Faversham And Swale East Labour Party

09/10/2026

* Update on Sharps Bin charges

Thanks to Cllr Rob Crayford for raising this as an issue for many residents. Pleased to hear that Swale Council has listened and reversed its decision

Pleased that Swale Council has scrapped charges for sharps bin collections.

I raised concerns and brought a motion asking Faversham Town Council to raise the issue with Swale. Thank you to fellow town councillors for supporting it, and to Swale councillors from different parties who championed the change.

Safe disposal of medical sharps should be accessible to everyone.

https://news.swale.gov.uk/news/no-charge-for-sharps-collection

09/10/2026

Police officers will be holding their next drop in surgery at the Alex on Friday 16 Oct. Do go and have a chat if you have any local concerns.

09/10/2026

📢 Faversham Swale office at the Alex is under threat of closure. Please take part in the online consultation which closes at 5pm on Monday 19 October.

They are requesting views on the local services provided at the Faversham District Office, how people use it, what services matter most to residents and how any changes could affect their access to council services.

Feedback will help the council understand the level of local demand, if people have any difficulty with accessing the councils online and phone services and what other support they may need if services are changed.

Please click 👇 to complete the survey

Faversham district office

09/10/2026

Cllr Rob Crayford, supporting the Holborn and St. Pancras campaign. Congratulations to Sagal Abdi-Wali on her victory 🌹

A fantastic result for Labour in Holborn and St Pancras! 🌹

I firmly believe politics should offer hope, bring people together and deliver real change.

Here in Faversham, I’ve seen what we can achieve when we work together, from improving community safety to protecting local services.

Sadly, we also see examples of politics that focus more on division than cooperation. I believe our town deserves better.

We won’t always agree, and that’s healthy in a democracy. But respect, cooperation and putting our community first should always matter more than political differences.

That’s the kind of politics I believe in, and it’s why I’m Labour. 🌹

09/10/2026

Congratulations to Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras! 🌹

Top six candidates:

Labour 12,292
Green 8,928
Conservative 1,922
Reform UK 1,612
Lib Dem 924
Restore Britain 692

Turnout 39%

07/10/2026

A public consultation on introducing a surface level crossing on the A2 by Abbey School is good news for residents who walk and cycle to the school and other facilities here, as well as residents of the new estates to the south of the A2.

It is the result of many years of campaigning by a wide range of local community members.

St Ann’s Ward Cllr Julian Saunders, who sits on the Swale Joint Transportation Board, which voted unanimously for a consultation this week, says: “It’s ridiculous that there is not a safe, level way for young children, people with disabilities, wheelchair users and prams and pushchairs to cross the A2.

"l know there have been informal surveys, but I would urge residents who want to see a crossing here to make sure they take part in the Kent Highways consultation, when it is launched, as it will be the basis on which the formal decision is taken.

"Although the location and initial designs look better than some previous proposals that have been floated, public feedback could still help strengthen the final design and ensure it meets local needs.”

07/10/2026

The One Swale roadshow is in Faversham tomorrow to provide crucial support and advice to local people.

📍 Faversham Salvation Army, 4 Court Street, Faversham ME13 7AW
📅 Thursday 8 October
⏰ 9:30am to 11:30am

You can get free support with financial hardship, health and social care from organizations including:

Swale Community and Voluntary Services
Citizens Advice North East Kent
Swale Family Hubs
Streetlight UK
CXK
Imago
Medequip UK
Ross Care
Medway Voluntary Action
Involve Kent
East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens

07/10/2026

Councillors have recommended that Swale officers progress with the introduction of a controlled parking zone in Court Street and the Market Square.

At the meeting on Monday evening, Labour Cllr Julian Saunders spoke in favour of the scheme which will still allow blue badge parking as well as 'loading and unloading'. He said:

“I think anyone who visits Faversham will see on the days that there isn’t traffic in the centre of town it’s very economically lively, and if you visit on, say, a Thursday afternoon when there’s plenty of informal parking, it’s not very economically vibrant.

“So I think the town is assisted by having controls on cars in the centre.”

Commenting on the 10 objections received, he said:

"About 30 residents at an earlier Area Forum had unanimously backed action, while the town council committee considering the plans had also been unanimous.

“I think 10 objections in a town of 20,000 people is a very small number and I think if you look at some of the things said, they don’t really stack up,”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/faversham/news/drivers-set-to-be-banned-from-parking-in-heart-of-historic-k-345971/

06/10/2026

🚧 The Road and Footpath at the top of Preston Street are closed for 14 days from Tues 6 October

05/10/2026

The next Swale Eastern Councillors and Residents Forum will take place at 7pm on Tues 13 October.

The forum gives residents chance to talk to councillors about concerns in the community.

Everyone is welcome to attend and take part.

📍 The Alexander Centre, Faversham, or virtually via Teams
📆 Tuesday 13 October
🕖 7pm

For full details:
https://democracy.swale.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=4539&x=1&

Items on the agenda include 👇