Present:

Members	Present	Apologies	Reason
Mayor: Cllr M Horwood	✓
Deputy Mayor: Cllr L Dyball	✓
Cllr C Barnes		✓	SDC Meeting
Cllr P Brown	✓
Cllr G Darrington	✓
Cllr P Darrington	✓
Cllr S Durden		✓	Personal Circumstances
Cllr J Ettridge	✓
Cllr J Ferrari		✓	SDC Meeting
Cllr K Mitchell	✓
Cllr C Morgan	✓
Cllr C Prestedge		✓	Personal Circumstances
Cllr N Scott		✓
Cllr L Taylor			ABSENT
Cllr E Uttley		✓	Personal Circumstances
Cllr R Wood	✓

Officers:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ryan Hayman
Senior Executive Assistant – Adele Farrier

Also Present:
Cllr Dean Truder, Kent County Council (KCC)

Public: None

MEETING COMMENCED: 19:34

12558 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr C Barnes
Cllr S Durden
Cllr J Ferrari
Cllr C Prestedge
Cllr E Uttley

12559 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
NONE.

12560 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve as correct the Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026.
APPROVED & SIGNED

12561 MAYORS COMMUNICATION
To receive such communications as the Town Mayor may desire to lay before the Council (Councillors are reminded that no decision making may take place as a result of this item).

The Mayor, Cllr Horwood, has had a busy month attending a variety of community events across the town. On 5 June, he attended the presentation of their grant aid cheque to Hope Church Youth Group, a positive initiative that provides mentoring opportunities for young people while encouraging them to develop responsibility and confidence.

On 9 June, it was the Birchwood Heights Horse Racing Evening and along with Cllr Ferrari they enjoyed a successful evening, winning both first and second prizes, which they generously donated to their team.
On 13 June, he visited the High Firs Primary School Fun Day before joining Cllr Dyball at the celebration of Emerson Grange’s 10th anniversary. During the event, the team at Emerson Grange expressed their enthusiasm for welcoming local community groups to use their facilities for small meetings.

On 18 June, it was the Monday and Thursday Club’s Annual Summer Party at the Alexandra Suite, where everyone enjoyed the afternoon and entertainment provided by Scott “Elvis”.

On 20 June, he attended Downsview School’s Summer Fayre, which included a classic car display and dog show. Swanley Foodbank was also present and have extended an invitation to all councillors to visit them. Later that day, the Mayor attended St Paul’s School Fun Day, a smaller but equally worthwhile event that successfully raised funds in support of the school.

On 26 June, we welcomed pupils from Hextable School to the Council Chambers for a Cluster Council meeting. Cllr Horwood was pleased to tell the pupils that, during his previous term as Mayor, Hextable School had suggested the creation of a dog park, and he was delighted to report that this has since become a reality in Swanley Park.

On 27 June, he attended the Armed Forces Day event on Swanley Recreation Ground. The event benefited from a spectacular Spitfire flypast, with the aircraft making four passes over the recreation ground. The mayor hosted his Human Fruit Machine stall, which proved to be very popular raising £120 for his charities, and he enjoyed the other attractions, including the Bravo Horse Show and classic car display. Also on that day, he visited St Bartholomew’s School Fayre, where he met the new Headteacher, who is keen to continue strengthening the positive relationship with the Mayor that was established last year.

12562 REPORT FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
(Councillors are reminded that no decision making may take place as a result of this item)

County Councillor – Cllr Dean Truder
His report which was circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting and can be viewed here: County Councillor Report for 01.07.2026.pdf

From the report Cllr Brown expressed concerns regarding the sale of the former Hextable School site and grounds, as the information shown on Rightmove website states the sale includes the school, Avenue of Limes, sports field and car park. Cllr Brown asked for clarification is this was correct as it was his understanding had been advised the Avenue of Limes would not be included.

Cllr Truder stated that it was incorrect regarding the car park as this should be for the Howard Venue, which has been excluded from the sale. The Avenue of Limes, however, will be included in the sale, along with the land that the school sits on and the playing fields and he will share drawings for the parking on the site to all councillors. In the meantime, he will clarify all details of the sale as Cllr Brown advised many residents have shared their displeasure and feel misled. There is a meeting on 8th July with officers from Estates and the community collective to discuss the details on the Howard Venue.

Cllr Horwood confirmed there had been an exploratory meeting with KCC to discuss the potential purchase of the Avenue of Limes or school playing fields. As part of the sale process, we could put forward a case to acquire both, and it would be considered. However, what they are minded to do is sell the Avenue of Limes to a developer, so that when development is finished, they would hand it back to either Hextable Parish, which would be our preference, or Swanley Town Council. This may ensure when given back the Avenue of Limes will be in a condition that the parish council will be able to manage going forward. Cllr Truder commented if the Avenue of Limes could get sold with a protected convenance as KCC are aware of the local sentiment and value to the community.

