and Spirit of Sittingbourne take safety, considerate construction and quality of workmanship very seriously.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr P
 
The Bearing Fruits Local Plan was tested by a Government Planning Inspector and found to be ‘sound’ ie fit for purpose.  Part of that test is that it is deliverable and at least the first five years worth of development are clearly demonstrated as such.  The Inspector did recommend that it be reviewed within five years to resolve delivery of transport improvements.
 
District Councils are required via the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to prepare local plans and keep them up to date.  The Statutory Regulations which govern the plan making process now require us to review local plans at least every five years and roll forward their ‘horizon’ dates.  On top of that we have the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  All local plans are required to be in accordance with that. There were major revisions to the NPPF during 2018, which were designed to boost housing delivery to meet the government’s national target of 300,000 dwellings per annum.
 
The Planning Acts  state that planning applications should be determined in accordance with the adopted local plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The NPPF re-iterates this, provided the local plan is up to date.  If  the local plan is not up to date, then there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development set out in the NPPF itself.
 
So – we have to review the local plan every five years and we have already started to review the Bearing Fruits Plan because it is a long and complex process to do so.  The Local Plan Review we are now engaged with will run from 2022-2038, so it has to overlap with delivery of Bearing Fruits; take on higher housing targets as prescribed by Government in the NPPF from 2022; and roll the plan forward an extra few years  to 2038.
 
However, the NPPF also requires local planning authorities to maintain a rolling five year housing land supply against their targets in the adopted local plan.  Government is also now monitoring delivery of those targets.  If the target is missed for 3 years, local councils are expected to add a 20% buffer to their housing land supply.  That means that although the local authority may have allocated sufficient land to meet targets in its local plan, if it is not coming forward on target, and the housing land supply fails, national planning policy may allow other (ie non local plan allocated) sites through if the promoters can demonstrate that it is sustainable in terms of the NPPF.  If the local plan is more than five years old then the target is deemed to be out of date and local housing need will be calculated as per the NPPF methodology instead.
 
This is a frustrating situation, and whilst we have a sound local plan; which we expect to remain so until 2022 (five years after adoption), things do not stand still. National policy can override it and this does not help us to plan in a comprehensive way for new development and the vital and timely infrastructure to support it.
 
So in answer to your question, yes the Bearing Fruits Local Plan is fit for purpose and went through a very rigorous process including Examination in Public to prove that.  It would however, always need to be reviewed and updated and we are doing that.  The plan has a comprehensive suite of development management policies which help us ensure that developers cannot just build anywhere.  However, in tension with that, we have had further major change to national planning policy, which has the express intent of boosting housing delivery and that does mean dealing with challenges from developers which may not be in accordance with our adopted plan.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr R
 
Thank you for your question.
 
If you would like to make a complaint about a member of staff, please complete and submit the online complaint form.
 
The complaint will be considered by the line manager in the first instance at Stage 1 of the complaints process, and appropriate investigations will be carried out alongside the Head of Service. You will receive a response within ten working days.
 
If you are not satisfied with the response at the first stage of the Council's complaints procedure, you can submit a request to proceed to Stage 2, via:
 

the online complaint form
email chiefexecutive@swale.gov.uk or
write to Chief Executive, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 3HT

 
The Chief Executive would consider the response you received at Stage 1 and, in consultation with the Head of service and/or Director, will consider your complaint at Stage 2 of the Complaints process. Responding to you within ten working days.
 
Where appropriate in the process, as you have enquired about making a complaint against a staff member, Swale Human Resources would be involved for advice to the Head of Service / Director and Chief Executive.
 
You can find further details on the complaints process via the website or you may like to read Swale borough council complaints policy
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr O
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Spirit of Sittingbourne is the private sector delivery company for the Sittingbourne Town Centre project - Swale Borough Council is not part of the partnership so there is no question of Swale BC being a cost centre or profit centre. Swale BC has contracted with Spirit through a Development Agreement and Funding Agreement for the delivery of specific phases of the regeneration of Sittingbourne town centre. The figure of £28m is the maximum amount that Cabinet has agreed can be borrowed to fund the project. Swale BC has entered into a fixed price contract for delivery and any over run against that is at Spirit’s risk. The additional £30m borrowing that Cabinet agreed cannot be used on STC. Given that Spirit is a separate legal entity which Swale BC is not part of we can’t answer questions about the employees of the different companies who form part of Spirit.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr S
 
Thank you for your comments regarding Sittingbourne town centre.
 
