The Economy and Property Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a number of items including the Levelling-Up Fund Programme, a review of the Voluntary and Community Sector Lettings Policy, the future of Bartons Point Coastal Park, and a response to a council motion on the transfer of council car parks. The committee will also look at the forward decisions plan. A decision may be taken to exclude the press and public from part of the meeting.

Levelling-Up Fund Programme Update

The committee will receive an update on the progress of the Levelling-Up Fund (LUF) Sheerness Revival programme. The report pack highlights milestones and achievements to date, and outlines the benefits of social value contributions.

The Sheerness Revival programme is funded by a £20 million investment from the government's Levelling Up Fund, plus over £2 million match funding from Swale Borough Council and £400,000 from East Kent College (EKC) Group.

The report pack notes that the committee agreed to utilise the UK Leisure Framework to identify a contractor for the Beachfields and public realm projects in March 2023, and in December 2024 approved the appointment of Etec for the project, and Building Associates Limited for the alteration and refurbishment of obsolete garages at Masters House.

The report pack also notes that East Kent College appointed Jenner Group at the end of 2024 to undertake expansion works at Sheppey College, which will provide an additional 900 square metres of educational space.

The report pack states that the council entered into a Delivery Management Agreement with Alliance Leisure in May 2025 to instruct Etec Group to progress construction works at Beachfields, following receipt and approval of the final stage 4 costs report. The JCT contract to undertake refurbishment works on the garages at Masters House was also signed in May 2025 between the council and Building Associates Ltd, with an agreed start date in July to complete the workshops at the end of November.

The report pack notes that planning consent was granted for Beachfields and the Public Realm in January 2025, which enabled the start of early works to prepare the site for construction. Main works also began at Sheppey College following the legal progression of the land transfer from the council.

The report pack states that the occupiers of the Healthy Living Centre, including Sheppey Matters, Minster Medical Practice and the leisure provision, relocated to alternative temporary locations in January to allow the works to progress. It also notes that Sheppey Matters are conducting their community support from a position on the high street, with administrative operations carried out at Sheppey Gateway.

The report pack states that officers engaged local school students in the design of the Adventure Golf course, and that following suggestions from the public, 'Sheerness Shipwreck Adventure Golf' was chosen as the name. The report pack notes that installation of the course began in April and it was unveiled in July, with visitor numbers exceeding 1,000 a week over the summer months.

The report pack notes that the current overall programme completion is shown as July 2026, and that officers have been advised that spending of the government investment can be up to March 2027. It also notes that the Sheppey College project is expected to complete in December and open its doors to students in January 2026, and that works commenced at Masters House in July and are on track to complete at the end of November.

The report pack states that a Member Working Group was established to provide strategic oversight and accountability for programme delivery. The Member Working Group is comprised of one representative from each group and is chaired by Councillor Monique Bonney, Chair of the Economy and Property Committee.

The report pack notes that contractors across the programme are required to contribute to social value, and that contributions realised so far include:

• Providing cost free logistical support for the temporary relocation of Beachfields' partners
• Supporting public engagement for planned activities across the projects
• Prioritising the use of local supply chain contractors with locally sourced goods and services at Beachfields and Masters House
• Five local labourers working at Beachfields and Masters House
• Supported engagement of primary and secondary school students, through a series of site visits
• Charitable donation to Launch It for use of space at Masters House
• Student participation in bricklaying work at Sheppey College to gain knowledge and experience

The report pack also notes that anti-social behaviour and crime has been an issue across all three projects, and that officers are adopting a multi-agency approach to security and the protection of assets by working with the contractor, internal community safety and CCTV teams and the police.

The report pack lists the following next steps:

• A series of engagement activities over the coming months and into 2026
• Design of TAG Active and soft play will begin to take shape, with contributions from young people
• Procurement of contractor to install the outdoor gym which will be accompanied by the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) with contributions from wider youth groups
• Landscaping works to enhance the public realm at Beachfields to commence with collaboration from local businesses to further improve the look and feel of the area
• Multi-agency work to look at immediate and long term solution to combat ASB in the area around Beachfields and Masters House
• Potential Renaming of Sheppey Healthy Living Centre (Beachfields)
• Conclude new lease agreement for returning occupants of Beachfields.

Voluntary and Community Sector Lettings Policy

The committee will consider a report on the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Lettings Policy. The aim is to consult on an updated draft of the VCS Lettings Policy for a period of eight weeks.

The report pack states that Swale Borough Council adopted a VCS Lettings Policy in September 2013, with the aim of providing transparency and consistency when providing accommodation to a VCS organisation, and in which circumstances the organisation could apply for a concession in its rent.

The report pack notes that the council owns a number of community property assets (the Property Asset Strategy identifies 53) and is landlord to a number of VCS organisations, but that the application of the policy has been limited.

The report pack states that a draft of a revised VCS Lettings Policy is presented at Appendix I of the report. The report pack notes that much of its content remains similar to the existing policy, with modifications intended to simplify its content and provide the council further discretion to protect its wider financial position as set out in the Property Asset Strategy. The report pack also notes that changes reflect the recent revisions to the Scheme of Delegation in respect of the letting of property assets.

The report pack states that the proposed process which determines the level of discount which should be applied (if any) to a prospective tenant will be moved to an online format. It also notes that there is a proposed adjustment in scoring thresholds to determine the level of discount applied, and that the thresholds against which discount is applied have been reviewed, with proposed increases to require clearer demonstration of positive impact to support the award of rent concessions.

Bartons Point Coastal Park - Update

The committee will discuss a report providing an update on the proposed future use and leasing of Bartons Point Coastal Park.

The report pack notes that in May 2022, expressions of interest were sought to manage the various elements of the site, including the Boathouse, Toilet and Shower Block, Boating Lake, Former Pitch and Putt Course, seasonal Camping Ground and Car Park.

