Inside Swale X
magazine Keeping you in touch with your council services
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Recycling and Refuse Collection Calendars 2011-12 Please pull it out and keep it safe
Difficulty 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 417850 Email: csc@swale.gov.uk
summer 2011
2 Inside Swale
The Leader Welcome to Inside Swale, Swale Borough Council’s publication for residents. Following the borough council elections work begins in earnest on the work of the council over the next four years. Our number one priority for the borough remains regeneration, focusing particularly on learning and skills. I firmly believe that the regeneration needs to go hand in hand with our residents having the right levels of learning and skills so that they are best placed to take advantages of the quality jobs that regenerating Swale will create. We want Swale to be known as a great place in which to live, work and invest. We want Swale to have a strong identity so that people to know instinctively they have entered a borough that takes pride in its clean and safe streets. We want you to feel proud to say that you live in a borough that is truly going places. Vestas recent announcement at the Port of Sheerness demonstrates how viable an option Swale is to leading international businesses, and shows what can be achieved here by the Council working together with its partners in the public and private sector. We hope that this is just the beginning of the transformation. Andrew Bowles Leader, Swale Borough Council
www.swale.gov.uk
Contents
Your vote really counted ....................... 3 Harnessing the power ........................... 4 Great news for dog owners .................. 5 Shop Local First ..................................... 6 Milton Creek Country Park ................... 7 Work begins at Sheerness Gateway ...... 8 Your perception of Swale ...................... 9 Members allowances ........................... 10
Your Recycling & Refuse pull-out Noise Action Week ............................. 11 Housing issues ............................ 12 & 13 News from Medway Maritime ... 14 & 15 Inside East Kent Hospitals .......... 16 & 17 Your Councillors ......................... 18 & 19 Our corporate priorities are:
Regenerating Swale A safer and stronger community A high-performing organisation Creating a cleaner and greener Swale Contact Swale Borough Council phone: 01795 417850 email: CSC@swale.gov.uk visit: www.swale.gov.uk or write to us at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT
Inside Swale is produced by Swale Borough Council’s Communications and Marketing Team
Cover: Blue bin collection in Sittingbourne. http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
News
Inside Swale 3
Your vote really counted
Over 40% of the borough voted The eyes of the country were once again on Swale on Friday 6 May, as the results of the borough council elections were declared. Just over 40% of residents voted for who they want to represent them on the borough council and in some cases on their parish and town council. Additionally, residents also voted in the referendum on the alternative vote system. Many council officers staffed the polling stations and assisted with the count. It really helps for officers to be so close to the democratic process.
In the event of a tie... This year was one that proved that your vote really matters. The Murston Ward saw a turnout of 32%, but after a total of seven counts Conservative candidate, Ed Gent, and Liberal Democrat candidate, Dave Banks, still had the same number of votes. It was agreed after the sixth recount that one of their names would be pulled out from a ballot box. This shows that not only does your vote matter but so does making sure that you are registered when the time comes to vote in elections. There will be more information on registering to vote in our next issue. The results were declared by Swale’s Returning Officer, Abdool Kara, and the political composition of the Council is 32 Conservative, 13 Labour and 2 Independant You can visit www.swale.gov.uk/election-results to see who was elected in each ward. Your local councillor is listed on pages 18 and 19 of this issue. Nearly 39,000 residents voted in the referendum on the voting system for electing members of parliament. In Swale the number of votes cast in favour of YES were 9,434 and the number cast in favour of NO were 28,948. Nationally the NO vote won the referendum. http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
www.swale.gov.uk
News
4 Inside Swale
Harnessing the power
Danish company Vestas recently announced that it proposed to open talks with Peel Ports over locating a manufacturing and assembling base for wind turbines at the Port of Sheerness. The investment in the port could see the creation of 2,000 jobs.
