Inside Swale Spring 2012

magazine

Diffi culty in understanding this magazine? Need it in Braille, large print or on audio tape? For translations or interpretations contact us and we will do our best to help.Tel: 01795 417 850 Email: [email protected] Spring 2012

Keeping you in touch with your council services

Thriving market placesGetting Swale active

Council Tax frozenOlympics News

www.swale.gov.uk Have your say – help shape Swalewww.swale.gov.uk/LEF

2 Inside Swale

On 26th January 2012 The Isle of Sheppey Academy Principal, David Day, and Chair of Governors,Ralph Mainard, the Deputy Master External of the Academy’s lead sponsor Dulwich College, London,outlined their vision and plans to improve attainment, teaching and behaviour at the Academy by drivingforward with the Academy’s ‘learn, believe and achieve’ motto.

There is evidence of real progress at the Academy. Attendance rates are up from 88.48% in 2010-2011 to a now record 92.2%. Persistent absence is close to the national average at 9.8% and thefirst set of modular examination results saw 32% of students obtain a full A*-C GCSE Mathematicscertificate by January 2012. Chair of Governors, Ralph Mainard, said ‘ he was delighted the Academywas making progress after the OFSTED report and in a recent meeting with Department for Educationofficials gave their seal of approval for the plans of the sponsors, Principal and Academy leaders tobring about further improvement. Dulwich College re-affirmed its long term committed to continuousimprovement in the quality of secondary education on the island. This combined with the new buildwould drive our transformational agenda for secondary education on the island’. Other significantachievements include Parent evening attendance now over 50% and the award of the Kent Quality Markfor PSHE work on Sex and Relationships in July 2011. The Academy employs its own Health adviser.

The Academy has restructured its senior staff and created three new posts at Vice Principal level to leadon the quality of the curriculum, raise academic attainment and to support improvements to teaching.The two Executive Headteacher Mr Klee and Mr Rahman remain in charge of the West and East sitesrespectively leading on attitudes and behaviour for learning. From September 2012 there will beAcademy wide leaders of each subject across both the East and West site.

The Academy is currently in the process of securing new teachers for September 2012 in core subjectsin order to provide continuity in improving learning.

In terms of developing attitudes and behaviour the East and West Executive Headteachers, Mr Rahmanand Mr Klee respectively, are introducing new rewards and disciplinary sanctions as the Academyembraces the respect agenda. The Academy has opened new isolation rooms and is developing furtheroff site provision to improve attitudes and values.

The Isle of Sheppey Academy is in the process of experiencing the biggest public sector school re-build in the life time of this parliament costing £54m on two sites in Minster and Sheerness with a specialist theatre, engineering provision, sports halls and state of the art classrooms. The new buildingwill be ready for March 2013. Principal David Day remarked ‘ the new build on both sites is going to transform expectations from the Island’s community regarding secondary education. It is an excitingtime for students in the Academy and for those about to join us from our local primary schools’.

The Academy is planning to offer Level 3 provision in Motor Vehicles maintenance and possible MoTtesting qualifications, construction and engineering courses to Level 3 to supplement the traditional ALevels. In September 2012 the Academy is opening a new Sixth Form soccer Academy in partnershipwith Pro-Soccer. The aim is to provide a unique 2 hours per day football coaching from ex-professionalfootballers on the Pro-Soccer coaching staff and serious academic Level 3 A Level qualifications orvocational alternatives in Sport, Science, Business and Leisure to equip young people for a career inthe sports and leisure industry with the ambition of obtaining football contracts with top level non-league teams in Kent.

HEAD OFFICE, EAST SITE Minster Road • Minster-on-Sea • ME12 3JQ

T: 01795 873 591 F: 01795 870 107 E: [email protected]

Learn Believe Achieve

The Isle of Sheppey Academy Improvement Mission plans to drive up standards

Inside Swale 3

The LeaderWelcome to the March 2012 edition of Inside Swale, Swale Borough Council’s residents magazine. First of all, thank you to everyone who responded to the questionnaire in the last issue. We are really

pleased to hear that the majority of you who took the trouble to come back to us fi nd the magazine informative.2012 promises to be a massive year for Swale. At the end of last year we consented, subject to the resolution of outstanding issues, two very large town centre planning applications for Sittingbourne, which are mentioned later in this issue. We anticipate that both of these will start work shortly and that you will soon see cranes on the horizon. We have also now received the application from Vestas for the proposed wind turbine manufacturing facility at the Port of Sheerness, so this is welcome news.This July the Olympic torch will be coming through the streets of Faversham. This is a tremendous honour for the town and for the people of Swale. As you will see, we want to hear from you if you want to be involved on the day.We were saddened to hear about the workers at Thamesteel. We are working with our partners to provide as much support to them as possible.We have lost two dear friends in recent months. Cllr Brenda Simpson has sadly passed away. She represented Kemsley. Also, we have lost former Mayoress of Swale Ann Morris. She was a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed by us all.

Andrew BowlesLeader

ContentsNews ................................... 4,5,6,7 & 26Milton Creek ......................................... 8A thriving marketplace ........................ 11Bearing fruits .............................. 12 & 13Rushenden retrofit ............................... 14Sittingbourne Town Centre latest ....... 16Wind turbine manufacturing ................ 17Tackling flytipping ................................ 18Lights out across the world ................. 19 Beats + Breathes ................................ 20Inside Swale – Your feedback .............. 22Do it online .......................................... 23News from Medway Maritime ... 24 & 25Hop Festival 2012 ................................ 28Around the Parishes ............................ 29Your Councillors ......................... 30 & 31

Inside Swale is produced by Swale Borough Council’s Communications and Marketing Team

Cover: Faversham market.

