Kent Trading Standards have received information indicating that tarmac gangs are targeting local churches and similar organisations. The usual approach of these gangs is to give a very reasonable quotation before work begins, and to increase the price as the work progresses. When the work is finished, the gang members may behave in an aggressive manner to ensure that payment is made. The quality of the workmanship can be very poor.
"You may be aware that today I led a debate in the House of Commons over the new Liberal Democrat strategy for bringing British troops home from Iraq by the end of October. You can read and watch more about what I said at http://tinyurl.com/26ykb8
The Liberal Democrats have today launched the 'We Can Cut Crime' campaign, unveiling five steps to a safer Shepway and Britain.
High winds are causing disruption across Kent today, with the Port of Dover and the Sheppey Crossing shut, and delays at the Dartford Crossing. Phase 1 of Operation Stack has also been implemented on the M20, closing the motorway from Junction 11-12.
Kent Police report that a nationwide campaign to combat drink driving Kent has seen arrest figures for drink driving, and deaths due to drink driving, fall during December 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.
The BBC report that the 12-year-old girl who disappeared from her school in Saltwood has been found "safe and well". Jasmine Thomson, from Etchinghill, failed to return home after leaving Brockhill Park School in Saltwood at 11.30 am on Tuesday.
The campaign to save the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone has been taken to Westminster. Local Lib Dems Peter Carroll. Tom McNeice and Darren Briddock joined a specially called lobby of Parliament on Tuesday 16th Jan at the House of Commons.
North Downs East Councillor David Callahan has resigned the Liberal Democrat group on Shepway District Council. Councillor Callahan has announced that he intends to sit as an independent councillor in future.
Shepway Liberal Democrats are travelling to Westminster on Tuesday 16th January to take part in a lobby of Parliament organised by the All Party Group for Local Hospitals. They will meet with the Lib Dem Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb MP and update him on the threat to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone.
Folkestone Town Councillors heard last night that the proposed sell-off of the main Victorian building at the Royal Victoria Hospital can almost certainly ONLY go ahead if the Derry Unit is moved - most likely out of Folkestone. East Kent Hospitals Trust Facilities Manager, Howard Jones, admitted to the Folkestone Town Council meeting that to keep the Derry Unit in Folkestone without the main building would be "very difficult" in the remaining hospital space.
Following months of pressure by the Liberal Democrat team, Folkestone Town Council last night voted for a zero rise in the tax they collect from Folkestone residents for the next financial year AND backed new spending to make Folkestone cleaner.
To learn that there was a proposal to sell-off the largest part of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone came as a real shock to local people just before Christmas - not least to the Lib Dems.