Funding to improve Swale
Published
Monday 21 July, 2025
Updated
Monday 21 July, 2025
Swale Borough Council will be improving leisure centres, green spaces, community infrastructure and supporting charities this year thanks to government funding.
The council’s Economy and Property Committee has agreed to allocate over £700,000 of United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF) to benefit Swale residents.
As part of this there is a pot of money set aside for improvements to the Oare Gunpowder Works visitor centre in Faversham.
The council have also committed to improving the leisure centres across Swale by investing in carbon reduction measures - saving on operating costs and contributing to climate emergency targets.
Swallows Leisure Centre will also see its wet side changing rooms improved.
There will also be investments into lighting on the seafront, works to improve surfacing and other improvements at Barton’s Point and Shingle Bank.
The Swale Community Voluntary Alliance will receive funding to continue their work bringing charities together to share resources and knowledge helping them become more sustainable.
They will also use the UKSPF to set up a three-year loneliness project to improve residents' health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities within the borough.
While the Pyramid Project will receive money to support people who are not in employment or education on the Isle of Sheppey, helping them set them up for a successful and fulfilling life.
The Community Infrastructure Grant has also launched, helping fund non-profit’s projects to enhance community facilities and amenities within Swale.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the Economy and Property Committee, said:
“We have high ambitions for what we want to achieve within the borough, and funding - like the UKSPF - are vital in allowing us to make the positive impact to residents’ lives we want to.
“Through careful consideration and planning we have decided to invest the money into projects that will benefit our communities in as many meaningful ways as possible.
“Of course, we would love to do more but, without additional funding, we have to be strategic with the money we receive.
“We are looking forward to bringing these projects forward, continuing our support for these local charities and restarting our grant scheme, all to support our residents.”
