Making a difference to the people of Medway
Portfolio Holder addresses Home-Start Medway AGM
Press release posted on Monday, 12 July 2010
On Friday (9th July) Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Social Care Cllr David Wildey addressed the Home-Start Medway’s AGM.
Cllr Wildey spoke about the challenges faced by social care services around the country after the tragic death of Baby P and the increase in child deprivation and thanked Home-Start for all their invaluable contribution to supporting families in Medway. Read more...
Road improvements will continue despite spending cuts
Press release posted on Thursday, 1 July 2010
Cllr Phil Filmer, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, has reassured residents that despite the recent public spending cuts, Medway Council will maintain its spending levels on roads and pavements so that the real investment and improvements that have been made in Medway will continue.
Cllr Filmer said: Read more...
Statement concerning the Emergency Budget
Press release posted on Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Speaking after today’s Emergency Budget (Tuesday 22nd June 2010), Deputy Leader of Medway Council’s Conservative Group and Portfolio Holder for Finance Cllr Alan Jarrett said:
"Whilst it is clear that this will be a difficult period for Medway and for the country, the measures outlined in the coalition government’s budget are necessary to address the damage caused by 13 years of Labour government mismanagement and to put our economy back on a sure footing. Read more...
Rainham clock ticks again thanks to local Conservative councillors
Press release posted on Thursday, 22 April 2010
A historic clock in Rainham High Street has been restored thanks to local Conservative councillors.
The 1953 Coronation clock above Barclays Bank was saved after Rainham councillors clubbed together to raise £3000 for its restoration. Read more...
Conservative councillors announce a budget for all
Press release posted on Friday, 26 February 2010
“A budget that will benefit everyone in Medway” was how last night’s budget announcement (Thursday 25th February 2010) was described, with residents set to gain from the lowest council tax increase in Medway Council’s history.
With a 2.455% increase, Medway Council will continue to have the lowest council tax around, £125 less than the average across Kent. Read more...
Henley Close play area to be improved thanks to Rainham councillors
Press release posted on Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Rainham Central councillors Barry Kemp, Rehman Chishti and Mike O'Brien are pleased to announce that they have successfully obtained funding of £32,400 for the complete refurbishment of the Henley Close play area.
The money will be used to install, amongst other things, modern cradle swings, Wicksteed Quad Rider and Tom Thumb. Read more...
Age Concern centre gets a boost thanks to Conservative councillors
Press release posted on Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Visitors to the new Age Concern centre in Princes Park will benefit from improved facilities thanks to local Conservative councillors.
Cllrs Matt Bright and Pat Gulvin have given £2000 from their ward improvement funds to help provide new equipment for the centre in Hopewell Drive, which will open in March. Read more...
Shock Labour calls to end yellow bus scheme
Press release posted on Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Conservative councillors have expressed shock at Labour’s surprise call for yellow buses to be scrapped from Medway’s schools.
The popular scheme was introduced in 2003 by the Conservative Medway Council and now serves eight schools across the community. Read more...
Councillors welcome Book of Remembrance to Luton Library
Press release posted on Monday, 21 December 2009
Local councillors joined war veterans on Saturday (12 December 2009) to welcome the addition of a Book of Remembrance to Luton Library.
The Book of Remembrance, for those who died in the World Wars, was previously kept in Christ Church Luton, but will now go on public display in the library. Read more...
Labour government cuts another £4.3m from Medway Council’s budget through floor damping, making it £24m since 2006
Press release posted on Monday, 14 December 2009
Medway Council is yet again facing a swingeing cut to its budget for next year.
According to the Local Government Settlement, the Labour government is to take £4.3m from Medway under the floor damping mechanism. Read more...
Rainham clock to be restored thanks to Conservative councillors
Press release posted on Wednesday, 4 November 2009
The 1953 Coronation clock in Rainham High Street is to tick again thanks to local Conservative councillors.
