West Kent Independents

21/10/2026

🚛 Wheelie Bins – The Facts and Figures ! ♻️

Love them or hate them, wheelie bins have certainly got people talking! But how often do we get to hear the actual facts and figures behind the decisions?

There were some really interesting questions and reports at Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet meeting last night, and we think they’re well worth a watch!

As West Kent Independents, we recognise that the rollout of the new waste collections hasn’t been smooth for everyone, and our councillors have been listening to and raising residents’ concerns.

However, credit where credit is due! Implementing such a significant change across the district is no small task, particularly when driven by changes to national legislation.

Will residents miss weekly rubbish collections? Of course!

Does everyone love the sight of wheelie bins outside their homes? Probably not! 😂

But these are changes councils across the country are having to make, and it was good to hear the facts and figures behind the decisions.

There was also an interesting and thought-provoking question about whether the Stag Theatre really needs ‘saving’ – definitely worth listening to! 🤔

As Independents, we believe in looking at the evidence, asking questions, challenging where necessary and giving credit where it’s deserved.

There are still issues to resolve, and our councillors will continue working on behalf of residents to make sure their concerns are heard.

🎥 Watch the recording and judge for yourself!

https://www.youtube.com/live/3NGi15WTMt0?is=LWcqOhjpTv5ENLt9

💚💙 West Kent Independents – Putting Communities First.

16/10/2026

💚🌳 A LITTLE VICTORY FOR OUR GREEN BELT! 👏

We’re really pleased to share the outcome of last night’s Sevenoaks District Council Planning Committee meeting!

Three of our West Kent Independent councillors attended, speaking as local representatives and committee members, raising important concerns and contributing to a thorough debate about the proposed Traveller pitches at Troy Lane, Edenbridge.

After an hour and a half of presentations, questions and debate, the committee voted against the planning officers’ recommendation for approval! 👏

Whilst we recognise the need for appropriate Traveller accommodation, concerns about inappropriate development in the Green Belt and the sustainability of this location were rightly challenged.

💚 A little bit more of our precious Green Belt has been saved!

A great example of local councillors standing up for their communities, asking the difficult questions and making sure local concerns are heard.

Local Matters Matter! 💚

15/10/2026

🗑️♻️ WHEELIE BINS, WHEELIE BINS EVERYWHERE! 😂

Well, it’s fair to say the new waste collection arrangements have certainly got residents talking right across the Sevenoaks District!

At West Kent Independents, we appreciate that change isn’t always easy, particularly when it affects something as routine as putting the rubbish out!

We know there have been plenty of questions, concerns and a little confusion along the way. Our councillors have been listening to residents, raising issues with Sevenoaks District Council and seeking clarification where needed.

But let’s look on the bright side…

🍾 We can now put our glass bottles and jars straight into the green recycling bins! ♻️

Of course, we have to say goodbye to the surprisingly therapeutic trip to the bottle bank… because let’s face it, there was something rather satisfying about that SMASH as the bottles went in! 😂🍾

On a serious note, we recognise that these changes present practical challenges for some residents, particularly those with mobility difficulties or access issues, and there are some areas who are still waiting for bins… we’ll continue to raise these concerns.

💚 Change takes a little getting used to, but we’re here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Please keep sharing your questions and concerns with your local WKI councillors.

West Kent Independents – Local Matters Matter! 💚

11/10/2026

🌳 A fascinating piece of local history! 🇬🇧

Did you know that hidden away in the woods at Ide Hill, guns, am******on and vehicles were secretly stored in preparation for the D-Day landings?

Right here in the Sevenoaks District, our beautiful countryside played a part in one of the most significant events of the Second World War.

🎧 This fascinating BBC podcast uncovers a little-known piece of our local wartime history. Well worth a listen!

👉 https://bbc.in/4drLpck

West Kent Independents – celebrating our local communities and their history.

10/10/2026

💚 SEVENOAKS DISTRICT’S GREEN BELT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR! 💚

Across Sevenoaks District, our beautiful countryside, rural villages and precious Green Belt are facing increasing pressure from development.

Throughout the Sevenoaks Local Plan process, residents and community groups have worked incredibly hard to make their voices heard, attending meetings, responding to consultations and challenging proposals that could change the character of our towns and villages forever.

But the fight to protect our countryside is far from over!

The Government’s new Grey Belt rules are weakening some of the protections traditionally afforded to Green Belt land, potentially opening the door to further speculative development across our district.