Contact Swale Borough CouncilSwale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HTphone: 01795 417 850email: [email protected]: www.swale.gov.uk

Our corporate priorities are:

Regenerating Swale

Creating a cleaner and greener Swale

A safer and stronger community

A high-performing organisation

http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil www.swale.gov.uk


4 Inside Swale News

Remembering our lost friends

We sadly report that Cllr Brenda Simpson, who served as the ward member for Kemsley for 23 years, died in December. The fl ag was fl own at half-mast on Swale House on news of her death. On 11 January, Councillors

unanimously voted to posthumously make Cllr Simpson an Honorary Alderman. The honour is one of the highest that a council can bestow and is recognition of the eminent services rendered by a past Member. Cllr Simpson is the 58th person to have received the title.

Sadly, in January the borough also lost a former Mayoress of Swale. Ann Morris, wife of Cllr John Morris was Mayoress of Swale for two civic years from 2006-2008.

The borough is poorer for their passing.

Cllr. Brenda Simpson

Former Mayoress of Swale Ann Morris

ProcurementSwale Borough Council invites local businesses to tender or quote for works, goods and services. The Council advertises these opportunities on the Council website: www.swale.gov.uk/tendering-opportunities

Swale CAB awardSwale Citizens Advice Bureau has won a national award for the development and delivery of fi nancial education programs. The programmes have been mainly present-ed to groups of individuals who are not in employment, education or training (NEETS) and Year 6 children.

A national program has been sponsored over the last three years by the Nationwide Building Society and ends in March. At a celebration tea on 09 February Princess Anne presented the awards.

ThamesteelThe Council was deeply concerned to hear the news about Thamesteel in late January. The loss of such a large number of jobs is a serious blow for the Island and for the Borough.

We have been working with all our partners, as part of a Task Force. Our work has included providing access to information, advice and guidance to the affected staff and canvassing employers to help identify work opportunities.

Advice is available through the Gateway in Sheerness from our benefi ts advisors and housing options team, and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). We are also helping to organise to ‘Work Clubs’ at the Gateway in Sheerness, which will provide a range of support to help people return to work.

Please drop in to the Gateway or call the following numbers for further information and adviceHousing Benefi t & Council Tax Benefi t: 01795 417 555Housing Advice: 01795 417 511CAB: 0844 499 4124Work Clubs: 07930 283 130


Inside Swale 5

Swale’s Borough Councillors have voted in favour of freezing Council Tax. It has been another diffi cult budget round, with the Council facing over a 20% reduction in

the funding it receives from central government via the formula grant over the last three years.Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council, said: “This has been another diffi cult budget to deliver. However, by innovating in the last couple of years we have become a more effi cient organisation that has removed layers of management and has cemented working relationships with other local authorities and other public and private sector organisations that has improved services and increased our resilience.

“By planning ahead, I am pleased that as Leader of Swale Borough Council that I can say that despite the current economic situation our portion of your Council Tax remains the same as for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 fi nancial years, and that there will be minimal impact to frontline services.”

“Despite the current economic situation we have frozen council tax”

Council Tax frozen

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This spring, if you set up a new Direct Debit to pay your Council Tax it will trigger a donation to Demelza Hospice Care for Children. There are many advantages in paying your Council Tax by Direct Debit.The monthly amounts are automatically debited from your bank account. The Direct Debit guarantee means that you have full and immediate refund protection. You are free to cancel at any time so you are not committed for a certain period.The Council is donating 10p to Demelza for every new instruction received.

Councillor Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Cabinet Member for Finance, said “We are hoping to raise money for Demelza while enabling Swale

residents to budget better. So please help our chosen charity and yourself by phoning 01795 417272. We can take your payment details over the phone. Just have your account number, sort code and account name to hand and we’ll do the rest.”


6 Inside Swale

Extension of occupancy period to ten monthsOver the past year the Council has been working closely with holiday park operators and the local community to extend the time you can stay in your holiday home with the aim of encouraging investment in tourism on Sheppey and generally boosting the local economy.A series of conditions has been agreed with the holiday parks aimed at ensuring that holiday homes are not used as primary or second homes, therefore preventing the likelihood of the chalets or caravans being used as permanent residences, while at the same time allowing a two-month increase in the holiday season for the parks. To date 15 holiday parks have secured planning permissions for occupancy period extensions.Councillor Gerry Lewin, Swale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said ”I am delighted that the joint working between the Council and the holiday park operators has resulted in this win-win situation, encouraging investment while protecting the interests of local residents and the environment’.

Excitement is growing in Swaleas Faversham has been chosen as a host location for the Olympic Torch Relay. On Thursday 19 July 2012 people from the town and its surrounding communities can come and share in the excitement that the Olympic Torch Relay will bring.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local organisations to get involved. The Council is holding a meeting for local groups on 19 March in the Conference Room at Abbey School from 4pm so it can provide the latest news on the event and give groups an

opportunity to share the details of events that you are planning.We would also be really interested to hear from individuals who would like to be involved as marshals on the day of the torch relay. These people will play a key role in leading the crowd in celebration as the torch relay arrives in the town.For more information in the event on 19 March or to register your interest in being a marshal email [email protected] or on 01795 417 399. Keep up to date with the latest Council news about the Torch Relay at www.swale.gov.uk/olympics-paralympics/

Olympics and ParalympicsExaa

News


Inside Swale 7

Make Kent quickerA £43 million project is being proposed to improve Kent and Medway’s broadband infrastructure so that 90% of properties in Kent have access to superfast broadband. The remaining 10% of properties will have speeds of at least 2MB.However, before broadband providers will invest in improving the network, they need evidence that this is something the people of Kent want to see.So, we need you to register your demand for better broadband through the ‘Make Kent Quicker’ campaign. It only takes fi ve minutes so please:

sign up to register your demand at www.makekentquicker.com encourage your neighbours to register their demand consider whether you can display a poster to raise awareness in your community contact Action with Communities in Rural Kent on 01303 813 790 if you are interested in becoming a ‘local broadband champion’ to encourage greater sign up in your area.If you have no broadband access, please register at a KCC library or Gateway or contact our Contact Centre on 08458 247 247.