Cllr Horwood confirmed Cllr Truder’s earlier comments on the parking for the Howard Venue, as the current car park is already full to capacity not having additional parking could damage the viability of the centre. Those attending their NHS appointment their need to have on-site parking. Cllr Dyball raised her concerns that should the parking at the Howard Venue not be adequate we could lose this NHS provision and all the vital additional services it provides.

Cllr Dyball asked about Hedgehogs, which have been seen crossing along London Road and asked Cllr Truder for signage to be displayed to advise motorists to be aware of this and be cautious when driving past to ensure the Hedgehogs safety and protect this endangered species.

Cllr G Darrington asked about the 20mph speed limit for Highlands Hill and New Barn Road, to which the CEO was able to provide an update. Speed tests have been carried out at both location, for New Barn Road the average speed was 22mph and as this is under 30mph no speed reduction measure would be necessary. However, for Highlands Hill the speed is not self-enforcing, and would likely need chicanes or similar measures to traffic calm to allow police to enforce a 20mph zone. The average speed was 26mph, but with 85% of drivers doing 30mph.

For Goldsel Road traffic management the introduction of a box function has been estimated at a cost of £10,000 – £20,000. Cllr Tuder advised we would not be able to enforce this as there currently no traffic cameras as we would need assistance from the Police to enforce this would it be worth the expenses until the cameras have been rolled out. Cllr Dyball advised that yellow box junctions are almost self-regulating as drivers tend to leave them clear, as seen at box junction outside of The Bull on London Road.

Bringing up a final traffic issue, Cllr Truder noted the parking on the High Street on both sides of the road, where cars are regularly illegally parked including on the pavements. This makes the High Street unsafe for pedestrians who are forced onto the road to pass the parked vehicles. Cllr Horwood advised that this is something we could potentially include in the Bevan Place development to have bollards installed to assist with pedestrian safety.

District Councillors

Cllr G Darrington and Cllr P Darrington attend the Development and Infrastructure Meeting where the local plan was discussed and improved by the Committee, and it will now go to Cabinet to go through by the end of the year. Regulation 19 will be available to the public for comments online from 23rd July to 17th September.

Cllr Horwood advised that Pedham Place is an important site for contributing towards Swanley’s Housing quota, if this site is not used then the Government will be looking elsewhere within Swanley for other sites which may not be so advantageous for the town.

Cllr G Darrington stated that Swanley will no longer have any green belt or agricultural land.

CEO stated that it was important to note CIL recommendations that revenue from CIL will not be on developments over 10 properties and will be replaced by Section 106. Under Section 106 the town and parish council will not necessarily be awarded this money and will find it harder to bid for. With CIL we are guaranteed 25% which has been used extensively over the years to help fund project upgrades within the town. The CEO would like to see this threshold raised to developments over 150 homes.

Cllr Dyball reported a small win for St Mary’s Road in relation to Litter bins. Two bins had previously been removed outside the school and Everest Place due to fires. However, following a conversation with the Post lady Cllr Dyball was informed that the post box between these sites was now being used as a litter bin. Cllr Dyball escalated this to Sevenoaks and to new mental bins have been reinstalled on the sites.

It was also reported that broken glass was littering the pavement outside of the Civic Centre and we should organised it being removed as it was dangerous to residents and animals alike.

The CEO also reported that there had been some vandalism on the new playground on the Recreation Ground, which the Estates Team had been able to remove a large percentage off and it was hope the rest would come off with footfall on the site. This has been reported to residents via social media and advised that there is CCTV available should this be escalated.

Cllr Horwood has been approached by residents of Beechenlea Avenue regarding Lidl using the access from Beechenlea onto site. Lidl have assured this is only for site clearance of debris and not for development, as Cllr Horwood stated this would need to go to planning for permission to be given.

Cllr Horwood also raised that included in the Infrastructure Development Plan which is part of the Local Plan that it is mentioned of a new health hub on the Pedham site and that there should be a site in Swanley, and this is a priority as the Pedham site is 10-15 years away from completion of development. The CEO added that this is supported by the NHS as they have expressed that they would only support a surgery in the middle of town.

12563 SWANLEY TOWN COUNCIL YEAR END INTERNAL AUDIT 2025-2026 – APPENDIX A
To note the Audit Report 2025-2026.

NOTED
12564 ADOPTION OF A NEW BUS STOP, LONDON ROAD (LIDL SITE)
To approve the CEO’s recommendation.
APPROVED – On the condition Clear Channel accept the shelter as an extension of the current bus stop agreement between them and STC.

20:41 Cllr Dean Truder left the meeting

Date of next meeting: 9thSeptember 2026

MEETING CLOSED: 21:05

SIGNED: 09/09//2026

Cllr M Horwood
Mayor of Swanley