Politics

A former Conservative MP is considering whether to stand at next May’s Kent County Council election.

Former mayor and Labour councillor was a ‘one-off’

Tributes have been paid to a former mayor and long-serving Labour councillor who has been described as a “real gentleman” and a “one-off”.

Funeral arrangements confirmed for ‘dedicated’ councillor and firefighter

The funerals arrangements have been confirmed for a popular and highly respected councillor following his sudden passing.

Historic bandstand which hosted The Libertines to reopen after major revamp

A historic bandstand and amphitheatre where the Libertines played to rapturous fans will soon be open to the public following an overhaul.

Luxury gym gets green light - but new McDonald’s ‘not viable’

18 September 2024

A town will no longer get its first McDonald’s as plans for a luxury gym on the same site have been approved instead.

‘Up to half’ of Tories to stand down before KCC election

17 September 2024

At least 20 Conservative county council members will not seek re-election next May, it is understood.

Village homes finally approved after four-year saga

17 September 2024

Plans for an 80-home estate have been approved after the previous developers behind the scheme went bust.

'If council tries to shut me down I'll tell them to p*** off'

17 September 2024

A former pig farmer embroiled in a planning war after switching up his business without permission says he will defy any efforts to block the venture.

Developer appeals rejection of sewage treatment plans for 6,000 homes

16 September 2024

Controversial plans for a sewage treatment plant to serve almost 6,000 new homes will now be ruled on by a government planning inspector.

Hopes ‘hand-me-down’ Christmas lights will create ‘friendly rivalry’

16 September 2024

More than £17,000 will be spent on installing second-hand Christmas lights for the first time in a bid to boost an area’s economy.

Huge number of families rehomed outside borough

Figures have revealed the scale of the housing crisis facing one Kent town as large numbers of families are placed outside the borough.

‘4,000 more homes is a disaster for the town’

Plans to roll out a sprawling network of 4,000 new homes have been labelled “a disaster” capable of “ruining a historic market town”.

Government minister sees ‘chaos’ caused by landslide

A government minister has paid a visit to the site of a collapsed road which is still closed 18 months on.

‘Just wait for one of the released prisoners to commit a major crime’

Prisoner releases, cuts to OAP energy allowances and problems with a major Kent route are among the topics on this week’s Kent Politics Podcast.

Tributes paid to former councillor who was ‘pillar of the community’

Tributes have been paid to a former councillor who represented her community for more than three decades.

Crime commissioner fears government’s police training scheme a ‘creep towards central control’

Kent’s crime commissioner says the county’s police force already has in place ways of training officers in dealing with persistent issues.

‘Councils on the brink’ as union warns of £81m Kent budget shortfall

A major union has warned local councils are on the brink of “financial disaster” with no option but to make drastic cuts.

Residents’ survey entrants could win football tickets

A council is offering a free seven-day workout and a chance to win other prizes to anyone who enters its 2024 Residents’ Survey.

Families protest against disability benefits changes

Protestors have gathered at County Hall to demonstrate against the changes to disability benefits.

Plans revealed for new facilities at asylum seeker processing centre