We want Swale to be one of the best places in which to invest. Swale Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Andrew Bowles, welcomed the news. He said, “We are delighted at the prospect of what this announcement means for Swale and for Sheerness specifically. We have been working with SEEDA, Peel Ports and Kent County Council for almost a year and a half to arrive at this point and clearly are very pleased that such a major, industryleading company has formally announced its firm interest in locating in the borough. “While due planning processes have to be adhered to, a manufacturing base of such a scale could see the creation of thousands of jobs in the borough. Although there is a long way to go, such an announcement is extremely positive news for everyone on the Island and in Swale as a whole.”
www.swale.gov.uk
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
News
Inside Swale 5
Great news for dog owners in Swale hipped
Microc
Swale Borough Council is launching monthly dog microchipping days to give all dog owners the opportunity to get their pets microchipped at the reduced price of £10 per dog. The chipping days will be trialled in each of the three main towns. All session will be held between 10am and 3pm and will be in the Market Square, Faversham on 28 July, outside the Wyvern Hall, Sittingbourne on 29 September, and by the Clock Tower in Sheerness on 27 October.
These days are being run in partnership with Jasmil Kennels, who will also be able to offer advice to anyone interested in offering a new home to one of the many dogs in need of re-homing. Tim Oxley, the Council’s Animal Control Officer can be followed via his dog blog at http://dogblogswale.blogspot.com/
Positive talks about Centre’s future The Alexander Centre Trust, which runs Faversham’s Alexander Centre on behalf of Swale Borough Council, has expressed an interest in taking over its management on a more permanent and formal basis. Councillors and Trust members met in February and further talks will soon be taking place. Swale Borough Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Bowles said, “The Trust’s approach is an excellent opportunity to put some of the values of the Big Society into practice by managing the building as locally as possible”. The Centre was built in the Victorian era and is situated in Preston Street and was converted into municipal offices during WWII. The centre offers several rooms for hire and residents can book a room by visiting the Alexander Centre reception or phoning 01795 594456. http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
www.swale.gov.uk
Regenerating Swale
6 Inside Swale
t s r i F l a hop Loc
Scentive Card In
oplocal
h gov.uk/s . le a w s . www
...have you got yours yet?
Great local offers for you! Look out for
‘Shop Local First’ window stickers in your shops!
For more information visit www.swale.gov.uk/shoplocal or contact Jill Read on 01795 417592 email: jillread@swale.gov.uk Acknowledgement: Shop Local First is a scheme originally created by Thanet District Council. www.swale.gov.uk
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
Regenerating Swale
Inside Swale 7
Milton Creek Country Park The results of ÂŁ2million of central government investment have taken shape at Milton Creek Country Park. The former landfill site has been transformed into a fantastic resource for local people and wildlife. There is a play area, events space and natural amphitheatre near Holy Trinity Church, and towards the
Creek there is a variety of habitats for an abundance of wildlife. The Saxon Shore Way along the west bank of the Creek is now fully accessible for people with pushchairs and wheelchairs.
http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
The Friends of Milton Creek is a growing group of local people who all want to help look after the park. If you would like to find out more, please email miltoncreek@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417155 or search for Friends of Milton Creek on Facebook. You may also like to get involved with an oral history project about Milton Creek? A friendly group of volunteers
is recording memories of Milton Creek’s industrial past and recording stories from people who have worked in barge building, brick making or paper mills, for example. Please call Laura Bailey on 01795 473828 or email: oral.history@swalecvs.co.uk
www.swale.gov.uk
Regenerating Swale
8 Inside Swale
Work begins at Sheerness Gateway Sheerness will see its new Gateway taking shape over the coming months after a contractor was chosen to transform the building. Kent firm Birkby Construction started work in May to transform the 70-year-old former Woolworths store, at a cost of ÂŁ1.15m. The work will be completed in October. The team behind Sheerness Gateway has worked hard
Artist impression
to agree the price of the contract and the timetable for the work, both of which represent good value for money for the Council and our residents. A wide range of services will be available at the Gateway, across two floors. The idea is to bring many services under one roof, including all front-of-house Swale Borough Council services, community-learning services, library services and adult social care. The Gateway will also include free internet and payment machines. For more information please contact Modupe Dosunmu, Sheerness Gateway Project Officer, on 01795 417518, or by email modupedosunmu@swale.gov.uk Swale Borough Council and its partners have launched an event to challenge local employers to employ 100 young people into 100 apprenticeship places by the end of December 2011. This was launched in March by Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of Shepherd Neame, at a breakfast that saw 29 businesses attend with companies including Shepherd Neame, Nicholls Transport and the Wirebelt Company pledging to take on apprentices. Workshops have since taken place across the borough to inform employers about exactly what is involved with apprenticeships and how to go about employing an apprentice. For more information on the project visit www.100in100.co.uk/swale or call 0800 098 8825. www.swale.gov.uk
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
A high-performing organisation
Inside Swale 9
Your perception of Swale Late last year the Council sent 3,500 households, selected at random, a questionnaire seeking residents’ views about the borough. We asked what you thought the five most important things were in making somewhere a good place to live? You said Level of crime Health Services Clean Streets Shopping facilities Road and pavement repairs.
