Recorded crime in Kent fell last year, according to Government figures published today. The county has one of the lowest levels of overall recorded crime in the South East, a region with one of the lowest levels of crime in England and Wales.
Residents in New Romney, Greatstone & Lydd-on-Sea are to benefit from mains drainage for the first time after Southern Water was given the go-ahead to lay sewers. Connections to the new drainage system will take place over the next two years. Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the go-ahead, but continue to question the cost to householders to be connected to the new service. It is likely that householders will be asked to pay a significant bill for connection.
The Conservatives in Hythe have suspended the membership of former Tory Councillor Martin Ross who is standing against his own Party in Hythe South in a by-election to Hythe Town Council tomorrow. Former Conservative Councillor Martin Ross has called for a motion of no confidence in the local Conservative Party Chairman.
Mark Hunter has been declared as the new Member of Parliament for Cheadle with a majority of 3,657. Lib Dem Mark fought a positive campaign on the issues that matter to local people, and is delighted to have been elected to succeed local favourite Patsy Calton. Despite an American-style negative and personal campaign by the Conservatives, their candidate fell to a humiliating third successive defeat in Cheadle.
Hythe South campaigner Darren Briddock attended a public meeting on Thursday held by Kent Police Authority and Shepway Council and was reassured by a commitment to work across agencies to crack down on crime in Hythe.
The NO2ID pledge has now been signed by over 9,700 people, less than 300 short of it's target, just one month after it was started. That means that over £97,000 has been raised for a legal defence fund should the ID bill become law. Shepway No2ID campaigners Darren Briddock, Sam Matthews and Tim Prater have all signed the pledge and are urging other local residents to do so as well.
Local Liberal Democrats are calling on Shepway Council to buy equipment that will help tackle graffiti. The Lib Dem group have put forward a motion to the 20 July Shepway Council meeting calling for a new graffiti busting machine to be bought.
A replica of the schooner 'HMS' Pickle will visit Folkestone Harbour as a part of a UK Tour from May to September celebrating the Bicentenary year of Britain's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson's death during the battle. Folkestone will form a key part of the tour hosting 'HMS' Pickle and the Pickle Exhibition from 31 August to 5 September.
http://www.werenotafraid.com/
Hawkinge Parish Council has received permission from Shepway District Council to fill oÂne vacancy by co-option. Any elector who would like to be considered for co-option should write to the Clerk stating your qualifications, and interests that you think will contribute to the work of the Parish Council and benefit the community.
A National Casualty Bureau number has been set up for enquiries relating to yesterday's terrorist incidents in Central London. The telephone number is 0870 1566 344. Kent Police is supporting this bureau, and have outlined the questions that will need answering if you need to call the helpline.
Kent Police Authority and Shepway Council are holding a public meeting at Saltwood Village Hall, The Green, Saltwood, Hythe on Thursday 14 July at 7.30pm. The meeting is designed to give local people from Hythe and Saltwood the opportunity to express their views on crime and disorder and discuss how the area is policed. Police officers will be attending, along with other community representatives.