Robert Boddy

Candidates for by-elections published following three resignations The candidate list for by-elections taking place next month has been published.

The full list of candidates for the by-elections in Medway next month

Two seats up in Rochester East and Warren Wood and one in Gillingham South

kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/candidates-for-by-elections-published-following-three-resign-318568

Shortage of care home beds makes council consider building its own A shortage of places has led a council to consider proposals to create and operate its own care home.

Shortage of care home beds makes council consider building its own

www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...

NEW: Medway Council's core spending power is to increase by 6.8% next year from £264.4m to £282.5m - as per provisional local government financial settlement documents. Last year the increase was 6.5%, from £245m to £260m

"We will work hard, we'll show our track record as an administration, showing that we've had to take some tough choices to balance the books.

“So we will work hard, and we hope that the people of both Gillingham South and Rochester East and Warren Wood will support our new three candidates.”

"...in being their voice in Parliament.

“Now we'll move forward to the by-elections and we will have three fantastic candidates who I hope will join us on the Medway Labour and Co-operative team here at the council.

“I'm always confident as we walk in but never complacent.

New from Medway Labour leader Vince Maple: “In Tris, Naushabah and Lauren we’ve had three phenomenal cabinet members since when we took that historic victory last May.

“I was really pleased when they put themselves forward for Parliament and when the people supported them...

Three MPs resign as councillors, triggering by-elections Newly-elected MPs have resigned from their council positions to focus on their work in Westminster following the Labour party’s summer triumph.

Three MPs have stepped down from their council roles to focus on their work in Westminster

Kent could get mayor and see district councils abolished in major shake-up The government has announced the biggest reforms of local councils for half a century - but Kent’s future is far from clear.

Kent could get a mayor and lose its district councils as part of a major local government shake-up outlined today

Devolution White Paper says the government's priority areas for local gov restructuring - of which, based upon the Times article, Kent could likely be one - will be electing their mayors in May 2026 - just 17 months from now!

Plans will get rid of KCC and district councils

Local government minister Jim McMahon suggests to @lbc.co.uk some council elections will be binned

"it's usual in a process of reorganisation, when council makes a request to a council that won't exist, you hold off those and elect to a shadow body."

Demolition plans for huge town centre store A large building which has sat empty since 2020 could be demolished to make way for hundreds of flats.

A huge empty building in a town centre could be demolished to make way for flats.

Plans to ‘rejuvenate’ high street set for refusal Planners have recommended proposals to “modernize” a high street with 24 flats, commercial units and offices be refused.

The proposals were described as an opportunity to 'rejuvenate and modernise' the high street - but the council thinks otherwise...

‘Putting in a young mayor at £35k is just madness’ The creation of a young mayor post for 11-year-olds with an annual price tag of £35k and £2k for ceremonial robes is being considered by a council.

A charity boss says there are more important things to spend the money on

Waterfront homes plan set for approval without developer cash for community A proposed 195-home waterfront development has been recommended for approval - but planners say they can’t ask for infrastructure contributions.

Developers will not be required to contribute money for infrastructure or services such as schools, libraries and roads

Council debate on winter fuel allowance marred by accusations of ‘playing party politics’ Councillors have accused one another of playing politics over the health impacts of the government’s cut to the winter fuel allowance.

www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/...

Pub owners back police call for landlord’s removal A pub company has backed calls to remove the operator of one of its venues amid concerns over unreported violent incidents and “serious crime”.

A pub group has backed calls by police to remove a landlord operating one of its venues amid concerns over unreported violent incidents and “serious crime”

kmfm’s Give A Gift appeal raises more than £12k Listeners of kmfm have raised more than £12,000 to buy gifts as part of the radio station’s Christmas toy appeal.

This is incredible 👏 The money raised will help so many less fortunate children this Christmas 🥹

‘I was fined for flouting term-time rule during school holidays’ A man has been fined for driving down a School Street during a half-term holiday because it was a teacher training day.

The council says it was a teacher training day, so the rules still apply

School Streets traffic ban scheme to expand - and more are on the way A council’s cabinet has approved a set of new Schools Streets to progress to the next stage.

Traffic will be banned from driving near a further nine schools at pick-up and drop-off times, as the 'Safer Streets' scheme expands

Not sure how often I’ll post here as the decline of Twitter seems like a good opportunity to reduce social media use, but you can read my long-read on the 10th anniversary of the Rochester and Strood by-election here

t.co/WggHq02NLB