Welcome to my Councillor update Hempstead and Wigmore for the period March 2026 to July 2026. As your Conservative Councillor and Shadow Spokesman for Regeneration, Housing, and Culture, my priority remains twofold: keeping you informed about the big decisions being taken at Gun Wharf and standing up for the everyday interests of our local neighbourhood.
My Colleague Cllr Phil Filmer, a longstanding and hardworking Conservative Councillor in Cuxton, Halling and Riverside sadly passed away in June 2026. His funeral was a very moving event with the crematorium packed with family, friends, Council colleagues and many Officers.
The past five months have seen significant activity across Medway Council—from major budget drawdowns and local government reorganisation preparation to ongoing debates on housing, highways, and high streets. Below is a summary of what I have been working on locally and across the borough.
1. Local Government Reorganisation affects Hempstead and Wigmore Residents
The biggest decision of the review period was the announcement that Medway will be merging with Dartford and Gravesham to create a new North Kent Unitary. This is a far-reaching decision of enormous importance to everyone in Medway. The key dates are:
- May 2027 – Local Government Elections where you will elect individuals to represent you on the new Authority.
- April 2028 – Medway Council will cease to exist and North Kent will take over.
- May 2027 to April 2028 – existing Medway Councillors will stay in office for an additional year beyond their existing term.
In practice, the elections in May 2027 will choose the councillors for the new North Kent authority in a shadow role while Medway Council continue as is – running existing services until it is formally abolished in April 2028.
My personal position became known as I was deselected by Gillingham & Rainham Conservative Association. I was not provided with any reason for this decision which was later declared unsound, but my ongoing dispute with the individuals running the Association is well known. I intend to make a decision on whether to stand in May 2027 in early September 2026.
2. Council Highlights and Policy Scrutiny
Throughout this period, I have continued to scrutinise the Labour administration’s policies, financial management, and regeneration strategy. To give residents full transparency, I published two detailed policy updates during this cycle:
Spring Policy & Economic Update
In spring, I published a comprehensive review analysing Medway’s local economic trajectory, school performance metrics, and youth unemployment figures. Read the full report: Medway Council Update (April 2026).
Key areas highlighted in this update include:
- Employment & Youth Support: Analysis of local ONS labour market data, the rising claimant count, and the impact of cuts to adult skills funding like the Multiply programme.
- Education Standards: Reviewing secondary and primary school performance data across Medway to push for higher standards and better outcomes for local school leavers.
- High Street Grants: Scrutinising the effectiveness of the £1.5m Pride in Place shopfront grants and calling for a broader, business-led growth strategy across Medway’s town centres.
Medway Council Cycle Watch (May to July 2026)
Following the Council’s Annual General Meeting in May through to the 16th July Full Council meeting, I published a plain-English breakdown of every major decision taken by Cabinet and Council committees. Read my full report at Medway Council Cycle Watch: May to 16 July 2026. Key council decisions covered in the report include:
- Budget Reserves Drawdown: Cabinet closing the 2025/26 accounts by drawing down £3.743m from council savings to cover budget overspends, leaving general reserves hovering just above the minimum required limit.
- Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Setting aside £7m over two years (funded via capital asset sales) to manage transition costs for merging Medway into the new North Kent unitary framework.
- HMO Planning Controls: The implementation of Article 4 Directions across seven Medway wards, requiring landlords to seek full planning permission before converting family homes into small HMOs.
- Key Contracts & Regeneration: Progressing partner recruitment for Innovation Park Medway (IPM North and South) and awarding the £1.94m/year kerbside recycling contract to Veolia.
3. In the Ward: Hempstead and Wigmore
While borough-wide policy takes up considerable time, local ward work in Hempstead & Wigmore is always my primary focus. Here are a few highlights from the last five months:
- Roads & Infrastructure: Highway condition remains one of the top concerns raised by residents. I have continued to press council officers for durable resurfacing rather than quick-fix patches, while following up on individual reports regarding potholes, street lighting, and overgrown verges across Hempstead & Wigmore.
- Community Fayres & Events: It was fantastic to attend local summer community gatherings, including the Hempstead Village Fayre, meeting with local residents, community organisers, and local business owners.
- Bredhurst Road: I continue to press Officers to replace trees that have been cut down and not replaced.
- Hempstead Valley: Worked with the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre team to assist local residents with overhanging trees.
- Community Safety: Discussed ASB issues with local Police at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre and continued issues with speeding vehicles on Hoath Way.
- East Hill: Took part in an online meeting with the developers at East Hill.
- Hempstead School: Discussed with Hempstead School the overgrown hedges obstructing the pathway.
- Ward Councillor Grant Scheme: A reminder that each ward councillor has an annual allocation of £2,000 to support local non-profit groups, youth activities, and community initiatives in Hempstead & Wigmore. If you run a local group that could benefit from funding for a specific project, please reach out to me directly.
- Green Services: Discussed grass cutting around Hempstead & Wigmore with the Green Services Team.
- Wigmore Coach Park: To become a permanent Gypsy/Traveller Site for up to 14 caravans at a cost of £2.6M. Read my article.
4. Shadow Portfolio & Committee Duties
In my role as Shadow Spokesman for Regeneration, Housing, and Culture, I have been actively challenging the administration’s strategic direction:
- Housing Strategy & Due Diligence: Pushing for full financial transparency on council housing acquisitions and ensuring capital borrowing assumptions are rigorously tested to protect taxpayers.
- Overview & Scrutiny: Active participation in committee sessions reviewing adult education, youth care sufficiency strategies, and local NHS/healthcare proposals affecting Medway residents.
- Officer Engagement: Meeting regularly with senior officers to discuss matters regarding my Shadow responsibilities.
5. My Work with Schools
As I have previously stated, this work is very important to me. In this period I attended 24 meetings, including meeting Ofsted Inspectors during an inspection of one of the Trust’s schools.
6. Looking Ahead and Have Your Say
As we move into the second half of 2026, the council faces crucial decisions regarding budget management, service delivery, and regional reorganisation. Your feedback is vital in helping me represent our ward effectively.
- Take the Survey: Please take 5 minutes to complete my Medway Residents Survey – July 2026 to let me know your views on local roads, council tax value, and local priorities. Hempstead and Wigmore residents’ views are important.
Get in Touch
If you have a local issue, casework inquiry, or planning concern in Hempstead & Wigmore, please don’t hesitate to contact me:
- Website: awjlawrence.com
- Email: Contact via Website or by emailing me at andrew.lawrence@medway.gov.uk
Thank you for your continued support and feedback.
Cllr Andrew Lawrence – Conservative Councillor for Hempstead and Wigmore Ward. Shadow Spokesman for Regeneration, Housing, and Culture
