Council Consult On VCS Lettings Policy

Swale Borough Council (SBC) are consulting on their Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Lettings Policy and the consultation closes on Wednesday 17th December 2025.

The VCS Policy is extremly important to all local VCS Groups who use properities owned by the council, including us (106.9 SFM - Sittingbourne Community Radio) here at Swale House. Other VCS groups here in the building include SATEDA and Citizen's Advice Swale.

The council’s draft Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Lettings Policy (PDF 200KB) sets out how the council will determine whether concessions on renting Council property can be considered and how much discount might be awarded. The document sets out a points-based system which sets the percentage discount VCS organisations can receive, with reductions of up to 90% available to those organisations that deliver the greatest benefits to the local area but is set to still EXCLUDE Swale House (where a FULL COMMERCIAL RATE is in force).

The criteria are based on how the organisation benefits their community, and how they help meet the council’s priorities for improving the borough.

Swale Borough Council say tthat they "want people’s views on discounts to charities and other not for profit organisations that are looking to rent council properties. The policy sets out how the renter will consistently and transparently work with the VCS when they are leasing property from the council, including the process by which they can apply for a concession". SBC go on to add that "this policy does not apply to Swale House, which needs to be commercially viable, leases of more than 25 years and community assets where an organisation solely exists to manage the asset".

106,9 SFM is asking listeners to respond stating that "Swale House SHOULD NOT be exempted from the discount/s available to VCS groups that are in the building".

Before you respond to the survey, please read the draft VCS Lettings Policy (via the link above). 

To have your say on the draft document, please complete the online survey at:- https://swale.gov.uk/your-council/consultations/voluntary-and-community-....

If you would like a paper copy of the survey, you can email: propertyconsultations@swale.gov.uk.