The Kent Politics Podcast

EP50: Care Home Construction, Dover Defections, Local Government Re-organisation Latest and Special Guest Richard Hicks

Episode Summary

Join Simon and the team for the 50th episode of The Kent Politics Podcast! This week they delve into local government issues, exploring council devolution's massive impact and welcoming Medway Council's Chief Executive, Richard Hicks. We also examine Dover District Council’s recent political shake-ups and dive into pressing environmental concerns with our Westminster Watch segment.

Episode Notes

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.