The survey also showed 39% of residents are satisfied with the way the council runs things
71% of residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live
22% of residents felt that anti-social behaviour was a problem
Over 50% of residents felt
We asked what are the top five things that need improving in Swale? You said Road and pavement repairs Activities for teenagers Job prospects The level of traffic congestion Shopping facilities. In order to promote better health and well-being in the local area residents felt that the Council should focus on: Tackling Drug Abuse (http://www.swalecsp.co.uk/misuse) Improving Walking and Cycling Routes http://www.faversham.org/ pages/standard.aspx?i PageID=122529 Increase People’s Participation in Sport/Exercise We will be working with our partners to address these findings and will report back on our progress in the coming months in Inside Swale.
and the winners are... Residents who responded to the suvey were entered into a draw and there were three £50 prize draw winners who were invited to a small presentation with Abdool Kara, Swale Borough Council’s Chief Executive.
that the Council was making the area a better place to live
39% of residents thought that the council gives residents good value for money http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
Prize winners Peter Colmer, Michaela Lockwood and Anthony Lucas with Abdool Kara, Chief Executive. www.swale.gov.uk
A high-performing organisation
10 Inside Swale
The Local Authorities Members’ Allowances (England) Regulations 2003 Under the Local Authorities Members’ Allowances (England) Regulations 2003 each Councillor is entitled to claim the Basic Allowance of £3,343 and those Councillors who have identified special responsibilities can claim the Special Responsibility Allowance where applicable. Members are also entitled to claim Travel Allowances which are made in accordance with published mileage rates. Councillors are encouraged to receive electronic copies of agenda and minutes, etc., and those participating can claim a £100 contribution to their IT costs, such as broadband and printer cartridges.
www.swale.gov.uk
3,510.00
11,700.00
1,170.00 3,822.00 7,020.00
698.23 5,850.00
5,850.00 3,510.00
£ 100.00 100.00 781.00 702.57 0.00 854.03 212.80 2,335.61 0.00 189.02 530.78 100.00 812.96 616.13 100.00 111.66 225.75 34.05 519.44 534.15 52.93 149.82 185.68 100.00 732.02 100.00 860.98
£ 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 332.50 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,010.46 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96
Total
156,786.62
£ 5,850.00 7,020.00 5,850.00 7,020.00 5,850.00 1,170.00
7,020.00
3,510.00
7,020.00
Members' Travel & IT Allowance (£100)
Ingham Lesley Lewin Gerald Lowe Elvie Morris John Mulhern Bryan Prescott Colin Pugh Kenneth Randall Gareth Sandle Patricia Sargent David Simmons David Simpson Brenda Stokes Benjamin Sturdgess Paul Tolhurst Adam Tomes Manuella Truelove Roger Walker Anita Whelan Ghlin Wilcox Ted Williams Nick Willicombe Alan Willicombe Jean Worrall Stephen Wright John
Special Responsibility Allowance
Name
Basic Allowance
£
Members' Travel & IT Allowance (£100)
Baldock Mark Banks David Barnicott Richard Bobbin George Bonney Monique Booth Andy Bowen Lloyd Bowles Andrew Clark Simon Constable Jackie Constable Michael Conway Derek Cosgrove Michael Crowther Adrian Darby Richard Davis Cynthia Dewar-Whalley Duncan Ellen Mark Fentiman Trevor Foulds Chris Garside David Gent Edward Gent Susan Hampshire Nicholas Harrison Angela Haywood Michael Henderson Michael
£ 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,010.46 3,342.96 332.50 3,010.46 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,010.46 332.50 3,342.96 332.50 3,342.96 3,010.46 332.50 3,010.46 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96 3,342.96
Special Responsibility Allowance
Name
Basic Allowance
In accordance with the Swale Borough Council Members’ Allowances Scheme, the schedule below lists the Members’ allowances paid for the financial year 2010-11. Full details of the Members’ Allowances Scheme can either be viewed on the Council’s website or during normal office hours at: Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT.
