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Robert Boddy, Local Democracy Reporter

Robert Boddy joined the KM Group in 2023 as part of the BBC's Local Democracy Reporting Service covering Medway Council.

Robert Boddy, Local Democracy Reporter

‘I received 18 driving fines from the council - I was exempt!’

22 April 2025
‘I received 18 driving fines from the council - I was exempt!’

A mum with a school streets exemption has still received 18 fines even though her local council says they’ve cancelled each of them twice.

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‘Councils plead poverty but they’re sitting on millions of pounds’

15 April 2025
‘Councils plead poverty but they’re sitting on millions of pounds’

A special KentOnline investigation has revealed how £20 million meant for public services has remained unspent for years.

11

Aldi makes application for new store near town centre

14 April 2025
Aldi makes application for new store near town centre

Aldi has applied for permission to demolish an old school to make way for a new superstore.

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'It would be silly not to': Garden centre to make way for homes for 'growing families'

11 April 2025
'It would be silly not to': Garden centre to make way for homes for 'growing families'

Plans to demolish a garden centre and redevelop the site into 12 homes to help ease an area’s housing problems have been approved.

9

'We have to do something': Big investment in homeless homes as private rent costs soar

10 April 2025
'We have to do something': Big investment in homeless homes as private rent costs soar

A council facing a rising temporary accommodation crisis says it can’t afford to “do nothing” and so is investing further into its own stock.

9

Developer seeks permission to expand number of countryside homes

08 April 2025
Developer seeks permission to expand number of countryside homes

A housing development in a rural part of Kent could expand as a new planning application seeks permission for up to 75 homes.

3

‘Why do councils seem to only ever say no?’

08 April 2025
‘Why do councils seem to only ever say no?’

Local democracy reporter Robert Boddy looks at why councils seem reluctant to make big promises - and what that could mean for the upcoming election.

16

Healthcare staff still working hard to resolve ‘backlog’ after cyber scare

04 April 2025
Healthcare staff still working hard to resolve ‘backlog’ after cyber scare

Five months on from a suspected cyber attack on the IT system of several health clinics, its provider says issues are now almost “fully” resolved.

1

‘You’re public servants, remember it!’: Council leaders grilled during ‘spiky’ Q&A

03 April 2025
‘You’re public servants, remember it!’: Council leaders grilled during ‘spiky’ Q&A

Council leaders were robustly challenged by residents at a community event which saw questions raised over housing and strained infrastructure.

7

Bid to further expand initially refused 66-home development

03 April 2025
Bid to further expand initially refused 66-home development

A housing developer has applied to increase the number of properties allowed on a site despite previously having to win approval on appeal.

4

Council eyes two flat blocks to house the homeless

03 April 2025
Council eyes two flat blocks to house the homeless

A council is considering buying two blocks of flats as part of a £42million temporary accommodation scheme.

13

Plans for 500 homes at former barracks take shape

25 March 2025
Plans for 500 homes at former barracks take shape

A government agency looking to build hundreds of new homes on a former military base has submitted a request for a scoping opinion.

10

‘It’s a dreadful way to treat people’: Swim teachers accuse council of ‘fire and rehire’ tactics

23 March 2025
‘It’s a dreadful way to treat people’: Swim teachers accuse council of ‘fire and rehire’ tactics

Swimming teachers given redundancy notices after seeing their roles advertised online have hit out at a council’s “shambolic” handling of the process.

2

Former town centre snooker club up for auction at £3 million

18 March 2025
Former town centre snooker club up for auction at £3 million

A former snooker club is going under the hammer with planning permission for 57 flats to be built on the site.

1

Plans for homes and Aldi on former school site

18 March 2025
Plans for homes and Aldi on former school site

Flats and houses could join Aldi on the site of a former school if given the nod by council planning chiefs.

‘Our town was promised £6m health centre - why is it going to our neighbours?’

15 March 2025
‘Our town was promised £6m health centre - why is it going to our neighbours?’

A failure to spend millions of pounds in NHS funding on a “long-promised” health facility for one town has now meant it’s being spent elsewhere.

7

‘Will very public spat dent Reform’s hopes of breakthrough at County Hall?’

14 March 2025
‘Will very public spat dent Reform’s hopes of breakthrough at County Hall?’

Local democracy reporter Robert Boddy gives his take on the in-fighting engulfing Reform UK, and ponders the impact on its hopes for success in Kent.

151

Controversial 134-home plans approved despite concerns it’s ‘tantamount to vandalism’

13 March 2025
Controversial 134-home plans approved despite concerns it’s ‘tantamount to vandalism’

An application for hundreds of homes has been given the green light despite fears it will pile further pressure on already strained village services.

16

Demolition of former Tesco begins

12 March 2025
Demolition of former Tesco begins

The demolition of a former Tesco has begun to make way for flats.

4

Innovation park redesign approved and welcomes first tenant

12 March 2025
Innovation park redesign approved and welcomes first tenant

Plans for a redesign and change of direction of a business park have been approved as the first tenant is revealed.

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