Latest Kent County Council Media Releases
Kent County Council has had to take some difficult decisions in order to balance its budget as it tackles the impact of Covid on its finances. The pandemic has resulted in extra costs this year totalling £96.3million. Although much of this has been offset by central government grants and underspends on activities that could not…
Public Health England has confirmed further coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kent, bringing the total to 8896 in Kent and 1176 in Medway (21 Sept 2020). This equates to a rate per 100,000 of population – 562.5 for Kent and 422.2 for Medway. The Public Health England figures are issued on a daily basis and are…
This morning (Friday) Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne officially opened the 20mph town-wide trial zones in Faversham and Tonbridge. In addition, two town centre 20mph schemes in Margate and Tunbridge Wells came into force. The changes around both towns include 20mph road markings and signs as well as signed…
Pupils returning to The Wyvern School in Ashford this term have their electricity supplied by the power of the sun. Kent County Council’s environment champion Susan Carey visited the school to flick the switch for 320 solar panels. Wyvern School is a special school for children with severe, profound, and complex needs that caters for…
The Kent Rail Strategy 2021, which aims to influence train services in the county for the next decade, goes out to consultation later this month. Kent County Council has set out certain requirements it considers are needed for rail infrastructure enhancements to keep pace with demand for rail services. This includes ensuring there is an…
As the local economy emerges from the Covid-19 lockdown, a Kent & Medway Employment Task Force has been launched bringing together senior figures from the public and private sectors to support local people without a job into work. Close links have already been forged with the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus, responsible…
This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept), people are being reminded of the help available in Kent including an easy to use mental health text service. As part of the Release the Pressure campaign, texts are free on all major mobile networks – by texting the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258, you will start…
Seven ‘Living Warriors’ from Kent have had their words about getting through life – after coming close to ending it all – made into inspirational high-quality short films. The films were created following funding from ‘The Saving Lives Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund’, launched last year to support local projects by the Kent and Medway Sustainability…
Plans for a new railway station at Cliffsend to unlock and boost economic growth in Thanet and Dover have been approved by Kent County Council’s planning committee. Known as Thanet Parkway, it is hoped the new station will help attract investment and regeneration by improving accessibility to East Kent. Approved at KCC’s planning committee on…
Self-employed people in Kent are being urged to check their eligibility for a Government grant worth up to £6,570. With a number of other Government grant schemes ending in August, KCC Cabinet Member for Economic Development Mike Whiting and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Jo James are urging self-employed people in Kent and…
Kent County Council is launching a scheme to help Kent residents save money and reduce their carbon emissions. Solar Together Kent will use the collective buying power of residents to help Kent householders get a reduced-price installation of solar panels. KCC Cabinet Member for Environment Susan Carey said: “The more people who express an interest…
Public sector bodies can now take advantage of electricity direct from a renewable energy generator. LASER, a division of Kent County Council’s Commercial Services, has created a system that allows public sector organisations to directly support and benefit from new wind and solar electricity generation, helping them work towards net-zero carbon targets. Organisations could include…