Political and educational heads up

Political and educational heads up

by Tales from Gun Wharf Tuesday, April 26 2011

There is a golden opportunity to hear what the front runners have to say about the election issues tonight.

There is also a pretty good chance that the minor parties, the CCTV banners and the Get Rid of Everyone brigade will get a look-in, throwing in questions to try to unsettle the big boys.

I am talking about the Medway Messenger's hustings which are being held at 7pm tonight in the Pilkington Building at the Universities At Medway campus.

On the top table - ready to field the quizzers - will be the group leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat groups, Rodney Chambers, Paul Godwin and Geoff Juby, together with the Green candidate, Trish Marchant.

Holding the chairman's gavel will be fellow blogger, Paul Francis, Political Editor of the KM Group and the only reporter to be Kent Journalist of the Year on three occasions.

We have already had some excellent questions, but the real excitement will come from the questions on the night.

So come along - ask your questions - or just listen as the sparks fly.

***

One of my colleagues discovered that not every candidate is necessarily enthusiastic about winning.

I do not intend to give the self-appointed foul-mouthed individual publicity, but suffice it to say he didn't care whether or not he won a seat, and if the electorate is foolish enough to put him in a position of responsible power he was unlikely to attend council meetings.

So, Mr Prospective Candidate, why bother participating in the first case?

***

The saga of the parishes continues unabated.

Allhallows has called an emergency meeting tomorrow night in a bid to fix the lease on the Brimp before the election next week while High Halstow joined the list of parishes which have avoided an election.

***

New buses are coming to Medway.

Five completely unique singledeckers have been ordered for the 116 route between Hempstead, Rainham and Chatham.

This is becoming the Arriva service to serve the new higher and further educational establishments in Gillingham and Chatham Maritime.

The low-floor Wrightbus StreetLite midi-buses will be the first for any big bus operator. 

***

A temporary principal has been appointed at the troubled Bishop of Rochester Academy.

Andy Reese 

The governors have moved swiftly.

The school started seven months ago, the head was ousted at the beginning of April and we're not even into May yet with head number two in place - temporarily.

***

succeeds Christopher Sweetman, who was suspended after a string of PR disasters during the merger of Chatham South and neighbouring Medway Community College.

Comments

Tuesday, April 26 2011 #

Chris Fribbins

My advice to our Parish Council would be to avoid any significant decisions during the election period (as Alan W mentioned it earlier - purdah). Only essential decisions should be made. In effect, although C&CWPC do not have any elections, it would still be wrong to commit the 'new' council unnecessariliy. We will make responses to planning application to ensure they are in-time, but little else. We are also holding an informal meeting of new and existing parish councillors on Thursday, so we can try and get up and running at our first meeting. I understand there are issues in Allhallows and arguements on both sides, but I would not think it was wise to make a significant decision like this and leave it open to possible legal challenge (and cost).

I did comment previously about candidates standing, "just for the sake of it" or on the basis that having an election is a good thing in itself. There will be a number of 'paper candidates' in the list for elections - especially to Medway Unitary Authority.

Report Abuse Chris Fribbins United Kingdom

Wednesday, April 27 2011 #

Chris Fribbins

Thought I might see a certain senior reporter at the hustings meeting last night. I got in my question about development on the Hoo peninsula (Grain, Kingsnorth, Chattenden/Lodge Hill) - which all feed on to the A228 and Four Elms Hill roundabout, with a major supermarket development on Medway City Estate adding to the congestion at the Sans Pareil roundabout I am not sure how anybody is going to move in the peak periods.

A few areas I had hoped to raise but was unable to were :
1) Cuts - don't know where people have been over the last 10 years. There have been constant cutbacks at Medway and reorganisations. Committees to liaise with traders (High Streets), Transport Providers and members of the public and community groups have been slashed.
2) No increase in Council Tax. It was only a couple of years ago that the Tory council was threatened with capping because of the % increase. But in balance Medway (and Rochester-Upon-Medway before it) have been trapped by a double wammy. Low council tax is good, but the Government formula means that we miss out on many £millions a year because of it (formaula says tax below expected level so you don't need the Government money). Council Tax only accounts for about 25% of the income.
3) School success - lots of discussion last night about better paid & qualified  teachers. Grammar v Comprehensive. My view after many years as a school governor and a member of the Education Committee on Medway previously is that is come down to one thing - the leadership (or leadership team) of a school. Most power (and especially money) is delgated to the school in any case. Medway Education Committee can only provide limited encouragement and support - but of course get the blame if things do go wrong.  

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Thursday, April 28 2011 #

Alan Watkins

Sorry Chris - I was recuperating from last weekend. I'll look out for you at the count!

AAlan

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Thursday, April 28 2011 #

Alan Watkins

Sorry Chris, but I was working at the weekend. I'm back on Tuesaday so I shall see you at the count, I have no doubt!

Alan W

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There is also a pretty good chance that the minor parties, the CCTV banners and the Get Rid of Everyone brigade will get a look-in, throwing in questions to try to unsettle the big boys.
I am talking about the Medway Messenger's hustings which are being held at 7pm tonight in the Pilkington Building at the Universities At Medway campus.

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Tales from Gun Wharf

Gun Wharf is the Chatham headquarters of Medway Council, the only unitary authority in Kent. Join Medway Messenger reporter and local resident Alan Watkins as he sorts through the service, spin, politics, personalities and cock-ups that is an everyday fact for the 250,000 people who rely on the council. Add your comments at the end of each blod - or email me at awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

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