Recommendations for new town and parish councils

Councillors will be asked to agree on recommendations for the future of the most local level of government in Swale, at a meeting next week (13 July).

Swale Borough Council’s policy and resources committee will decide whether to recommend 23 changes to town and parish councils to be approved by full council later this month.

The proposals have been shaped by over 2,300 responses from across two consultations and community events - with the council looking to implement changes residents want.

The first stage consultation asked what locals would like to see changed while the second focused on specific proposals, like creating a Sittingbourne Town Council, forming a Halfway Parish Council and changing the boundaries in Faversham.

Thanks to this feedback a town council is not being recommended for Sittingbourne, however smaller councils for Murston, Grove Park, Kemsley and Milton Regis were the preferred options amongst locals.

There is also a new Halfway Parish Council being proposed, and changes to existing town and parish council boundaries in Faversham.

The recommendations are:

Isle of Sheppey

• changing the name of Warden Parish Council to Warden Bay Parish Council
• creating a Halfway Parish Council
• changing the Minster-on-Sea Council boundary
• amending the Queenborough Town Council boundary
• amending the Sheerness Town Council boundary

Faversham

• splitting Faversham Town Council's (FTC) existing Watling Ward into Watling East and Watling West
• increasing the number of councillors representing FTC’s Watling Ward (3 for each)
• changing the Watling Ward boundary
• increasing the number of councillors representing FTC’s Priory Ward
• Transfer of land from Faversham Town Council and Sheldwich Parish Council

Sittingbourne

• not creating a Sittingbourne Town Council
• amending the Iwade Parish Council boundary
• amending the Bobbing Parish boundary
• creating a Murston Parish Council
• amending the Tonge Parish Council boundary
• creating a Kemsley Parish Council
• creating a Milton Regis Town Council
• extending the boundary of Bobbing Parish Council
• creating a Grove Park Community Council

The council’s community governance review is looking to put in place strong, clearly defined local government boundaries reflecting the identities and interests of the communities in that area, in an effective and convenient way.

Cllr Tim Gibson, chair of the policy and resources committee, said:

“We were clear from the beginning of this process that we only wanted to make changes to Swale’s most local level of government if that is what our residents wanted.

“There will be a cost - in the form of a small council tax precept - if new councils are formed, but there are many benefits to having town and parish councils; they bring greater local representation and hyper focus on local issues that really matter to their communities.

“After a thorough consultation process the council has used the invaluable feedback to form these recommendations, so a huge thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

“The committee will now discuss the draft recommendations and if we feel they align with what our residents have asked for, we will recommend them to be approved at full council later this month.”

There are currently 34 parish councils and three town councils which cover most of Swale, but some areas, such as Sittingbourne, are not currently represented.

With Government set to abolish Swale Borough Council and Kent Council, town and parish councils - the most local tier of government - provide a link between decision makers within any new councils and the residents they represent.

Forming town or parish councils can:

• enhance local representation
• improve local services
• give residents a direct voice in local affairs
• attract funding that boosts the local economy
• boost the quality of life through tailored initiatives and community projects
• allow for greater accountability and transparency

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