£ 1,286.65 1,777.66 121.28 1,539.39 130.24 948.04 513.96 100.00 1,625.01 146.90 936.25 100.00 281.19 0.00 136.80 0.00 108.75 115.30 52.51 391.67 100.00 186.29 204.78 0.00 1,546.09
93,440.23 23,390.14
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
Kerbside Recycling and Refuse Collections July 2011- June 2012 What can I put in my blue recycling bin?
Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, shredded paper, wrapping paper, greetings cards, telephone directories, envelopes, catalogues, cardboard, toilet and kitchen roll tubes
Plastic milk bottles, squash bottles, fizzy drink bottles, detergent bottles, fabric conditioner bottles, washing liquid bottles.
Food cans (soup, baked beans), drink cans, aerosol cans, foil trays/ dishes, aluminium foil, pet food cans.
Glass Bottles, Glass Jars PLEASE USE THE BLACK INSERT BOX Glass must be kept separate from other recyclables
NO THANK YOU Food, polystyrene, orange juice cartons, pet food sachets, garden waste, clothes, carrier bags, clinical waste, needles and sharp objects
Creating a cleaner and greener Swale
2
Week 1 Calendar Please put your bin on boundary of your property by 7am August 2011
July 2011
September 2011
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
1 4 11 18 25
2 5 12 19 26
1 6 13 20 27
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
1 7 14 21 28
October 2011 Mon
3 10 17 24 31
Tue
4 11 18 25
Wed Thur
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
November 2011
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
1 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
1 8 15 22 29
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
January 2012 Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
2 9 16 23 30
3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31 April 2012
Mon
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
Wed Thur
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
4 11 18 25
Fri
6 13 20 27
3 10 17 24
Mon
5 12 19 26
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
Blue Wheelie Bin Collection week
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
Fri
4 11 18 25
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
1 8 15 22 29
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
Mon
Tue
1 8 15 22 29
March 2012 5 12 19 26
1 6 13 20 27
Mon
Tue
May 2012 Wed Thur
Wed Thur
December 2011 Mon
February 2012 2 9 16 23
Tue
Wed Thur
2 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
Fri
2 9 16 23 30
Sat
3 10 17 24 31
Sun
4 11 18 25
June 2012 Sat
5 12 19 26
Sun
6 13 20 27
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 13 20 27
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
7 14 21 28
Green Wheelie Bin Collection week
COLLECTIONS DISRUPTED BY WEATHER (e.g. snow and ice): our advice is simple – leave your bins out on collection day and we will get to you as soon as we can. Daily updates will be on our website (www.swale.gov.uk), from Customer Services 01795 417850, and supplied to all local media. Our collection service is for domestic waste only and garden waste is not accepted in the green (residual waste) or blue recycling bin. A subscription service is available for garden waste collections (brown bin scheme). The 26 fortnightly collections cost £38.85 per annum, please call 01795 417850. No excess is taken on green bin day. Any amount of excess can be put out with blue bin but not in black sacks please on blue bin day. www.swale.gov.uk
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
Kerbside Recycling and Refuse Collections
3
Week 2 Calendar Please put your bin on boundary of your property by 7am August 2011
July 2011
September 2011
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
1 4 11 18 25
2 5 12 19 26
1 6 13 20 27
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
1 7 14 21 28
October 2011 Mon
3 10 17 24 31
Tue
4 11 18 25
Wed Thur
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
November 2011
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
1 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
1 8 15 22 29
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tue
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
January 2012 Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
2 9 16 23 30
3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31 April 2012
Mon
Tue
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
Wed Thur
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
4 11 18 25
Fri
6 13 20 27
3 10 17 24
Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
4 11 18 25
December 2011 Mon
Tue
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
1 7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
Mon
Tue
February 2012 2 9 16 23
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
Fri
4 11 18 25
1 8 15 22 29
March 2012 5 12 19 26
1 6 13 20 27
Mon
Tue
May 2012 Wed Thur
1 8 15 22 29
Wed Thur
2 7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
Fri
2 9 16 23 30
Sat
3 10 17 24 31
Sun
4 11 18 25
June 2012 Sat
5 12 19 26
Sun
6 13 20 27
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
Wed Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 13 20 27
1 8 15 22 29
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
7 14 21 28