I fully appreciate your concerns over the gradual decline in the High Street. The current economic climate has had a less than favourable impact on many town centres across the country. On a positive note, the current regeneration proposals for Sittingbourne do seek to address some of the issues and encourage future investment.
 
In response to your comment about vacant shop units, we have in the past looked at various initiatives to brighten vacant shop fronts, to reduce the perception of ‘retail void’ and to address the negative impact this has on consumer and business confidence. Projects have included installation of graphics to windows in the High Street and colouring competitions for local schools (Halloween and Easter) with entries being displayed in vacant shop windows. The competitions in particular were very popular and provided some welcome interest in the town.
 
Regarding the town centre providing a backdrop for additional experiences, the Artisan Market, which runs on the second Saturday of the month (March to December), has proved popular with both the local community and visitors to the town. The Artisan Market is now in its second year and is now becoming an established regular event.  The new town square we are creating as part of the leisure development will also provide a space for us to develop more experiences for the town.
 
You may know that the High Street is closed to traffic on Saturdays, and this has been the case for many years. Previous consultation with town centre stakeholders regarding further pedestrianisation resulted in a mixed response. Utilising the pedestrianised space on Saturdays to introduce additional activity and animation is something we are keen to see. Although the Council no longer has a direct role in event delivery, we do have a grants scheme which enables local groups and organisations to organise local activities and we do offer advice and support where we can.
 
The £675m Future High Street Fund, which has recently been announced is of interest to us and we are awaiting the full prospectus and further detail on the nature of projects that will be eligible for funding together with the assessment criteria from central government later this year.
 
I can assure you that we continue to promote Sittingbourne as an attractive location to all retail developers, whilst seeking to identify ways to best support our existing independent stores. The eastern end of the town (East Street and lower end of High Street) currently accommodates a range of small independent shops which offer highly regarded services to the local community.
 
As you may know, the Council is working with Spirit of Sittingbourne to deliver a regeneration scheme to boost to the local economy and encourage businesses in to the area. Regeneration of the town centre is a long term project and we have a real opportunity now to deliver a significant regeneration project and achieve the step change Sittingbourne deserves.
 
Please be assured that Swale Borough Council continues to work to make Sittingbourne’s offer attractive to residents and visitors alike.
 
Once again, thank you for your enquiry. If you would like further detail, please do not hesitate to let me know.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear I,
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Elm Grove Play Area was unfortunately closed in November 2017 following significant and prolonged anti-social behaviour causing residents in Elm Grove and Coombe Drive distress and damage to their property.
 
We have worked closely with the local police and Swale Community Safety Partnership to try and identify the culprits of the anti-social behaviour which has eased the problem to some degree. However, a recent consultation with local residents has revealed that they would prefer to see improvements to nearby Rectory Playing Field Play Area rather than Elm Grove play area re-opening.
 
We have committed £45,000 of improvements at Rectory Play Area which will see major improvements take place before next Easter 2019 including two new play units, swings, roundabout and seesaw. We are currently investigating viable long term options for Elm Grove Play Area.
 
Kind regards
Cllr Andrew BowlesLeader

Dear Mr L,
 
Thank you for getting in touch about the website.
 
This is a timely question, as we are in the final stages of relaunching our website after considerable work behind the scenes to improve both the general reliability, and the ease of use of the site.
 
As we’ve been planning the new look site, we have been working to identify the technical issues that cause problems with reliability.
 
The existing site has some infrastructure that is becoming out of date, and this is being replaced in the upgrade. We have also been working hard to make sure the site is easier to navigate and search, with information set out clearly so people can find what they want.
 
