Last week was the first full Medway Council of the year, and it managed to be both horrifically dull and somewhat enlightening in equal measure.. If you didn’t fancy giving up four hours of your life on a Thursday to pop along, we’ve got all of the highlights below:
Shit on your desk. He put a shit. On your desk.
— Harinder Singh (@Harinder__Singh) January 24, 2020
We’re sitting here at the press desk with our #FullCouncilBingo cards. Come and get one if you want one! #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/VISMb3U9bL
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @SteveIles confirms one square can be ticked off, but which one? pic.twitter.com/j88v4nnuCj
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
The agenda is already stupidly long, and full #MedwayCouncil is starting five minutes late. Bodes well.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Of course, it's a public meeting in 2020, so we're starting #MedwayCouncil with a prayer.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Apologies from Cllrs Fearn, Ahmed (Con) and Cllr @CllrDanMcD (Lab). This means we have 52 of 55 councillors in attendance. Potentially a record! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We've no time for such facts, guys.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're moving straight onto the nominations for Deputy Mayor. Cllr Kemp (Con) is nominating Cllr Aldous (surprisingly also Con). #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
As a novelty, @MedwayLabour are also nominating a candidate. Cllr @HowcroftJoanne nominates Cllr @sijuwadeade, recommending her because she's a Christian and won't be "RIP – retired in post". Rightio. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Thank you Cllr Pendergast (Independent) and Cllr @ronniesands (Independent) for your support
— Cllr Siju Adeoye (@sijuwadeade) January 23, 2020
Mystery! Two from @MedwayTories group didn't vote for Cllr Aldous. Who was it? #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/uP9me34ypV
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Mayor @HabibTejan, Cllr Jarrett, and Cllr @vincemaple now leading tributes to former councillor Peter Hicks, who recently passed away. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Petitions submitted by Cllr @sijuwadeade on road safety on Palmerston Road, Cllr @markprenter on protecting a park. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Public questions time. As usual, Cllr @vincemaple is asking for time to be extended beyond the fixed 30 mins. Mayor @HabibTejan puts it to a vote. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Opposition parties vote to extend time for public questions, @MedwayTories vote en masse to block additional time. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/PAHvMexqNz
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
First of several public questions on the risk of closure of Chatham Docks. Cllr Chitty managing to use quite a lot of words to say not very much in response. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Apparently the fabled Local Plan will actually be released this summer! Exciting! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Independent conservative Cllr @SteveIles has started the 1st of 2 full sugar cokes. Expect him to be off his tits by the end of the night. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Next question is this from @seatedwarrior. Cllr Doe responds that the group has already identified a "number of positive actions", and a group of officers meet monthly. Says progress can't be judged by how often meetings occur. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/jEnHXvAIQp
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Next question is on behalf of Extinction Rebellion, asking how developments will be influenced by which parts of Medway will be underwater in the future. Cllr Jarrett responds that flood risk is assessed for any new development. Jolly good. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/ejr4BIDID0
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @TurpinRupert responds that these savings won't result in any cuts to services as it's all based on efficiency savings. Hooray! #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/2m9iLryp0o
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Funnily enough, because so few public questioners turned up, we actually made it through all of them. Clearly @MedwayTories voted to not extend the time because they saw the future and knew it wouldn't be necessary! That's leadership right there. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Jarrett is now giving his Leader's Report, setting out plans on regeneration, response to the poor Ofsted reviews, and festivals. Fun mix. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr J Iles now responding on current Ofsted position, talking of hiring more social workers, restructuring, and other changes on the "improvement journey". Improvement journey. Improvement. Journey. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
It's time for the @cllrtrisosborne whirlwind! What will he cover in his three minutes? Here we go: Crime! New houses! Infrastructure! Potholes! Cuts to frontline services! Flytipping! Graffiti! GP services! A&E! Medway Tunnel! Roads! Ofsted! MCG! Phew! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
"We don't run the NHS, and if we did, it wouldn't be in quite the mess it is now." Cllr Doe making a bold bid for #MedwayCouncil to take control of the NHS there.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
First bit of #EverydaySexism of the evening as Cllr Jarrett refers to Cllr Cooper as "Cllr Mrs Cooper". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Jarrett immediately follows up by calling Cllr Murray "Cllr Mrs Murray" who instantly corrects him. Excellent work. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're now debating overview and scrutiny activity. Always a highlight. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @ClivJoh calls out Tory backbenchers for not holding their own administration to account. Surely not. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Too bored to tweet anything snarky #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Wildey is so boring even he lost track of what he was commenting on. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Now Cllr Buckwell is at it, calling Cllr Chitty "Cllr Mrs Chitty". Why do they do this?! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're on to councillor questions, starting with this from Cllr @SteveIles (Ind). No revenue is kept by #MedwayCouncil, all goes to central government apparently. pic.twitter.com/LewwinOD11
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Took significantly less time to ask than it took Cllr Doe not to answer. From his bullish reply, stand by for a sweetheart deal which hands over #CastleConcerts “franchise” and makes no money back for taxpayers. And not even a word in answer to part about showcasing local talent.
