Hot off the Press

Local elections taking place in May

Read about the local elections taking place in May 2019 including the parish and town council elections and Kent County Council's by-election.

Sittingbourne pair found guilty of fly-tipping

Two fly-tippers who dumped waste near a playground have been successfully prosecuted.

Duty of care prosecution

A Sidcup woman man is almost £400 out of pocket after clothes, furniture and household waste was dumped in Swale.

Brexit

The UK is set to leave the European Union on Friday, 29 March 2019.

Sittingbourne pupils design awards

Read about the awards received by Sittingbourne pupils for their flowerbed designs.

Air quality plans going to cabinet

Councillors are being asked to approve additional measures to help improve air quality across the borough.

Swale Borough Council brings fly-tipping prosecution

Read about Swale Borough Council's successful prosecution for fly-tipping.

Thanking the hidden heroes of Swale

Read about the 2019 Swale Volunteer Awards.

Work on Sittingbourne Skatepark begins

Contractors begin work on a new multi-use skatepark in Sittingbourne.

Swale offenders clear rubbish in Sittingbourne

Offenders from Swale's Standford Hill Prison helped to clear litter from the Butts, an alleyway off St Michael's Road in Sittingbourne.

Council Tax charges due to change in April

Read about the change to Council Tax charges in April 2019.

Faversham Pools play area opens

Read about the improvements at Faversham Pools play area.

Littering prosecutions

Five people are more than £1500 out of pocket between them, after prosecutions for littering brought by Swale Borough Council.

Budget proposals published

Band D households will be asked to pay just £3.35 per week for Swale Borough Council services, if budget plans are approved.

Requests for allotment spaces

We're no longer accepting requests to join the allotment waiting list.

Beachfields play area refurbishment

Swale Borough Council is pleased to announce the refurbishment of the sandpit at the Beachfields play area in Sheerness.

Sport Grant funding still available

Six weeks remain to apply to Swale Borough Council’s grant scheme for sporting projects in our area.

Rectory play area refurbishment

Swale Borough Council is pleased to announce the refurbishment of the Rectory Play Area in Sittingbourne.

Apply to be a Councillor

Swale Borough Council is encouraging local people to think about whether they would like to apply to be a councillor in local elections being held on 2 May 2019.

Sheppey man pleads guilty to waste offences

Lee Jacobs of Eastchurch, Sheerness has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1040 by Medway Magistrates’ Court for transporting controlled waste when he was not registered as a waste carrier and failing to have waste transfer notices.

Tourist numbers boost Swale's economy

Read about the boost to Swale's economy due to tourist numbers.

Tackling dangerous parking

Swale Borough Council is tackling inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside schools across Swale, as well as reducing CO2 emissions in enforcement patrols.

Environmental Grant Scheme launched

Swale Borough Council is allocating £5,000 in grant funding to support community projects and organisations to help deliver on environmental objectives.

No Excuse for Abuse

Swale Borough Council is supporting a scheme from the National Private Hire Taxi Association to increase awareness about the physical and verbal abuse suffered by taxi drivers.

Fine for carrying waste without licence

An Eastchurch man has been convicted and fined £500 for illegally carrying waste, in a prosecution brought by Swale Borough Council.

Faversham woman pleads guilty to waste offences

A woman from Faversham has been given an 18 month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to committing householder duty of care offences, in a prosecution brought by Swale Borough Council.

Sheppey leisure centre improvements

Construction work aimed at upgrading facilities at Sheppey Leisure is on time and looking good.

Sheppey Woman pleads guilty to benefits fraud

A woman from Sheppey has been given a 12 month community order after pleading guilty to charges relating to benefits fraud.

Swale Borough Council formally objects to proposed Lower Thames Crossing

Swale Borough Council has formally objected to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

Approval for Faversham Rec works

Work on the £1.9 million heritage-led regeneration of Faversham Recreation Ground will be underway by March.

Air quality plan consultation

People are being asked for their views on plans to improve air quality across the borough by 2022.

Faversham play improvements

The play area at Faversham Swimming Pool will be getting a much-needed refurbishment in the New Year.

Award for stray dog service

Salt giveaway back by popular demand

We're giving away free salt bags to residents on Saturday, 8 December.

Festive display grants announced

Nineteen local organisations are sharing almost £28,000 to light up the borough this Christmas.

Fly-tipping falls by a fifth

Fly-tipping in Swale has fallen by almost a fifth in a year, newly released figures reveal.

Litterers fined

Fourteen people have been prosecuted by Swale Borough Council for littering in the borough.

Dover Street in Sittingbourne re-opens

Read about the re-opening of Dover Street in Sittingbourne

The Mayor of Swale's memorial message

Read the Mayor of Swale's memorial message.