Conservatives from Rainham North and Rainham Central wards have clubbed together to give £3000 towards the restoration of the clock. Read more...
Success for health meeting in the community
Press release posted on Friday, 21 August 2009
More than 30 local residents turned up to speak and listen last night (20 August 2009) at the first Health Committee meeting to be held in the community.
Instead of its usual venue at Medway Council’s Gun Wharf building, the meeting was held at Rainham Mark Social Club. It is hoped to emulate this success with future meetings across Medway. Read more...
Council passes Conservative four-point plan to fight mobile phone mast near school
Press release posted on Friday, 31 July 2009
Plans to step up the campaign against a mobile phone mast in Railway Street Gillingham received unanimous support at last night’s meeting of Medway Council (Thursday 30 July 2009).
Despite objections from Medway Council, a new 3G mast has been installed next to St Mary’s RC School in Greenfield Road. Read more...
Conservatives praise new waste contract for commitment to weekly collection. Labour and Liberals oppose resident choice over wheelie bins
Press release posted on Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Residents in Medway will continue to receive a weekly bin collection, thanks to their Conservative Council.
Householders were also promised a choice over wheelie bins – a move which was bitterly opposed by Liberal and Labour councillors. Read more...
Scouts do a good turn in the community
Press release posted on Friday, 3 July 2009
Walderslade based Beavers, Cubs and Scouts supported by Leaders, Parents and Adult Helpers turned out in force at the weekend to do a good turn in the community.
Sarah Horne, Group Scout Leader of 41st Medway Towns Scout Group picked up on the idea from the young members and immediately sought help by contacting David Brake the Walderslade Ward Conservative Councillor, himself involved in Medway Towns scouting. Councillor Brake spoke with Medway Council and requested permission for the scouts to plant new plants and flowers in Walderslade Village. Read more...
Conservatives will fight again to protect Capstone Valley and other green sites
Press release posted on Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Medway’s Conservative Cabinet have promised to vehemently oppose the development of Capstone Valley and other areas, after being forced to include them as options in a consultation.
Government legislation has forced Medway Council to include housing developments in the consultation on the Local Development Framework, even if they have already been rejected. Read more...
Labour group would threaten every school with closure as their attempt to derail consultation with primary schools fails
Press release posted on Friday, 19 June 2009
Residents will be allowed to continue to express their views on proposed changes to Medway’s primary schools, despite the Labour group’s attempt to stifle discussions.
The Labour group attempted to derail a consultation on primary school changes at a meeting of Medway Council (18th June) with a motion demanding that the council stops consulting parents, pupils and teachers. This was defeated by Conservative councillors. Read more...
Labour group threatens £30m investment in Medway’s schools
Press release posted on Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Medway Labour group’s attempt to derail the proposed changes to primary education could threaten up to £30 million of investment in Medway’s schools.
Labour councillors have, at every turn, opposed changes to primary schools in Medway, without suggesting any alternative solutions to address surplus places – an issue that their own Labour government demands that the council deals with under their Primary Strategy for Change. Read more...
Footpath improved thanks to Conservative campaign
Press release posted on Monday, 15 June 2009
Improvements have been made to the footpath between Lordswood lane and Emily road after a campaign by local Conservative councillors.
Councillors for Princes Park Matt Bright and Pat Gulvin have had new anti- motorcycle barriers installed and the path re-surfaced after Medway Council got permission to reclassify it as a path instead of a bridleway. Read more...
Celebrations in Cliffe as play area is set to be improved
Press release posted on Friday, 29 May 2009
Campaigners in Cliffe are celebrating after their local play area was earmarked for improvement under a new scheme administered by Medway Council.
Local councillor Les Wicks has been campaigning with the local Cliffe Children’s Committee to improve the local play area with new facilities that cater for a wide age range. Read more...
Conservatives launch recession guide on new website
Press release posted on Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Help is on hand for residents wanting to know what Medway Council can do for them to beat the recession.