TV in Swale will be going digital in June 2012.Switchover is the process of converting the UK’s terrestrial television system to digital. Analogue channels broadcast from more than a thousand transmitter sites are being switched off and replaced with Freeview digital TV and radio services.

Digital UK operates an advice line (08456 50 50 50). The Switchover Help Scheme has also been established by the BBC to offer practical assistance at the time of switchover.

You can fi nd out more about the switchover by visiting the Council’s website: www.swale.gov.uk/digital-switchover

Are you ready for digital?

8 Inside Swale


Regenerating Swale

The Milton Creek Country Park was one of the fi ve successful projects in North Kent to be awarded funding from the government’s Thames Gateway Parklands Projects in 2008. The park now has a children’s adventure play park, picnic areas, an open-air performance area, ponds and extensive walkways leading through green open areas.

There are also wooded areas that have been extensively tree planted thanks to the Friends of Milton Creek. The Country Park crosses the Kemsley Light Railway at the Halt, and includes much of the historic Saxon Shore Way.

This is a very exciting time for the Park, the Community and everyone involved in ensuring its future in adding health wellbeing and entertainment for us and generations to come.

A Big Lunch event will be held on 4 June as part of the Jubilee celebrations and all residents are invited to bring their lunches in a lunchbox and experience all that the park has to offer with their neighbours. Trustees are looking for funding for the Big Lunch so that stalls and demonstrations can be put on.

The Trustees are a small group of six people. They would like to recruit more people to the Trust, so if you would like to join the group or help out with the Big Lunch please contact the Milton Creek Trust Chairman, Elvie Lowe on 01795 471792.

For information on the Milton Creek Oral History Project visit www.miltoncreekmemories.co.uk

The Milton Creek Trust was formed to Nurture and sustain a green heart for Sittingbourne by engaging the local community in partnership with the Friends of Milton Creek to encourage environmental, conservation and social and economic well-being

MiltonCreek

“Milton Creek - nature on your doorstep”

Inside Swale 9

Sittingbourne & Milton RegisGolf Club

www.sittingbournegolfclub.com

Please contact Club Secretary,Charles Maxted, Tel: 01795 842261

[email protected]

www.shipinnconyer.co.uk t 01795 520881

Contemporary Pub and Eating House: log fires, arm chairs, dining room, courtyard & garden, in a fabulous walking area - the Saxon Shore Way and Swale Heritage Trail. Dogs & children welcome.

Great British Cuisine: from our light lunch menu to dining à la Carte with a wide selection of traditional dishes prepared by our chef from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Food served daily ~12noon to 2.30pm & 7pm to 9pm

Sunday Lunch 12noon to 4pmFree House with good range of cask ales, beers, & wine

provide services to anyone within the Swale area over the age of 60. We off er day care that includes transport

to and from our Centres as well as:

For more information please contact Sittingbourne on

01795 477520 and Sheppey on 01795 662562

Age UK SittingbourneHeather House Day CentreAvenue of RemembranceSittingbourneKentME10 4NN

Age UK SheppeyRosemary House

43 Trinity Road Sheerness

KentME12 2PF

Age UK Sittingbourne & Sheppey


Graveney Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8URTel: 01795 532180 Fax: 01795 590193Email: [email protected]

www.ladydanevets.com

Have your say – help shape Swalewww.swale.gov.uk/LEF

www.swale.gov.uk

10 Inside Swale

01634 402020www.midkent.ac.uk

Find us on Facebook See us on YouTube Follow us on Twitter

100s of courses

at a level to suit you

There is a further 10 minute walk from Gillingham train station to MidKent College’s

£86m state-of-the-art Medway Campus.

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Inside Swale 11


A thriving marketplace!You may have seen that the recent report by Mary Portas into high-street trading emphasised the importance of town centre markets. We have a new look and feel to our markets in Swale. Following in the footsteps of Sheerness, local co-operatives have been set up in Faversham and Sittingbourne. A co-operative is an expression of localism. Co-operatives are businesses which are run by the market trade members who work together with more fl exibility to local consumer needs.

Faversham Market is the oldest in Kent and has a history going back at least 900 years. It is held in the town centre around the Guildhall in Market Place and Court Street on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.Sittingbourne Market has a long and proud history and the town centre’s redevelopment will increase footfall. Currently placed within the Forum Shopping Centre car park and held

on Fridays, the market provides a range of everyday goods at sensible prices.Sheerness Market is an integral part of the local community with community groups welcome to pre-book a pitch and promote their work. The market is held every Tuesday and Saturday in Sheerness Town Centre at the Rose Street car park.

Faversham market on a Friday in February 2012


Celebrate the JubileeIt’s not too late to organise an event to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. Swale Borough Council is helping Parish and Town Councils to co-ordinate activities locally, and we hope that schools, clubs and societies will get involved and organise events.Six beacons will be lit across Swale as part of 2,012 that will be lit across the whole of the UK. The Council would like to hear from you if you have a beacon and want to get involved.The website www.streetparty.org.uk explains everything that you need to know. The Council is just co-ordinating rather than planning or organising but is advising local groups about event management in terms of risk assessments or road closures where applicable. For more information or to let us know how you are getting involved please email [email protected] The Council will be posting details of events on its website nearer the time and we look forward to letting Swale know about your event!


