Inside Swale Winter 2011

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] winter 2011

Keeping you in touch with your council services

Gateway opens in SheernessOlympic Torch comes to FavershamSittingbourne regeneration latestChristmas bin collections – page 14

p g y y

We wish all of our residents a very Happy Christmas

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

2 Inside Swale

Building a better future“Within the next two years a major £54 million building and developmentprogramme will provide students at The Isle of Sheppey Academy with brandnew learning environments, each equipped with the most modern technologyutilising the latest computer-based teaching and learning approaches. Specialist facilities for both sport and performing arts will be a key feature of the new building programme”

Mr David Day – Principal The Isle of Sheppey Academy

For further information about the Academy visit our websitewww.theisleofsheppeyacademy.org.uk

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

West Site

West SiteEast Site

Inside Swale 3

The LeaderHello, and welcome to the December edition of Inside Swale, Swale Borough Council’s residents’ magazine.There is much good news to report. On the Isle of Sheppey the Rushenden

Relief Road was offi cially opened on 24 November. The recent announcement by Vestas Wind Systems that they are hoping to build a wind turbine factory at the Port of Sheerness is hugely exciting. This could put the Borough at the forefront of wind power development and create 2,000 direct jobs as a result.In Sittingbourne, we have signed a heads of terms agreement with our preferred development partner (the Spirit of Sittingbourne consortium) and two major planning applications affecting the town centre were approved by the Council’s planning committee last month with one more being heard on 8 December. This really is proof that there is a real appetite for investment in the town. The Northern Relief Road will also be completed and opened very shortly.And in Faversham localism is at work with a new project that will give Faversham Town Council the opportunity to guide future development at Faversham Creek by taking the plan making powers from Swale Borough Council. We have been awarded £20,000 to assist with the Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan and is one of only 31 areas in the country to be awarded this grant.We always welcome your views on our services and performance so please let us know by contacting us using the details on this page.I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.Andrew BowlesLeader

ContentsNews ...................................... 4,5,7 & 12Gateway opens ............................... 8 & 9Regeneration latest ..................... 10 & 11Boundary review ................................. 12Swale in Bloom - Jubilee Year .............. 13Christmas bin collections..................... 14Inside Swale questionnaire .......... 16 &17Your views on Swale ............................ 18Changes to housing benefit ................. 20Let’s make Swale a better place! ......... 23Housing Information ................... 24 & 25Run by you ........................................... 26News from Medway Maritime ... 28 & 29Your Councillors ......................... 30 & 31

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

Cover: Tunstall Church in snow (courtesy of Mr K. Washford).

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

Sign of the times for LeysdownArtist Laura Boswell has been commissioned by Leysdown Rose-tinted to design and make a new Village Sign for the Spinney in the heart of Leysdown. Her design connects people to the landscape, best-loved places, seasons and memories – the things that defi ne particular places as loved.The new village sign will welcome visitors to the area and promote places of interest, such as the start of

the Isle of Harty Trail – a 9km cycle track through Leysdown Country and Coastal Park that takes you to the edge of Swale National Nature Reserve, home to plants, birds, butterfl ies and moths and with beautiful views across The Swale.The planning application for the sign was approved in November by Swale Borough Council’s planning team.

Core StrategyThe Council’s Draft Core Strategy Consultation will be announced in the New Year. Watch this space to have your say on the Council’s proposed preferred option. More information will be announced in the March 2012 edition of Inside Swale.

At this time of year …Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, Szczesliwego Nowego Roku.Bada Din Mubarak Ho, Naye saal ki.These are just three ways of wishing some of our readers all the best for the forthcoming festive period, with Polish and Hindi being the ones you may not have recognised immediately.

Opening hoursSwale Borough Council’s offi ces are open as normal the week beginning 19 December in Faversham and Sittingbourne. The offi ces will be closed on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 December, but will be open normal hours on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December.

For the week beginning 19 December the Gateway will be open: Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 from 9am to 5pm. On Wednesday 21 December it will be open from 9am until 6pm. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the Gateway will be open but not all services will be available. It will be closed on 26, 27 and 28 December.