Christmas and New Year Refuse and Recycling Collections Collections will be affected for ONE week only If your normal collection falls on Your collection will take place Monday 26th December Tuesday 27th December Tuesday 27th December Wednesday 28th December Wednesday 28th December Thursday 29th December Thursday 29th December Friday 30th December Friday 30th December Saturday 31st December Service operates all other bank holidays
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www.swale.gov.uk
Creating a cleaner and greener Swale
4
Useful tips on the Council’s successful Twin Bin Scheme Tips for keeping your wheelie bin fresh
If the lid is down on the bin any smells should be contained and the attraction to flies reduced Recycle everything you can. This reduces demand on your wheelie bin and helps you to ensure that the lid will stay down Wrap food waste securely before placing it in the bin. Avoid depositing any loose food scraps or leftovers directly into the wheelie bin. Try to avoid leaving these scraps around before throwing them away, as this can often result in flies being able to lay their eggs, which are then transferred into your bin. This is the best way of avoiding maggots When wrapping food, squeeze remaining air out of the bag as this reduces smells even further Double-wrap any foodstuffs that you think may be an attraction to flies Empty drinks cans attract flies, please rinse out before placing in bin. Wash your wheelie bin out completely from time to time. Use warm water and disinfectant, and don’t forget the inside of the lid Remember our recycling bring sites take paper, and in many cases cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminium and steel cans, empty aerosols and tin foil, textiles including bedding and shoes.
The refuse code of conduct
Refuse must be out by 7 am ready for collection on the day of collection Bins should be left on the property boundary with their handles facing outwards No extra refuse should be left outside of the bin Lids should be closed in order to avoid damage during emptying or by strong winds Do not place heavy materials (stone, soil, rubble etc.) or hot ashes in the bin Please remember to remove wheelie bins from your property line as soon as possible after collection.
Only domestic waste should be disposed of in wheelie bins. Other arrangements should be made for the disposal of commercial, clinical and animal waste.
DANGER! VERY IMPORTANT Please do NOT put sharp items such as saws, syringes, tools, broken glass, etc., in your bins as they can cause serious injury to waste operatives. The collection calendars on pages 2 and 3 are continuation of your current collections. If you are still unsure whether you are a week one or two customer or have any other queries please contact the Customer Service Centre on 01795 417850 or visit our website www.swale.gov.uk www.swale.gov.uk
http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
A safer and stronger community
Inside Swale 11
The sound of silence ‌ A sponsored silence took place in May with children from St Mary of Charity CE Primary School in Faversham and South Avenue Infant and Junior School, Sittingbourne being quiet for a 20-minute period. The silence was held to mark Noise Action Week. Noise is an issue in all of our lives and while we have to accept it as part of every day life sometimes unwanted noise can be a real problem. Music being played loudly, construction work being Children from St Mary of Charity CE Primary School with undertaken and car alarms are just Deputy Head James Hope and Sharon Allen from Swale some examples of everyday noise. Borough Council taking part in the sponsored silence.
Swale Borough Council deals with over 1,000 complaints of noise every year. That is why the Council has taken part in Noise Action Week, to highlight the problems that unwanted noise can cause and to talk to residents about how problems relating to noise can be prevented. Noise Action Week is an annual event co-ordinated by national charity Environmental Protection UK. Throughout the week events took place in Swale and officers from the Council’s Environmental Response Team and local schools conducted activities that highlighted the problems that unwanted noise can create.
Staff covering the Noise Action Week stand during May in the Forum, Sittingbourne. http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
www.swale.gov.uk
12 Inside Swale
A high-performing organisation
Staying Put Awarded Funding For 2011 Staying Put offers practical help and advice with home improvements and adaptations. Staying Put also runs a handyperson service who can carry out a health and safety check in your home, fit grab rails and other small jobs. For small maintenance jobs no longer manageable due to age or ill health, there is the Home Maintenance Scheme, a subsidised service using local skilled contractors.
Practical help and advice when you most need it Paul Avron-Cotton, Staying Put’s Handyperson.
For more information on the help Staying Put can give, and fees, please contact Staying Put on 01795 417131.
Housing Fraud Your help in reporting housing fraud is important because you can see what’s going on in your neighbourhood.
Are you homeless or threatened with homelessness? The Housing Options Team can give you support and advice when considering the options available to you if you find yourself in this situation.
