Faversham has become more divided, some have been hit harder than others by austerity and decline and the increase in the cost of housing, rented and mortgaged & freehold, has reduced living standards for the left behind. It is evident in our marketplace on Saturdays that few of those hardest hit by economic decline are in town, there are few places where they can afford to eat or shop.

We remember when our roads were well maintained, when it was much easier to get a GP appointment and social care in Faversham, and when the Cottage Hospital was open. The UK economy has performed badly over the last two decades and austerity has reduced both access and quality across housing, health and education. The public realm, roads and pavements, water pipes and sewers, recreational spaces and footpaths are not maintained as they were within living memory. Faversham has not escaped the consequences of low growth and austerity.

There have been two recent housing needs surveys, the first funded by the Faversham Community Land Trust in 2020 and a later survey conducted for the Neighbourhood Plan. Both surveys provide evidence that Faversham needs social housing, aka council housing, for Faversham families. There are now more than 2,000 households in need of affordable rented homes in Swale, and more than 300 households living in temporary accommodation for significant periods of time. Between April and September this year Swale spent £1.76m on temporary accommodation.

Affordable housing is not affordable for the left behind. Developers affordable housing commitments have not always been realised and since 2019 only 27 homes for social rent have been built.

There are groups actively addressing some of the national issues impacting Faversham. Faversham Healthy Futures is consulting widely across the town to discuss the health services Faversham needs and how best they might be provided. Much of the best social housing was built before local government reorganisation in 1974, most of it has been sold to tenants and is no longer social housing.  The Faversham Community Land Trust is making the case for more social housing.

Faversham Town Council has very limited powers. KCC is responsible for education, social care and highways. Swale is responsible for planning; our town council can only make representation. Our town council has no power and little influence over health service provision for us. Together we built the swimming pool and the Jubilee Centre. If we can bring the town together to fight for the Cottage Hospital, more social housing, better health and social care we have a chance to make Faversham a better place to live in for all of us. Divided we will fail. Facing a further round of local government reorganisation, we need to pull together, listen to each other, evolve common platforms and work together to make Faversham a better place for all of us, including the left behind.

Harold Goodwin, Chair FCLT