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Council chiefs quizzed by public in first Q&A session

Council chiefs quizzed by public in first Q&A session

Council bosses were asked about failing social services, roadworks chaos, broken promises and accessibility issues at a Q&A session.

Great crested newts found at redevelopment site

Great crested newts found at redevelopment site

A former golf course earmarked for a new park is home to great crested newts and 34 species of birds.

‘Fine overrunning roadworks £12k a day’

‘Fine overrunning roadworks £12k a day’

An MP is supporting a bill that would ramp up fines on overrunning roadworks to more than £12,000 a day.

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Investigator to crack down on wrongly claimed council tax discounts

Investigator to crack down on wrongly claimed council tax discounts

A council is looking to recoup £800,000 by cracking down on those who claim single person discounts, when they no longer live alone.

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Your chance to quiz council bigwigs

Your chance to quiz council bigwigs

Members of the public have a chance to quiz the two most powerful men in Medway.

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Hundreds join fight to save Britain’s biggest nightingale population

Hundreds join fight to save Britain’s biggest nightingale population

A campaign to stop a developer from building on the outskirts of a bird sanctuary is gaining momentum.

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Firms offered interest-free £600k loans to boost jobs

Firms offered interest-free £600k loans to boost jobs

A council is offering lucrative interest-free loans in bid to help businesses grow and take on more workers.

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Rogue recycling costs taxpayers £57k

Rogue recycling costs taxpayers £57k

Some 3,000 tons of recyclable waste could not be processed because residents had put the wrong things into the bags - costing taxpayers £57,000.

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Office block could house local homeless families after backlash

Office block could house local homeless families after backlash

A converted office block which was to be used exclusively to accommodate homeless families from London could also house local people in need.

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The case to prevent docks being converted into homes

The case to prevent docks being converted into homes

A business specialist is making the case for a docks being retained as a working port rather than being converted into homes, retail and leisure.

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Major events and services face cuts as council slashes funding

Major events and services face cuts as council slashes funding

Popular annual events and key community services are facing cutbacks in support as a council aims to plug a £12m hole in its finances.

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Lib Dems aiming to find way back onto council

Lib Dems aiming to find way back onto council

They may have no councillors at all but the Lib Dems certainly have high hopes in Medway, as Robert Boddy found out.

Council’s projected overspend reduced to £12m

Council’s projected overspend reduced to £12m

A council in financial turmoil has significantly reduced its money worries – but still has a steep hill to climb.

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Appeal against refused homes plan near nesting birds

Appeal against refused homes plan near nesting birds

A developer is appealing against the refusal of two housing developments close to an important bird habitat.

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Council offices reopen after potentially dangerous concrete found

Council offices reopen after potentially dangerous concrete found

Surveys have taken place at a council’s headquarters after RAAC was found in its roof, forcing the closure of the building.

600 million litres of sewage may have been spilt in Medway

600 million litres of sewage may have been spilt in Medway

Medway had the second-highest number of sewage overflows and the 13th greatest number of hours of spillages in the whole south east of England.

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Chance to have say on future look of town

Chance to have say on future look of town

People are to be encouraged to have their say on how Chatham town centre should look in the future.

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Council spends millions on agency staff

Council spends millions on agency staff

A council has spent £13m on temporary workers in just six months, as it struggles to attract and retain full-time staff.

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Council offices closed down over roof fears

Council offices closed down over roof fears

A council’s headquarters has been closed after RAAC was found in its roof.

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Play area at traveller-hit park set for £75k revamp

Play area at traveller-hit park set for £75k revamp

A play area at a park which has been regularly taken over by travellers is set for a make-over funded by the council.

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‘I waited 8 years for an allotment – I thought they’d forgotten about us’

‘I waited 8 years for an allotment – I thought they’d forgotten about us’

Residents explain their long wait for an allotment, as the list to get a plot triples in four years in one part of Kent.

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‘I believe that us young people really can make a difference’

‘I believe that us young people really can make a difference’

A youth council member with eyes on a potential future political career has spoken about how young people really can play an important role.