If you suspect that somebody is living in their home that the landlord doesn’t know about or has given false information in their housing application please contact the Housing Options Team on 01795 417511 or email us at: housingoptions@swale.gov.uk We are workiing hard, as a Council to track down housing cheats. www.swale.gov.uk
The Housing Options Team is located in the reception area of Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne and provides a drop-in service between Monday – Thursday 8.45am to 5pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm. Alternatively you can call or 01795 417511, or email housingoptions@ swale.gov.uk http://twitter.com/SwaleCouncil
Inside Swale 13
Living In Safety 2011 This year it’s the turn of Faversham to host the event and it will take place at the Alexander Centre on 30 September from 10.30am to 2pm. There will be lots of useful information, advice and some freebies, so put that date in your diary and come along. Susan Hughes at last years event
Do you live in a Housing Association property and want to downsize? If you have spare bedrooms in your property that you no longer need the Underoccupation Scheme could help you with a move. You may wish to move to another area in the borough but have not been able to do so, due to the expense of moving. The Under-occupation Scheme could have a lot of benefits for you, as you may be paying lower rent, lower council tax charges, lower bills and there will be less housework to do! If you are interested in the Under-occupation scheme please contact your Housing Association directly or call Swale Borough Council’s Housing Options Team on 01795 417511.
Launch of Swale’s Rural Housing Strategy
Swale Borough Council is currently consulting on its first Rural Housing Strategy following consultation with Parish Councils, residents and partner organisations. This sub-strategy focuses on the approach needed to deliver high-quality rural, affordable housing in areas of need for local people; it will also determine the unique requirements in accessing services. The strategy is available via the website at swale.gov. uk or email housingstrategy@swale.gov.uk tel 01795 417348 for a copy. http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
www.swale.gov.uk ww ww w.sswa wale le.g .gov ov.u uk
14 Inside Swale
News from Medway Maritime Hospital
Exploring change for a sustainable future Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which runs Darent Valley Hospital, recently announced plans to explore the feasibility of becoming a single organisation. Mark Devlin, Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust, explains the benefits the proposed merger could bring to patient care. Exploring ways to modernise local hospital services within the challenging economic environment is a necessity, not an option, if we are to deliver twenty-first century healthcare.
If the proposals go ahead there will be a need for fewer managers, one Board of Directors and fewer support staff, resulting in savings that can be put directly back into patient care.
The two trusts have already worked closely over the past year, linking up in a number of areas, such as urology, pathology and IT. This collaborative working has proved a great success.
Inevitably, certain job positions will no longer be needed but this does not mean that every member of staff affected will face redundancy.
The decision to explore a longer-term partnership comes for a number of reasons. Improving the range of services we offer locally, as well as delivering the highest quality of care to our patients is and will remain to be at the forefront of everything we do. It could also allow for improved access to specialist services, preventing the need for local patients to make long and expensive journeys to hospitals in London. Essential services, like emergency departments and maternity, will remain local to both Medway and Dartford. The idea is to build on the range and quality of local services we already have not to reduce them.
We are a large organisation and we will be doing everything we can to redeploy the staff affected and to make the changes we need through natural staff turnover i.e. through retirement and those leaving for other jobs. Medway Maritime and Darent Valley hospitals would be equal partners if the merger proceeds. Having more than one hospital under the management of a single trust is nothing unusual; NHS organisations comprising two or more hospitals already exist across the UK, and operate successfully.
Our plans do not in any way involve reducing the number of nurses or doctors who deliver patient care. www.swale.gov.uk
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Inside Swale 15
What’s next? The entire process will be open to scrutiny and you will have the opportunity to have your say. We will consult with staff, patients, local people, governors, Medway LINK (Local Involvement Network), GPs, commissioners and local authorities. As part of the feasibility study we are looking closely at all the services offered by each trust taking account of specialist expertise, service quality and financial performance. This will help identify the options available to us. We will also be looking at ways in which we could harness the cultural strengths of both hospitals to ensure we lay the foundations for an excellent and thriving organisation.