12 Inside Swale

Bearing FruitsComing Soon… March – May 2012 …The Core Strategy is the main development plan for the Borough, setting out the location and the amount of new homes, jobs, schools, leisure, open space and other services for the next 20 years or so. It will also contain an updated set of policies to help determine planning applications.Last year we consulted on the ‘Pick Your Own’ stage of the Core Strategy, which asked residents, businesses and potential developers for their views on how much development there should be in Swale and where it should be focussed. We had almost 2,000 responses. They were used, alongside further research, to inform the next stage of the Core Strategy, Bearing Fruits.This up-to-date plan will help to ensure that we are well placed to make the best of opportunities for investment in Swale. It sets out what the overall development strategy is in much more detail. What are we proposing? The housing target for 2006–2031 is 13,500 houses BUT we already have land allocated or with planning permission for 8,550 of that total (and over a third of those have already been built). Suffi cient land therefore needs to be found for nearly 5,000 more. The employment target is 545,600 sq metres of employment fl oorspace – most of this will be found in land already allocated. We have reviewed and retained most of the site allocations made in the 2008 Swale Borough Local Plan. The focus for new development continues to be the main urban areas of Sittingbourne and the western part of Sheppey. The Sittingbourne Town Centre regeneration proposals are now moving on to the implementation stage. New allocations for housing and employment are proposed at North West and North East Sittingbourne. Some smaller allocations proposed at Faversham and Teynham for housing and employment. Areas of search for other smaller potential allocation sites are identifi ed – and the list appended to the Core Strategy; We have allowed for the Vestas proposals at the Port of Sheerness to come forward. The Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road Bapchild Section has an area of search allocated for the road route. The detailed planning of the route will be the subject of early preparation of a supporting document.



Inside Swale 13

Kent Science Park and the proposals for a new link road between the A2 and the M2 are supported in principle. However, at this stage the Council is not in a position to confi rm how deliverable this is over the next 15 years. Should circumstances change, a review of the Core Strategy would be triggered. An up-to-date set of policies to provide the context for deciding planning applications.

There is still time for comment and adjustment. This is the last consultation opportunity before we publish the plan and submit it to Government. The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the document for public consultation at its meeting on 14 March.

You can view the documents: Online: - on our http://swale-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ At Swale Borough Council Offi ces, including Faversham Alexander Centre and Gateway Sheerness: Reference copies and are available for public inspection free of charge. In Libraries: Reference copies are available for public inspection free of charge at all libraries within the Borough.

You can make comments: Online : http://swale-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ This enables you to submit comments against specifi c parts of the document. Please note - if you have previously made comments on any of our plan consultations, then your contact details will already be in our system, making it easier to submit comments online this time. By e-mail: to [email protected] By Letter: You can write to: Spatial Planning Manager, Swale Borough Council, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT or phone: 01795 417 118

Dates for receipt of comments:The public consultation runs from Monday 26 March to 5pm Friday 18 May 2012.

Drop-in daysWe will be holding drop-in days for you to come along and talk to us about the Draft Core Strategy Consultation, venues in your area and times are listed below. Feel free to call in to see us. Sittingbourne Library entrance – Thurs 29 March, 10am – 7pm – Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 4AH Teynham Parish Council event – Monday 2 April 10am – 7pm – Teynham Community Hall, 89 Station Road, Teynham ME9 9DU Faversham, Alexander Centre – Tues 10 April, 10am – 7pm – Preston Street, Faversham ME13 8NY Sheerness, Healthy Living Centre – Weds18 April, 10am – 7pm – Off the Broadway, Sheerness, ME12 1HH

For information about further exhibitions please ring: 01795 417192 email: [email protected] or visit www.swale.gov.uk/bearingfruits

14 Inside Swale


Regenerating Swale

Rushenden retrofit – full speed aheadThe Rushenden Retrofi t Programme aims to achieve a minimum of 40% carbon savings to private and social homes in Rushenden. It is a partnership between Swale Borough Council, AmicusHorizon Housing Association, Climate Energy, The Homes and Communities Agency and the Institute for Sustainability.

The retrofi t applies a green approch to regeneration and is the fi rst project of its kind in England, so Swale is delighted to be able to see if it can deliver the anticipated cost savings for residents, particularly at a time when fuel poverty is being highlighted as a real issue.

The Council is directly responsible for Phase One of the programme which will deliver initial

retrofi t measures to more than 60 private homes. The Council’s contractor, Lawtech, is installing the external wall insulation and replacement glazing, and Swale Heating is installing new boilers and carrying out loft insulation work. Work will be completed by the end of March.

Swale Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Economy and Regeneration, Councillor John Wright, said: “It is a real fi llip for Swale to have the opportunity to make this project work here fi rst. It is a clear indication of our commitment to working in partnership with colleagues from the public and private sector and to create a cleaner and greener Swale.”


Inside Swale 15

Faces of Kent (formerly Swale & Canterbury Carers Support) aims to reduce the stress and stigma caused as a result of the caring role for unpaid Family Carers and in the case of Young Carers, to restore lost childhood.

We offer a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL serviceAdult Carer Support - An adult caring for another adult

Alzheimer & Dementia Support

Parent Carer Support - supporting parents of children with additional needsMindset - for Carers of people with Mental Health Problems

Young Carers Support - aged 5-18 years that are helping to care for someoneCarers Health Promotion - Promoting healthy lifestyles and well being for the Carer

Kent Carers Emergency CardFor further details on the above and how we can support you please contact us:

01795 583440

PROMOTING, SUPPORTING & EMPOWERING ALL CARERS

or visit: www.facesofkent.org.uk

BE INSPIREDEXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW WITH US

Kent Adult Education has a great variety of courses starting this Spring in Swale.

