Despite constructive proposals from the Lib Dem opposition for a smaller rise, the RA-led borough council have set an above-inflation increase in Council Tax of 3.9%. Taken with the 2.9% increase for Surrey County Council and 4.9% for the Surrey police, this will lead to an overall increase of 3.3% in Council Tax bills in the borough.
It seems that borough and county councillor Nigel Petrie recently failed to be re-selected as an RA candidate for next June's county council elections. At least this is being stated by Stoneleigh RA chairman Bill Slaughter as the reason behind Cllr Petrie's sudden surprise announcement that he has joined the Conservative party.
A BUSINESSMAN is hoping to kill off plans to introduce above-inflation parking charges across the borough.
SeaFrance, who operate cross-channel services from Dover to Calais, is to shed around 650 jobs and reduce the size of its ferry fleet, according to www.thisiskent.co.uk
A new website acting as directory of Councillors using the popular "Twitter" service (www.twitter.com) has reached 112 Councillors nationwide as of mid-February - including Councillors on Shepway District Council, Folkestone Town Council and Sandgate Parish Council.
Following the re-timetabling of the next East Kent Joint Area Committee, the East Kent Joint Scrutiny Committee planned for 31 March 2009 has been moved to a new date of 28 April 2009 at 9am in the Council Chamber, Shepway Civic Centre.