We had set up systems to monitor issues people are having with the existing site – every page had the option to report problems, which  would tell us where you were on the site so we could investigate and rectify it.
 
As part of the upgrade we need to replace the system behind this function, so have recently had to disable it, but it will be returning when the new site is live. In the meantime, any issues can be sent to communications@swale.gov.uk who will make sure they are investigated.
 
We want local people and businesses to be able to depend on a reliable, helpful website, that makes it easier to do what they need to do, on whatever device they are using, so they can get on with the rest of their days.
 
I sincerely believe you will have a much better experience with the our new website, and would welcome any feedback when it goes live in the next couple of months.
 
Kind regards
Cllr Andrew BowlesCouncil Leader

Thank you for your question.
 
I believe you are referring to a current planning application to extend the hours of use for speedway racing at Central Park Stadium. Due to a drafting error, the description of the application is ambiguous – the application does not seek to enable racing at the site 6 days per week, but rather to allow racing once per week only, but on any of the days listed. The description will be amended shortly making this clear, and new consultation letters will be sent to residents. Notwithstanding this, the application has not been determined, is at a very early stage, and officers are currently considering the details. Any interested party who wishes to comment needs to do so via the Council’s Planning Portal, available via the Planning page of the Council’s website.
 
With regard to Milton Creek Country Park, I am sorry that you found your visit disappointing. Developed from a former brickfield and landfill site the country park provides an open space that has significant biodiversity value, in addition to being a great community venue. Clearly there are large areas of managed habitat (long grass) and we have regularly recorded over 60 different bird species and have large populations of Great Crested Newt and Water Vole. In addition to the wildlife, the community is really important to us with facilities such as the play area, events field and art trail. We have organised 26 events so far this year with over 3,000 people attending and the weekly Park Run attracts an average of 150 participants every Saturday. Events have included outdoor cinema, art in the park, kite festival and volunteers working with our Ranger have participated in a further 27 sessions, contributing 586 hours of work.
 
Along with our recent South and South East in Bloom Country Park category Gold award, I hope this helps to demonstrate that the country park, although a mixture of landscapes and habitat is valued and appreciated by many.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew BowlesLeader

Dear Miss Birch
 Firstly many apologies for the delay in responding to your question, I am very encouraged to hear that you are so community spirited and have taken the time to contact me.
 The responsibility for the maintenance of the roads and pavements of The Avenue of Remembrance  lies with Kent County Council. I have forwarded your comments to their District Manager for Swale, Alan Blackburn, and he has sent me the reply as given below:
 “ The Kent County Council website also has a link to enable residents to request dropped kerb vehicle crossings, as Medway Council, but these are intended for  home owners who want to convert their front gardens into areas to park their cars on. I think that Miss Birch is asking for kerbs to be dropped so as to cross the road with prams or wheelchairs, but I couldn’t see exactly where they would be required as each of the likely crossing points already had such a dropped kerb. It is quite hard to keep the pavements level along this particular road, while it is nice to see all the trees growing there they do create problems with their roots pushing up the paths. We really do try to bear in mind the problems that uneven pavements can cause wheelchair and pram users, and so if Miss Birch has any particular areas where she has seen people struggle – either with the need for dropped kerbs or the paths being very uneven - if she would like to contact me directly by email giving the exact location(s) then I would be very pleased  to take a look to see what the problem is.”
 The link to the site as given by Medway Council  - https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/highway-permits-and-licences/apply-for-a-dropped-kerb Kind regards
 Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader
 

Dear Ms Burt
 Thank you for your enquiry regarding World Fair Trade Day 2019.
 At present we are unaware of any World Fair Trade Day events being planned in Swale. Should an organisation wish to plan and deliver an event, we would expect an Event Notification to be logged with our events team and as yet, I understand, we have received no notifications.
 It is, of course, possible that organisations or groups may come forward nearer the time with details of events, but no approach has yet been noted
 Swale Borough Council does not usually organise and deliver events but works with and provides advice to organisations and individuals wishing to run events.  Should you need any more information please contact Jill Read our Regeneration Officer (Town Centres) who will be happy provide further detail. Jill can be contacted via email: jillread@swale.gov.uk or telephone: 01795 417592.
 Kind regards
 Leader
 

Dear Mr P
 Establishing an AQMA requires a local authority to follow a process defined by DEFRA. This involves identifying whether there are any areas where pollutants are above the standard DEFRA have set (see table below). The common pollutants associated with vehicles and traffic are Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Swale currently monitor Particulate Matter at one location (Newington) and soon to monitor at another air quality station in Ospringe; to date there have been no exceedances of the DEFRA level.
 