As it App-ensSwale residents can now use a

number of Smart Phone apps on Android, iPhone and Blackberry mobiles to report problems such as graffi ti or fl y tipping to our Customer Services team 24 x 7. As well as a description, you can send a photo and a map location based

on your GPS if your phone has one. Look in your

phone’s market place or app store for “UK My Council Services”, “Fix My Street” and “Love Clean Streets” for more information. Not every app is available across all types of phones.


Inside Swale 5

Keeping the grass greenSwale Borough Council is working with its grounds maintenance contractor Blenwood to give its staff the chance to obtain an apprenticeship diploma in horticulture level 2.This joint partnership demonstrates the commitment of both organisations to having a skilled workforce. Once the 18-month long course is completed staff have wider knowledge of horticultural practices. It is open to all age groups.Stephen Williams recently completed the course and Steven Gale and Wesley Smith have just enrolled. Ed Gent who runs the training is pleased to see the positive effect the training is having on the workforce.

Unwanted clothingIf you have any unwanted clothing after Christmas then don’t forget you can have your textiles collected by Queenborough-based fi rm Rocque Recycling, who export these unwanted textiles to developing countries, where they are distributed to local markets and stallholders sell the clothes to the surrounding communities.So far, in excess of ten tonnes has been collected from Swale residents.If you require more sacks to recycle your unwanted clothes or wish to book a collection please call Rocque Recycling on Freephone 0800 634 9732 and they will arrange delivery/collection at your home or place of work.

Diamond JubileeIn 2012, Her Majesty The Queen will become the second Monarch in British history to celebrate 60 years on the throne.

It has been a tradition to light a chain of Beacons to celebrate Jubilees. It is planned to have a total of 2,012 Beacons lit across the UK, with six Beacons being in Swale. So if you have a Beacon and want to get involved then let us know and we can register your interest.

The Council would like Parish and Town Councils to help co-ordinate activities locally, and we hope that schools, clubs and societies across Swale will get involved and organise events.

Each of Swale’s 47 borough councillors could offer a small amount of fi nancial support for your event through the Local Engagement Forum grant scheme. Details of this for 2012/13 will be given to the local press in due course.

It would help the Council, Police and Kent County Council Highways if you could let us know the size and scale of your planned activities in 2012 so you can be sure that things will run smoothly. There is still plenty of time to organise an event and get your community involved. We will mention your event on our website.

For more information or to let us know how you are getting involved please email [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your news!


6 Inside Swale

Homecare at your controlTailored packages from half-hour visits to live-in care. Trained and vetted community carers working in all areas of Swale.

Regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

For more information contact 01622 230800

superiorcare.co.uk

Superior homecare packages start from just £13.52 a week

or visit: www.swalecarers.org.uk

PROMOTING, SUPPORTING &EMPOWERING ALL CARERS

Swale & Canterbury Carers Support

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 SupportOlder Carer (aged 60+) of Person

Parent Carer Support - supporting parents of children with additional needs

Mindset - for Carers of people with Mental Health Problems

Young Carers Support - aged 5-18years that are helping to care for someone

Carers 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


Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic TorchFaversham not only has a certain ring to it, but fi ve Olympic rings! Faversham has been chosen as a host location for the Olympic Torch Relay. On Thursday 19 July 2012 people from Faversham and the surrounding communities can come to the town and share in the excitement that the Relay will bring and celebrate the achievements of the chosen Torchbearers.

Faversham is one of over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, the Leader of Swale Borough Council, said “We are truly excited and anticipate that this will mean a lot to people who can see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.”

Details of the route and the torchbearers will be revealed by LOCOG next year.

Former heptathlete Denise Lewis with the Olympic Torch

News Inside Swale 7

8 Inside Swale


Gateway opens!The Gateway in Sheerness High Street opened to residents and visitors on Monday 21 November.

Gateway brings the County and Borough Council services together in one high street location. Some key Kent County Council services include customer service staff who will be able to assist with general enquiries; Adult Education (Skills Plus), Birth and Death registrations and Kent Adult Social Services. Swale Borough Council will offer in-house services including Customer Service, Housing Options and Housing and Council Tax benefi ts.

Gateway provides free access to the internet and offers the convenience of self-service for a wide range of public services. A wide range of other voluntary service organisations will also be providing their skills, support and advice through the Gateway as part of a regular programme of events and surgeries.

