Kent County Council (KCC) is preparing a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). This is a statutory requirement under the 2004 Planning Act. The SCI will set out how and when communities can most effectively get involved with the town and country planning issues that concern them and for which KCC has responsibility.
In a continuation of its campaign against corruption at Kennet District Council the magazine's 'Rotten Boroughs' column has exposed what it calls "ham-fisted attempts to protect the names of senior officers who pocketed thousands in a secret pay deal." Wiltshire Council has tried desperately to keep a cloak of secrecy over the dodgy deals, however the Eye has used the Freedom of Information act to get at the truth. "Although public money was involved", it says, "Tory Wiltshire Council ... refused to name names following a FoI request, citing the data protection act."
The Mayor attended the event which marks the moment when the current Cinque Ports Speaker hands over the office to the next Speaker. Sandwich Guildhall is a interesting building and served as a perfect venue for such a function.
The Mayor attended this event with interest as it was a contested election. Interestingly, the current Mayor left the chamber during the vote, as did her deputy, which removed her ability to vote and to use any casting vote if necessary.
Local MP Tim Farron has described the historic Government coalition policy agreement, published yesterday, as delivering a brighter future for the South Lakes.
Now the election dust has settled I am back to provide my take on Council meetings and other local issues. My first Annual Council Meeting was back in 1986. That was before the formation of the Liberal Democrats. There were just three of us. I, Monroe Palmer and Brian Stone flew the flag for the Liberal SDP/Alliance.