Councillors and residents forums launched

Local people in Swale can speak directly with councillors on the things that matter most to them at brand new forums.

Swale Borough Council has made changes to the area committees, based on resident’s feedback, to encourage more engagement and collaboration with local people.

The first round of the new councillors and residents forums will include networking sessions, giving locals the opportunity to have informal discussions with their local councillors.

Some of the important themes on the agenda include education on the Island, Pride in Place updates and an opportunity to meet the chair, Garry Ratcliffe, and the latest on the council’s government funded Sheerness Revival project.

There will also be a discussion on improving Sittingbourne’s town centre and boosting footfall, and updates on the local government reorganisation and the community governance review.

The meetings start at 7 pm with an update and discussion with residents on local issues, and from 6.30 pm to 7 pm there will be an informal networking event with free tea, coffee and biscuits.

The Sittingbourne, Western, Sheppey and Eastern councillors and residents forums will run three times a year, with the first set of special networking events taking place in:

• Sheppey – Thursday 11 June – Leysdown Village, Hall Wing Rd, Leysdown-on-Sea, ME12 4RS

• Eastern – Tuesday 16 June – The Sidney Room, Alexander Centre, 15-17 Preston St, Faversham ME13 8NZ

• Sittingbourne – Thursday 25 June – Committee Room, Swale House, East St, Sittingbourne ME10 3HT

• Western – Thursday 2 July – Bobbing Village Hall, Sheppey Way, Bobbing, ME9 8PL

These forums aim to improve the quality of life and council services in communities, and to bring greater local insight into the council’s decision-making.

In the future members of the public will also be able to vote on certain items, agreed by the chair of the forum, and the topics covered will be shaped by local interests and concerns.

An important function of the meetings is to engage with the public, parish and town councils and community groups about:

• key local issues that matter most to the area’s residents

• changes to council services and new policies and strategies

• council led projects in the borough

• changes in government legislation which may impact residents

They will also include more updates on the action taken by the council in response to concerns raised by local people, to better show how residents’ voices are heard and help improve their community.

People unable to attend in person will get a better experience of the meetings online, with new audio equipment to make sure speakers can be heard clearly.

Cllr Tim Gibson, leader of Swale Borough Council, said:

“These new forums provide the perfect opportunity to discuss what matter most to you with your local councillors, providing local insight that can help guide the council’s decision making.

“Please visit your local forum, this first round will discuss important topics like education on the Island and bringing in visitors to the Sittingbourne Town Centre.

“There will also be free tea, coffee and biscuits available and time to have an informal one to one chat with your ward councillors about what you think needs to change to make improvements in your community.

“Going forward the meetings we will also be highlighting how your feedback has made a difference, with regular updates on the actions we have taken to address your concerns or implement your ideas.

“Don’t miss out on getting involved in your local democracy, and help shape the future of your local community at our new councillors and residents forums.”

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