This development is central to the regeneration of Sheerness town centre. Swale Borough Council’s Sheerness district offi ce has fully relocated from Trinity Road to the High Street. Sheerness Library has also relocated from Russell Street, Sheerness.

The modern facilities will improve access to a range of services and make these available to customers from across the Island. The Gateway is in prime location in Sheerness Town Centre, and is expected to increase footfall in the High Street. Thanet’s Gateway has received well over a million visitors in its town centre location.

Sarah-Jane Radley, Sheerness Gateway Co-ordinator

Regenerating Swale

GatewayAwaiting photos

Inside Swale 9


Councillor Mike Cosgrove, Swale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Localism and Communities said, “It’s really nice that we have taken delivery of our own Gateway. Kent County Council has huge experience of the benefi ts Gateways offer by bringing together a range of partners to help residents. Residents are expecting great things and we hope that Island residents in particular will make good use of it.”

“The Gateway provides many services all under one roof”

Rushenden Relief RoadThe Rushenden Relief Road was opened on 24 November.

The Relief Road is named Thompsett Way after the late Swale Borough Councillor Gerry Thompsett, who was a Freeman of the borough, and was a Swale Borough Councillor between 1973 and1976, and then again between 1979 and 1983.The multi-million pound regeneration proposals for Queenborough and Rushenden look at all aspects of regeneration, with housing, employment space, community facilities, open spaces and a potential new marina.The road will take existing and future industrial traffi c away from the residential areas of the proposed scheme and open up the entire regeneration site. The link road is 1.2km long and will run between the new roundabout at Neats Court, constructed as part of the A249 Swale Crossing scheme, and pass over the railway connecting to a new junction on Rushenden RoadThe Rushenden Relief Road Scheme cost £12m and was funded primarily by SEEDA but with some support from Kent County Council.

Sittingbourne Northern Relief RoadThe Northern Relief Road is scheduled to open on 12 December.The road is 1.4km long and runs from the roundabout on Swale Way at Ridham Avenue to the roundabout on Castle Road.Its purpose is to give direct access from Eurolink/East Hall Farm out to the A249 and give some relief to the town centre roads.The scheme cost £30m and was funded by the Department of Transport, the Homes and Communities Agency and development contributions.

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

www.swale.gov.uk

10 Inside Swale

The Rushenden Relief Road is a key piece of infrastructure

Regenerating Swale


The ApprenticeRecent news headlines claimed that more 16-to 24-year-olds are without work now than at any time in nearly two decades. This is an issue being proactively tackled by Swale Borough Council and its partners.

The Council has announced the start of a new pilot grant programme to encourage small employers to look at apprenticeships and consider employing the growing number of young people struggling to get their careers off to a start.

The grant fund has been created by Swale Borough Council in partnership with the local 14-19 Planning Forum and Kent County Council.

The 100 in 100 programme, launched in March, has been promoting apprenticeships

to employers generally, with the aim of getting 100 new employers to take on at least 100 new apprentices before the end of 2011. To date 58 new employers have signed up to create 75 new apprenticeships.

Cllr John Wright, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Learning and Skills at Swale Borough Council, said “We are really pleased with the support we have had from local employers. Our intention is to help those small employers that are prepared to look at apprenticeships for the fi rst time, while also helping some of our local young people, who are not in education, employment or training.”

Building confidently towards regenerationSwale Borough Council and the Spirit of Sittingbourne consortium, who are the development partner that the Council is working with, have signed a Heads of Terms agreement.

Although it is not the fi nal legal agreement, it outlines what will be built in the town centre in the forthcoming years, such as a cinema, a performance arena and a new Gateway civic centre, along with associated leisure, retail and residential development.

Councillor Andrew Bowles, Leader of Swale Borough Council, said “This is another signifi cant step along the way to the regeneration of Sittingbourne town centre, which is vital for the town, its residents as we declare Swale open for business.”

The Heads of Terms agreement runs in parallel with the Tesco and Essential Land planning applications.

Inside Swale 11


12 Inside Swale

Swale Borough Council Boundary ReviewFollowing a period of public consultation, the Local Government Boundary Commission has advised that it is currently minded to recommend a Council size of 47 Members. This is the same number of councillors that we have at present. The next stage of the review will be for Group Leaders to submit proposals for warding arrangements to the Commission by 10 January 2012. The Commission will consider the submissions and then publish proposals for warding arrangements, which will be open to public consultation. More information about the next stage of consultation will be given in the next edition of Inside Swale.

