Medway Council: October Engagements
The following are a list of meetings that I attended in the month:
- 9th of October: Regeneration, Housing and Culture (Regen) Overview and Scrutiny
- 13th of October: Conservative Group Meeting
- 16th of October: Full Council Meeting
- 17th of October: Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Member’s Working Group
- 23rd of October: Business Support, Administration and Digital (BSAD) Overview and Scrutiny
- 29th of October: Local Plan Working Group Meeting
- 30th of October: Audit Committee
Council Highlights and Policy Debates
Regen included the long-awaited introduction of the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) proposal, which I vigorously opposed. The Labour administration’s push for LTNs is concerning, as these measures can be perceived as primarily aimed at restricting private car use, potentially leading to increased traffic displacement into neighbouring areas, and creating opportunities for the local authority to levy disproportionate fines.
At Full Council, the Conservative Group laid down a motion on the state of the Council’s Finances (found on page 41 of the Agenda). Labour Councillors voted against the motion, which specifically called for the publication of a plan to end the practice of borrowing for revenue (everyday) spending. Unfortunately, the meeting had to be adjourned due to the Deputy Mayor being taken ill.
The LGR Working Group reviewed the latest Medway-led plan to create four Unitary Authorities, a proposal that currently lacks cross-party support from any other Group across Kent. It is concerning that the Deputy Leader continues to advance this internal plan at a projected cost of £100,000 to Medway taxpayers, especially given its minimal political traction elsewhere. Furthermore, the revised map of the proposed new unitaries demonstrates a lack of logical or established geographic coherence.
BSAD hosted Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Alex Paterson, for his annual report on Digital Transformation (Medway 2.0) and a discussion on licensing. Anyone who has attempted to use the Council’s website on a mobile device will know that there is still a long way to go, though a mobile-friendly website is promised by the end of March.
The Local Plan Working party received a useful update on the progress of the new Local Plan becoming enacted. The Council is still at least fifteen months away from receiving full approval from the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. I remain very worried that development will come before infrastructure, which will mean that Capstone Valley particularly will rapidly lose its appeal.
The Audit Committee received an update on the ongoing audit of the Council’s finances and Treasury function. Since taking control, the Administration has borrowed a reported £200 million. They now seek further borrowing, including capital funding for a new car storage facility, which is projected to cost at least £150 million in capital and debt interest over its first 50 years.
Ward Report: Hempstead & Wigmore
I am receiving correspondence from residents who have been severely inconvenienced by the imposition of a new School Street Scheme around Fairview Primary School. The roads immediately behind the school are populated by many elderly residents. The imposition of the scheme, enforced by multiple cameras, has effectively restricted their mobility for two hours daily, creating a situation where residents feel unnecessarily monitored and penalized. Regrettably, the response from the Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Alex Paterson, appears to prioritize strict enforcement and revenue generation over a pragmatic assessment of reasonable resident concerns and mitigating the impact on vulnerable residents.
There remains no resolution to the issue of the Travellers occupying the Wigmore Coach Park, which has caused the loss of 80 new homes directly opposite in Blowers Wood. The Council seems totally out of ideas on how to deal with the matter.
I am monitoring two ongoing Planning Applications affecting Hempstead. The Council have released an important community asset that forms part of Hempstead Library. My colleague Cllr Jim Gilbourne continues to monitor this application, which has been granted subject to a vehicle movement plan. The second concerns the use of 326a Hempstead Road as a home for young adults, which we are waiting to come to Planning. I believe that this application is not appropriate for the location and should be rejected.
I am working to have some trees that have been cut down in Bredhurst Road and Wigmore Park replaced. Unfortunately, the Council’s escalating debt interest charges contributed directly to the £1 million cut from the Green Services budget. Officers are now struggling to identify ad-hoc funding to cover even essential tasks like tree replacement.
Need Assistance with the Council
If you live in Hempstead and Wigmore Ward and need help with a matter to do with the Council, please contact:
Please contact me andrew.lawrence@medway.gov.uk or; Jim Gilbourne jim.gilbourne@medway.gov.uk