Cabinet discuss air quality plans

Councillors are being asked to agree draft plans to tackle air pollution across the borough.

Waste and recycling centre consultation response

The council has responded to the consultation on proposals to charge for non-household waste at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres.

Milton Creek dog mess

Dog mess is being sprayed red in Milton Creek Country Park to highlight the problem of owners leaving their pet’s mess behind.

Festive display grants open

We're helping to spread the Christmas cheer with £25,000 to support Christmas lights across the borough.

Fine for fly-tipper

A Maidstone man is almost £2,200 out of pocket after building waste was dumped in Iwade.

Electoral register reminder

More than 15,000 local households are being sent reminder letters to make sure their details on the electoral register are correct.

Poppy Knitathon this weekend

Whether you’re a novice knitter or are already competent at crochet, you can help mark 100 years since the end of the First World War at a special knitathon this weekend.

Kick the litter habit

Smokers in Swale who drop their cigarette butts could get a partial refund of their £150 fine if they successfully complete a stop smoking course.

Play area works complete

Children and families on the Island can benefit from a £22,000 investment in play equipment at four parks.

Air quality community meetings

People living in Newington, Teynham and Ospringe can find out more about plans to improve air quality in their area at a series of meetings in the next few weeks.

Changes to Housing Benefit and Council Tax support appointment booking

Read more about the changes to appointment booking for benefit and Council Tax services.

Changes to animal licensing

Read more about the changes to animal licensing including how it it may affect you and how to apply.

Gold for stray dog service

Waste and recycling centre consultation

Make sure you have your say on proposals to charge for non-household waste at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres.

Local plan telephone survey

We are conducting a telephone survey about retail and leisure habits.

RSPCA praise for emergency plans

The council has once again won a top award for putting animal welfare at the centre of plans for dealing with emergencies.

Public-sector apprenticeships

Read more about the public-sector apprenticeships target.

Make Oare the People's Choice

Local residents and visitors are being asked to go online and vote for Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park as their favourite park in the country.

Changes to animal licensing

Read more about the changes to animal licensing for businesses.

Faversham Recreation Ground

Read more about Faversham Recreation Ground's £1.9m investment.

Apprentice scheme reopens

We want to help develop the next generation of workers with the latest round of our apprentice scheme.

Gambling statement consultation

We are consulting on draft revised Statement of Principles for gambling, which set out the principles it will apply when carrying out its functions under the Gambling Act 2005.

Sex establishment policy consultation

Local people are being asked for their views on the future of sexual entertainment venues, sex shops and sex cinemas across Swale.

Houses in Multiple Occupation licensing changes

Read more October's licensing changes to Houses in Multiple Occupation

Heatwave advice from NHS Choices

Advice from NHS Choices during the current heatwave.

Free microchipping

Dog owners can make sure they’re staying on the right side of the law by getting their precious pet microchipped for free next month.

Agricultural odours

The recent hot weather means local farmers will be harvesting some crops slightly earlier this year, which means organic matter will be spread on to fields over the coming weeks.

Sittingbourne man fined for fly-tip

A Sittingbourne man is almost £1,000 out of pocket after waste, including pallets and building waste was found dumped.

Green Flag flying over Oare

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world.

Looking Ahead response

There have been more than 3,000 comments in response to Swale Borough Council’s consultation about the future development of the borough.

Faversham Rec makeover

Faversham Recreation Ground will be given a new lease of life after we successfully bid for National Lottery funding to transform the park.

Electronic canvass

More than 7,000 people responded to our electronic canvass this year.

Station street housing plan

A disused office building could be used to help tackle the shortage of temporary accommodation in the borough.

Leisure centre investment

Local leisure centres will be getting a £2 million makeover if councillors agree improvement plans next week.

Sheerness town council approved

Swale Borough Council has agreed to set up a new town council for Sheerness.

Fly-tipping crackdown

A crackdown on illegal waste carriers saw Swale Borough Council issue three on the spot fines of £300, and a flatbed vehicle carrying waste being seized by the police.

Litter fine increase on the way

Anyone caught dropping litter, leaving graffiti or fly-posting in Swale will be fined £150 from 1 July.

Sittingbourne land investment

A former bus depot site has been bought by Swale council for £1.1 million.

Milton Rec teen area

A new teen area has been installed at Milton Rec, as part of a £48,000 refurbishment of play equipment.

Member grants scheme opens

There’s almost £113,000 available from your local councillors for projects that benefit the community.

Sittingbourne square naming

Help name the new public square being created by the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration project.

Spirit roadworks update

The road closures for the second phase of roadworks will begin at 8pm on Monday 11 June and last for approximately four months.

