Democracy, now open on weekends
A voting experiment in Tunbridge Wells, a Sevenoaks by-election, more water failures and lots more
Latest
“The only way you do anything in life is by failing”
What we asked Ian Ballard, owner of Damaged Goods Records
Kent’s SEND reforms collide with the people expected to deliver them
Specialist teachers walk out as Kent’s right-wing councillor churn continues
KCC councillor jailed, triggering by-election
Cliftonville will head to the polls as Kent wrestles with budgets and infrastructure
"Without planning and development, you haven't got an economy"
What we asked Andrew Metcalf, Director of Maxim PR and Chair of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
Kent becomes a test site for Restore
A new hard-right brand takes seats at County Hall
Turner Contemporary funding becomes the next Reform fight
Plus a Sevenoaks by-election, more water disruption and fallout from the Canterbury Odeon fire
“I didn't really feel like a person anymore”
What we asked writer and presenter Helen Zaltzman of the podcasts The Allusionist and Answer Me This!
Kent’s budget vote was easy, but the numbers are not
Reform has passed its first budget at Kent County Council, with a 3.99% council tax rise and persistent questions over how long the council can rely on reserves to balance the books... Kent gets its first Reform budget as the reserves question hangs over it “Today, we are all
Reform's new DOLGE boss is extremely online
Reform’s flagship efficiency project at Kent County Council is back in the spotlight this week, following a cabinet appointment that raises fresh questions about credibility, competence and communication at County Hall. We look at why the replacement of the council’s efficiency lead matters, what it tells us about
“Nobody needs 14 councils”
What we asked Councillor Harry Rayner, leader of the Conservative Group on Kent County Council
Reform’s first KCC budget and the numbers it can’t escape
A balanced budget that relies on thinning reserves, undelivered savings and a steadily narrowing margin for error
News
Questions grow over Dreamland’s Scenic Railway closure
A heritage row in Margate, plus planning news, a disputed car park, water woes, and more
News
Kent faces £15 police council tax rise
Funding pressures meet neighbourhood policing promises, and a council meeting again derailed by far-right disruption
News
Kent’s “cuppa and a chat” got awkward
An awkward show of cooperation at County Hall, plus council meetings, protests, planning news and the latest news from across Kent
Interview
“Intent matters and reception matters”
What we asked Sunder Katwala, Director of independent think tank, British Future
News
What Kent’s budget means in practice
Council tax choices, pressure on services, a challenge to democratic norms, and a rail recovery that looks very different depending on where you live
Kent’s water crisis isn’t over yet
The taps are running again, but the arguments, investigations and political rows are only just getting started
News
A rescue sanctuary meets the planning system
Enforcement action, water failures and political defections put power and accountability under pressure across Kent
News
KCC balances the books. For one year.
A bridged budget at County Hall, storm damage across Kent, and another water crisis unfolds
Interview
“We're all about helping our neighbours”
What we asked Jennifer Sutton, Community Engagement Officer at Wave Community Bank
News
South East Water said outage was unforeseeable the day before it happened again
Water failures, delayed megaprojects and a contested library sale put accountability and long-term planning back in the spotlight across Kent
News
How Canterbury’s Victorian lampposts are being lost
Years of drift between councils have left replacement as the default option.
A county in transition
Local government reform, political instability and financial pressure are converging as the county heads into 2026.