Police Commissioner elections 2012The fi rst set of Police Commissioner elections will take place on 15 November 2012.

The date is set out in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act which became law on 15 September 2011. The Act replaces police authorities in England (excluding London) and Wales with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners, with the aim of improving police accountability. To vote on 15 November 2012 you need to be on the electoral register. For more information about registering to vote please see http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/ or contact the Customer Services team at Swale Borough Council for a registration form.

News


Inside Swale 13

Swale will bloom in Jubilee YearDuring the Diamond Jubilee, Swale in Bloom is planning projects which will leave a lasting memorial for this important year. There are both local and national campaigns to encouraging tree planting and local residents are being consulted to identify suitable sites right across Swale.The Royal Horticultural Society is launching its Wild about Wildfl owers initiative as a contribution to the Jubilee and local In Bloom groups will be taking part.

Both Sittingbourne and Faversham in Bloom were delighted when they were again awarded Silver Gilt by the judges of South and South East in Bloom. This level of award refl ects well on all the community effort and commitment of the volunteers and the towns.The annual Wildlife Gardening Awards which we manage with our colleagues at the Kent Wildlife Trust will be continuing during 2012. If you would like to make your garden more wildlife friendly then please contact us. We’ll send you an entry form and some suggestions to help you get started.

There are volunteering opportunities right across Swale so if you’d like to take part in making Swale an even cleaner and greener Borough, then contact us at [email protected] or visit www.swaleinbloom.co.uk

Photo shows from left Cllrs Ted Wilcox and Cindy Davis with Faversham’s award, Sallie Shaw of Swale in Bloom and Brenda and Malcolm Moore with Sittingbourne award.

Reinforcing a simple messageYou may have seen a giant box of chicken and chips, a giant crushed can of cola and a giant cigarette butt in your travels around the borough recently.As part of Swale Borough Council’s Environmental Response team’s ongoing anti-litter campaign, offi cers spend a couple of hours on the streets reminding residents in a light-hearted way about the importance of binning their rubbish and making their town a cleaner place for all.

While the cleanliness of the borough is good, it can always be better. On-the-spot fi nes of £80 can be issued if you are seen purposely dropping litter and walking away, so this initiative is part of our commitment to get involved with the community and concentrate on reminding them of their responsibilities.The Council works closely with Kent Police through the Community Safety Partnership, to help make Swale a safer and cleaner borough for all of us.


14 Inside Swale

Christmas bin collection 2011Swale Borough Council’s refuse and recycling collection dates over the festive period are as follows:

If your bin is scheduled to be collected on: It will now be collected on:

Monday 26 December Tuesday 27 December

Tuesday 27 December Wednesday 28 December

Wednesday 28 December Thursday 29 December

Thursday 29 December Friday 30 December

Friday 30 December Saturday 31 December

Collections return to normal from the following Monday 2 January 2012. Please have your bin out by 7am on the correct day.

In the event of bad weatherIf Swale is affected by bad weather during the winter months, please leave your bin out for collection and our refuse collectors will get to them as soon as they are able to. If there is inclement weather the latest information will be posted on the Council website at www.swale.gov.uk/snow

The snow codeIn bad weather, the Borough’s primary roads are salted but the footpaths remain an issue for bin men trying to pull heavy bins around, particularly on the side roads. There simply isn’t enough resource to be able to clear every single footpath in the borough and so any support that residents can provide is always very welcome.

These are the times to be neighbourly and show a concern for others, and therefore if you are able to help your neighbours and passers-by by clearing pavements and pathways of snow and ice it would be appreciated. If you are able to help in this way we would recommend that you follow the Snow Code as advised by the DirectGov website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868 which has some sensible advice.




