Voice of the Leader

Editor’s note: Each month, we present a guest column from one of Medway’s elected representatives, rotating between our MPs, council and opposition leaders, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Today, we welcome Medway Council Leader Vince Maple, who talks about threats to democracy, local government reorganisation, and the year ahead.

Voice of the Leader

by Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council

On the 10^{th of} December, two things happened in Kent which highlights the threats to democracy.

In a court in Maidstone, someone who was charged for breaking Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 pleaded guilty to a judge. The incident was using threatening behaviour against myself, Naushabah Khan MP, and other Labour activists. 

Later on the 10^th December, a disgraceful act of violence and intimidation took place at the headquarters of Swale Borough Council which meant the office was closed to the public the following day.

The incident in Swale is still under police investigation, but the wider point is that it is never acceptable to have the law broken regarding intimidation when going about our democratic roles – whether that is speaking to residents on the doorstep or debating an issue in a council chamber.

I often refer to the ability to disagree agreeably – something which the vast majority of people would agree with. We have seen in the most extreme cases of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess elected representatives murdered simply for carrying out their duties. 

Anyone who truly values democracy must stand front and centre to say violence, intimidation and vandalism in our democratic processes is never acceptable.

As we move towards Christmas, it is a great opportunity to both reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to the year ahead.

This time last year we were working to be considered part of the priority programme for Devolution. Regrettably that is something which our community is not part of but rest assured we are continuing to put the case wherever possible.  

Alongside that has been the call for options for Local Government Reorganisation and I’m incredibly proud of the collaborative approach taken by all 14 councils across Kent and Medway.  Options are now in with government to consider and I would encourage every Local Authority reader to have their say when the public consultation happens in 2026. 

Option 4d, which was submitted by Medway Council as well as Ashford Borough Council and Canterbury City Council, is compliant with government guidelines and is a bold vision of local government for our region – ultimately improving lives.  

It rights some of the wrongs previous processes have bought up over the years.  A couple of good examples are Faversham whose town council have also endorsed option 4d with most people having their travel plans generally facing towards Canterbury rather than Medway or Sittingbourne.  Closer to home from a Medway perspective is Walderslade which can vary from road to road (and in some cases odds and evens sides of the road) having Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge & Malling and KCC providing services – 4d will again simplify that.

Of course, it isn’t just LGR that we have been focused on here in Medway.

We have continued to deliver those key front-line services, from weekly bin collections to our free household waste recycling centres, keeping streets outside schools safer & healther to ensuring our Green Flag awarded parks and greenspaces are supported and enhanced with greater access.

We welcomed nearly 130,000 people to our Child Friendly Medway events and supported volunteers to plant over 3,500 trees at the Deangate Country Park.

We have celebrated 5 years of Medway Development Company building homes, the vast majority of which are home to residents coming from an ME postcode.

We’ve started on the important journey to be a Marmot place, to tackle health inequality – it cannot be right that your postcode in Medway can mean ten years difference to your life expectancy.

We’ve welcomed home LV21 and once again worked in partnership with our colleagues at the Dockyard to deliver an outstanding Armed Forces Day.

Our High Streets and Town Centres remain a priority and I’m the first to recognise there is more to do, but we have seen tangible outcomes from the Gillingham Town Centre Taskforce, the introduction of the Chatham Ambassadors which has had superb feedback and we have had brilliant community events like Super Saturday in Chatham and Love Gillingham Big Day Out.

Dancers arriving from more than 60 countries for the International Dance Festival at Medway Park as well as thousands of local residents running the Medway Mile.

We have had a range of inspections & visits from Ofsted to Heritage Places Panel and more – one consistent message has been around a collaborative, positive approach in service delivery something I’m particularly proud of – a One Medway approach as I often call it.

From splash pads and tennis courts in the Strand to new Young People’s library in Luton, innovative use of external funding can make all the difference which our own council finances are limited.

We took time as a Medway community to reflect and remember both VE and VJ Day with many poignant moments.  The Medway Peace Poem was for me a particular highlight created by Medway residents so powerful.

Partnership working led to the creation of North Kent Downs and Woods National Nature Reserve and the re-opening of St John’s Church.  It was also a great partnership approach when we welcomed the Baton of Hope leading to many positive conversations around suicide prevention.

As we look ahead to next year we know there are some outstanding things on the horizon – more than 20 years on from our last local plan we will be submitting our Medway local plan for inspection, something which highlights the future plans for education, employment, greenspaces, housing, retail and much more. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the process and consultation.

We will also be opening the James Williams Healthy Living Centre, named after our much missed Director of Public Health – once again playing our part in tackling health inequality.

A new community working group will be formed looking at the sensitive issue of memorials for the bereaved.

Key strategies on both the River Medway and also our Pride in Place funding will come forward and we will continue to deliver those front-line services local residents value.

Finally can I take this opportunity to wish all Local Authority readers a Merry Medway Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cllr Vince Maple is the Leader of Medway Council and Labour councillor for Chatham Central and Brompton.