Medway’s Conservative Group have created an easy access guide to the Council’s services which can be found on their brand new website at www.medwayconservativegroup.co.uk/recession.php Read more...
Labour government criticised for pressing councils to hold street parties
Press release posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Medway Council has been asked to organise summer street parties by the Labour government only weeks after the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the country was suffering the worst recession since the Second World War.
Labour’s Local Government Minister John Healey has written to councils asking them to organise street parties, roadside music, entertainment and al fresco dining as part of the Big Lunch in July - without providing any extra funding to help meet the costs. Read more...
Outrage over local MPs vote against Gurkha rights
Press release posted on Thursday, 30 April 2009
Leader of the Conservative Group on Medway Council has express sadness that two of Medway’s MPs voted against calls for new Gurkha rights.
On Wednesday 29th April, Parliament passed a motion calling on the government to review their decision which currently only allows Gurkhas with 20 years service to stay in the UK - a policy which permits only a small minority of Gurkhas who have fought for the United Kingdom to stay here. Read more...
Labour group accuses BBC of misleading over leaking of primary school proposals
Press release posted on Wednesday, 29 April 2009
The Medway Conservative group today calls on Medway’s Labour group to come clean about their involvement in the leaking of confidential reports on proposed changes to Medway’s primary schools.
This comes as the Labour group’s spokesman denies passing the reports to the BBC, even though the impartial BBC have reported on TV, Radio and on their Website that it was “leaked by opposition Labour Councillors”. Read more...
Labour Group plays politics with children’s future by leaking confidential list of school changes
Press release posted on Tuesday, 28 April 2009
The Medway Conservative group today deplores the latest despicable act by members of Medway’s Labour group which last night leaked confidential details of proposed changes to primary schools in Medway - changes that their own Labour government is demanding that Medway makes.
Such a move was designed to pre-empt Medway Council’s own announcements, which was planned once schools, parents and pupils were made fully aware of the real proposed changes. This is because the Conservative group believes that parents should hear accurate information first rather than through rumour and hearsay spread for political ends. Read more...
Labour Government puts 150 Medway sixth form places at risk through £¾ million cut in funding
Press release posted on Thursday, 16 April 2009
At least 150 places at Medway’s sixth forms have been put in jeopardy following the Learning Skills Councils (LSC) appalling handling of post 16 school funding.
The LSC, a flagship Labour government quango, has recently announced a surprising and swingeing cut to the budgets of Medway’s sixth forms of more than £750,000. Funds previously allocated by the LSC have now been suddenly reduced by hundreds of thousands of pounds. Read more...
Medway Conservatives step up campaign against floating airport, Labour refuse to support plans to take immediate action
Press release posted on Friday, 6 March 2009
Conservative Councillors are ready to intensify their fight to protect Medway from a floating airport, as plans for a full-blown campaign received support last night (5 March 2009) at a meeting of Medway Council.
The construction of an airport in the Thames Estuary has been mooted by the Mayor of London and supported by a parliamentary group chaired by Labour MP Nick Raynsford as an alternative to the expansion of Heathrow. Read more...
Bus concession shortfall continues as Minister offers no solution to funding problem
Press release posted on Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Medway and other areas in the South East are to continue to face shortfalls for bus concessions, as Transport Minister refuses to acknowledge there is a problem with funding.
In an interview on the Politics Show (22 February 2009), Under-Secretary for Transport Paul Clark MP insisted that there is enough funding within the country to pay for the scheme, yet could not explain why councils across the South East continue to struggle to pay for it. Read more...
Medway Conservative councillors to grill health chiefs over hospital admission problems
Press release posted on Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Conservative councillors on Medway Council are to seek answers from health officials about the recent admission issues at Medway Maritime Hospital.
It has been reported that problems at the hospital over the winter meant that ambulances were forced to queue and patients had to wait hours for treatment at the Accident and Emergency department. Read more...