Any decision will be subject to a thorough process requiring approval from the Department of Health and Monitor, the foundation trust regulator. It is anticipated feasibility work will be complete in time to allow decisions to be made by April 2012. For the latest updates, please keep an eye on our website at www.medway.nhs.uk
Medway extends Hospital at Home to Swale Medway NHS Foundation Trust has extended its Hospital at Home service to Swale. The service allows patients who are stable but still need some form of treatment such as oxygen or blood monitoring to be treated in their own home by nurses and physiotherapists, rather than on a ward. Since its launch it has cared for 160 patients; freeing up more beds for sicker patients. The service runs seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm. Outside of those hours patients can call and speak to a member of staff who can offer medical advice or readmit them if necessary. Simon Weeks, Deputy General Manager for Adult Medicine explained: “We know that patients are more at ease when they are in their own surroundings and this helps them recuperate faster, but they’re still able to access the inpatient care they need.” http://tiny.cc/Swale-FB
www.swale.gov.uk
Inside East Kent Did you know that some of the best hospital services in the country are on your doorstep? The Kent & Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury, the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, along with the Buckland and Royal Victoria hospitals in Dover and Folkestone respectively, are part of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - the Trust that has been awarded ‘Trust of the Year’ and ‘Foundation Trust of the Year’ for 2010.
Trust of the Year The award of ‘Trust of the Year 2010’ by the independent healthcare information organisation Dr Foster was given because we came top of all NHS hospital Trusts in the country in our safety, care of people with long-term conditions and our excellent record in preventing people from dying prematurely.
s e c i v r e s e k Stro nd o c e s e r a t tha to none
scary a stroke is g in v a h f East o t for stroke in The though d te a e tr g in be e best - but people e some of th inimum v a h ls a it p s Kent’s ho ery with m quick recov a f o s e c n cha age. g-term dam possible lon eatment r effective tr fo y e k e th t means awardSpeed is e equipmen ke, and the in o tr ic oke s d e a rd m e fo v le h a e T sed by a str ury, As s e rb s te s n when you h a a e C b t a n ke teams ere. nse patients ca me, anywh winning stro rapid-respo ti y /7 n a t a n a e lt v ha consu ossible and Margate e quickest p th re u s n e service to treatment.
Become a member of your Foundation Trust - have your say in the Visit www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/membership or telephone
Hospitals p Pioneering new treatments g for are always lookin At East Kent we & better, and Kent ways to do things ly two on of e l was on ta pi os H y ur rb te Can eer a K this year to pion hospitals in the U nt high te r reducing persis new treatment fo blood pressure.
Kent’s heart attack centre
The William Harvey Hospital in Ash ford is the only hospital in Kent where hea rt attack patients are taken for the latest lifesaving treatment. The new treatment - called primary angioplasty - saves more lives, give s people a better quality of life after their hea rt attack and helps them recover more quic kly.
Preventi ting in i fe f ction Getting a hospital ‘super bug’ is som ething a lot of people worry about before coming into hospital, but East Kent hospita ls has one of the best records for low num bers of MRSA DQG & GLIÂżFLOH LQIHFWLRQV LQ the country.
Your voice Residents of Swale are represented at East Kent Hospitals’ Council of Governors by Ken Rogers and Paul Durkin, publiclyelected governors who live locally. You can contact them via the Membership 2I¿FH RQ H[W via e-mail at governor@ekht.nhs.uk or through the membership area of the Trust’s website - www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/ membership.
provision of hospital services in the future. H[W
Putting patients first
Your Councillors
18 Inside Swale
Have you ever wondered how decisions are made? You can come along to most of the council’s meetings to listen to the debates and see the decisionmaking process in action. Please contact Democratic Services for more information about speaking at public meetings. You may also wish to submit a petition or e-petition to the Council in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme. www.swale.gov.uk/epetitions/ To find out which ward you are in and who is your Swale Borough Councillor visit: www2.swale.gov.uk/dso/search.asp
Key Conservative Labour Independent Group Local Engagement Forums are your chance to discuss issues that affect where you live with councillors from county, borough and parish councils and senior council officers.
Ward
Councillor
Abbey Borden Boughton & Courtenay Chalkwell Davington Priory East Downs Grove Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Iwade & Lower Halstow Kemsley Leysdown & Warden Milton Regis Minster Cliffs Murston Queenborough & Halfway Roman Sheerness East Sheerness West Sheppey Central
For meeting details visit: www2.swale.gov.uk/dso or phone 01795 417330
St. Anns
In the next issue of Inside Swale, find out how to ensure you are registered to vote.
