To consider any questions submitted by Members.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm on the Monday the week before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

The Mayor advised four questions had been received from members.

Question 1 – Councillor Lloyd Bowen

Can the Leader please confirm that the ‘Teynham Area of Opportunity’ which forms/formed part of the paused local plan review has been ‘taken off the table’ and ‘out of the Local Plan’ by the Council and that this applies to any future reviews of the Local Plan both current, paused or new and where this has been officially documented?

Response – Leader

The Local Plan Review is in a state of abeyance as we wait for the revised National Planning Policy Framework, or NPPF, to be published.  This was due in “spring 2023” but is still awaited.  The reason why the revised NPPF is so critical is because it potentially includes revisions that could allow the local plan to progress with a reduced housing figure compared with the 1,086 dwellings per annum we are currently expected to deliver.

Once there is that certainty, formal stages of the Local Plan Review can progress at pace because officers have been continuing with the necessary background work needed.  It will then be for officers to present potential development allocations to the Policy & Resources Committee for consideration. 

Question 2 – Councillor Ashley Wise

A recent spate of slingshot attacks on people, pets and property in my ward underscores how rising anti-social behaviour is affecting our communities after a decade of deep government cuts to policing.

Does the Leader of the Council understand why my residents expect Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner to be doing more given they hiked their Council Tax element by 6.57%, more than twice the rise from this Council?

Response – Leader

I can not speak for the Police and Crime Commissioner around setting of the precept or the current method of delivery of Neighbourhood Policing.  That said Cllr. Richard Palmer is our representative on the Police and Crime Panel and I will ask him to take forward our residents’ concerns.  I am aware through discussion with our borough commander that the roll out of a new Neighbourhood Policing model commenced in June which will see an increase in police officers at a neighbourhood level.  As a Council we will continue to engage with the police through the Community Safety Partnership and look to tackle these issues with our limited resources.

Supplementary

I invite the Leader and Councillor Richard Palmer to both write to the Police and Crime Commissioner to confirm when Swale residents will see more Police presence on the street.

Response

I am happy to do so.

Question 3 – Councillor Kieran Golding

This administration is very much focused on supporting pride in our towns and neighbourhoods. Does the Leader of the Council therefore share mine and my residents’ concerns that this objective is threatened by the KCC proposals to close the Faversham Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), which will mean a 20-minute minimum drive to the nearest recycling centre (Canterbury or Sittingbourne) in a time when we are promoting/encouraging people to reduce their carbon footprint.  It could also result in Swale Borough Council facing increased costs to clear fly-tips and dumped rubbish, which will inevitably rise, at a time when it’s reported that Swale already has one of the highest rates of fly tipping incidents in Kent.

Response - Leader

Thank you for the question, Cllr Golding. You will have seen from my recent press statement that I clearly understand the need for all local authorities to look at how to save money against a background of increasing costs and inadequate funding. But it is difficult, if not impossible, to make any informed judgement on the impact these proposals will have on our residents, given the lack of data available to us.

We are concerned by the amount of additional journeys that will need to be taken and the impact they will have on routes that contain air quality management areas within them. Kent is saying that 6,000 additional homes would now be more than 20 mins drive from their nearest HWRC, but this figure is based on optimum traffic conditions and round trips would likely be in excess of an hour for most users from Faversham or Leysdown if travelling at the weekend.

Unfortunately, there are too many unanswered questions, will people make the longer journey or will it end up in household waste? This may mean more contaminated recycling loads and additional journeys being needed by our bin collection contractor due to heavier weights.

Question 4 – Councillor Dolley White

Would the Leader of the Council like to join me in congratulating all involved in delivering the prestigious blue-flag status at Sheerness and Minster Leas beaches, and does he agree that we can all play our part as a community and volunteers, in partnership with the council, in ensuring they are clean and tidy for all to enjoy this summer?

Response - Leader

I would like to echo the thoughts of the ward Councillor for Sheerness. Our costal assets are an important part of the Borough. Obtaining the Blue flags at Sheerness and Minster and the Seaside Award at Leysdown is an ongoing achievement as there is strict criteria that has to be met. This includes working with water agencies on bathing water quality, providing the beach cleaning team resource that empties bins and clears debris off the beaches, contracting the world leading RNLI to provide lifeguarding during the season and providing ancillary services such as public toilets/food and beverage concessions.

We are aware of the recent problems with a higher volume of rubbish washing up on the beaches this winter. Our teams are working on removing this as quickly as possible including additional specialist resource where needed. We also remain committed in taking enforcement action against those that fly tip the waste.

We are ever grateful for the fantastic support of the local community and voluntary organisations that help us out with litter picks. We provide grants for local groups to get litter picking equipment and can take the rubbish collected away after the event. If anyone is interested in joining in, they can contact cleansing@swale.gov.uk.

Supplementary

I congratulate all volunteers and if anyone is interested in volunteering, I can provide more information.