Last night was the 2020 Medway Council budget meeting, which was just as exciting as you might expect. If you couldn’t bare to drag yourself away from a new episode of Riverdale to come along, we’ve got your back with the full highlights below:
We're here at #MedwayCouncil where the 2020 budget meeting is about to get underway. Expect some exciting posturing, some random financial giveaways and lots of moaning. Strap in.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Seemingly @naushabah_khan has a #MedwayCouncil Budget themed Birthday party tonight. #DifferentStrokes
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
As usual, we're starting this budget meeting with a prayer. As you'd expect at any public meeting in a secular society. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Apologies from Cllr Purdy (Con), Cllr @markprenter (Lab). All over 53 councillors are here. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Disclosure of interests now, and a new one from Cllr Hackwell. Apparently his wife works for #MedwayCouncil, so as a councillor he will not take part in the budget discussion and vote.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
He's got two cans of full sugar Coke with him again, so it's possible he'll be on such a high that he'll go for it. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
He’s being ‘conservative’ with his time. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/O97X9TlmrO
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Shout out to Cllr Etheridge who continues his run of being the top deliverer of snacks after he dropped some sweets off at the press desk. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The @cllrtrisosborne whirlwind of issues has begun… #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cheer from the Unison crowd for @cllrtrisosborne #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Thanks for clarifying #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/qFmoRcMO3I
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The Unison crowd not as supportive of Cllr Gulvin’s argument that investing in property enables them to pay staff… shout of ‘dinosaur’ #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Audit is required to be unbiased.
— Stuart Tranter (@CllrStuartT) February 20, 2020
We've reached the main event.. The Capital and Revenue Budget 2020/21! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
First member of the @MedwayLabour to bring us a doughnut will receive no negative commentary from us for the next six months. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/y3IUMFD9zu
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett now setting out the budget for the coming year. Talks about a 'significant investment' of over £6m in children's services following the recent Ofsted report issues. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett setting out that he believes his group did well in 2019 elections because they "told the truth" to laughter from the gallery. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett setting out the council tax increase for the year, which this year is set at the highest maximum without a referendum – 3.994%, excluding any increases for police, fire, and the parishes. Insists Medway still has one of lowest rates. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
I wish they'd stop wearing this 'lowest council tax' as a badge of honour. People want properly funded services and in general are quite happy to pay for them.
— Lauren Heritage (@Lauren_Heritage) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett sets out how the budget includes a 1% increase in staff pay. Boos from the staff members in the audience and cries of "shame". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett says government will now fund the new SEN school in Gillingham, and the DfE will be bringing forward two new free schools – one in Rainham and one in Strood. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett now setting out regeneration schemes, and that #MedwayCouncil will now move forward on purchasing Mountbatten House. Also says closure of Debenhams offers an "opportunity". Rightio.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett pulls his first rabbit – #MedwayCouncil have apparently come to terms with a new contractor to allow the Castle Concerts to go ahead.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Jarrett pulls another rabbit – says #MedwayCouncil staff will get a 2% increase in pay, above the 1% cited in the budget. Because that's how you do these things.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The big environmental news of the night – #MedwayCouncil will replace all of its streetlighting stock with LEDs. Fun times.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Ooh, the last minute added extras list is being distributed! Try to contain yourselves! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Here’s the £1.3m of extra spending that’s been thrown in at the last minute. One day these budgets will be properly set in advance but today will not be that day. #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/qgeO2mSfM0
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
We’ve only had a century-and-a-half to plan for #Dickens150. Which is why @MedwayTories waited two months into 2020 – and less than four months from the actual anniversary of Charles Dickens’ death – before chucking cash half-heartedly at what could have been a showpiece event. pic.twitter.com/7l14mOObn8
— Cllr Alex Paterson (@ajpaterson) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple now giving his response. We were handed a copy of the speech in advance – it's 33 pages long. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple says it's "shameful" that #MedwayCouncil staff have to access foodbanks to get by, and highlights how the 1% pay increase is tied to a "potentially discriminatory" system.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple is bringing up the estuary airport proposals from the first, and is worried that it might make a return again. Would make things more interesting. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Guys, we've figured out how to make GIFs.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
This. Changes. Everything.#MedwayCouncil https://t.co/IKKr9CsBkM
Cllr @vincemaple running through all of the terrible things the Prime Minister has said and done. Crucial #MedwayCouncil budget discussion right there.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
CONFIRMED. Cllr @vincemaple is indeed drinking Vimto. Big scoop. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple now highlighting that income estimates from the Pentagon purchase has now been slashed, and that his group warned against moving forward without further financial advice last year, but was ignored. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
This is too much power. #VinceGIF #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/6dBanp7lIt
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple says £11.5m has been spent by #MedwayCouncil on the Medway Tunnel, money that could have been spot on potholes, new cycling routes, or "literally anything". Like unlimited Vimto for all, Vince? We know your game.