For more information and to enrol go to www.kentadulteducation.co.uk or call 0845 606 5606 today!

PUTTP A SPSPSPRSPRSPRSPRINGIN IN YOOOUUUR UU STESTEPP!PP

Feeling crafty? Try a jewellery making or a floral design course in April.Want some time to relax? Take a Yoga course in May.Do you fancy tripping the light fantastic? Ballroom and Latin courses begin in June.


16 Inside Swale

Sittingbourne Town Centre latestSince the last edition of Inside Swale there have been further developments in relation to the regeneration of Sittingbourne Town Centre.

Formal consent has now been given on the Mill site, owned by Essential Land. This has also been signed off by the Secretary of State and so the plans are now approved for mixed use development, including a Morrisons and housing.

Morrisons hope to open by Easter 2013.

A resolution has also been passed by the planning committee to grant approval for the Tesco site, subject to some legal technicalities being resolved.

We are also getting closer to agreeing the development agreement with our development partner, the Spirit of Sittingbourne consortium. Once in place the physical regeneration of the town centre can begin.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council, said: “We are closer than ever now to formalising an exciting agreement that will provide the Town Centre and Swale residents the regeneration it so badly needs. It has been promised for so long and I am really pleased that things are moving on with positive discussions and also planning consent, which will transform the town.”

Regenerating Swale

Artist impression of the Essential Land development


Inside Swale 17

Wind Turbine Manufacturing at Sheerness Planning application submittedA planning application has now been submitted for the development of a wind turbine manufacturing facility at Port of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.

The fully integrated manufacturing facility is proposed by Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturer.

What is proposed would be one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its type in Europe.

It is anticipated that when fully operational the facility, if approved, could create around 2,000 new jobs directly and indirectly in the local and wider area.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council said: “This is a really exciting project and we are tremendously pleased that the planning application has been submitted because it shows the project is moving ahead. Obviously the application has to be rigorously and objectively assessed by the Planning Committee, and this is the next stage.”

You are invited to view the application and comment as part of a statutory consultation process. It can be viewed online at www.ukplanning.com/swale (Reference SW/12/0045). It will also be available to view as a printed document at Swale House, Sittingbourne and The Gateway in Sheerness.

Artist impression of the proposed Vesta wind turbine manufacturing site at Sheerness Docks


18 Inside Swale

Swale tops the league for tackling flytippingFigures recently released by DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) show that Swale Borough Council is the most successful Council in Kent for obtaining prosecutions for fl ytipping offences.

The fi gures show that in the fi nancial year 2010/11, Swale Borough Council obtained 12 prosecutions, as part of its overall campaign to educate and enforce in order to create a cleaner and greener Swale.

In all, 1,918 incidents of fl ytipping were reported, all of which were looked into by the Council.

Commenting on the fi gures, Councillor David Simmons, Swale Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Rural Affairs, said: “This demonstrates clearly that the cleanliness of the borough is our priority. Residents tell us that fl ytipping is something that annoys them and we try to target our limited resources at the issues that concern them. We could not do this on our own. The public acts as our eyes and ears and helps us to fi nd those who dump waste.

“We have always said that prosecution is a last resort, and we try to balance our proactive and reactive work, but we will prosecute where it is in the public interest to do so.”

Creating a cleaner and greener Swale

You said flytipping is something that annoys you, so we are targeting our resources at tackling it


Inside Swale 19

Lights out across the world …On Saturday 31 March at 8.30 pm, iconic landmarks around the world will be turning their lights off to take part in a global display of action against climate change.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Big Ben have been among the landmarks in recent years to have taken part in the event and all stood in darkness for an hour.

For the last three years Swale Borough Council has proudly taken part in Earth Hour and will be doing so again this year. We would also like to encourage you to do the same.

All non-essential lights in Swale House, the Sheerness Gateway and the Alexander Centre in Faversham will be switched off during Earth Hour to highlight Swale Borough Council’s continued environmental work.

The Council takes climate change very seriously. Pool covers at Faversham Pools, the Swallows in Sittingbourne and at the Healthy Living Centre in Sheerness are already saving taxpayers’ money and the Council has worked hard to embed climate change in its day-to-day work.

Swale Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Andrew Bowles said: “If everyone in Swale turns out all their non-essential lights in their homes and workplaces for just one hour it will be one small step to symbolising what can be achieved to tackle the issues of climate change.”

2012 – the year for Wildlife GardeningThe seasons seem to have merged and blended in recent years causing confusion to plants, animals and gardeners.

Spring really is around the corner and so is the start of the free-to-enter ‘Wild About Gardens Award Scheme’. Contact us for an entry form and some ideas about how to increase the biodiversity in your garden.

Alternatively, why not take a look at the new Swale in Bloom website,

www.swaleinbloom.co.uk for more information about the work of Swale in Bloom and how you can become involved in community action in your area. Alternatively email [email protected]

The Council’s green actions are already making a difference


20 Inside Swale A safer and stronger community

Can you get help to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient?The Energy Saving Trust is the UK’s leading impartial organisation helping people to save energy by providing advice and information on grants and discounts available for insulation and heating and renewable energy systems.

Find out more by visiting www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0800 512 012 to fi nd out what offers are currently available.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey Beats and BreathesThe NHS is launching a year-long life-saving

campaign to raise awareness of heart and lung disease in

Sittingbourne and Sheppey and help people protect themselves.

