Local News

At last night’s (Wednesday 6th October) Council meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to change the way Swale Borough Council makes decisions by moving to a committee system.

Councillors have agreed that the council’s current leader-and-cabinet led structure, where most decisions are taken by fewer people, will be replaced with a committee system, which will come into effect at the annual council meeting in May 2022.

The new system will mean decisions are made by politically balanced committees representing all councillors.

Cllr Roger Truelove, Leader of the Council, told SFM News: “This will be more democratic. It ensures that when people go to vote they will know that their elected members will no longer be excluded from major policy decisions. Swale is a diverse borough with diverse politics and the cabinet system does inevitably exclude both communities and members. Cabinets belong at Westminster but are not appropriate to local councils, with more intimate contacts with different communities. This will not prevent the Coalition delivering on its agenda. We will have a majority on the committees. But going forward, beyond the elections of 2023 the committee system will lead to a more consensual approach to local politics, which in my long experience, is what most local voters want.”

Cllr Mike Baldock, Deputy Leader with responsibility for constitutional change, told SFM News: "This is a huge decision for the us to have taken, and I am delighted we have taken the whole council with us on this journey. Good politics is about listening and working together to support our residents and our communities. The committee system will help ensure everyone's voice is heard better."

Cllr Alan Horton, Leader of the Opposition, told SFM News: “The Conservatives have worked constructively with the Coalition to bring about this important change as it gives all Councillors an opportunity to speak for their communities and be involved in decision making. This is a fundamental change in how ward councillors are able to represent their residents​ and how the council makes decisions. We believe it is important that all voices are heard and we are looking forward to being able to better serve our residents from May next year.”

For more information about the change in governance and what it will mean for Swale Borough Council please click here.

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

Swale Borough Council sought approval of the new draft strategy and charter at last month’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday 22nd September. The strategy sets out how the council protects the borough’s built and natural environment from unauthorised developments. It includes identifying priority issues for the service and explains what action can be taken.

The charter explains how the planning enforcement process works, to help people and partners like parish councils understand how investigations are carried out.

Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning at the council, told SFM News: “We’ve been working on an improved enforcement strategy and service charter since the beginning of the year, and following a successful, eight-week consultation earlier this summer, cabinet has approved our plans. It’s important that we protect the borough against unauthorised developments now and into the future. The strategy will help us do this, as well as provide a more transparent planning service for residents and give a clearer picture of what the planning process entails".

He went on to add: “It will also provide a more consistent and effective communication between us and local parish and town councils. We made a commitment to renew local democracy and make the council fit for the future in our corporate plan, and the updated strategy and charter are just one of the ways we’re sticking to our priorities".

The full report can be found here.

Three fire engines remain at the scene of a large fire at a recycling plant on West Lane on The Eurolink Industrial Estate.

Crews are damping down any remaining hot spots while maintaining a watching brief.

No casualties have been reported and the cause is not yet known.

People who live or work in the Kemsley and Iwade areas are still advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution, due to smoke coming from the fire, which involved a large amount of household waste and recycling materials.

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire at the commercial premises just after 7:00pm last night (Saturday 25th September). At it's height eleven fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier were sent to the scene. 

Stay tuned to 106.9 SFM for the latest information.

Local MP Gordon Henderson, in partnership with Sittingbourne and Sheerness JobCentres, welcomed over 30 local businesses on Friday (17^th September) morning to their Kickstart Scheme Seminar, where they were encouraged to offer 6-month work placements to young people on Universal Credit.

The £2 billion Kickstart Scheme was set up by the Government in November and has created 331 placements, for claimants aged between 16 - 24 years old, in Sittingbourne and Sheppey so far. This has been achieved with the help of the 101 local employers who are already taking part. Those employers received £1,500 of grant funding per placement to help with setup and training costs, with the Government fully funding the pay and National Insurance for 25 hours work a week and, where necessary, offering transport-to-work assistance for the young people taking part.

Mr Henderson told SFM News: "The Kickstart Scheme is a brilliant Government initiative, which has benefits for both the employer and the young person taking part, because it funds placements in local businesses that provide work experience. In order for local youngsters to realise their potential and fill the many jobs that are being created locally, it’s important they gain experience and confidence in a workplace. That’s what the Kickstart Scheme helps them achieve and I hope many more local employers will take part in Kickstart and help give those young people a positive start to their working life.’

Liz Elsden, Partnership Manager for the Sittingbourne and Sheerness Jobcentres, told SFM News: "It was great to see so many local employers attend this event to find out more about the Kickstart Scheme and how they can support young people in the community get that first step on the employment ladder. Young people in Swale need the support of local employers to help build their confidence and skills by offering them a placement under the Government’s fully funded Kickstart Scheme.’

For more information about the Kickstart Scheme, please visit: https://kickstart.campaign.gov.uk/.