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple again states that if #MedwayCouncil loses control of children's services this year, then Cllr Jarrett and Cllr J Iles would find their positions "untenable".
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @vincemaple confirms – shock! – that @MedwayLabour will be voting against the budget as "this council has the wrong priorities". #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Curry, a @MedwayLabour councillor, is criticising #MedwayCouncil for trying to build COUNCIL HOUSING in Twydall. Such a truly bizarre stance. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
I cant believe Cllr Chitty just used the word ‘shenanigans’ to talk about local politics! #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/P26LvfNpYJ
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Quite a ding dong between Cllr Chitty and @CllrAndyStamp over the closure and potential redevelopment of Chatham Docks. Cllr Chitty cites dishonesty, Cllr Stamp accuses her of lying. No one backs down. Fun times. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The biggest problem with our newfound GIF making skills is that #MedwayCouncil meetings are pretty sedentary affairs. pic.twitter.com/dX3gcGtvbL
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @MartinMPotter says that "no one other than the leader" has mentioned the Housing Infrastructure Bid, less than five minutes after @CllrAndyStamp mentioned the Housing Infrastructure Bid. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
"All I'm hearing this evening is moaning from a bunch of people that have achieved nothing", says @CllrStuartT about the @MedwayLabour group. Gets a big pantomime "ooooooh" from the room. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Quite a ding dong between Cllr Chitty and @CllrAndyStamp over the closure and potential redevelopment of Chatham Docks. Cllr Chitty cites dishonesty, Cllr Stamp accuses her of lying. No one backs down. Fun times. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The situation with Medway’s housing need has changed.
— Andy Stamp (@CllrAndyStamp) February 20, 2020
Our housing target has been reduced and funding for infrastructure on Peninsular increased, meaning we can deliver more homes there.
Now gives us flexibility to protect 800 jobs at Chatham Docks, housing not necessary there. https://t.co/ZNPMjVr9Y1
Cllr Filmer now questioning where the £11.5m figure for money spent on the Medway Tunnel has come from. Cllr @vincemaple says he'll be happy to provide his figures. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
The current figure on spending is £11.5m. It was up from £9.6m in 2017/18. The DFT grant finished in 2013/14. @MedwayPolitics pic.twitter.com/9n8Cq8qAOd
— Tris Osborne (@cllrtrisosborne) February 20, 2020
Cllr @naushabah_khan has delivered the birthday doughnuts! #MedwayCouncil pic.twitter.com/WB7C5Mbslw
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Kemp says he can "listen to Cllr @vincemaple all night". Well, whatever floats your boat. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
If it's against their principles, why do they keep the benefits? Hypocrisy is "the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case." https://t.co/LK6crrt7zm@MedwayLabour don't have the guts to do the right but criticise @MedwayTories who do.
— Gloria Opara (@gloriaopara) February 21, 2020
Because it's absurd – even if they disagreed with the increase – to expect some councillors to do the same job at a different rate to others. This is not complicated stuff. #MedwayCouncil https://t.co/0WoP7DSgnD
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Doe describes Cllr @vincemaple as "an apostle of misery". That's a new one. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr Doe sounds like he needs a hug. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Mayor @HabibTejan tries to move onto the next item without a vote on the thing we've just debated for two hours. Now holding a recorded vote. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
In a huge shock, the budget passes with @MedwayTories, Cllr @SteveIles (Ind) voting for, @MedwayLabour, Cllrs Pendergast/Sands (Ind) oppose. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
We're onto the final item – the Pay Policy Statement. This won't take long. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Cllr @naushabah_khan highlights that the Gender Pay Gap has increased year on year in Medway – the only council in Kent where that has happened. #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020
Pay Policy Statement is agreed, and we're done. By 9.30pm! Will wonders never cease! #MedwayCouncil
— The Political Medway (@MedwayPolitics) February 20, 2020