The Leader opened his statement by saying how pleased he was that the meeting was being held at the Sheerness East Working Men’s Club and said he would concentrate his statement on the Isle of Sheppey exclusively.

He said that he played football for the Sheerness East Working Men’s Club in the 1970’s and he lived on the Isle of Sheppey as he taught at the Sheppey Upper Comprehensive School, including teaching two current Swale Borough Councillors. 

The Leader spoke of the importance of investing in the Isle of Sheppey.  He referred to the collapsed Lion Hope project in the 1990’s, although one of the project’s targets, the Second Sheppey Crossing, was built several years later.  He said that the coalition was determined to increase the resources that came to the Isle of Sheppey, not just core services but additional items from capital spends, special projects or from Government funding.  The Leader listed the following projects that had been carried out and those that were planned:

·       Funding for Sheppey Hall and the War Memorial in Sheerness;

·       improvements to disabled people’s parking with additional bays at Sheppey Leisure Centre and the Little Oysters;

·       new off-street parking for Kingsborough Manor woodland;

·       a continuing programme of refurbishment of playgrounds at Queenborough, Sheerness and Eastchurch;

·       new modern toilets at The Leas, Minster and refurbishment of the toilet at The Spinney, Leysdown;

·       the Special Projects Fund support for CCTV and refurbishment of kitchens at the village hall, in Leysdown;

·       supported the Sheppey Community bus service and Government Welcome Back funding supported the successful Hoppa Service;

·       the Barton’s Point Crossing bridge was replaced and car park improvements made in that location; and

·       the Council had, and continued to support, community groups especially for children and young people such as the Early Childhood Development Scheme.

The Leader highlighted many significant projects still in progress:

·       The repair of the Sheerness Clock Tower;

·       regeneration of Master’s House;

·       continuing makeover of Sheerness Town Centre; and

·       recovery of the pond at The Glen, Minster; and new drainage, toilet and shower block at Barton’s Point Coastal Park.

Future projects included:

·       Working with Sheerness Port and Historic England to develop the Sheerness Port and Dockyard initiative;

·       reviewing the Mile Town and Marine Town Conservation areas; and

·       working with the Ministry of Justice to secure the conservation of World War 2 aircraft carriers at Stanford Hill prison, Eastchurch.

Moving on to external funding and support, the Leader said that Swale had recently been visited by the High Street Task Force who initially considered Sittingbourne to be the priority for working around High Street improvements but it was Cabinet’s view that Sheerness should be first.  He added that the Isle of Sheppey had been made the priority for any scheme to submit to Government for levelling up and would remain a priority  whether Government support was received or not.

The Leader said there were some issues that Cabinet had no direct control over but should speak for the Isle of Sheppey, and he spoke on the current shortage of GP cover and health inequalities and of the future of secondary education.  He said that young people on the Isle of Sheppey should be given greater opportunities and could achieve great things.  The Leader said working with the MP and Kent County Council was ongoing to achieve a better educational option for the Isle of Sheppey.  He said that reports that KCC had plans to build a new school were incorrect and he referred to the correction made by the media.  The Leader reminded Members that the Oasis was an Academy school, not a KCC school and the MP’s input was vital in achieving a better option which could not be done without the involvement of the current provider.

The Leader spoke about local pride in the area, which could come from the growth of community activity, heritage projects, or even the success of local sports teams and he ended his statement by saying that this Council supported the Isle of Sheppey community and he hoped this would be reflected in the media.

In response, the Leader of the opposition group first welcomed Councillor Mike Henderson. He then spoke of his involvement in education and of the issues in students travelling from the Isle of Sheppey to attend schools off it.  The Leader of the opposition applauded the work the administration had carried out on the Isle of Sheppey.  He spoke of the importance of involving and communicating with residents on the Isle of Sheppey and said that the opposition would support the administration when they did the right thing and challenge when it did not.

The Deputy Mayor invited other Members to respond and comments made included:

·       Educational buildings on the Isle of Sheppey had been replaced, investment in education to match was needed;

·       there was talent and aspiration on the Isle of Sheppey which was not being used;

·       the current education system was unsatisfactory;

·       there had been world leaders in Maths and Science educated on the Isle of Sheppey;

·       pleased with the administration’s investment on the Isle of Sheppey and in other areas of Swale;

·       Members should lobby the MP on education;

·       there were good and outstanding primary schools but the secondary school required improvement;

·       welcomed the proposed new Rushenden Primary School and Secondary SEN school;

·       critcised the local media for unhelpful incorrect reporting;

·       spoke of the Isle of Sheppey’s rich heritage and pride of residents;

·       hoped the introduction of Area Committees improved communication and resident participation;

·       Swale Borough Council (SBC) provided help and assistance as well as funding for projects and ideas;

·       encouraged visitors to the new Queenborough Market; and

·       encouraged Members to be positive about the Isle of Sheppey.

In response the Leader welcomed Members’ comments.  He praised the interaction with community groups.  Referring to education, he said that ideas and discussions that SBC, KCC and the MP had on two secondary schools on the Isle of Sheppey, one a vocational school, did not mean these would be built in the next year.  He encouraged all Members to support ideas to make educational options better for the Isle of Sheppey.