Medway Conservatives maintain lowest council tax in Kent and campaign for better settlement for the council
Press release posted on Thursday, 12 February 2009
Residents in Medway are to continue to pay the lowest council tax in Kent thanks to their Conservative Council.
Medway Council has announced just over £1 a week increase to the average council tax bill. This means that a Band D household in Medway will pay £1,093.50 a year from April. In some parts of Kent, residents will have to pay over £1,300 a year. Read more...
Labour short changes Medway to the tune of £5 million whilst others get increases of more than £50 million
Press release posted on Tuesday, 27 January 2009
The Labour government have confirmed that they will be cutting an astonishing 5.6 percent of Medway’s funding this year, which represents nearly £5 million, whilst other councils, such as Wandsworth, will get an increase of more than £50 million.
This means that for every person living in Medway the Brown government is taking more than £18 - enough for every single resident to go and see Joe Swash in Cinderella for free. Read more...
Conservatives pass motion calling on the government to re-open post offices in Medway
Press release posted on Monday, 19 January 2009
The closure of Medway’s post offices is depriving the community of a vital service and the government should re-open them, according to local Conservatives.
At a full meeting of Medway Council on Thursday, (15 January) local Conservative councillors passed a motion to call on the government to restore the post office network in Medway and to re-open sub post offices in areas where they have closed. Read more...
Council congratulates children for best ever results
Press release posted on Friday, 16 January 2009
Cross party support was reached for a Conservative motion congratulating Medway’s young people for achieving the best ever exam results.
Exam results announced on Thursday (15 January) revealed that 66 percent of Medway’s pupils had received five A*-C grades at GCSE compared to 64 percent in 2007. This was above the national average of 65 percent. Read more...
Conservative councillor announces a multi-million pound cash boost for Medway’s roads
Press release posted on Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Conservative Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services cllr Phil Filmer told Medway Council’s Regeneration Committee last night (Tuesday 13 January 2009) that the council plans to invest an additional £4 million improving Medway’s roads during the next two years.
Medway Council is responsible for 600 miles of road and about 1200 miles of pavements. In 2008 the council filled more than 1000 potholes, resurfaced 215 pavements and 200 barriers were repaired. Read more...
Medway Conservative Councillors to scrutinise admission problems at Medway Hospital
Press release posted on Wednesday, 7 January 2009
The recent admissions problems at Medway Maritime Hospital, which saw ambulances queuing at the hospital, is to be scrutinised by Conservative Councillors on Medway Council.
Chairman of the Health Committee Cllr David Brake has asked for the subject to be included at next week’s meeting (14th January 2009) so that members can ask questions about why this has happened and what can be done to stop it happening in the future. Read more...
Labour government cuts £5 million from Medway Council’s budget through floor damping
Press release posted on Tuesday, 23 December 2008
The Labour government has decided that Medway Council is to have its funding cut by almost £5 million. Every year the Labour government cuts Medway's funding, making it harder each year to fund the council’s vital services - such as children's services.
In a swingeing cut in funding the government has taken the equivalent of 6.5% in Council Tax from Medway Council, at the same time threatening to cap councils if they raise Council Tax. Read more...
Medway Conservatives slam Labour for their incompetence over the economy, highlight that short term VAT reductions will not help beat the recession and ask for the local MPs to urge the government to rethink their failing strategy
Press release posted on Friday, 19 December 2008
The Conservative Group on Medway Council are astonished by the clear misunderstanding of local Labour MPs and local Labour Councillors about the services the Council provides and are appalled by the Labour government's incompetent handling of the economy.
In a recent Press Release local Labour activists criticised the Council for not passing on the Labour government's recent temporary reduction on VAT. They also clearly demonstrated their ignorance in not knowing which council services are VAT-able and at the same time said that the "council has little in the way of VAT-able services". Read more...
