Councillor Ashley Wise - Kemsley Ward

12/06/2026

Recently a number of residents raised the overgrown footpath from Ypres Drive out onto Grovehurst Road opposite the train station.

I’m pleased to say that I secured a visit this week from contractors to cut back the part that Swale Council is responsible for.

I’ve made inquiries with KCC about when they will attend to complete their section.

I will be attending Sunday to note what cleansing is needed.

08/06/2026

The next Kemsley litter pick will be Saturday 20th June.

Meeting at 10am by the lake on Newman Drive/Todd Crescent. Drop me a message if you can lend a hand.

05/06/2026

++ Railway footbridge streetlight ++

It took me the best part of two years to get the streetlight installed over at the Hurst Lane/Ypres Drive footbridge, so I am beyond disappointed to learn that it has been cut down.

After CCTV was installed on the lighting column yesterday, someone used an angle grinder to cut it down.

Both the lighting and CCTV have long been called for by local people and Southern Housing, and I was pleased to secure it.

I’ve requested an urgent meeting with the police as this appears to confirm that there is criminal activity undertaken in the area which clearly those involved do not wish to be observed doing.

I will also be seeking an urgent replacement for the lighting column.

05/06/2026

The weather is looking better now for Sunday, so why not pop along to the Kent Police Swale Community Day?

04/06/2026

++ Update from FirstPort regarding Chandler’s Croft issues ++

Today, after much chasing, I’ve been updated by FirstPort about a range of issues reported in for 60-70 Reams Way and the block for 2,4 & 6 Samuel Drive and 1,3 & 5 Reams Way.

FirstPort are arranging a new communal bin for 60-70 Reams Way to replace the damaged one, and will be removing the damaged bin.

They also inform me they have a new Property Manager (the continual turnover of staff is a major issue seeing matters through to completion). They have visited the Samuel Drive/Reams Way block to look at all the issues I reported in.

I’ve asked them to share the dates the contractors will attend, so I can keep the Resident’s Association updated.

02/06/2026

+ Public meeting, Sittingbourne Town Centre +

Please come along to Swale House, or join online, on Thursday 25th June at 7pm.

I’ve been delivering a letter to businesses on the High Street, in East Street and in West Street, in the hope they can join the meeting.

We have £300k of funding I helped secure from the Pride in Place Impact Fund, and it would be great to hear how people think this could best make an impact for the Town Centre.

01/06/2026

Last chance to have your say before the consultation closes tomorrow 👇🏻

++ Kemsley Parish council consultation ++

There’s just a few days left to give your view on a proposal for a Kemsley Parish council. The survey takes a minute to complete.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pwB-GLHLqEKKkyKMjspWw6IRCcr-pWVMnx5mLqo5s2FUNDNWVEszNTZXNlZXSzdTRzUzUE9MTDBVMy4u&route=shorturl

29/05/2026

++ Kemsley Parish council consultation ++

There’s just a few days left to give your view on a proposal for a Kemsley Parish council. The survey takes a minute to complete.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pwB-GLHLqEKKkyKMjspWw6IRCcr-pWVMnx5mLqo5s2FUNDNWVEszNTZXNlZXSzdTRzUzUE9MTDBVMy4u&route=shorturl

28/05/2026

Pleased to see the drainage board respond to my request to clear dumped trolleys and a bike from the waterway behind Recreation Way.

Disappointing this happened, but they were pleased at the much reduced number of trolleys they now have to pull from the waterways. This is in large part thanks to ASDA responding positively to my calls for trolley coins to be reintroduced.

26/05/2026

Have inquired about getting these fallen branches removed from the verges on Ypres Drive. They’re encroaching onto the footpaths as well as parking areas. Hopefully they will be cleared soon.