Faversham is missing out on crucial cash which is being poured into other areas of the borough, according to one town councillor.

Tory-led Swale Borough Council’s plans to invest at least £3 million into a multi-storey car park in Sittingbourne, and another £6 million into the Spirit of Sittingbourne project has got Cllr Trevor Payne (Lab) thinking that perhaps Faversham’s pocket is being neglected.

He says that if Labour takes over after the impending elections in May, they would divide the money more “widely and fairly” across the area, between Faversham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

He said: “At the cabinet meeting last week, they were very coy about what the further £6 million investment for the The Spirit of Sittingbourne project was for and how it will be funded.

“It will be funded, at least in part, from the council’s healthy reserves. Labour does not complain about reserves being used. They are there for the benefit of local people and not to sit in the bank.

“However, instead of this extraordinary concentration on one project, in one location, in partnership with one developer, we would spread the benefits much more widely and fairly across the borough.”

Cllr Payne said that if a Labour council was elected, it would use the equivalent of the car park investment on a “wide range” of one-off improvements in all parts of Swale.

He said that £1 million would be spent on local tourism and recreation, in places such as the recreation ground in Faversham, Milton Creek Country Park and the Sheppey Coastline, and £500,000 would be poured into open spaces, improving footpaths, signage, seats and floral displays.

He added: “Another £1 million would go on improving leisure opportunities, updating our children’s play areas, many of which in Faversham are in dire need of investment, and improving sport facilities.

“We would allocate £500,000 on various infrastructure improvements, including support for an opening bridge on Faversham Creek. We believe our offer is fairer and more practical than using local people’s money to build a car park just to facilitate the building of flats in Sittingbourne town centre.”

Leader of Swale Borough Council Andrew Bowles (Con) has hit back at Cllr Payne’s comments, saying the council is “seeking capital to fund projects that should bring in future revenue,” but doesn’t completely deny his claims.

He points out that the council’s revenue has been cut by about 40% over the last few years.

Cllr Bowles said: “Here in Swale, like all prudent organisations of whatever political persuasion, we are seeking capital to fund projects that should bring in future revenue.

“This in turn will enable us to maintain services despite the reduction in central government funding – hence the decision to fund the multi-storey car park in Sittingbourne.

“We are continually looking at opportunities to fund potential capital projects anywhere in the borough, whether it is in Sheerness, Sittingbourne or as Trevor suggests, in Faversham.

“The crucial point is that whatever project is undertaken, it must have a positive effect on our borough finances, which in turn will provide better services for Swale residents.”