Residents across Swale, including those in Sittingbourne, are being asked to share their views on proposed changes to local council structures as part of a review led by Swale Borough Council. This second stage of the community governance review features 24 proposals to create, merge, or alter town and parish councils to better reflect local needs.
The review follows feedback from more than 600 residents during the first stage of the process. Among the key proposals are the creation of a new town council for Sittingbourne, the formation of a parish council at Halfway on the Isle of Sheppey, and various boundary adjustments for town and parish councils in Faversham. Sittingbourne is currently the largest town in the borough with more than 50,000 residents but does not have its own town or parish council representation.
This initiative is taking place ahead of national changes to local government, which will see both Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council abolished by April 2028. These local bodies will be replaced by larger unitary authorities. The current review aims to strengthen local representation because town and parish councils will become the most local tier of government, serving as a vital link between residents and the new, more remote unitary authorities.
Councillor Tim Gibson, leader of Swale Borough Council, has stated that these changes will only be implemented if they have clear support from residents. There are currently 34 parish councils and three town councils—covering Faversham, Queenborough, and Sheerness—already operating across the borough.
Residents can participate in the consultation until Tuesday, 2 June 2026. After the feedback has been analysed, the final proposals will be presented to the full council for a decision.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