— Cllr Alex Paterson (@ajpaterson) January 23, 2020
Cllr Doe now talking a lot of shit about how Castle Concerts aren't sustainable because artists now demand more money as the economics have changed. Any actual promoter will advise that's nonsense, but okay. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Doe highlighting that Council Concerts were not there to make money. But justified to go ahead. Sure Start centres however needed to be closed. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Doe helpfully points out that he is "not a chemist". Sure. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/mnVONdm4oT
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @ClivJoh asks if Cllr Jarrett will resign if children's services can't be turned around. Cllr Jarrett says it's a hypothetical and he "doesn't anticipate failure". Well that clears things up. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/OdX7S7XKUE
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Two councillor questions left on the paper, and Mayor @HabibTejan says there is time for one more. Cllr Murray objects and asks for time for one final question. Mayor simply says "no". He's not for turning. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're now discussing the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which isn't being changed from last year. Try to contain yourselves. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple says @MedwayLabour will be voting against the plan. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Public gallery is down to just 9 people. How many will last until the end? #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/vLsTPBQHht
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple taking a bold stance on housing developments on the peninsula – "we will work with the peninsula, not do to the peninsula". Sure the people of the peninsula will be delighted. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Harsh scenes as Cllr @HowcroftJoanne offers her snacks to Cllrs Pendergast and @ronniesands, but doesn't go as far as Cllr @SteveIles. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're onto the next item – following up a review into the ethical standards for local government. Cllr @TurpinRupert says many things are already in the right place, but now adding improved definition of harassment and bullying, as well as other additions. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/QG1pLQxYom
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're now discussing the schedule of meetings for 2020/2021. "It's basically exactly the same as the schedule for this year", says Cllr Kemp. Inspiring stuff. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
We're on to the first of five motions for the evening. Cllr @TurpinRupert introducing this on #MedwayCouncil adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Hopefully won't be contentious. pic.twitter.com/3L3DB75dhe
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple seconding the motion on antisemitism, speaking about the rise of it and the recent attack on a memorial in Chatham, and other local incidents. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
#MedwayCouncil unanimously accepts the motion, thus accepting the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Doe now introducing this motion on single use plastics. Cllr @CllrStuartT supports. pic.twitter.com/pFzIDK09LE
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Motion on single use plastics unanimously agreed. We're racing through now. Just three motions left now! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Next motion is this on name-blind recruitment from Cllr @Harinder__Singh. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/mUbd6ijyed
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @Harinder__Singh says name-blind recruitment is "so uncontroversial it's actually been Conservative Party policy since 2006". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says the Tories won't be supporting the motion. He says motion suggests those on recruitment panels discriminate. Cllr @Harinder__Singh responds motion is about unconscious bias. Cllr Jarrett says "we don't need to fix something that isn't broken". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
"This is political correctness going beyond the pale", says Cllr Jarrett. Reiterates that he feels quite insulted. Quite a position to take. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Doe now saying this kind of discrimination "simply doesn't exist". Wonders how far this'll go and how little information #MedwayCouncil would have to select candidates. Just because the name wouldn't be visible, apparently.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @gloriaopara says #MedwayCouncil doesn't need name-blind recruitment, but there needs to be a change of culture. Offers a somewhat baffling argument against the concept proposed.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Awful awful night.
— Harinder Singh (@Harinder__Singh) January 24, 2020
Excellent to hear the Cllr Brake has never experienced discrimination and therefore no change to the hiring process needed at #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Sometimes I wonder if the are deliberately obtuse or actually believe this stuff
— Naushabah Khan (@naushabah_khan) January 23, 2020
Cllr @naushabah_khan reiterates that the issue here is about unconscious bias. Not sure that'll make much difference when faced with this level of bullshit, but here we are. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @Harinder__Singh is aghast that this is a controversial issue, accuses Tories of wilfully misrepresenting the issue. He's not wrong. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr @Harinder__Singh argues that his motion would have passed if it had been name-blind, and they are only voting against because it has a Labour name on it. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
The motion is lost. @MedwayTories vote against, @MedwayLabour, Cllrs Pendergast/Sands vote for, Cllr @SteveIles abstains. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Now onto this motion from @CllrAndyStamp. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/XUQ8lCyK3O
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
"On the 12th of December, there was a thing called a General Election", says Cllr D Chambers. Can we get a fact check please? #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Happy to stand corrected. I used the term Mrs Chambers to differentiate from Mr Chambers, as they are both Councillors, but I accept I must do better!
— Andy Stamp (@CllrAndyStamp) January 23, 2020
Cllr D Chambers says Cllrs @vincemaple, Murray, @CllrAndyStamp never stuck up for Chatham Docks during General Election. Here's a picture of them and press release from 14 November. So much nonsense like this in these meetings. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/yjs9JacchM
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Chatham Docks motion is lost. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Final motion is this from Cllr Browne on fireworks. Exciting stuff. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/w2f780t1n7
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says Tories will support the motion! Shock twist! It unanimously passes and we're all done! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) January 23, 2020