These killer diseases claimed the lives of 321 people in the two towns last year. But people can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with simple lifestyle changes and careful monitoring.

NHS Kent and Medway’s ‘Sittingbourne and Sheppey Beats and Breathes’ campaign, which is being supported by Swale Borough Council, is encouraging people to take action to improve their own health. At the same time, GPs will be inviting all those diagnosed with heart and lung disease for a check-up, a review of their medication and offering them support to quit smoking, lose weight or become more active.

Swale Borough Council’s Lesley Ingham, Cabinet Member for Health, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with our colleagues in health to tackle these problems. We take the health and wellbeing of our residents seriously and want to encourage people to take a greater responsibility for their own health.”

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Inside Swale 21


Do you care enough to be a Kent County Council Foster Carer?Find out more by coming along to our Information Session on Thursday 19 April at Castle Connections, Railway Terrace, Well Road, Queenborough, Kent, ME11 5AY.

The presentation will commence at 7pm and there will be an opportunity to meet staff from the Fostering Service and Foster Carers who can tell you about the rewards of being a foster carer.

We welcome applications from all sections of our community.

For more information contact our Initial Enquiries Team on 0845 330 2968 or visit our website www.kent.gov.uk/fostering

Advertise inthis space!

Inside Swale is Swale Borough Council’s residents’ publication.It is distributed to the Isle of Sheppey, Sittingbourne, Faversham and surrounding villages. It is delivered direct to homes by the Royal Mail with the morning post.*

Call Andrew Schofield on 0845 004 0683 or email [email protected] fora quote or to book.

*Inside Swale is delivered by the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service. Customers who have opted out of this service may not receive the magazine through their door.

Inside Swale...thank you for your feedbackThank you to those of you who took the time to complete the questionnaire in our last edition.

We believe that Inside Swale is a vital means of communication, enabling us to tell you important information about our borough and our services, such as refuse and recycling collections.

Over 80% of you said you think the magazine is good or very good Over 80% of you said you think it is about the right size and has the right number of pages 90% of you say the magazine is easy to read 90% of you said you would be less likely to read Inside Swale if it was only available online.

We asked you what you would like to see more of in the magazine. The most popular responses were:

Community news (see page 29 for our new ‘Around the parishes’ page) An Events listing page

Half of those who responded said that they think each magazine costs the Council more than 25p to draft, design, print and distribute. Well, the good news is that your copy of Inside Swale costs between 10p and 11p to put through your door.

As 84% of you said that you rely on Inside Swale to get information about the Council and its services, we believe that this represents excellent value for money. Thank you for your feedback and look out in the forthcoming issues to see how we act on your responses.


22 Inside Swale A high-performing organisation


Inside Swale 23

Do It OnlinePeople are increasingly using the web in their daily lives to make life quicker and easier; you can buy shopping online, get directions for a journey, pay your car tax or book a holiday. If you can do any of these, why not use the services we provide online?

We have recently made some big changes to our website www.swale.gov.uk which has now made it even easier for you to fi nd out about and use Council services online.

What you can doIf you see a problem in the borough it is easy now to report it online. We have dedicated services for you to report issues such as; fl ytipping (http://tiny.cc/fl y-tipping) and graffi ti (http://tiny.cc/graffi ti-fl yposting).

You can also pay for services online such as; council tax (www.swale.gov.uk/council-tax-payment) and buy or renew a brown bin (http://tiny.cc/brown-bins), in the same way you would buy your shopping online.

One of the other new services we have made available is the ‘Find Your Nearest’ service (http://tiny.cc/FYN). This uses your postcode and house number to fi nd out council tax information about where you live, who your local councillor is, when your bin is being collected and where the nearest recycling points are. We will be making more information available soon!

To fi nd out what other services are available online, visit our website www.swale.gov.uk

Our current services available online are:Apply for it

Benefi t appointment booking Housing register application form Job application form request Street trading

Ask us

Ask the Council Leader a question Contact council tax Contact customer services Find my nearest Frequently asked questions Housing advice pack Literature in alternative format Next bin collection Street cleansing schedules Work experience application

Consultations Corporate plan consultation Sustainable community strategy consultation Sport and Physical Activity Strategy

Pay it

Brown bin online purchase and renewal Business rates payment Invoice payment Online council tax payment

Report it

Antisocial behaviour Dog fouling report Empty property report Fly posting and graffi ti Fly tipping report Housing benefi t fraud report Planning enforcement complaint Play areas Smokefree complaint or enquiry

Surveys

Customer services survey Financial accounts questionnaire Have you got the power Housing Ctax benefi t survey Housing services customer survey Website evaluation survey

Tell us about it

Compliment comment or complaint Housing contact form Swale stars nominations 2012


News from Medway Maritime Hospital24 Inside Swale

Every month around 400 babies are born at Medway Maritime Hospital. And while some will go home to their families the same day, some will need extra care before they are ready to do so. Since it opened, the Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has increased the number of babies it cares for, as well as the percentage that have survived to lead good quality lives. Each year, around 850 babies – and not just from Medway but from across the entire county and beyond – spend time being looked after in the unit and that number is increasing. There are four levels of care that the unit provides. This includes: intensive care for the most seriously ill babies; high dependency care for babies who need complex care; special care for well babies who are catching up on growth and development after a premature birth, or those who are recovering after more complex treatment and are almost ready to go home.