Pollutant


Air Quality Objective[1]


Concentration

Measured as


Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)


200 µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year
1-hour mean



40 µg/m3
Annual mean



Particulate Matter (PM10)


50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year
24-hour mean



40 µg/m3
Annual mean

 We have monitored NO2 at Key Street and Sonora Fields over a number of years and last year the monitoring identified that levels of this pollutant are just above the annual mean (40.6 µg/m3) at Key Street and well below at 20.4 µg/m3 at Sonara Fields (a background location).
 As part of our ongoing management of air quality in the Borough officers review the results of the monitoring we carry out; identify NO2 tubes that haven’t identified exceedances of the pollutants, identify other areas where monitoring would provide insight to air quality.
 To this end and because the Key Street data indicate there may be a problem we have increased the NO2 tube monitoring at seven locations around the Key Street roundabout and Chestnut Street from 1 July. This monitoring will continue for a minimum of a year to identify any trends and provide a more detailed picture of NO2 in the area.
 [1] The units are in microgrammes of pollutant per cubic metre of air (µg/m3).
 Should the increased monitoring identify a broader level of NO2 near the 40 µg/m3 we would be able to begin the process of declaring an AQMA. Although no monitoring tubes are located specifically in the Grovehurst area we also have monitoring tubes located on the new link road (Swale Way) to the Morrison’s Depot near housing in Kemsley Fields to the north of Grovehurst to assess the impact of the commercial and residential developments in this area on air quality.
 I hope that I have answered you question but should you need further information on air quality monitoring in the Borough you may find information on the Kent Air website (www.kentair.org.uk) to learn more about air pollution and local air quality.
 Kind regards
 Cllr Andrew Bowles Leader

Dear Dr J,
 
Thank you for your question.
 
Swale Borough Council are not, as you have stated, initiating new effort to implement a policy, as this work has been constant and ongoing since the Council originally agreed to help ten families from Syria, through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (SVPRS) scheme over a five year period.  We have been and will continue to work hard at this, in this most difficult of times for our local housing market, to meet this target.  I have always said that this will not be easy as we already have many local families in temporary accommodation, who we are also assisting to try and secure a home they can afford.
 
It would not be appropriate for me to tell you which agents we are working with. Indeed when working with estate and lettings agents, and landlords, to secure accommodation we are often refused support when announcing that it is the Council seeking this accommodation on behalf of either local homeless families or Syrian nationals as part of the SVPRS scheme, therefore we do not always state that this is our purpose.
 
We have not yet received further offers of support from landlords following the press release issued by the Faversham and Villages Refugee Solidarity Group, but we are having to field calls from local residents who themselves, or their family members cannot access affordable housing within the borough and are formally complaining that we are not putting local residents needs first.  While we are experienced in dealing with such issues, this is taking time to manage, and we do need to be mindful of the vulnerability of the Syrian families we are supporting and any issues that such publicity can cause.

 
As you will be aware, Faversham is mostly, if not completely unaffordable for many households and whilst this is also the case for much of Sittingbourne and Sheppey, it is not in our view sensible to target the most expensive part of the borough to seek accommodation at high market rents that at some point in the future the household will have to maintain from earned income.
 
Rent top up by SBC is not expected to be part of the plan as, while discussed at the meeting, this was not agreed by Council and indeed, Kent County Council hold the Government funding for this project. As the financial resources to support our main statutory homelessness duty are increasing year on year and not fully covered by central government grant, the Council is putting in substantial funds to support the housing needs of many vulnerable families.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
 
Leader

Dear Mr N
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
Home owners or renters, with their landlord's permission, may install EV charging points at their home.  Some funding may be available from central government - move information from the Government Grants for low emissions vehicles.  Installation must be by an approved installer.
 