Inside Swale 15


16 Inside Swale

What do you think of this magazine?We want to communicate clearly with everyone who lives and works in Swale and to provide you with the information you need about services provided by Swale Borough Council and our partners in the community, such as the Community Safety Partnership.Getting informationWhere do you usually get information about Swale Borough Council services? (Please tick all that apply to you) Local newspapers and radio Swale Borough Council website Swale Borough Council on Facebook Swale Borough Council on Twitter Inside Swale magazine The council’s offi ces/Gateway or call centre Local library Other

Thinking about Inside Swale the residents magazineHow would you rate the content of the magazine for:Useful information? very good good average poor very poorDesign and layout? very good good average poor very poorUse and quality of photographs? very good good average poor very poorAdvertising? very good good average poor very poorEasy to read? very good good average poor very poor

Is the size right?Thinking about the number of pages, is the magazine: too long about right not long enoughThinking about the size of the text in the magazine, is the text: too small about right too large?Thinking of the current size of the magazine, if we could change it would you prefer: larger size or keep it the same

What would you like to see more of in the magazine?(1 = less important, 5 = more important, please circle number):More council news? 1 2 3 4 5More community news? 1 2 3 4 5Events listing? 1 2 3 4 5Contact detail? 1 2 3 4 5More about councillors? 1 2 3 4 5Letters from readers? 1 2 3 4 5Anything else?



Inside Swale 17

We aim to keep you informed and publish four issues a year.Is this: too many issues about right too few issues

How much of the magazine do you read? all some a little none

Did you know that the magazine can be viewed online at www.swale.gov.uk? yes no

If Inside Swale was only available on our website and not delivered to your door, what is the likelihood you would continue to read it? more likely same less likely

Once you have read your copy of the magazine, do you: keep it for reference throw it away recycle it?

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Inside Swale magazine?

Please rate the magazine overall? very good good average poor very poor

About youYour gender: male femaleYour age: 16 or under 17-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 over 65

How much do you think this copy of Inside Swale costs to produce and mail out? 1p - 10p 11p - 16p 17p - 20p more

Thank you for taking the time to complete our questionnaire. Your answers will help us to improve Inside Swale. Please deliver your completed questionnaire to Swale Borough Council’s offi ces in Sittingbourne, Faversham or the Gateway Sheerness.

Alternatively please post to:

Jason Wignall, Communications and Marketing Manager,Swale Borough Council,Swale House, East Street,Sittingbourne,Kent ME10 3HT


18 Inside Swale

We asked ... what were the top fi ve things that were most important in making somewhere a good place to live?

You said………… Level of crime Clean streets Health services Road and pavement repairs Shopping facilities

We asked … what were the top fi ve things that needed improving?

You said……….. Activities for teenagers Road and pavement repairs Job prospects The level of traffi c congestion Shopping facilities

Your views on Swale Local Area Perception SurveyDuring August and September 2011 2,500 randomly selected households were mailed a questionnaire seeking residents’ views about the borough.

42% of residents are satisfi ed with the way the council runs thingsnearly three quarters (70%) of residents are satisfi ed with their local area as a place to liveless than a fi fth (17%) of residents felt that anti-social behaviour was a problem Over half (54%) of residents felt that the council was making the area a better place to liveNearly two fi fths (39%) of residents thought that the council gives residents good value for money

In order to promote better health and well-being in the local area residents felt that the council should focus on: Tackling drug abuse (www.swalecsp.co.uk/misuse) Increase people’s participation in sport/exercise Improving walking and cycling routes (www.faversham.org/pages/standard.aspx?i_PageID=122529)So we need to do better.

When making decisions on the budget for Swale next year the council may have to consider reducing services or increasing Council Tax. These are the preferences expressed by local residents: Council Tax should not go up in any circumstances 42% My decision on whether Council Tax should go up would depend on which services were cut 47% In general I would rather see Council Tax go up than see major cuts in services 11%.



Inside Swale 19

DancingBALLET, TAP, JAZZMODERN, TROUPECONTEMPORARY

ActingTRINTY GUILDHALL

QUALIFICATION

SingingFOR FUN!

“Where aspiring talent develops”

Acting, Dancing and Singing for the Isle of Sheppey

Acting Dancing and Singing

Island Performing

Arts

PO Box 194, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4AZ01795 228022 - 07816 989397

[email protected]

The Ship Inn, Conyer Situated in the heart of the Swale Area on the Saxon Shore Way, The Ship Inn is a perfect venue for that special occasion or lunch stop for walkers (dogs & children welcome). A wide selection of tra-ditional British Cuisine freshly pre-pared from locally sourced produce is served daily, together with a good range of cask ales, beers, & wine. Come and warm up next to one of the log fires and relax in a comfy arm chair or watch the sun set across the marshes while you dine. Lunchtime set menu from £8.50, evening à la Carte, Tapas bar menu, Curry night, Pie night and Sunday Roasts.