Help plan polling places

With local, parish and town council elections taking place next May, we’re checking to make sure the polling stations are in the right places.

Litter fine increase proposed

Anyone caught dropping litter, leaving graffiti or fly-posting in Swale could be fined £120 under plans being drawn up by Swale Borough Council.

Blue flags flying

Sheppey’s bathing beaches have been named as among the best in the country. Again!

Knitted poppy appeal

Swale Borough Council is appealing for local knitters to help mark Remembrance Day.

Sittingbourne square naming

People are being invited to help name the new public square being created by the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration project.

Annual Council Mayor Making

The community of Swale is invited to attend the Annual Council Mayor Making Ceremony on Tuesday 15 May 2018.

Looking Ahead consultation

We have launched a consultation to gather views about the future development of the borough up to 2038.

Open spaces and play consultation

People are being asked for their views on plans for how local parks and open spaces are managed.

Sheerness town council consultation

Give your views and find out more information about a town council for Sheerness

Play area works finished

An ongoing programme of improvements to play areas is helping to make life more fun for children across the borough.

11 prosecuted for littering

Twelve people have been prosecuted by Swale Borough Council for littering in the borough.

Fly-tipped waste costs man £2,200

A Maidstone man is almost £2,200 out of pocket after building waste was dumped in Iwade.

Volunteer Swale Awards winners 2018

The fifth annual Volunteer Swale Awards celebrated the hard work of some of our borough’s most dedicated volunteers at a gala ceremony last week.

Plans for town council to be discussed

Councillors are being asked to approve plans to set up a new town council for Sheerness next week.

Planning committee postponed

The planning committee scheduled for Thursday 1 March, has been postponed.

£1,600 bill for fly-tipped waste

Do you know who's taking your rubbish away? If it's dumped, you could be held responsible.

Litter heroes at the ready for Swale spring clean

We are once again supporting community groups and local people to take part in the Great British Spring Clean.

Taxi policy consultation

We want your views on whether a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy is getting the balance right.

No plastics week

A community initiative to encourage people to reduce the amount of single use plastic they use is being supported by Swale council.

Regeneration funding boost

The Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration scheme has received a £3.5 million boost.

Planning public access service maintenance

Details of the planned maintenance to Swale's public access system which provides online access to planning applications

Budget proposals

Play areas, leisure centres and tourism could benefit from significant investment if plans for Swale Borough Council’s budget are approved by councillors.

Appeal for fly-tipping information

Swale Borough Council are appealing for information about dumped tyres.

Council officers investigate suspected planning breach

Council officers took part in a joint operation to help investigate suspected breaches of planning permission at a site in Dunkirk.

Your duty of care

Do you know who's taking your rubbish away? If it's dumped, you could be held responsible.

Have your say in the borough heritage strategy

Have a say in how Swale Borough Council protects, manages and develops the borough’s heritage assets.

Housing scheme underway

Work is underway on more than a hundred new homes as part of the Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration scheme.

Safety partnership team tackles loan sharks

The Swale Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has been advising residents about the risks of using loan sharks.

Environment award for Greenspaces Ranger

Swale Borough Council’s Greenspaces Ranger has won an award at the Kent Environment Strategy celebration event.

Plastic recycling will continue in Swale as normal

Local residents can be assured that reports of changes to the export of plastics for recycling to China will have no impact on local waste collections.

Criminal Behaviour Order for fire starter

A man who illegally burned waste and caused heavy smoke to drift over the M2 has received the borough’s first waste-related Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO)

New ball court for Kemsley Recreation Ground

A new multi-use games area has been installed at Kemsley Recreation Ground in Sittingbourne

Traffic changes for Sittingbourne High Street

Sittingbourne high street will be partially traffic-free on Fridays and Saturdays from Jan 12.

Litter leads to court

Nine people have been prosecuted by Swale Borough Council for failing to pay a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for littering in the borough.

Community partnerships help borough residents

The Swale Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on estates to keep residents safe.

Fine issued for dumped waste

A Teynham woman has been fined and ordered to pay costs after household waste was found dumped by a level crossing.

Next specialist market for Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne's Christmas market on Saturday ends the town's themed markets programme for the year

Final deep clean of 2017

Swale borough has its final deep clean for 2017

Recycling roadshows in Swale

Learn more about festive recycling and get free compostable liners at Faversham, Sheerness and Sittingbourne roadshows

Town council review for Sheerness

Councillors are being asked to approve plans that could lead to a new town council being set up in Sheerness.

Cheyne Road waste access

Information on issues affecting waste collections for Bramley Way and Bramley Close in Eastchurch

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