It's been over a year in the making so far but we are about to clear a hurdle in the plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This was hatched a few weeks after the general election (it wasn't in Labour's manifesto) and next week Kent Council's need to submit our proposals for how councils will be structured across Kent from 2028.

I never thought that a simple letter that took just minutes to write would put Maidstone on the international map! I wrote the letter below to the Home Secretary calling for a pardon for the women murdered as a result of the Witchcraft Act and it has made national and international news. I've been on Politics Live, ITN, BBC Politics SE, and CNN (see below).

One of the nice things we get to do as councillors is meet the team that do the amazing work keeping our roads clean. On Friday a group of us visited the 'depot' to chat to staff. I particularly like the latest campaign an work to stop and prosecute fly tippers "Don't mess with Maidstone". We are using hi-tech surveillance to catch these criminals and we prosecute where we can.

What a bust cabinet meeting last night! Cllr Claire Kehily's motion to honour the murdered 17th century witches received full support (the trial was bigger than the one in Pendle). I will also be writing to the Home Secretary calling for a posthumous exoneration of these women. We agreed (just about as Tony Harwood, Clive English and Stephen Thompson were not happy about the wording) our plans for £500k investment in nature recovery.

Kent council condemned by opposition parties, which say county is ‘at the forefront of climate impacts’

Letter to the Reform Leader of KCC from me. Our Borough is inclusive and welcoming to all who don't spread hate. I am proud to be English and British and I have no problem with our flags UNLESS they are being used to intimidate people. After receiving many emails from concerned residents who feel intimidated by the actions of a few individuals using our flag in this way I have written to Linden Kemkaran asking them to be removed. I have also made sure that she is aware that some of her councillors are quite happy to be photographed with far right protestors.

Draw the line. Join the Green Party today ⤵️ https://t.co/LKD0p4rdeh

Green Party members can vote in our internal elections here.

There were two demonstrations in Maidstone today. One organised by the far right ‘Stop the Boats’ which had five KCC Reform councillors in its midst including Maidstone Central’s Oliver Bradshaw. The other, a counter demo, was a ‘Stand up to Racism’ event had six councillors from the Greens and LibDems included Maidstone Central’s other county councillor, Stuart Jeffery (Green) who spoke at it.

Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap say group will support those subject to ‘aggressive, vexatious campaigns’ by pro-Israel advocates