At West Kent Independents (WKI), we firmly believe that our communities deserve a say in how their areas grow and develop.

We recognise the need for new homes, particularly affordable homes for local people, but development must be appropriate, sustainable and supported by the infrastructure our communities desperately need.

💚 We must use every opportunity available to protect our Green Belt.

Whether that’s through the Local Plan process, challenging inappropriate planning applications, lobbying MPs or signing petitions, we need to keep making our voices heard.

We know people are tired of consultations and petitions, but doing nothing is not an option!

✍️ PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION CALLING FOR THE GREY BELT RULES TO BE REMOVED:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/766093

⏰ CLOSES 30 OCTOBER 2026

📢 Please share across Sevenoaks, Edenbridge, Swanley, Westerham, Otford, Seal, Hartley, New Ash Green and all our surrounding villages and communities.

Every voice matters, and together we can send a stronger message to Government.

Our countryside is not simply empty land waiting to be developed. It is part of what makes our communities special, and once it is lost, we cannot get it back.

💚 West Kent Independents – Local Matters Matter!

05/10/2026

👥 Help shape an Age Friendly Sevenoaks District

Sevenoaks District Council is working to create an Age Friendly Community – somewhere people can enjoy a good quality of life, remain independent for longer and continue to play an active part in their community as they get older.

Residents are being asked to share their views through the Age Friendly Community Survey, which is open until 31 December 2026.

Your feedback will help shape how the Council supports older residents across the district in the years ahead.

👉 Have your say here:
https://engagement.sevenoaks.gov.uk/communities/agefriendlycommunitysurvey/

Please do share with family, friends or neighbours who may also want to take part.

01/10/2026

🚌 Edenbridge School Buses – further update

I’ve now received a response from KCC regarding the concerns I’ve been raising about overcrowding on school buses from Edenbridge.

KCC has confirmed that standing on buses which are specifically certified to carry standing passengers is legal, provided the bus does not exceed its permitted capacity.

However, for me, that doesn’t fully answer the concerns parents have raised to me.

This isn’t simply a question of whether standing is legal. Parents have reported , in significant numbers, that children regularly stand on buses , and children are being left behind , buses not stopping, lengthy delays following breakdowns and an incident where a child reportedly hit their head following sudden braking.

I’ve therefore gone back to KCC asking them to look specifically at whether there is actually sufficient capacity on the affected Edenbridge routes, rather than simply confirming that standing passengers are permitted.

I’ve also asked whether our local services have actually been monitored, whether operators have confirmed their maximum capacities and what threshold KCC uses before additional capacity is considered.

I’ll continue to pursue this and share the response.

Please also continue reporting individual incidents — to KCC and feel free to cc my self in.
Particularly children being left behind, buses failing to stop or concerns that a bus may be over its permitted capacity — as those reports provide important evidence.

01/10/2026

Thank you to our WKI Cllr Angela Baker for continuing to lobby for improvements to the school bus service that is currently not up to standard for many Edenbridge students.

🚌 School Bus Update – still pushing for answers

I’ve followed up again with our KCC Councillor regarding the continuing problems with school bus services from Edenbridge.

Unfortunately, despite raising these concerns earlier this month, I’m still hearing from parents about overcrowding, children having to stand and ongoing problems with services — and I have yet to receive a substantive response about what action is being taken.

These concerns were passed to the relevant KCC Cabinet Member, but with no noticeable improvement, I have asked again for an update on exactly what KCC is doing to address the situation.

Parents deserve answers, and most importantly, our children deserve a safe and reliable journey to school.

I’ll keep chasing this and will share any response I receive.

Please share this update

Many thank

25/09/2026

💚☕ TODAY’S THE DAY! ☕💚

Edenbridge Town Councillors are hosting our Macmillan Coffee Morning TODAY! 🍰

We’ve got plenty of cake, coffee, raffle prizes , tombola , plant sale , scarf sale and a very warm welcome waiting for you!

Come along, say hello and help us raise as much as we can for Macmillan Cancer Support. 💚

🍰☕🎟️ See you there!

https://cm26.macmillan.org.uk/fundraising/cm26017289

25/09/2026

Please do go along and support this great event run by Edenbridge Town Council.
Such a worthwhile cause which touches so many..

Support my Macmillan Coffee Morning for people living with cancer