Unfortunately if you do not have a garage or driveway then domestic chargers are not possible as leads cannot be run across pavements.
 
In Swale we have free charging points at Swallows and Swale House. A parking ticket must be purchased in the normal way but we do not charge for electricity.  Several supermarkets have charging points as do some hotels.  We are hoping to condition charging points in new developments.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr D,
 
I refer to your recent enquiry regarding Coronation Road in which you suggested making Coronation Road a 'one-way' street.
 
Road safety issues such as this are usually dealt with by Kent County Council in their capacity as Highway Authority for Kent, rather than Swale Borough Council. I attended a Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting on the evening of Monday 06 March and I have, in my capacity as County Councillor, passed this to the KCC Highways Team's District Manager, Alan Blackburn, for consideration by his colleagues. I have asked that I be copied in to the reply that will be sent to you - which I trust you will receive in the near future. Could you please email Mr Blackburn your address and phone number as he will need this information to log your enquiry, his email address is alan.blackburn@kent.gov.uk
 
In the meantime, may I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Dear Mr K,
 
Thank you for your recent question.
 
The Council does not have a specific policy concerning metal detecting and while there are many positive outcomes, from an interest in history, being outdoors and active, the Council's Open Spaces Byelaws prevent the removal or displacement of soil and turf.
 
I note and appreciate your personal commitment to filling in holes, however this is not the case with all and the Byelaw is to protect the public open spaces and prevent other members of the community from having accidents.
 
I am sorry this is not the response you were hoping for.
 
Kind regards
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader
 

Thank you for your Leader’s question regarding the provision of sites for self build.
 
 
This is something I believe this Council would be very supportive of and would wish to bring forward pro-active planning and other support policies for in the future.  However, the self build register and requirements came about as part of the Housing Act 2016, which came into force after the emerging Local Plan had been submitted for Examination in Public.
 
 
Due to the way in which the statutory processes work, it is too late for this plan to include any specific allocation or policy on self build at this stage.  Whilst the plan does make sufficient provision for overall housing needs up until 2031, most of the housing site allocations within it are being promoted by developers.  This does not preclude part of these sites being promoted or sold on for self builders, should they choose to do so.  Additionally, the Local Plan has flexible policies to enable other sites including small or single ‘windfall’ plots to come forward for development (provided they are in a suitable location in respect of the Local Plan’s other policies).  There is nothing to stop these being self build and many are.
 

We currently have only 11 people on our self build register (since it was set up at April 2016), including yourself, so expressed demand in Swale is low at the present time. I am aware that the Planning Committee recently approved a planning application for 11 self build plots at the former Silver Sand Garden centre near the Thanet Way and we recently sent a  link to  everyone on our register with the promoter of that site (although I am not clear whether you joined the register after that point).
 
 
We will continue to maintain our register; monitor demand;  and as far as possible link people with opportunities.  However, the register aside, I would also reiterate that if a suitably located plot can be found, our policies will enable permission to be granted housing regardless of who is actually building it.  I would also expect any future review of the Local Plan to include pro-active policies to identify potential self build sites and to promote self build generally.
 
 
Kind regards
 
 
Cllr Andrew Bowles
Leader

Thank you for your recent question which I am answering in the Leader's absence. We are very supportive of Kent County Council's work to house unaccompanied asylum seeker children however these young people required foster care or supported lodgings, and Swale BC is therefore not in a position to directly assist. We are however very confident that KCC are doing all they can and successfully placing more of these children than any other Council in England.

We have received the first family who are settling in and being supported by local people who have offered help to find their feet in the area. We are currently seeking a suitable property for the second family whom we hope to be welcoming soon.

While we appreciate the concern and compassion that FVRSG are showing towards the Syrian Refugees, I would again reiterate my original plea; if you know of anyone who has a property within the borough that they would be willing to allow these families to settle in, please refer them to us. It is incredibly difficult to find affordable housing locally for any vulnerable households, and with over 130 Swale households currently in temporary accommodation this is a very pressing issue for us.