The Ship Inn Conyer Quay

Teynham Kent ME9 9HR

t 01795 520881

[email protected]


20 Inside Swale

Further information on changes to Housing BenefitWhat has changed?From April 2011 the Government made changes to Housing Benefi t for tenants renting from a landlord in the private sector. These changes will affect you if you are renting a property from a private landlord and receiving Housing Benefi t and you made your claim for your current address on or after 7 April 2008.

When is it changing?The Government reduced the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates from April 2011 to a lower amount. If you are making or have made a new claim to Housing Benefi t or have moved home since 1 April 2011, these changes already apply to you and you will already receive the lower Local Housing Allowance rate.If you were already claiming before April 2011, you would have had “transitional protection”. This means that (provided your circumstances haven’t changed) you will have nine months benefi t based on the old Local Housing Allowance rate starting from the date we next assess your Housing Benefi t on or after 1 April 2011. At the end of the nine months, your transitional protection will end and your benefi t will then be assessed using the lower Local Housing Allowance rates. For instance if your next LHA anniversary date was due in June 2011 the changes would not affect you until March 2012. If you are getting or thinking of claiming Housing Benefi t, you need to consider these changes before you renew or make a new tenancy agreement with a private landlord.Discretionary Housing PaymentsIf you fi nd that the benefi t you receive does not meet the rent charged and/or Council Tax you are due to pay, you can apply to Swale Borough Council for extra help called a “Discretionary Housing Payment”.To receive this payment, you have to show that you cannot afford the shortfall in your rent and/or Council Tax, or if you do so, you or someone in your family will suffer hardship.If you would like to apply for this extra help, please contact the Benefi ts Team for an application form.

Where to go for more information You can get more information at www.direct.gov.uk You can also contact the Benefi ts team at the Council by calling 01795 417 555. The Citizens Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk Shelter www.shelter.org.uk You can also contact the Council’s Housing Options team on 01795 417 511.


Saving water by turning off thetap when brushing your teeth

Water stewardess Emilywishes you a pleasantand water efficient dayand suggests:

2779_M

etering_

10.11_Ins

ideS

wale_

btap

Find out when your meter is coming atwww.southernwater.co.uk/metering

Water resources in the South Eastare under stress. Southern Wateris installing water meters to reducedemand, protect the environmentand help our carbon footprint


22 Inside Swale


Inside Swale 23

Let’s make Swale a better place!For the 2012/13 fi nancial year, Swale Borough Council has 20% less funds available than it did two years ago. So for every £10 the Council had to spend on services we now only have £8. To respond to these fi nancial challenges we need to change our approach to your public services.We have already begun to do this by sharing our services with other local councils (such as CCTV with Medway and Human Resources with Maidstone) and are working with charities and local businesses as we improve our services.We are now consulting on our Corporate Plan, which sets out what we aim to achieve for you over the next three years. We have three draft priorities that we want your views on.

Priority 1: LocalismThis priority is about promoting freedom, enterprise and responsibility in how we respond to the Localism Act 2011 and play our part in growing the big society in Swale. We already enjoy a very strong relationship with Town and Parish Councils and the voluntary and community sector. This priority is about how we take that further. Councillors have an important role to play as Community Champions in representing the interest of their wards, scrutinising the Cabinet’s decisions, and contributing to Council policy and this priority refl ects that.

Priority 2: Open for BusinessThis priority is about working with the private sector and other public sector partners. Many residents in Swale live in areas of deprivation. It is essential that we ensure Swale has a wide range of good-quality jobs and improve local people’s access to them. It is vital that we make Swale ‘open for business’, by making sure that local business can thrive and that it is welcomed into Swale. We also need to improve learning and skills opportunities in Swale and improve the skills profi le of our residents, and lobby for better transport infrastructure in the borough.