Medway’s Libraries will become neighbourhood hubs at the heart of the community, according to Cabinet Member Cllr Howard Doe
Press release posted on Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Appearing in front of the Business Support Committee last night (9 December 2008) the Portfolio Holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe outlined his vision to transform Medway's Libraries into neighbourhood hubs at the heart of the community.
Cllr Doe told the committee that 21st Century libraries must be flexible and relevant to the changing needs of residents. This is why a new improved management system had been introduced to give customers Amazon like catalogues, and customers have greater flexibility with self-issuing machines and a new library card, which can be used in any library throughout Kent and Medway. Read more...
Cross party support for improvements to Medway’s housing department as Portfolio Holder confirms it’s on the road to recovery
Press release posted on Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Steady progress is being made by Medway’s housing department and it is now on the road to recovery according to the councillor in charge.
Conservative Portfolio Holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe appeared in front of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee last night (9 December 2008) to outline the many improvements that have been made to the housing department in the past six months since the Audit Commission’s report into strategic housing. Read more...
Medway Conservatives launch 6-point pledge to help businesses beat the Credit Crunch
Press release posted on Monday, 8 December 2008
The current economic slowdown is creating a challenging environment for companies across the country and in Medway.
The Conservative Group on Medway Council wants new and existing businesses in Medway to grow and thrive and is doing what we can to support local firms so they can beat the Credit Crunch. Read more...
Leader of Medway Council welcomes changes on empty property tax but asks for further government relief
Press release posted on Wednesday, 26 November 2008
The Leader of Medway Council Cllr Rodney Chambers has welcomed the news that the government has decided to suspend tax on empty properties for a year, but says further action will be needed.
Last week Cllr Chambers wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to review legislation governing the rates paid on empty property, which has been causing problems for developers, property agents and property occupiers in Medway. The government has listened to some of these concerns and in the Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor announced plans to scrap empty property rates for buildings that pay less than £15,000 in business rates. Read more...
Conservative Leader calls on Medway’s MPs to support post office re-opening campaign
Press release posted on Friday, 21 November 2008
The Leader of the Conservative Group on Medway Council Cllr Rodney Chambers is calling on local MPs to campaign for the reopening of four sub-post offices in Medway after the government announced it was securing the Post Office's financial future.
The government announced last week that the Post Office would keep the card account and continue to provide benefit and pension payments. They had previously planned to award the contract for this service to another provider. Read more...
Conservatives call on government to make sure restaurant and hotel staff are paid properly
Press release posted on Friday, 14 November 2008
Workers in Medway can be reassured they are getting a fair wage thanks to Medway’s Conservative councillors.
At a full meeting of Medway Council on Thursday, (13th November) local Conservative councillors passed a motion to call on the government to make sure staff at restaurants and hotels in Medway are properly paid. Read more...
Conservative Leader calls for Medway post offices to reopen
Press release posted on Friday, 14 November 2008
The Leader of Medway Council Conservative Group Cllr Rodney Chambers has called for post offices to reopen in Medway after the government announced it was securing the Post Office's financial future.
In an important u-turn, the Labour government has ended years of uncertainty and decided that the Post Office would keep the card account and continue to provide benefit and pension payments. They had previously planned to award the contract for this service to another provider. Read more...
Help others this Christmas with the shoebox appeal
Press release posted on Monday, 3 November 2008
Bring joy to others this Christmas. That was the message from local Princes Park Councillors who have been helping their local church with their shoebox appeal.
The annual shoebox appeal, organised by Blythswood Care, sends thousands of donated shoeboxes filled with gifts to people around the world who are less fortunate then ourselves. Since 1993, the scheme has delivered over 500,000 boxes to countries such as India, Romania and Albania. Read more...
Safer roads in Rainham with new speed signs
Press release posted on Thursday, 23 October 2008
Residents in Rainham will have safer roads thanks to a campaign by their local Conservative Councillors.
