Frequently Asked Questions (2023 doorstep edition)

Yes it is! Sewage and toilet paper was found three years ago in the grounds of the scout hut at the bottom of Mill Lane after flooding in heavy rain. After this the silted Millpond was tested prior to dredging, and found to be contaminated to such a degree that Environment Agency determined that the sludge could not be disposed of without treatment.
Dredging is under way at the moment, but the underlying problem of sewer overflow during heavy rain is not yet solved. It will happen again until Thames Water expand the sewer and drainage system to meet demand caused by increasing development. The costs of clearing up the mess fall on the District Council, and SDC needs to put pressure on Thames Water to fix the problem.]

Our plan for the leisure centres is to reopen as quickly as possible. Lost customers and lost revenue increases every week they remain shut. We understand they will reopen on May 1st, but customers who have lost their membership subscriptions or booking fees will not be given any incentive to return. We asked the Council to do this, for the long term health of the business, but the Conservatives turned it down,

It has come to light in the questions asked about Sencio's failure, that there appears to have been no Service Level Agreement between SDC and Sencio for the management of the centres. This seems an extraordinary omission and one we would not repeat with a new operator.

The easiest air quality improvement measure is reduction of HGV's in the centre of Sevenoaks. In addition to improving air quality in the High St and London Road, this would stop large vehicles knocking bits off the listed buildings in the Upper High Street. The High St businesses can mostly be supplied by delivery from the Bligh's car park, or from Suffolk way - this was a design feature of the Bligh's development.