Priority 3: Healthy Environment, Responsible PeopleThis priority is about Swale as a place and the impact that our policies have on your general health and wellbeing. Wellbeing is connected with the fi ght against crime and disorder. In surveys, you tell us that the level of crime and clean streets are the most important factors in making an area a good place to live. You will be asked to take on more responsibility, in terms of your own lifestyle choices, and communities will need to pull together to tackle local issues.

Please tell us what you think of these priorities. There will soon be a consultation document on our website and a questionnaire for you to download. You can also email [email protected]

Please tell us what you think of these priorities



24 Inside Swale

Are you, or is someone you know, suffering from Domestic Abuse? If you would like confi dential advice and support you can speak to Swale Borough Council’s Housing Options Team at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne either face to face or over the phone on 01795 417511.

The ‘Swale Domestic Abuse Information Line’ is available on 01795 434300. This is unique to Swale and is available 24 hours a day, every day. The line is for anyone who has experienced domestic abuse or is concerned for a family member or friend.

Swale also runs a weekly ‘Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop’ on a Tuesday morning between9.30 and 11 am. If you would like more details please phone us on 01795 417 511.Dom

esti

c A

buse

? No Use EmptySwale Borough Council was one of the four Councils to kick-start the ‘No use Empty’ scheme fi ve years ago, the idea is to bring long term empty properties back into use. The scheme was recently recognised at the Regeneration and Renewal awards in London when it won the Partnership Working category, being described by the judges as highly effective.

We have been able to use a number of initiatives that have brought empty properties back into use. Since 2005, we have been successful on 138 occasions.

Derek Conway, Swale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, said “No Use Empty has been successful because it offers owners the ‘carrot’ and ‘stick’. We are willing to provide free advice and guidance, and even help secure funding for owners to bring empty properties back into use, but for those who are content to see a perfectly good home go to waste, we are able to take fi rm action.”

Staying Put draws big crowds againThe hall was packed at Staying Put’s annual Living in Safety event at the Alexander Centre in Faversham in September.

Staying Put is the home improvement agency for Swale that helps residents who are over 60 years of age and/or disabled to live in their home more comfortably and securely by helping with any repairs or adaptations needed.

There were plenty of stands to visit and lots of advice to be had as organisations such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau, CRUSE Bereavement Care, Diversity House and Kent Police were there.

The Mayor of Swale presented the Staying Put team with a certifi cate that recognised the fact that they had been shortlisted for the Kent Housing Group Excellence Awards for how the service looks after vulnerable people.

To find out how Staying Put could help you phone 01795 417131



Inside Swale 25

Customer feedbackSwale Borough Council’s Housing Services Team have been capturing customer feedback on what people think of the services they provide.

From 1 April 2011 to 30 September 2011 a total of 348 surveys were returned and below are the results:

We are grateful for all feedback that we receive and are pleased that our customers value what we do highly. However, we are always seeking to improve our services and will act on the comments received. To let us know your views on our services please phone 01795 417 530.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

How satisfied were you with thetime it took to contact you

following your initial enquiry?

Overall how satisfied were youwith services you received?

How satisfied were you withadvice given?

Dissatisfied No opinion Satisfied

Rushenden Retrofit – the work begins...Work on the Rushenden Retrofi t has begun. There will be more on this in our next issue.

You can now call Kent Police for non-urgent issues on 101. The number is available all day every day.

To make it quicker and easier for the public to get in contact with their local police. 101 gives a single, easy-to-remember number to call to report crime and other issues which do not require an emergency response.

You can also call 101 to speak to your local neighbourhood offi cer, to make a general enquiry or to make us aware of a policing issue where you live.

For more information on what an emergency is visit the Kent Police website, www.kent.police.uk/


26 Inside Swale

Run by youSwale Borough Council is working with local groups to take on running the community halls that have historically been run by the Council.

Alexander CentreWe have been working with The Alexander Centre Trust over the last few years and the Trust has been managing the building during that time. Since it has been running the building the Trust has made a real impact to the Centre’s interior and it was agreed in October that the Centre would be transferred to the Trust in April 2012.Thistle HillWithin the Thistle Hill development on the Isle of Sheppey a new Community Centre has been built as part of a development agreement with Bovis. The Council will soon own the hall but the local community has risen to the challenge and will be

taking on the centre and running it on behalf of the community.We are also working with groups in relation to Kemsley Hall and are looking to develop a Centre at The Meads.We are always looking for members of the Community who want to be involved in running community facilities. If anyone is interested then please contact Charlotte Hudson on 01795 417 197.

