Bins
Firstly, I am relieved to say that, for almost all areas, the bin collections have greatly improved since the September route changes. If Suez do miss your bin, please contact Swale so that any problems can be remedied as quickly as possible. Use the online form here: https://swale.gov.uk/bins-littering-and-the-environment/bins/report-a-missed-bin, or phone the council on 01795 417888.
I have been working with the Scrutiny Review Panel to look at what went wrong with the procurement and management of this contract and we are already learning lessons for a report which will be published in the coming months. These lessons can be applied to future contracts to ensure that things run smoothly with all large council contracts in the future.
EU Entry/Exit system
I attended a KCC briefing in late September on the new Entry/Exit System. A new border control system which was due to be implemented at Dover and Folkestone from 10th November and was expected to cause widespread disruption. I am pleased to report though, that the scheme has now been delayed again (for the fifth time, I think) and this time it’s an indefinite delay, so hopefully this will be properly prepared for if it ever does go ahead and we will be spared gridlock at Brenley Corner.
Towards Zero
I am very pleased to say that at the October meeting of the Swale Environment Committee, councillors voted to install nearly 300 solar panels on the roof of Swale House. This will supply about 50% of the total electricity consumed in the building as well as creating surplus energy from April-August which can be sold back to the grid. The savings and benefits from this new energy provision will mean that the cost of the installation should be gained back in three to four years and the panels will be reducing the council’s energy bills by tens of thousands of pounds each year for the next few decades. Alongside the financial benefits, this is also a significant step towards the council’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030. Once this project is complete I hope to push for solar panels on the councils other buildings, as well as car parks where possible.
Winterbourne Fields
I spoke at the community-led meeting at Dunkirk Village Hall on Sunday 29 September about this proposed new development south of Dunkirk that is the subject of a planning application currently being assessed at Swale. I believe that the application for Winterbourne Fields is flawed for many of reasons, a number of which relate to its location.
At a time when sustainability is of ever-increasing importance, building nearly 2000 houses away from secondary schools, employment, shopping centres and other facilities makes it untenable. This alone would guarantee thousands of additional car journeys per day, which is unsustainable.
In addition to this, the location has known issues with water supply, surface water flooding and sewage disposal; as well as the loss of agricultural land, the huge disruption it would bring to the existing community, and the impact on wildlife both on the site itself and in the adjoining ancient woodlands. To even entertain the idea that this might get planning permission shows how truly broken our current planning laws are and I will argue against it at every opportunity.
Rich Lehmann
rich.lehmann@kent.gov.uk
