The Kent Politics Podcast

EP96: Ambulance woes, water crisis and special guest, former MP Kelly Tolhurst

Episode Summary

Join Simon & the team this week, as they explore the grilling faced by the South East Ambulance Service, uncover CCTV issues leaving Ashford vulnerable to crime, and delve into the political turmoil following a water crisis affecting tens of thousands in Tunbridge Wells. Also, stay tuned for this week's special guest interview, former Conservative MP for Rochester & Strood, Kelly Tolhurst.

Episode Notes

THE KENT POLITICS PODCAST 

Episode 96 - Ambulance woes, water crisis and special guest, former MP Kelly Tolhurst  

This episode covers a range of topics including challenges faced by the South East Ambulance Service, CCTV malfunctions in Ashford Borough, leadership changes at Kent County Council, and water supply crises impacting Tunbridge Wells. 

Key Segments

1. Ambulance Service Under Scrutiny

• Representatives from the South East Ambulance Service were questioned about their response to an undercover documentary revealing resource strains.
• Councillors expressed dissatisfaction with the service's defensive stance post-documentary.

2. CCTV Issues in Ashford

• Reports indicate significant numbers of malfunctioning CCTV cameras are impeding crime evidence collection.
• Concerns over council’s intentions amidst plans to relocate monitoring services.

3. Kent County Council Leadership Update

• Amanda Beer reverses retirement decision; remains Chief Executive until March 2026 amidst ongoing local government reorganisation discussions.

4. Water Crisis in Tunbridge Wells

• Thousands left without water due to chemical mishap at treatment works.
• MP Mike Martin actively communicates updates while calling for accountability from South East Water’s CEO.

5. Guest Interview: Kelly Tolhurst

• Former Rochester and Strood MP discusses life after politics and her continued involvement in local issues like Chatham Docks redevelopment controversy.

Special Features

Interview Spotlight: Kelly Tolhurst

Kelly reflects on:

• Her transition out of Parliament,
• The impact of losing skilled jobs at Chatham Docks,
• Her perspective on current political dynamics within Medway Council regarding housing developments versus industrial preservation.

Community Engagement

Listeners are encouraged to participate by submitting questions or suggesting topics via email or voice note to kentpoliticspodcast@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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