Local Authority is an award winning independent Medway news service covering local news, politics, culture, and the weirder side of our towns.

We publish a free edition covering the big stories from Medway every Friday. Paid supporters receive additional content every week, including interviews with interesting Medway figures, essays on a range of issues, event guides, local planning reports, and lots more. Our paid subscription plans start from less than £1 per week and ensure the long-term sustainability of independent news for Medway.

We reject the idea that local news can’t cover the big stories facing our community. We believe local journalism should be informative, substantial, and challenge those who hold power. There is a better way to do local news that the clickbait-ridden, advertising infested local news websites that we’ve all become familiar with.

Our stories are delivered via email to our subscribers, and are also available to read on the web.

We are read by politicians, public officials, journalists, business owners, and artists - the movers and shakers of Medway.

Since launching in 2021, we have grown to reach an audience of over 2,000 readers, and have won multiple awards, including Kent News Website of the Year.

Local Authority is the project of Ed Jennings and Steven Keevil, both of whom were involved in local politics before becoming disillusioned and writing about it instead. They have been covering the goings on at Medway Council for a decade now, starting as citizen journalists tweeting out proceedings before moving to local blogging, and finally widening their remit to all kinds of Medway news and setting up Local Authority as a new type of independent news outlet for our towns.

Awards and testimonials

2023 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards WINNER for Kent News Website of the Year
2023 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards WINNER for Columnist of the Year

2022 Pride in Medway nominee for Community Service.

“Better than the Observer and cheaper too.” - Medway Council Leader Vince Maple

“I’m very much enjoying Ed’s newsletter. Even if you’re not local I think there’s lots to enjoy” - Ben Cameron

“Informative and funny! .. If you live in Medway and aren't reading Ed's weekly email you're missing out.” - Carl Jeffrey

“A great read.” - Future Chatham

“Informative and entertaining.” - Andrew Dennis

“F***ing hilarious, yet informative.” - Candy Penfold

“The first one was quite okay.” - Ed’s mum

For details on how to advertise with us, click here.

Local Authority is published by Medwayish Ltd, Valiant Suite, Second Chance Community Centre, Brompton Hill, Chatham, ME4 4XL.