Home   Authors   Author

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

‘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.

5

‘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.

39

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.

1

Plans for hundreds of homes on former social club land set for green light

10 March 2025
Plans for hundreds of homes on former social club land set for green light

A decision is set to be taken on whether controversial proposals for 134 homes in a rural part of Kent can go ahead.

1

Popular paddling pool gets makeover for free family fun

05 March 2025
Popular paddling pool gets makeover for free family fun

A popular outdoor swimming pool complex is getting a new feature in time for summer.

4

Flagship £60m scheme to bring in giants like Netflix is scaled back

05 March 2025
Flagship £60m scheme to bring in giants like Netflix is scaled back

After eight years and £33 million spent bosses are to make drastic changes to a scheme which was supposed to welcome tech and media heavyweights.

14

Store’s booze ban extended for another month

04 March 2025
Store’s booze ban extended for another month

A convenience store has had its alcohol licence suspension extended for another month.

1

Plans push ahead for 33 homes on grassland near nature reserve

03 March 2025
Plans push ahead for 33 homes on grassland near nature reserve

An application has been submitted to build 33 homes on a patch of grassland close to a nature reserve and country park.

2

Thousands of children offered places at schools of their choice

03 March 2025
Thousands of children offered places at schools of their choice

A total of 96% of children have been offered places at schools on their shortlist, it has been revealed.

‘Generous’ dad-of-two died after ‘losing balance’ and falling off dinghy

01 March 2025
‘Generous’ dad-of-two died after ‘losing balance’ and falling off dinghy

A man living a “nomad-style” had been drinking in the pub with friends just hours before falling into the River Medway, an inquest heard.

Council sets £496 million budget amid opposition calls to slash funding

28 February 2025
Council sets £496 million budget amid opposition calls to slash funding

Staff cuts and delays to service improvements were put forward as ways to balance the books at a council’s budget-setting meeting.

2

‘Want our politicians to make things better? Then stop asking them to prove it’

28 February 2025
‘Want our politicians to make things better? Then stop asking them to prove it’

The government can fixate on targets all it likes, but the only metric that matters is if people feel their lives are improving, writes our columnist.

36

‘Caring and loving’ man, 25, drowned after night out with work friends

28 February 2025
‘Caring and loving’ man, 25, drowned after night out with work friends

A warehouse worker who went missing, sparking an extensive four-day search, died after suffering hypothermia and drowning, an inquest has found.

1

‘Charming’ man who died in ‘tragic’ railway tracks fall had been enjoying ‘happiest weeks’

27 February 2025
‘Charming’ man who died in ‘tragic’ railway tracks fall had been enjoying ‘happiest weeks’

A 22-year-old man was struck and killed by a train in a “tragic accident” after struggling to hail a ride home, an inquest has heard.

Suspended for a more than a year over curry house ‘confrontation’

27 February 2025
Suspended for a more than a year over curry house ‘confrontation’

A year after they were suspended over a reported altercation at a Christmas party, two councillors are yet to learn their fates.

5

How Medway Council has changed in less than two years

24 February 2025
How Medway Council has changed in less than two years

Take a look at how the make-up of Medway Council has changed since the local elections.

Dad sent sexual images and messages to ‘boy’ who was undercover officer

23 February 2025
Dad sent sexual images and messages to ‘boy’ who was undercover officer

A father-of-two has been sentenced for sending explicit messages to a 14-year-old child who was actually an undercover police officer.

1

High street buildings earmarked for demolition for housing plans

17 February 2025
High street buildings earmarked for demolition for housing plans

Plans to alter the face of a Kent high street could see several buildings demolished to make room for 28 new homes.

3
Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More