Thank you for your Ask the Leader question. Council Tax is broken down into two parts 50% for the property and 50% for the occupiers. If there are two or more adults living in the property 100% of the Council Tax is charged. If there is only one adult living in the property we can reduce the Council Tax by 25%, this is called a Single Person Discount.

There are also other discounts that can be awarded for example for students, apprentices or if a person is in a care home. Further details can be found on the Council Tax pages of our website.

Thank you for your recent question. As Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) are the responsibility of Kent County Council (KCC), I forwarded your enquiry on to them about the restriction on vans being able to access local HWRCs and they have provided the response below.

Each local authority develops their own approach to waste disposal. KCC is currently reviewing its approach here in Kent as part of its Waste Disposal Strategy. The current approach is based on the unsustainable extent and cost of trade waste abuse that was prevalent on HWRC sites.

As it is nearly impossible to distinguish trade waste from household waste and in order to provide site staff with clear and unambiguous policies to administer, the decision was taken in October 2012 to ban vans and pick-ups from sites unless it is the household's only vehicle, in which case the vehicle would require vouchers to enable access to the sites. This approach is outlined on KCC's website (www.kent.gov.uk) and this is also where the voucher system is explained in more detail.

Unfortunately the consultation on KCC's draft Waste Disposal Strategy 2017-35 ended on 2 October; however you can still access the document from the following link. This sets out KCC's current position, identifies the future pressures and presents the Ambition and Priorities for the household waste disposal service. I am sure that if you wish to email a response to the County Council (details on the website) their Waste Management Team would be happy to review your comments.

http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/WasteStrategyKCC/consultationHome

You may also wish to contact your County Councillor, for your area it is Adrian Crowther 01795 874418 adrian.crowther@kent.gov.uk

Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch with me and I trust the above explains the approach taken to disposing of household waste in Kent.

Thank you for your enquiry, however Swale Housing is now owned and managed by Amicus Horizon housing association. You can contact them regarding the fencing on 0800 121 6060 they should be able to deal with your query.

Thank you for your question.  There are policies on both topics in the emerging Local Plan which can be found at SBC/PS/101 Bearing Fruits 2031: The Swale Borough Local Plan 2031 Proposed Main Modifications June 2016 (consultation document).
 
Policy DM8 Affordable Housing of the Local Plan (Bearing Fruits 2031: The Swale Borough Local Plan Main Modifications June 2016) states that the Council will seek the following affordable housing on sites capable of taking 10 or more dwellings:
 
Sheppey  - no affordable housing requirement ( due to viability issues);
Sittingbourne, including urban extensions and Iwade  10% affordable;
Policy MU 1 (North West Sittingbourne) 10% affordable, if  zero CIL charge    ;
Faversham town and urban extensions 35% affordable;
All rural areas 40% affordable.
 
Generally, we would be seeking the affordable element to be comprised of 90% social rented and 10% shared ownership.  We can only negotiate with developers subject to viability (and also availability of social housing provider investment).  So no  - we cannot ‘demand’ it in all cases.
 
However, this position is subject to change as the Government is seeking to introduce a proportion of starter homes for owner occupancy (20% has been suggested) on all sites of 10 or more dwellings, at a reduced price  as part of the provisions of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.  The operational details of how this is to work have yet to be published through statutory regulations which are expected to support the new Act.  This may mean our policy will need to change to comply with overriding national policy, so we are in a period of uncertainty as to how and when this will be implemented.
 
