A fact finding tour of his new patch has begun for Swale Borough Council’s new chief executive Abdool Kara.

The council’s top man was the guest of Sittingbourne Cllr Mike Haywood, who escorted Mr Kara around Roman Ward.

The pair looked at a snapshot of issues, including Cllr Haywood’s fears that East Street could get overlooked in regeneration plans for the town.

He said: “We want to know what is going to happen because East Street is outside the Masterplan boundary and does not qualify for any extra funding.”

Mr Kara looked at the Swanstree Avenue extension and the history behind the controversial project.

Cllr Haywood also spoke of his desire to protect open countryside surrounding his ward.

He highlighted problems of buy-to-let properties, some owned by absentee landlords who were letting their houses to unsuitable tenants guilty of anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Haywood said: “It is really important that our new chief executive is able to visualise the issues people will be talking about.”