Local News

Swale Community Leisure (SCL) has received a funding boost from Swale Borough Council to help it continue to deliver essential health and fitness services for residents.

SCL is the charitable trust that operates Swallows Leisure Centre in Sittingbourne and Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness on behalf of the council and the £50,000 of funding from the council is in addition to the council’s significant investment of up to £800,000 to pay for repairs to the roof at Swallows, which was damaged in Storm Ciara earlier in the year.

SCL not only operates the leisure centres in order to provide an affordable and high quality leisure service to local people, it delivers activities both inside and outside the centres that support unemployed young people, disabled groups and vulnerable individuals with a wide range of health needs. 

SCL say: "the continuing partnership with SBC and the financial support given, will ensure that these services can continue to be delivered and make a positive impact on the lives of recipients".

Dave Harcourt, Chief Executive Officer at SCL, told SFM News: “The first half of 2020 has presented us with incredible difficulties, mainly in the shape of Storm Ciara which destroyed Swallows roof and followed by the COV-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, we have worked through this period with our partners at Swale Borough Council to ensure that time has not been wasted in securing a long term solution for the roof and preparing ourselves for reopening when it was allowed. Without their support, both financially and professionally, it’s difficult to imagine how we might have got through this time. Now we can continue to recover and work towards rebuilding the services that we know the people of Swale will truly benefit from.”

Cllr Angela Harrison, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “It’s been a tough year for SCL, so I’m glad we can offer them this financial support to continue providing essential services for local people. The pandemic has had a huge impact on their operations, but also shows why we need to make sure people are able to keep themselves fit and healthy. We don’t know yet if there will be a second wave of the virus, but we do know that people who are healthy and active are better placed to fight it. Even if we don’t see cases rise again, more people are committed to keeping themselves fit and healthy, and this money will help make sure they can.”

Swale Community Leisure (SCL) is a not for profit Registered Society with Charitable Status.

Kent Police have confirmed that increased police patrols will be taking place in public spaces and on beaches over the coming days to help remind people about social distancing advice, deter illegal mass gatherings and deal with any associated crime and disorder.

Forecasts for the weekend predict some wet weather for the county but Kent Police will be having an increased presence to make sure those who do venture out do so responsibly.

Kent Police have said that local officers continue to carry out enquiries into a disturbance in Greatstone following a large gathering on the beach last Sunday (9th August), following which four officers sustained minor injuries. As a result, a 29-year-old man from Stockwell was charged with dangerous driving and actual bodily harm. Enquiries continue to identify those responsible for throwing bottles which hit attending officers.

In addition, Kent Police say that they also became aware of a seafront event which was rumoured to be organised for Leysdown on Wednesday (12th August ). Officers contacted the organiser and travelled to Stratford, London to engage with those planning to attend the event to remind them of the latest health advice. The group eventually travelled to Essex where two men were arrested for conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police, Nikki Faulconbridge, told SFM News: "‘As we continue to investigate a disturbance in Greatstone, those planning mass gatherings are warned to think again and seriously consider the detrimental impact these can have on the communities they are held in as well as the health risks in the current Covid-19 context. I also want the people of Kent to be assured that Kent Police will do everything it can by working with partner agencies such as local councils and other police forces to minimise the impact large gatherings can have on our communities. Any gatherings found to be illegal will be dealt with robustly and officers continue to monitor the situation across the county. The majority of people are following the Government advice but we will engage with those fail to do so, explain the guidelines and encourage them to adhere to them. Covid-19 remains a serious worldwide health risk and it is important that everyone visiting Kent’s beaches, parks and outdoor spaces continue to keep a safe distance from one other."

Witnesses to the Greatstone altercation, who are yet to speak to Kent Police, are asked to call the force on 01843 222 289 quoting reference 09-0593. Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Councillors have approved powers that allow Swale Borough Council to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to people who leave their vehicle idling while not in use.

The powers mean that anybody who leaves their engine running unnecessarily while not in use can be issued a £20 fixed penalty notice if they do not turn off their engine when asked. Anti-Idling regulations came into effect in 2002 and apply to all vehicles including cars, taxis, buses and all commercial vehicles. Swale say that research shows that an idling vehicle can emit up to 20 times more of some pollutants that one travelling at 32mph.

Every minute a car idles it produces enough exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons with harmful chemicals including cyanide, NOx and PM2.5. These microscopic pollutants can cause asthma and worsen chronic illness such as lung cancer and emphysema and can be particularly damaging for children.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the environment at the council, told SFM News: “These new powers will become part of our air quality action plan to protect residents against further pollution. By enforcing this legislation, we hope to raise public awareness about the damage that can be caused to people’s health by leaving your car idling unnecessarily. We’ll focus on educating drivers to help provide cleaner air across the borough, particularly for residents who live in Air Quality Management Areas and children going to and from school every day. We don't want to issue fixed penalty notices, and it will be a last resort, but we do want to enforce the anti-idling regulations more effectively to improve air quality. We’ve seen a huge improvement in air quality this year as people stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those improvements have continued as people use alternative modes of transport.  We want to encourage people to continue the good work and walk, cycle and use public transport wherever possible to help us provide cleaner air for the borough.  We already have an anti-idling campaign in action at three local schools via the Clean Air for Schools campaign, so the introduction of this legislation will allow us to extend this campaign across the borough. Leaving your car idling for just 10 minutes every time you do the school run creates 1,520m³ of excess pollutant fumes every year which is enough to fill two jumbo jets.”

Now approved, the council say they will work to install the new measures later this year.

For more information about improving air quality in Swale visit www.swale.gov.uk/air-quality.

Stock Picture

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called earlier today (Monday 3rd August) to field of corn stubble and straw alight off of Bottom Pond Road, Wormshill, just outside Sittingbourne.

Three fire engines were sent to the scene and crews used hose reel jets, beaters and water from portable tanks (called flexi packs) to put the fire out.

There were no reported casualties and the cause is not yet known.