With the appointment of a new cabinet and significant inward investment, 2023 was a year of change and growth for the Sevenoaks district. As we now progress into a new year, we wanted to take a look at some of the key things that have had an impact on the local area as a place to live, work, invest and visit.
Support for the charity sector
Earlier this year, Sevenoaks District Council allocated £49,800 to helping local charity and volunteer groups across the district. Amongst the groups who benefited were those who support volunteers, run community transport, help older people and residents experiencing mental health problems and assist families across the District.
This year, several new charities and groups were granted funding including West Kent Debt Advice, who will use their £2,000 of grant money to provide free debt advice, counselling and budgeting skills for Sevenoaks District adults. Cruse Bereavement Support who were allocated almost £5,000 to help them offer free, specialist support to anyone grieving irrespective of when or how they were bereaved.
Welcoming in a new Cabinet
Following local elections in May, a new Cabinet was announced with Cllr Julia Thornton named as new Council Leader. In her opening address she expressed the immediate priorities including protecting the Green Belt, making council operations net zero and increasing investments in the district.
Cllr Thornton said of her appointment: “It’s such an honour and a privilege to have been elected as the Council Leader. My dad was a Kent County Councillor for 12 years, including a year as Chairman, so public service is clearly in my blood. I cannot wait to get on and deliver our residents’ priorities.
“I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Peter Fleming, who was the Council Leader for the past 18 years. During this time, he made us one of the most revered and financially sound local authorities in the country, winning Council of the year and Council Leader of the year.”
The portfolio holder appointments were also announced:
- Cllr Julia Thornton – Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Improvement & Innovation
- Cllr Perry Cole – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing & Health
- Cllr Kevin Maskell – Portfolio Holder for Finance & Investments
- Cllr Lesley Dyball – Portfolio Holder for People & Places
- Cllr Margot McArthur – Portfolio Holder for Cleaner & Greener
- Cllr Simon Reay – Portfolio Holder for Development & Conservation
New co-working space in the heart of Swanley
The Meeting Point, a new business hub in Swanley, was completed and opened in June 2023, marking significant inward investment by Sevenoaks District Council. The space offers hot-desking, private offices, meeting rooms and events space as well as onsite business support and networking opportunities.
The vision for the space is to foster a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture by encouraging businesses to work together and create mutually beneficial partnerships.
Affordable homes for the community
Quercus Housing, Sevenoaks District Council’s housing company, has once again pledged to provide affordable housing.
Having purchased 17 new flats at the 27-29 High Street development in Swanley, 11 of these properties were offered to local essential workers. Supported by the Local Authority Housing Fund, a further six homes were allocated to Ukrainian families living in host properties across the district.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, Cllr Perry Cole says: “Providing and investing in affordable housing is a top priority for the Council and we’re really pleased to offer tenancies to essential workers with a local connection to the Sevenoaks District and Ukrainian guests.”
Funding for rural businesses
Rural businesses and communities have been encouraged to apply to the West Kent Rural Grants scheme, funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
Grants from £2,000 to £25,000 have been available to support rural jobs and local facilities since July 2023. The latest phase of this funding, which will see successful applicants receive the money in the 2024/25 financial year, has a renewed focus on reducing carbon footprints.
Ending the year with national recognition
The Council and its UK Shared Prosperity Fund Project Officer Aidan Kiely were named Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development Annual Awards.
The award recognises individuals and teams who have strived to actively promote, celebrate and raise awareness of EDI, improving under-represented involvement in economic development in their organisation or externally.
Sevenoaks’ nomination highlighted how EDI is at the forefront of the council’s approach to recruitment. Aidan, who is the economic development team’s only non-sighted employee, has helped the council to better understand how to support people with a visual impairment and to fulfil its objective to have appropriate interventions in place for colleagues when they join.
To learn more about the Sevenoaks district as a place to live, work, invest and visit, please click here.