THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST
Episode 50 – Care Home Construction, Dover Defections, Local Government Re-organisation latest and Special Guest Richard Hicks
In our milestone 50th episode, Simon & the team explore significant events across Kent County, focusing on council devolution and its implications.
Key Discussions:
Medway Council’s New Proposals:
- Plans to build and operate a residential care home for increased efficiency.
- Estimated cost: £26 million over 30 years for approximately 80 additional beds.
Political Shifts in Dover District Council:
- Labour’s transition from majority to minority administration due to recent defections.
Kent County & Medway Councils’ Push for Devolution:
- Official request sent to fast-track towards establishing a mayoral system and new unitary councils.
Westminster Watch:
- Concerns about sewage discharge along the Kent coastline raised by MPs Polly Billington and Tony Vaughan. The discourse emphasises environmental impacts on health and tourism.
Special Feature:
Richard Hicks shares insights as Chief Executive of Medway Council:
- His journey in public service starting from an emergency planning officer role.
- The balance between statutory services like adult social care and discretionary cultural offers.
- Optimism around AI aiding local governance while maintaining a strong human workforce presence.
Upcoming Changes Discussed:
The potential shift towards greater autonomy through devolution could reshape how local governments operate, aiming for more localised decision-making power away from Westminster’s central control.
Thanks for listening to the Kent Politics Podcast – don’t forget to check out stories throughout the week on the politics pages of KentOnline, and you can watch the Kent Politics Show with Rob Bailey on KMTV every Friday at 5pm or on demand at http://www.kmtv.co.uk
Don’t forget to look out for more episodes of the Kent Politics Podcast, along with other shows at http://www.im-listening.co.uk or wherever you listen you your podcasts.