Teynham & Lynsted
St. Michaels
Watling West Downs Woodstock
www.swale.gov.uk
Bryan Mulhern Anita Walker Nicholas Hampshire George Bobbin Andrew Bowles Roger Truelove Ghlin Whelan Mike Henderson Colin Prescott Duncan Dewar-Whalley Gareth Randall Gerry Lewin John Wright Ben Stokes Sue Gent Brenda Simpson Patricia Sandle Adam Tolhurst Tony Winckless Andy Booth Adrian Crowther Kenneth Pugh Ed Gent Nick Williams Jackie Constable Mick Constable Peter Marchington Mike Haywood Martin McCusker Mark Ellen David Sargent Angela Harrison Stephen Worrall Lesley Ingham June Garrad John Morris Mike Cosgrove John Coulter Derek Conway Sylvia Bennett Richard Barnicott Lloyd Bowen David Simmons Ted Wilcox Monique Bonney Alan Willicombe Jean Willicombe
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Inside Swale 19
Phone
01795 538498 01795 531192 01795 477560 (eve) or 07739 108756 01227 751388 01227 752840 or 07778 629879 01795 425445 01795 475629 01795 534368 or 07900 265337 01795 590054 07889 808871 01795 474802 01634 366113 01795 842852 01795 476979 01795 553900 01795 599603 01795 510400 01795 475888 01795 425987 07780 952910 01795 874418 01795 871388 07835 289190 01795 479835 01795 665238 01795 665238 01795 661960 (evenings) 07960 173264 07403 006997 01795 667027 01795 664914 01795 665029 01795 665589 01795 881123 or 07719 255064 01795 664330 01795 881102 01795 591790 01795 539046 01795 424865 or 07789 072677 01795 476979 01795 536177 01795 522357 01795 532100 01795 533004 07973 443527 01795 439680 01795 439680
bryanmulhern@btinternet.com anitajwalker@yahoo.co.uk nicholashampshire@hotmail.com george.bobbin@btinternet.com leader@swale.gov.uk labourleader@swale.gov.uk ghlinwhelan@blueyonder.co.uk mr.michaelhenderson@virgin.net colinprescott@swale.gov.uk duncandewar-whalley@swale.gov.uk gareth.randall@virgin.net cllrlewin@swale.gov.uk johnwright@swale.gov.uk
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taurusbs05@btinternet.com patriciasandle@aol.com adamtolhurst@swale.gov.uk andybooth@swale.gov.uk adrian.crowther@kent.gov.uk ken.pugh@kent.gov.uk e.gent@sky.com nick_p_williams@yahoo.co.uk petermarchington@swale.gov.uk haywoodm@sky.com martinmccusker@swale.gov.uk cllr.markellen@yahoo.co.uk david.sargent@14cavour.freeserve.co.uk angelaharrison@swale.gov.uk ingham989@btinternet.com jvgarrad@aol.com johnmorris@swale.gov.uk cllrcosgrove@swale.gov.uk johncoulter@swale.gov.uk derekconway@swale.gov.uk sylvia.bennett34@talktalk.net rickbarnicott@swale.gov.uk councillor_l_bowen@hotmail.com davidsimmons@swale.gov.uk ted.wilcox@btinternet.com montybon1@aol.com alan188@aol.com jeanwillicombe@aol.com www.swale.gov.uk
Bin there, done that! Over 4,500 Swale residents have a brown bin and get the Council to collect their garden waste for a small annual charge every fortnight. Are bags of garden waste sitting in your garage that you haven’t got the time or the inclination to take to the tip? If so, here’s a value-for-money solution! Our brown bin scheme is a convenient way to recycle grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, prunings, leaves, twigs, dead plants and small branches. You can have as many brown bins as you like, and you can even share one with a neighbour and split the cost. We aim to turn all garden waste into compost and so this really is a green way of tidying your garden. So do your bit towards contributing to a cleaner and greener Swale. On your collection day please place your bin at the boundary of your property where it can be seen and collected. Please note that bins must be at the collection point by 7am. Phone our customer services to find out more on 01795 417850.
What can I put into my brown bin? We collect:
Grass clippings Hedge clippings Twigs and small branches Cut flowers Leaves Prunings from shrubs
We do not collect:
Soils Stones or gravel Seed trays or flower pots Kitchen or food waste Pet litter