Local Councillors for Rainham, Cllrs Reh Chishti, Barry Kemp and Mike O’Brien have secured funding to pay for new solar –powered speed signs, which are going to be placed along Woodside Road as part of their road safety campaign for the area. Read more...
Macklands Community Awareness Day a big success
Press release posted on Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Local residents in Rainham North took the opportunity to voice their opinions at the first Macklands Way Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Awareness Day last Sunday.
PSCO Sam Harrell, Safer Communities Officer Ian Sears and local Medway Councillor Vaughan Hewett were available to listen to local concerns. Read more...
Medway Council backs call for tighter controls on the storage of dangerous substances
Press release posted on Friday, 19 September 2008
At a meeting of Medway Council, Councillors backed a motion proposed by Cllr Reh Chishti calling for better controls of dangerous substances.
Conservative Portfolio Holder for Community Safety Cllr Chishti called on the government to prevent ammonium nitrate and other hazardous material from being stored in residential areas. Read more...
Conservative Councillor calls for stronger controls on ammonium nitrate storage
Press release posted on Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Conservative Portfolio Holder for Community Safety Cllr Rehman Chishti will call on the government to prevent ammonium nitrate and other hazardous material from being stored in residential areas.
In a motion to Council on Thursday 18th September, Cllr Chishti will urged his fellow councillors to help him convince the government to outlaw the storage of hazardous substances near homes and allow legitimate local residential concerns to be heared. Read more...
Alleygating success for Freshwater Road and Coverdale Close in Princes Park
Press release posted on Thursday, 11 September 2008
Local residents in Freshwater Road and Coverdale Close can sleep more soundly at night after brand new gates were installed in local alleys in the area.
Alleygating will protect the pathway between Freshwater Road and Coverdale Close from anti-social behaviour, such as rubbish dumping and graffiti. Read more...
Conservatives announce glass recycling from your doorstep
Press release posted on Friday, 13 June 2008
Glass will be included in Medway’s recycling collection scheme from the 1 July for the first time, as part of the latest innovation in recycling policy from Medway’s Conservative Council.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Rodney Chambers, in his speech to Council last night, announced the plans, which will enable residents to include glass in their blue boxes and blue sacks along with other recyclables such as paper products, cans, foil, aerosols and plastic bottles. Read more...
Conservative councillor fights to save Swain Road from development. Cllr Barry Kemp to present petition to Council
Press release posted on Monday, 7 April 2008
Conservative Councillor for Rainham Central Barry Kemp is supporting residents in their campaign to stop a new housing development in Swain Road, Rainham.
Developers have submitted plans to build 12 new houses, but residents fear that they will have a severe and adverse affect on their daily lives. Locals are concerned about extra traffic, low water pressure and a deterioration of their quality of life. Read more...
Post box removed from Norreys Road, Conservative councillor fights to have it returned
Press release posted on Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Residents in Norreys Road, Rainham are without their local post box this week after the Post Office decided to remove it over the Easter weekend.
But local Conservative Councillor for Rainham Central Mike O’Brien is determined to see it returned and has written to the Post Office demanding that it is reinstated. Read more...
Princes Park Conservative Councillors tackle anti-social behaviour
Press release posted on Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Conservative Council members for Princes Park Matt Bright and Pat Gulvin have set out to prove that they work for residents all the time not just at election time.
They have adopted a hands-on approach to tackle anti-social behaviour and succeeded in having new barriers installed to prevent motorbikes from using local alleyways. Motorbike users have been using alleyways and paths in the area, creating a danger for pedestrians and a nuisance for local residents. Thanks to the area’s Conservative councillors, several barriers and a kissing gate have now been installed to the entrances to alleyways and paths in Swallow Rise, Highgrove Road and Freshwater Road, to prevent motorbikes from accessing these areas. More barriers are expected to follow soon. Read more...