The report pack states that a report came to the then Regeneration and Property Committee on 19th January 2023 requesting approval of the principle of the leasehold disposal of the site to a user or occupier who could invest in and improve the leisure facilities, whilst maintaining public use and access.

The report pack notes that the committee resolved:

1) That in principle the leasehold disposal of the site to a user or occupier who could invest in and improve the leisure facilities at the site be agreed.

2) That any lease would be granted on the basis that continued use and access of the open spaces by the public would be maintained.

3) That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration, Economic Development and Property, in consultation with the Chair and group spokespersons from the Regeneration and Property Committee and to include the Head of Mid-Kent Legal Partnership to complete the necessary legal formalities, negotiate, and agree leasehold contracts as applicable and undertake any additional work required to achieve a leasehold disposal

The report pack states that following commercial negotiations and engagement with group spokespersons, a preferred operator was identified, with plans for the site including use of the lake for an inflatable adventure course, and accommodation pods. The report pack notes that any lease agreement would be subject to securing planning permission, and that a key risk in securing such was the ecology and biodiversity on the site.

The report pack states that Bakewell, a specialist company, were instructed to undertake a year-long suite of ecological surveys, which were completed in April 2025.

The report pack notes that Bakewell's surveys revealed the park's exceptional biodiversity, and that the lake's brackish nature creates a rare habitat supporting specialised species.

The report pack states that under UK planning law, developments impacting ecologically sensitive areas must comply with the relevant chapters of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which emphasize biodiversity protection and the need for a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of at least 10% for new developments.

The report pack notes that the surveys indicate that intensified site usage had significant potential to disrupt the fragile ecosystem, and that Natural England and Kent Wildlife Trust are likely to object to the waterpark proposal due to its potential to harm protected species and habitats.

The report pack states that Bakewell's conclusions highlighted the challenges of securing planning consent for the waterpark or any other intensification of use, due to the site's ecological importance.

The report pack notes that due to the park's ecological significance, the council has been advised that planning consent for future uses on the park will need to carefully consider the park's sensitive and unique ecosystem and may not be achievable.

The report pack states that the ecological surveys underscore Bartons Point Coastal Park as a critical biodiversity hotspot, and that the park's unique characteristics may present opportunities for conservation-focused initiatives, such as educational programs or BNG credit generation through grassland enhancement.

The report pack notes that the on-site Boathouse café has been let to an operator to provide a food and beverage offer at the site, and that this will continue for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The report pack recommends that the committee's approach to the future occupation and use of Bartons Point Coastal Park (as agreed on 19th January 2023) is rescinded until further consideration of its potential by Environment and Climate Change Committee.

Transfer of Council Car Parks

The committee will consider a report responding to a motion submitted at Full Council on 2 April 2025, regarding the transfer of free car parks in Sheppey to the relevant town and parish councils.

The report pack notes that the council operates 57 car parks across the borough, 29 of which are free to use, and 28 are pay and display car parks where fees are charged.

The report pack states that the pay and display car parks are forecasted to bring in over £2.7 million in revenue for the council in the 2025-26 financial year.

The report pack quotes the motion presented to Full Council on 2 April 2025:

It is proposed that Swale Borough Council offer the Little Oysters car park at the Leas Minster and Queenborough Library Car Park (Castle Connections) in Queenborough to the relevant Parish and Town Councils through the appropriate committee and council procedures. Parish and Town councils are best placed to decide what is in the best interests of the people of Sheppey for these car parks going forward. If this approach is successful for these car parks, then the Council should offer other free car parks to Parish or Town Councils or to local not for profit organisations. Council refers this issue to the relevant service committee for exploration and ultimately, decision. Following devolution, it is likely fewer councillors will be representing Sheppey, and a repeat of the proposal for charging at these two car parks will raise its head again and the outcome may not align with the wishes of the people of Sheppey. It is hoped that all members can support this motion

The report pack notes that the final amended wording was:

(1) That Swale Borough Council offer its free car parks across the borough to the relevant Parish and Town Councils through the appropriate committee and council procedures and Council refers this issue to the relevant service committee for exploration and ultimately, decision.

The report pack states that the council's Parking Policy states that parking charges are set annually by councillors as part of the fees and charges process of budget setting.

The report pack also notes that the council's Property Asset Strategy makes it a priority that the council retains land and property where it makes strategic or financial sense to do so.

The report pack states that when disposing of assets, the council is subject to statutory requirements, in particular to the overriding duty, under section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, to obtain the best consideration that can be reasonably obtained for a disposal.

The report pack notes that the council's medium term financial plan still predicts a funding gap for future years, and that officers have been tasked with identifying additional income streams to help address the council's budget position.

The report pack recommends that individual decisions on asset transfers are made on each car park that is suitable for transfer, at the relevant committee, and that officers continue to discuss possible transfers with Town and Parish Councils as part of the overall asset transfer process. The report pack also recommends that the matter on charging at free car parks is referred to the Environmental Services and Climate Change committee.

Forward Decisions Plan

The committee will review the Forward Decisions Plan. The plan lists reports and background information, and recommendations for future meetings. Items listed in the plan include:

• Queenborough and Rushenden (Housing Infrastructure Fund) – update and interim evaluation
• Voluntary and Community Sector Lettings Policy Refresh – Consultation Outcomes
• Sheppey Growth Board – referred item from Sheppey Area Committee
• Bourne Place / Princes Street – contract award
• Great East Hall – future of land
• Old Library – review of disposal decision (was previously named as 44 Trinity Road – future of property)
• Shared Prosperity Funds – 2026/27

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The committee may decide to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of the Local Government Act 1972.

1. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

This relates to the exempt appendix regarding the Levelling-Up Fund update.