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Robert Boddy, Local Democracy Reporter

Candidates for by-elections published following three resignations

13 January 2025
Candidates for by-elections published following three resignations

The candidate list for by-elections taking place next month has been published.

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Shortage of care home beds makes council consider building its own

13 January 2025
Shortage of care home beds makes council consider building its own

A shortage of places has led a council to consider proposals to create and operate its own care home.

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Council owed more than £10m in unpaid fines over ‘parking, truancy and littering’

13 January 2025
Council owed more than £10m in unpaid fines over ‘parking, truancy and littering’

A council’s coffers are looking lighter than they should be owing to a large amount of fines that haven’t been paid over a two-and-a-half year period.

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‘Unacceptable’ waiting times sees council’s social care ranked as ‘requires improvement’

10 January 2025
‘Unacceptable’ waiting times sees council’s social care ranked as ‘requires improvement’

A local authority says it has a plan to tackle problems with its adult social care services highlighted in a health watchdog report.

Half-mile stretch of high street set to welcome sixth gambling venue

19 December 2024
Half-mile stretch of high street set to welcome sixth gambling venue

Plans have been submitted for a “state of the art adult gaming and bingo venue” in place of a former computer shop.

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Council spending power to increase by £18 million next year

18 December 2024
Council spending power to increase by £18 million next year

A Kent council is to benefit from a government funding boost increasing its spending power by nearly 7%.

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£35k scheme to create 'young mayors' given nod despite backlash

18 December 2024
£35k scheme to create 'young mayors' given nod despite backlash

A controversial plan to create a Young Mayor has been approved with one councillor saying it might get recognised internationally.

‘Council changes are good for Kent…but not at any price’

17 December 2024
‘Council changes are good for Kent…but not at any price’

One of the county’s most prominent politicians says proposals to shake-up local government are potentially good news but need careful management.

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Three MPs resign as councillors, triggering by-elections

17 December 2024
Three MPs resign as councillors, triggering by-elections

Newly-elected MPs have resigned from their council positions to focus on their work in Westminster following the Labour party’s summer triumph.

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Demolition plans for huge town centre store

13 December 2024
Demolition plans for huge town centre store

A large building which has sat empty since 2020 could be demolished to make way for hundreds of flats.

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Community buys essential walker for young boy

12 December 2024
Community buys essential walker for young boy

A boy with special needs now has a new walker after his local community raised the money to buy it after the council said it couldn’t fund one.

Plans to ‘rejuvenate’ high street set for refusal

12 December 2024
Plans to ‘rejuvenate’ high street set for refusal

Planners have recommended proposals to “modernize” a high street with 24 flats, commercial units and offices be refused.

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‘Putting in a young mayor at £35k is just madness’

12 December 2024
‘Putting in a young mayor at £35k is just madness’

The creation of a young mayor post for 11-year-olds with an annual price tag of £35k and £2k for ceremonial robes is being considered by a council.

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Waterfront homes plan set for approval without developer cash for community

11 December 2024
Waterfront homes plan set for approval without developer cash for community

A proposed 195-home waterfront development has been recommended for approval - but planners say they can’t ask for infrastructure contributions.

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Landlord hands over licence after police request review

10 December 2024
Landlord hands over licence after police request review

A council has agreed to impose new conditions on a troubled pub, but police say the landlord is being co-operative over premises supervisor change.

Council debate on winter fuel allowance marred by accusations of ‘playing party politics’

09 December 2024
Council debate on winter fuel allowance marred by accusations of ‘playing party politics’

Councillors have accused one another of playing politics over the health impacts of the government’s cut to the winter fuel allowance.

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Pub owners back police call for landlord’s removal

06 December 2024
Pub owners back police call for landlord’s removal

A pub company has backed calls to remove the operator of one of its venues amid concerns over unreported violent incidents and “serious crime”.

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‘I was fined for flouting term-time rule during school holidays’

03 December 2024
‘I was fined for flouting term-time rule during school holidays’

A man has been fined for driving down a School Street during a half-term holiday because it was a teacher training day.

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Former high street bank earmarked for cosmetic shop and café

02 December 2024
Former high street bank earmarked for cosmetic shop and café

An application has been submitted to turn a former bank into a café, cosmetic shop and a community meeting place.

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Plans for 800 homes to include improvements to busy roundabout

28 November 2024
Plans for 800 homes to include improvements to busy roundabout

People are being asked for their views on a proposed development of 800 homes which would include road improvements at a traffic hotspot.

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