Events - Jenny Hurkett from the Island Forum said she was the lead on tourism and that they were planning a month-long event in June 2026 where about 30 events would be taking place across the Isle of Sheppey. They were working with several organisations including Visit Kent, Network Rail, two universities, museums and others to hold a broad spectrum of events. Jenny asked Councillors to let her know if they had any ideas of events in their areas that could be included. She said that all events were self-funded but contributions from SBC Member Grants would be appreciated to purchase things like banners. They had already received an SBC grant to produce a magazine for the event.  John Nurden, the Co-Chair of the Island Forum said he was helping and said he was arranging communications for the event. A search was taking place for an Isle of Sheppey Town Cryer, anyone was welcome to apply and auditions would take place on 14 February 2026 at the Criterion, Blue Town. The event would be launched on 1 March 2026.

Parking charges consultation - Simon Fowle asked following the outcome of the recent car parking charges consultation, was democracy dead in Swale? If not, how could trust be rebuilt? A discussion took place and the following comments were raised:

·       An SBC Member said democracy was not dead but some Members felt their voices had not been heard;

·       Isle of Sheppey Members felt out-numbered by mainland Members where charges were applied to car parks;

·       an SBC Member said conditions in the Queenborough Charter stated that parking should be free in the Queenborough area but officers advised that this came to an end once SBC took over the car parks;

·       an SBC Member said it was a good idea to give parish and town councils assets but it was not in SBC’s best interests to give assets away;

·       most Isle of Sheppey councillors objected to introducing car parking charges;

·       SBC needed to consult properly and listen to responses; and

·       a potential outcome from the introduction of parking charges could be an increase in on-street parking, especially in places like on double yellow lines and pavement parking

Councillor Dolley Wooster responded that as Chair of the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee she could confirm that the process had been carried out correctly and suggested that people view the recordings of the meetings on the SBC website. The proposals had also been discussed at the Economy & Property Committee. A Parish Council spoke at the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee meeting. All business was conducted appropriately and no-one was disregarded.

Vehicles parked long-term - vehicles were parked on some residential roads with no tax or MOT and some had been there for four years. Residents were not able to park on their roads. What could SBC do to stop it? The Chair asked for details to be emailed to him and he would speak to relevant officers to see what could be done.

Overnight parking – vehicles were parking on the beachfront where there were overnight parking restrictions and people were removing the signs. It was suggested that the signs should be welded to the posts so they could not be removed. The Chair said he would feed this suggestion back to the Parking Team.