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New plans to avoid repeating Katherine Jenkins concert debacle

New plans to avoid repeating Katherine Jenkins concert debacle

Plans for a four-day music festival have been re-launched after they fell apart earlier this year.

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Last chance to have say on Towns’ blueprint

Last chance to have say on Towns’ blueprint

Residents are being urged to have their say on the future of developments taking place in their town as part of its proposed Local Plan.

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Thousands of pounds still available from crisis fund

Thousands of pounds still available from crisis fund

A pot of cash to help families struggling to pay bills has barely been touched – and could go back to the government if people don’t apply.

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‘Wall of admin’ warning over outdoor events policy

‘Wall of admin’ warning over outdoor events policy

A new policy covering outdoor events and how they are planned and paid for has been approved by a local authority, despite reservations.

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History made as NHS given top civic honour

History made as NHS given top civic honour

A council has marked the NHS's 75th anniversary by giving staff a top honour – the first time a non-military organisation has received the award.

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Area could become World Heritage Site

Area could become World Heritage Site

Parts of Medway have been included in a bid to join worldwide landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon.

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Council to write to Chancellor in bid to avoid bankruptcy

Council to write to Chancellor in bid to avoid bankruptcy

Jeremy Hunt will receive a letter asking for financial support in next month's Autumn Statement as a council aims to plug its £17 million budget gap.

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Free reflective keyrings and vests up for grabs to keep youngsters safe

Free reflective keyrings and vests up for grabs to keep youngsters safe

We have launched our Be Bright Be Seen campaign once again to keep youngsters visible on the roads.

Council backs move to take on ‘boy racers’ in Towns

Council backs move to take on ‘boy racers’ in Towns

A move to give police more powers to tackle boy racers has won the approval of the whole council.

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All taxis to offer card payments over safety fears

All taxis to offer card payments over safety fears

All taxis will be required to offer card payments after concerns about young women being stranded.

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Attempt to scupper £800k red-route plan fails

Attempt to scupper £800k red-route plan fails

A bid to stop a controversial traffic scheme being introduced has ended in failure.

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Health boss called back before committee over concerns

Health boss called back before committee over concerns

A mental health trust boss returned before a council committee to give an updated strategy on how his service would improve after major criticism.

Big plans for town’s Xmas lights as fundraiser smashes target

Big plans for town’s Xmas lights as fundraiser smashes target

A community fundraiser for Christmas lights has increased its goal for the second time after residents donated in droves.

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Firms save day after council axed Christmas lights funding

Firms save day after council axed Christmas lights funding

Christmas lights displays will go ahead in five town centres after the council controversial cut funding for them.

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81 London families moving into Kent flats amid 'housing crisis'

81 London families moving into Kent flats amid 'housing crisis'

A private housing company has confirmed it will be moving 81 families into a block of flats which had been earmarked for asylum seekers.

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Hundreds of homes to be built on brownfield sites

Hundreds of homes to be built on brownfield sites

Several housing schemes will be delivered thanks to a council receiving almost £4 million in government funding.

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Towns’ Christmas lights scrapped

Towns’ Christmas lights scrapped

Christmas lights displays and switch-on events have been cancelled by a cash-strapped council to save £75,000.

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‘Councils have failed to provide us with Traveller sites’

‘Councils have failed to provide us with Traveller sites’

A campaigner says local authorities should have created more sites for Kent’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller population.

Anger over ‘secret’ approval for three-storey homes

Anger over ‘secret’ approval for three-storey homes

Upset residents only found out by accident that new neighbouring homes had been approved.

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Labour forecast to make huge gains in Kent

Labour forecast to make huge gains in Kent

A polling prediction website says the number of Labour MPs in Kent will rise after the next general election, with tactical voting likely.

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Calls to tear down landmark shopping centre for new homes

Calls to tear down landmark shopping centre for new homes

An MP has labelled a major shopping centre a relic from a bygone time and has called for it to be knocked down to make room for housing.

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‘I thought people who stood for parliament were not of sound mind...’

‘I thought people who stood for parliament were not of sound mind...’

Labour candidate Lauren Edwards is aiming to become an MP despite previously being baffled why anybody would want to.

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