These three levels of care are provided on the unit with 24 cots. transitional care is provided in another dedicated area with eight cots. Here mums are babies are kept together until a baby is ready to go home. Dr Aung Soe, Consultant Neonatologist and Clinical Director at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Chairman of the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust charity which supports the Unit said: “Due to the increase in births across the region, demand for the Unit’s services has increased, particularly for special care which largely cares for premature babies. To enable us to provide special care to more babies, we have extended our eight cot special care area to allow a further four cots. “The entire special care area has been refurbished to create a pleasant environment in which parents can spend time with their babies until they are strong enough to go home.”Last year, Jimmy’s mum Sharmaine, knew he was going to arrive early as she’d experienced one or two problems during her pregnancy, but his arrival nearly four months early still took Sharmaine and her mum Jackie by surprise.Sharmaine said: “I experienced a lot of bleeding throughout my pregnancy and had to have a lot of scans. At my last scan I was told that Jimmy had stopped growing in my womb and that I’d need one more scan and then they would need to book me in for a C-section. But I didn’t quite make it and I went into labour before the scan.”Jimmy weighed just 1lb 7oz and required very special care. He was born with one hole in his heart and two hernias. “The staff on the unit have been amazing – they’re really lovely and helpful. And they’re always on the ball. They know what’s happening and they keep you informed. As soon as they think something is wrong they


call you in to discuss it straight away. We’re so lucky to have a unit like this so nearby. Sharmaine’s mum Jackie echoed her thoughts: “We’re lucky to have this unit in Medway. The staff are brilliant and we know that if we ever need anything all we have to do is ask. They sit and explain everything to us without the medical jargon so that we understand.”

Inside Swale 25

Members’ eventsThe Trust has announced its members’ events for 2012. These free events are all about subjects members have told the Trust they would like to know more about. All events are held at the Postgraduate Centre, Medway Maritime Hospital, at 7pm, except for the event on 10 May which will be held at 7pm at Phoenix House, Sittingbourne.They are a chance for you to fi nd out more about medicine at Medway, to meet the governors and to share views. And if you’re not already a member you can sign up online at www.medway.nhs.uk/membership or join on the night.Hip and knee replacementsThursday 19 April 2012

MRSAThursday 3 May 2012

DiabetesThursday 10 May 2012 Phoenix House, Central Avenue, SittingbourneOverseas patientsThursday 21 June 2012

CancerThursday 19 July 2012The Emergency DepartmentThursday 25 October 2012Debate (on a current topical subject)Thursday 29 November 2012

To book your place, contact the Membership Offi ce on 01634 825292 or email [email protected].

Better care togetherProposed integration of Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS TrustOver the last year, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, the trusts that run Medway Maritime Hospital and Darent Valley Hospital, have been looking at joining together as one trust. Detailed plans are now being drawn up and offi cial bodies will need to be assured that there are suffi cient, tangible benefi ts for patients before the integration is approved.

Senior doctors believe there will be signifi cant benefi ts, including safeguarding existing services and being able to offer local people a wider range of improved health services. Both hospitals will continue to offer core services, including full consultant-led A&E, maternity, children’s and outpatients’ services. There are currently no plans to move any existing services.The trusts are working with patients, staff and the public throughout the process. Details of how to get involved and how to submit feedback can be found on the trusts’ websites: www.medway.nhs.uk and www.dvh.nhs.uk, alternatively email [email protected] or call 01634 830000 x6761.


26 Inside Swale News

Getting Swale Active

In Swale, 52% of adults aged 16+ are inactive with only 19.5% participating for the recommended 30 minutes three times a week of moderate sport and physical activity. We want to encourage and motivate people to lead more active and healthy lifestyles because of all the benefi ts this brings. So Swale Borough Council is working with partners and produced a Sport and Physical Activity Framework for Swale (SPAFS) which is currently out to consultation. This has been based on the results of a survey we carried out in February 2012.

Thank you to all 608 people that responded, a great response. The three prize draw winners have been contacted!What you told us – the headlines 71% of you would like to do more activity The main barriers to participating are not having enough time, cost, family commitments and childcare requirements, ill health and no motivation Low-cost activities, free promotional activities, activities designed to increase fi tness and weight loss, and activities for families to participate together are the most popular things to motivate you to do more The most popular activities you would like to do are health and fi tness (gym), swimming, walking and dance in leisure centres/ swimming pools, your own home, sports clubs and community halls The most important priorities over the next fi ve years should be increasing participation in sport and physical activity, increasing activity amongst those that are inactive, making it easier to fi nd out what activities are available, more places to participate in Swale, developing local sports clubsWe welcome your views on the draft SPAFS. It can be accessed on the Council’s website or by phoning Christopher Blandford on 01795 417 109 or by emailing [email protected]. Full details of survey results can also be sent to you. To fi nd out how to get more active and what activities are available please contact James Thatcher, Recreation Offi cer, Swale Borough Council on 01795 417 109 or by emailing [email protected]

We want to encourage and motivate people to get active, be healthy and have fun


Inside Swale 27

Are youworriedabout theamountof alcoholyou drink?Did you know thatdrinking above safelevels can damageyour health?

For free, confidential help and advice call:CRI East Kent Alcohol Serviceson 01227 473820.

Appointments and interventions can be offered in a range of localities across East Kent including locally through clinics based in Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey.

ADULTS SHOULD NOTREGULARLY EXCEEDWomen 2-3 units dailyMen 3-4 units daily


28 Inside Swale

The festival, held over the weekend of 1 and 2 September, attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy live music from local bands, street entertainment and the fi nest local fare in a celebration of Kent’s long and proud hop history.

Organised and staffed by volunteers and supported by local and national businesses, including the main sponsor Shepherd Neame, the festival perfectly captures the ambience of the time when friends and families would meet in the Garden of England for hop-picking holidays.

