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Simon Finlay, Local Democracy Reporter

‘Bionic Lord’ might stand to be Mayor of Kent if government shakes up councils

03 December 2024
‘Bionic Lord’ might stand to be Mayor of Kent if government shakes up councils

Former MP Craig Mackinlay has “not discounted” standing for elected mayor in Kent if the government introduces sweeping reforms to local government.

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From building Bluewater to admiring Thatcher: Meet Reform’s first KCC member

28 November 2024
From building Bluewater to admiring Thatcher: Meet Reform’s first KCC member

Following their recent by-election success, we sat down with Reform UK’s first elected member of Kent County Council to discuss the party’s ambitions.

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Buyer chosen for multi-million pound County Hall purchase

26 November 2024
Buyer chosen for multi-million pound County Hall purchase

The sale of the 150-year-old landmark home of Kent County Council appears to have moved to a new stage.

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Government shake-up could change Kent council system forever

25 November 2024
Government shake-up could change Kent council system forever

The way councils operate in Kent could be set for a shake-up as the government presses for a mayoral-style arrangement for running the regions.

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Reform UK wins two surprise by-election seats

22 November 2024
Reform UK wins two surprise by-election seats

Nigel Farage says his fledgling party is “going all out” to win seats at Kent County Council next May after two surprise by-election victories.

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Campaign to save children’s centres offered glimmer of hope

22 November 2024
Campaign to save children’s centres offered glimmer of hope

Campaigners opposed to the loss of children’s services have been offered a glimmer of hope after the council agreed to delay its final decision.

Drought, tropical diseases and catastrophic flooding - welcome to Kent in 2080

21 November 2024
Drought, tropical diseases and catastrophic flooding - welcome to Kent in 2080

Kent could be hit by tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever within decades if climate change continues to worsen, a new study has found.

Labour dumps councillor over ‘concerning’ remarks and election betting

21 November 2024
Labour dumps councillor over ‘concerning’ remarks and election betting

A Labour county councillor has been deselected over “concerning” remarks he made and placing bets on election results.

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Tax hike for social care providers makes for a ‘devastating triple whammy’

19 November 2024
Tax hike for social care providers makes for a ‘devastating triple whammy’

Social care providers could be forced to close if they are not exempt from an increase in national insurance, Kent County Council has warned.

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80,000 people in Kent take illegal drugs

18 November 2024
80,000 people in Kent take illegal drugs

There are more than 80,000 people in Kent thought to be taking illegal drugs, new official figures have revealed.

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‘This will rip out the heart of Kent’: Farmers fear wipe out after inheritance tax bill

17 November 2024
‘This will rip out the heart of Kent’: Farmers fear wipe out after inheritance tax bill

Families who have spent generations building up farming ventures fear the “destruction” of their way of life following changes to inheritance tax.

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County council casts fresh doubt on ‘achievability’ of housing targets

13 November 2024
County council casts fresh doubt on ‘achievability’ of housing targets

The government has received some home truths about its plans to step up housing development and relax planning rules from the county council.

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‘Killjoy’ report brands Leeds Castle fireworks a UK pollution hotspot

08 November 2024
‘Killjoy’ report brands Leeds Castle fireworks a UK pollution hotspot

Authors of a report naming an iconic Kent venue as one of the nation’s biggest firework polluters have been branded “killjoys” .

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Demos staged at County Hall to protest against council cutback to children’s services

07 November 2024
Demos staged at County Hall to protest against council cutback to children’s services

Campaigners to save family services at a much-loved children’s centre gathered at County Hall this morning ahead of a council debate on the issue.

£1m lifeline to Kent pensioners who have lost winter fuel payments

05 November 2024
£1m lifeline to Kent pensioners who have lost winter fuel payments

Kent’s pensioners, who might just miss out on winter fuel payments, are being offered £1m worth help as the weather turns chillier.

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‘Ludicrous SEN schools policy must change for sake of the children’

05 November 2024
‘Ludicrous SEN schools policy must change for sake of the children’

Kent’s deepening special educational needs crisis and the rocketing cost to the taxpayer is today laid bare.

Protest planned over loss of family services at much-loved centre

04 November 2024
Protest planned over loss of family services at much-loved centre

Campaigners desperate to save family hub services are to stage a protest demo outside County Hall.

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‘Bridge closure is turning school runs into two-hour detours’

30 October 2024
‘Bridge closure is turning school runs into two-hour detours’

The closure of an ancient bridge is causing delays to motorists’ and residents’ journey times.

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17,000 untaxed cars clamped in Kent by DVLA in blitz on offenders

26 October 2024
17,000 untaxed cars clamped in Kent by DVLA in blitz on offenders

The number of untaxed vehicles being clamped in Kent has rocketed in a single year, official figures have revealed.

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Nigel Farage’s invite to Kent Tories to defect to Reform ‘falls flat’

25 October 2024
Nigel Farage’s invite to Kent Tories to defect to Reform ‘falls flat’

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s claim to have invited every Conservative member at Kent County Council to join his party met the same response.

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