3 August 2022

Swale Borough Councillor’s Report 

Roads closures

The number of road closures in the ward sometimes makes it seem that the utility companies are trying to make it impossible to get home. It is understandable that the utility companies must close roads, to put in broadband connections, renew a gas main or fix a burst water main. But it seems to be becoming common for the “Road Closed” signs to stay up when no work is being carried out and there is no reason why the traffic can’t use the road. On many occasions the road is not actually closed at all. This casual disregard for the residents has knock-on effects, like the bin lorries not being able to complete their rounds. This issue has been raised with KCC and our County Councillor Rich Lehmann is also pushing for better coordination.

Member’s Grants

Each member of Swale Borough Council is allocated £2400 each year which they can grant to community projects in the borough. We use our grants to support projects which benefit the people of Boughton & Courtenay. In the past we have made grants to projects which support families with autism, the outdoor gym at Boughton, community Christmas meals, Faversham Pools, wildflower planting in Selling etc. The scheme for this year has just been announced so If you know of a good local cause that would appreciate a helping hand, do apply. Further information can be found here: https://swale.gov.uk/news-and-your-council/grants-and-funding/member-grants 

Local Plan

The Local Plan plays an important role in determining where development of housing and infrastructure takes place in the borough. The government is imposing a requirement on Swale to add 10,000 new homes to the current local plan. The formal plan is opened up for public consultation (known as regulation 19 consultation), before the final plan is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The final stage involves Examination in Public by the Planning Inspectorate. SBC have now published a timetable for the Regulation 19 consultation to take place in October or November. We will be writing more about the Local Plan nearer the time.

 

Tim Valentine (TimValentine@swale.gov.uk) 07752 191807

Alastair Gould (AlastairGould@swale.gov.uk)

Swale Borough Councillors for Boughton & Courtenay.

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