Why restoring the Brook Theatre became a £21.5m detective story
Five miles of scaffolding and 126 years of problems stand between Chatham and its theatre
Latest
“I had no compass with which to navigate my life after my family members died”
What Steven asked Nikki Price, PhD student, creative tutor and photographer
Medway’s future is North Kent
What the government’s decision means for Medway, plus a chaotic council meeting, HMS Saxifrage’s departure, planning, events, and more
Voice of the Opposition
Cllr George Perfect on the upcoming Cuxton, Halling & Riverside by-election
Theatres Trust calls Royal Function Rooms plans ‘unserious’
Heritage bodies say the case for conversion has not been made, and the final stop for Medway’s missing rail monument
“We don’t have to impose ourselves on people”
What Steven asked Marie-Claire Delbrouque, CEO of the MHS Homes Group
Labour wants to scrap the mayoral rules it restored two years ago
Proposed rule change offers a clue about 2027 elections, plus HMS Saxifrage, planning rows, events, and more
Medway’s university dream becomes a skills strategy
The future of higher education at Chatham Maritime, plus the Hoo Peninsula fire station latest
“I'm fascinated by the figure of Jesus as a disrupter”
What Steven asked Adrian Bawtree, Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral and the Musical Director of the Rochester Choral Society
Medway’s hidden First World War ship faces uncertain future
The campaign to save HMS Saxifrage, plus care home for Innovation Park site, active travel proposals and a busy events weekend
Voice of the Leader
Medway Council leader Vince Maple on the Labour Party leadership, local government reorganisation, and Medway's charities
Five theories of local politics
A rural by-election becomes a test of old loyalties, new momentum and tactical voting
Culture
The June Culture Review
Nigel Kennedy, IntraFest, Rainham Poetry Festival, food and drink reviews, and more
Interview
“I decided I'm going to be a painter and that's it”
What Steven asked artist Simon Mills
News
Councillors halt consultation on Grain and Cliffe fire station closures
Plus Innovation Park, planning latest, Dickens’ chalet, and IntraFest
News
Does Medway exist?
Medway was created after a bitter 1990s battle over whether the towns were one place at all. Nearly 30 years later, that argument is back.
Interview
“I hate having to do what anybody else has ever done”
What Steven asked Bronach Rae, collage artist and bodhrán player
News
Rochester and Strood MP takes on assisted dying battle
A Westminster fight with a Medway front line, plus by-election candidates, planning applications, weekend events, and more
Why we’re talking about money this week
If Local Authority helps you understand Medway, this is a good week to support it
News
He defected to Reform. Eight months later, he wants out
A prominent local recruit leaves Reform with questions about what the party is becoming
No news is bad news
Local Authority will host an Open Newsroom at Sun Pier House in Chatham on Friday as part of Indie News Week. The event will give readers and residents the chance to meet the team, ask questions, suggest stories, and discuss the issues affecting their part of Medway. Indie News Week
Interview
“I like solving problems”
What Steven asked Zoë Van Dyke, Medway Council portfolio holder for Business Management and councillor for Strood North and Frindsbury.
News
Medway illustrator finds new stories in Charles Dickens
Plus council diary, Fort Darnet plans, School Street dropped, property, events and our Open Newsroom
News
Can the Hoo Peninsula safely lose two fire stations?
The case for moving fire cover around Kent meets the geography of the Hoo Peninsula