Any business carrying out acupuncture, skin piercing and tattooing in Swale must be registered by Swale Borough Council and carried out in premises that are also registered. Offi cers from Swale Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team will then visit and make sure that acceptable standards are in place and byelaws are complied with.

Unfortunately we often receive allegations that these treatments are being carried out by unregistered persons, sometimes in their own homes.

If you visit an unregistered establishment you run the risk of treatment by untrained people in conditions of poor hygiene.

Make sure you go to someone who is registered – the registration certifi cate and a copy of the byelaws must be displayed on the premises.

If you know of anyone who may be practising illegally we would like to know on 01795 417 106.

Tattooing – health information



Inside Swale 27

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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.


28 Inside Swale

Better care togetherBoards decide to proceed to the next stage of integration with DartfordYou may be aware that the Boards at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust have been considering the feasibility of bringing the two Trusts together as one. The feasibility study, which took place between March and September, was just the fi rst milestone of several on the journey towards integration. At the end of September, following confi rmation from the feasibility work that integration would enhance patient care and secure services, both Boards decided to proceed to the next phase.

Why is integration being proposed?The purpose of integration is all about making the most effi cient use of the resources we have available between the two organisations and achieving maximum patient benefi ts from

them. This includes building on combined clinical expertise and as a result, offering patients in North Kent more specialist services which they would normally have to travel to London for; and doing more than we could as a single organisation because of constrained budgets.

The combination of fi nancial and clinical viability issues mean that hospitals like Medway Maritime and Darent Valley will fi nd it increasingly diffi cult to provide the full range of services if they operate alone. The results of the detailed feasibility study have confi rmed our belief that joining the two hospitals will not only safeguard services, but build on the range and quality of those services already available to local people. Reducing services is not part of the plan – both hospitals would continue to provide full A&E, maternity, children’s and outpatients’ services.

The larger single organisation would allow availability of services which we would not

News from Medway Maritime Hospital


Inside Swale 29

otherwise be able to offer. For example, some specialist services require a specifi c population size for sustainability. This is because professionals need to perform a minimum number of procedures each year to keep their skills up to date. As a single integrated organisation, we would cover a larger population and so these services would be protected.Current services can be developed so they are more fl exible and accessible. For example, a larger number of clinicians on our rotas will mean more services will be available on a 24/7 basis, with better cover at night and at weekends. By merging the Boards and some management support functions, overhead

costs can be reduced. By joining together the hospitals can be more effi cient with taxpayers’ money and will have greater economies of scale and purchasing power. The savings released will be reinvested into frontline care. We understand that our patients and the public will have many questions around how things may work in practice and how it may affect them, their friends or family who need hospital care. We welcome your questions and comments and you can get in touch by phone or email.Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01634 830 000 x6761The latest updates and developments can be found on our website www.medway.nhs.uk

Use ED responsiblyWinter is a busy time for the NHS and emergency departments are put under particular pressure not only from conditions like Norovirus and seasonal fl u, but also other chronic illnesses made worse by the cold weather.

The entire community has a role to play in ensuring that the emergency department operates effi ciently and has the capacity to deal with life threatening illnesses or accidents. By considering the alternatives before coming to ED it can lessen the burden on services and ensure patients receive the right care from the right service. For out-of-hours services and details of walk-in-centres, when your GP is unable to see you, visit www.medway.nhs.uk


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 [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

Brenda Simpson01795 559 [email protected]

Leysdown & WardenPatricia Sandle01795 510 [email protected]

Milton RegisAdam Tolhurst01795 475 [email protected]

Tony Winckless01795 425 987

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

Murston

Ed [email protected]

Conservative Labour Independent Group


Inside Swale 31

Nick Williams01795 479 [email protected]

Queenborough & Halfway

Jackie Constable01795 665 238

Mick Constable01795 665 238

Peter Marchington01795 661 960 (evenings)[email protected]

RomanMike Haywood07960 [email protected]

Martin McCusker07403 006997

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 [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 [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]

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Inside Swale Winter 2011

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