On the topic of solar panels, I am not clear what the question is.  However, Policy DM20 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy of the local plan deals with this matter and it will be on a case by case basis depending on individual site circumstances.  There are also two Planning Guidance Notes which deal respectively with domestic scale installations (eg roof panels on houses); and large scale solar farm proposals.    The key issues to be taken into account in considering such proposals are environmental ones  eg residential amenity; heritage impact; agricultural land quality;  landscape impact; biodiversity issues; and restoration in the case of temporary instalments.  The guidance notes on the solar energy can be found at;
http://archive.swale.gov.uk/assets/Planning-General/Planning-Policy/Evidence-Base/VERSION-3-SWALE-SOLAR-SMALL-MEDIUM-PDF-July-2014.pdf
 
http://archive.swale.gov.uk/assets/Planning-General/Planning-Policy/Evidence-Base/VERSION-3-SWALE-LARGE-SCALE-SOLAR-PV-PDF-July-2014.pdf

Following on from our recent discussions I am sorry to say we have still not found suitable accommodation for the two Syrian families we have pledged to house this year. We have however intensified our search for accommodation, and are currently compiling an email alert to go out to 600 landlords. We will also be requesting help on every Housing Benefit payment that goes out to landlords. Zoe Kent, whom you met with me on 12 June, has been in discussions with Anne Forbes to find out how Ashford Borough Council has managed to engage with landlords. Zoe has learnt that the landlords who have provided accommodation all contacted Ashford in response to a proactive media campaign by the Council. We therefore intend to run a similar media campaign of our own, and are currently in contact with Ashford's media team to obtain their advice on what worked best for them in advance of launching this.However, the discussions with Ashford have also confirmed our understanding that Ashford's letting market is very different to Swale's, particularly in view of the number of landlords who have bought multiple buy-to-let properties in recent years. We would therefore hope that the media campaign will also reach local residents who may know of suitable accommodation. I would like to thank you and the Faversham and Villages Refugee Solidarity Group for your interest in our search for properties, and would once again urge you to contact us immediately if you know of anyone with a suitable property in the Swale area.

Thank you for your question.For clarity, the site you have mentioned comes under the jurisdiction of Kent County Council (KCC), not Swale Borough Council, but I trust the following information answers your query.You initially asked about why you were told not to go back to the site with any more bags of stones and soil. The County Council had to review its operational policies surrounding HWRC access and usage due to the unsustainable extent and cost of trade waste abuse at their sites. They are entitled to adopt a reasonable policy to prevent the abuse of the free domestic waste disposal facilities provided at the council tax payers' expense.One of the policies introduced (October 2012 and amended in November 2014) was a limit on the amount of soil and/or hardcore (stones) that could be brought to the sites. This type of waste is classified as construction waste and not household waste and therefore should not be brought to the HWRCs. However, the County Council recognised that some members of the public carry out DIY work and therefore small amounts of waste from minor DIY types of work may be brought to the sites (90kg (190lbs) per day per vehicle - which equates to approximately 5 bags). For larger projects members of the public are advised to hire a skip from any local skip hire company.Your second query was about why the bins into which you would have placed your old plastic bags had been removed. The contractor has been asked to reinstate these bins where possible and depending on availability.I trust the above answers your queries, however should you have any more concerns regarding this matter, I would encourage you to contact KCC directly. You can do so by emailing them on the following address WasteSupport@kent.gov.uk or alternatively, you can call them using the following number 03000 410 247.

Thank you for your recent questions.I am aware of the depth and sincerity of feeling on both sides of this argument. We in Swale have been very clear that we want to do what we can to help the government in its pledge to resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable people, and 10 families for a district of our size is roughly proportionate to this commitment. We think it is right that the families invited to build new lives for themselves in the UK should be those who are genuinely the most vulnerable, and this is why we support the government's decision to accept people directly from camps in the region rather than people who have had the means and the wherewithal to make it as far as the Channel coast.The Council does not hold its own housing stock, and there is in fact a significant shortage in Swale of accommodation in the private rented sector which would be both suitable and affordable for a Syrian refugee family. It is important to recognise that these families are likely to have particular needs which, during the period in which they are integrating into UK life, will represent a considerable demand on public services, and this needs to be managed carefully if the level of services offered to existing residents is not to be compromised. I believe two families per year is manageable and represents a fair balance between these two competing priorities.
 
Our aim will be to ensure that we can offer the hospitality which the majority of our taxpayers would want us to offer, without adversely affecting the local public services on which existing residents depend.