Previous festivals have included a wide range of bands on several stages, Morris dancers, craft stallsand local food and drink.

Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Visitor Centre will be open to give festival-goers a look behind the scenes of Britain’s oldest brewer.

Volunteers are needed to lend a hand in the run up to the festival and stewards are required over the weekend itself. There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities for businesses wishing to contribute, no matter how large or small.

As preparations start for the 2012 International Hop Festival in Faversham, organisers are asking for volunteers, stewards and new sponsors to come forward.

As preparrations start for the 2012 InternationalHop Festival 2012Hop Festival 2012

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Inside Swale 29

Around the ParishesUpchurch Matters

After six popular years online upchurchmatters.co.uk – the website for Upchurch village – has received a major makeover and is attracting a lot of interest in the area.

Villagers are encouraged to be involved with the website by sending in their local news items for the notice board page, and by posting details themselves of forthcoming village events onto the village diary page.

The website makes good use of Facebook too and this has proved to be a valuable and effective way of getting messages out to its 1,400+ fans more quickly.

The ever-popular gallery of old Upchurch photographs still attracts many visitors from all

over the world interested in the history of the village, some of who email in with their own fond memories of living there.

A new classifi ed advertisements section has attracted over 40 local businesses so far and encourages residents to try local tradesmen and businesses fi rst. For many of these their advert is their only presence on the Internet and is a very cost effective way for them to be found on Google and the like.

Since its re launch in March 2011 Upchurch Matters has had over 40,000 page views, something new owner Louis Newbery is delighted with and something he hopes to build on this year by getting out and promoting the website. Louis Newbery


30 Inside Swale Your Councillors

AbbeyBryan Mulhern01795 538 [email protected]

Anita Walker01795 531 [email protected]

BordenNicholas Hampshire01795 477 560 (eve) or 07739 [email protected]

Boughton & CourtenayGeorge Bobbin01227 751 [email protected] Bowles01227 752 840 or 07778 [email protected]

ChalkwellRoger Truelove01795 425 [email protected] Whelan01795 475 [email protected]

Davington PrioryMike Henderson01795 534 368 or 07900 265 [email protected]

East DownsColin Prescott01795 590 [email protected]

GroveDuncan Dewar-Whalley07889 [email protected] Randall01795 474 [email protected]

Hartlip, Newington & UpchurchGerry Lewin01634 366 [email protected]

John Wright01795 842 [email protected]

Iwade & Lower Halstow

Ben Stokes01795 476 979

Kemsley

Sue Gent01795 553 900

Leysdown & WardenPatricia Sandle01795 510 [email protected]

Milton RegisAdam Tolhurst01795 475 [email protected]

Tony Winckless01795 425 987

Minster CliffsAndy Booth07912 464213 or 07824 556 [email protected] Crowther01795 874 [email protected] Pugh01795 871 [email protected]

MurstonEd Gent07955 111 [email protected]

Conservative Labour Independent Group

By-election for seat formerly held by Brenda Simpson was held on 8 March 2012. New Member unknown at time of going to press.


Inside Swale 31

Nick Williams01795 479 [email protected]

Queenborough & Halfway

Jackie Constable01795 665 238

Mick Constable01795 665 238

Peter Marchington01795 661 960 (evenings)

RomanMike Haywood07960 173 [email protected]

Martin McCusker07403 006 997

Sheerness EastMark Ellen01795 667 [email protected] Sargent01795 664 [email protected]

Sheerness WestAngela Harrison01795 665 [email protected]

Stephen Worrall01795 665 589

Sheppey CentralLesley Ingham01795 881 123 or 07714 445 [email protected] Garrad01795 664 [email protected]

John Morris01795 881 [email protected]

St Ann’sMike Cosgrove01795 591 [email protected] Coulter01795 539 [email protected]

St Michael’sDerek Conway01795 424 865 or 07789 072 [email protected]

Sylvia Bennett01795 476 979

Teynham & LynstedRichard Barnicott01795 536 [email protected] Bowen01795 522 [email protected]

WatlingDavid Simmons01795 532 [email protected] Wilcox01795 533 [email protected]

West DownsMonique Bonney07973 [email protected]

WoodstockAlan Willicombe01795 439 [email protected] Willicombe01795 439 [email protected]

West Faversham Community CentreSpectacular new venue for your regular activity, party or eventWest Faversham Community Centre has:

A large hall with fl at and banked seating for over 300 Banquet/party seating for up to 176 guests Licensed bar run by professionals Large, fully equipped kitchen Separate lounge Large car park Suite of training rooms Youth and community activity rooms Large, fenced garden Full disabled access

A home for your clubWest Faversham Community Centre welcomes new clubs and societies to use it for activities and meetings. We are home to: Short-mat bowls A pre-school nursery Dance – all types from ballet for children to Zumba – plus Pilates Keep-fi t Bridge Over-55s club Boxercise Parent and toddler group Watercolour painting A Youth ClubCheck our website for new clubs and activities.

Join West Faversham Community AssociationThe Centre is run by West Faversham Community Association, a charity. Association membership is: £5 per family £3 for people on a pension Free for families on benefi tsSee our website for our wide range of social and fundraising events.

Volunteers wantedWould you like to meet new people, learn new skills and contribute to your community? Phone or visit the Centre for details.

Where we areWest Faversham Community Centre, Bysing Wood Road, Faversham ME13 7RH (opposite the new Sainsbury’s)Website: www.westfavershamca.orgEmail: [email protected]: 01795 537321

Opening soon Our café will open soon on weekdays for

tea, coffee and lunches

West Faversham Community Association: Reg Charity 1139228 Reg Company 7296070

Documents

Inside Swale Spring 2012