Medway council news
Medway council news, newest first: decisions, budgets, council tax, bins and services, each linked to the council's own papers.
Top story
Medway Men's Health: First Council to Sign Movember Charter
Men in Medway live 3.9 years less than women, and 10.4 years less in the poorest areas. The council has signed Movember's charter: here is what it promises.
More stories
Council
Medway Merger Decision Withdrawn: 2029 at the Earliest
Ministers withdrew the North Kent council decision on 29 October. Medway Council stays for now, May 2027 polls go ahead and any merger waits to April 2029.
Council
Kent and Medway Devolution Deal in Final Stages, Budget Says
Kent and Medway will get a strategic authority, mayoral only if reorganisation allows, the Budget says, with £8.78m of growth money pencilled in for 2027-28.
Council
Medway Charity Grants: Up to £15,000 Each, Apply by 22 November
Medway charities and community groups can bid for up to £15,000 from a new £500,000 council fund. Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 22 November.
Rochester
364 High Street Rochester: Council Moves to Buy Empty Shop
Cabinet decides on 20 October whether to compulsorily buy the former Mak's Curry Nest at 364 High Street, empty since 2012. A buyer must cover all costs first.
Council
Medway Council Votes to Complain to IOPC Over MCG Fraud Inquiry
Councillors voted on 15 October to complain to the IOPC about Kent Police's seven-year MCG fraud inquiry, and want a force other than Kent to look at it.
Council
Medway Council Accepts Auditor's Section 24 Finance Warning
Full council noted Grant Thornton's two section 24 recommendations on 15 October and approved the management response to a £26.7m forecast overspend.
Council
Wigmore Traveller Site: Council Approves £2.7m for 8 Pitches
Full council added £2.684m to its capital programme on 15 October to build 8 pitches at the former Wigmore park and ride. A planning application is next.
Medway
Medway Weight Loss: Free Gro App and Coach for 12 Months
Medway adults living with obesity can now get 12 months of free access to the Gro Health app, with a coach. How to check you qualify, and the free alternatives.
Council
Medway Council Faces £65.9m Budget Gap for 2027/28
Medway Council projects a £65.9m shortfall for 2027/28 and £359.3m over four years, led by adult social care. It says it will need more emergency government support.
Gillingham
Japanese Ambassador in Gillingham on Will Adams Anniversary
Japan's ambassador came to Gillingham on 24 September, 462 years to the day since Will Adams was baptised there. He laid wreaths at the A2 clock tower.
Rochester
Clive Road Rochester Children's Home Refused, 27 Objected
Medway Council has refused a three-child children's home at 9 Clive Road, Rochester. The 112 sqm terrace is 8 sqm under the size test and staff traffic would harm a cul-de-sac with no turning space. An appeal is open for six months.
Medway
Medway Children Feel Safer and Happier: 2025 Survey Results
85% of Medway children now say they are happy with their lives, up from 64% in 2021, and 77% feel safe where they live. What 5,000 responses to the council's survey found, and what still bothers them.
Medway
Medway Stray Dogs: £82 to Claim Yours, 13th RSPCA Award
Medway kept platinum RSPCA awards for a 13th year. Claiming a seized stray costs £82 plus £35 a day in kennels, and unclaimed dogs go to rescue after 7 days.
Planning
Medway Planning Committee Shrinks and Loses Call-In
Medway's Planning Committee drops to 13 councillors on 31 October, call-in ends and objection counts stop counting. Two people will decide what is heard.
Council
Medway Matters Live Strood: The 1 October Q&A and What Came Before
Medway Matters Live took place in Strood on 1 October with Vince Maple and Richard Hicks. The council says a recording follows; past events are on its site.
Council
Medway Council Abolition Paused: May 2027 Vote Goes Ahead
Kent is one of 14 areas where reorganisation is paused. Next May's election is back to Medway Council's 59 seats, and 1 April 2028 is no longer fixed.
Council
North Kent Council Paused: Medway Was 55% of It, 81 Seats
Paused on 7 September 2026. The plan: Medway abolished on 1 April 2028 for a three-borough council on 81 seats, against Medway's 59 today.
Council
Rodney Chambers OBE: Medway's Longest-Serving Leader Dies
Medway Council's leader from 2000 to 2015 has died. He sat on four councils across five decades, and took an OBE in 2011 for services to local government.
Transport
Medway Tunnel: £10.5m Bid to Replace Its 1996 Systems
Medway Council wants £9.25m to renew the tunnel's 1996 electrics, ventilation and life-safety systems, adding £1m itself. Decision due this autumn.
Council
Medway Youth Justice Service rated requires improvement
Inspectors scored Medway's Youth Justice Service 6 out of 12: assessing and victim work require improvement, planning and delivery are good.
Recycling
Medway Tip Opening Times: 8am to 4.15pm, Book First
Every visit to Capstone, Cuxton or Hoath Way tip must be booked: how to book, opening times, proof of address, van rules and what Hoath Way turns away.
Bins
Medway Christmas Bin Collections 2026: What to Expect
Medway Council has not published its Christmas 2026 bin dates. Last year every round after Christmas Day ran a day late until 10 January. What to expect.