Council approves plans to host Modern Pentathlon World Cup 2010
Press release posted on Friday, 7 March 2008
Final Council approval was granted on Thursday to host the Modern Pentathlon World Cup, a move that will help Medway to realise its potential as a high-calibre sporting venue for national and international events.
At the meeting, Conservative Councillors approved plans to host the Modern Pentathlon World Cup in 2010. But opposition councillors refused to support the plan, labelling the Pentathlon as an elite sport with little relevance to the people of Medway. Read more...
95% of Medway's School Children were offered one of their top three school preferences
Press release posted on Tuesday, 4 March 2008
95% of those school children applying for places at Medway’s secondary schools were today offered one of their top three choices. With 85% being offered their first choice.
In comparison, in some places, especially London, four in every ten lost out to their first choice. The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames could only achieve 60%. Read more...
Labour Oppose Social Care Improvement Plans
Press release posted on Monday, 3 March 2008
During the annual budget debate on Thursday, Labour Councillors in Medway voted against Conservative plans to spend more on social care and refused to support planned improvements to Medway’s care homes.
At the debate, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance Alan Jarrett outlined Conservative plans to improve care facilities in Medway and to ensure they meet the future needs of Medway’s elderly and disabled. This includes working with partners, such as Kent Community Housing Trust (KCHT), to redevelop the Churchlands and Lennox Wood site to meet the increasing need for residential care services for older people with dementia and high care needs. Read more...
Conservatives announce plans to maintain concession travel from 9am
Press release posted on Friday, 29 February 2008
In his annual budget message on Thursday, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance Alan Jarrett announced plans to retain free travel for bus concession pass holders from 9.00am even though most councils in England plan to only offer free travel from 9.30am.
But unfortunately Labour Councillors did not support the scheme, voting against the budget for at least the sixth consecutive year in a row. The Liberals also refused to support Medway Council’s new budget. Read more...
Expansion of Priority Scheme will provide real benefits for the people of Medway
Press release posted on Friday, 29 February 2008
In his annual budget speech on Thursday, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance Alan Jarrett announced an expansion of the Member’s Priority capital programme to bring improvements to communities throughout Medway.
To reflect the importance of such schemes, Cllr Jarrett announced an extra £500,000, raising the available budget for 2008/2009 to £1,119,000. Read more...
Conservatives Freeze Sport Pitch Fees
Press release posted on Wednesday, 27 February 2008
At the annual Council budget debate on Thursday, Medway Conservative members voted to freeze sport pitch fees, a move which the Liberal and Labour opposition members refused to support.
In a farcical move, Liberal members suggested recommendations to freeze these prices and then decided to vote against their own proposals. Labour members once again refused to support Medway’s budget. Read more...
Rainham Councillors to present parking petition to Council
Press release posted on Monday, 25 February 2008
Residents in Orchard Street, Rainham have presented a petition to local Councillors asking Medway Council to implement Resident Parking Permits in their area.
Rainham Central Councillors Mike O'Brien and Barry Kemp received a petition from Mrs Diane Beacham and Mrs Leoni Duncan of Orchard Road, Rainham. Please see attached photo. Read more...
Conservative Leader resolutely against new Thames Estuary airport calls
Press release posted on Tuesday, 12 February 2008
The Leader of Medway Council has spoken of his determination to fight any plans for an airport in Medway after London Mayoral candidate Boris Johnson called on the Government to rethink proposals for an airport in the Thames Estuary.
The Government rejected proposals for a “floating airport” in the Thames Estuary in 2005 because of the potential environmental impact, risks and costs. The Thames Estuary is a Special Protection Area under the European Union’s Bird Directive and the fourth most significant site for birds in the UK, home to around 200,000 birds during the winter season. Parts of it are also designated Sites of Specific Scientific Interests and Ramsar sites, which covers wetlands of global importance. In 2003 the Government carried out a bird strike study, which revealed that the Thames Estuary is one of the most dangerous places to site an airport in the country. Read more...