Decision made on the new local government structure for Kent and Medway
The Government has today, 16 July 2026, announced its decision on the new structure for local government in Kent and Medway.
-
![Richard Hicks [left] and Vince Maple [right]](//www.medway.gov.uk/images/Richard_and_Vince__660_.jpg)
Medway Matters Live comes to Strood
Medway Matters Live returns, once again allowing residents to hear about the vision and plans for Medway and to put their questions and views to the Leader and Chief Executive of Medway Council.
-
Tribute to Councillor Rodney Chambers OBE JP
Medway Council is deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of former councillor and Leader Rodney Chambers OBE JP.
-
Veterans' Wellbeing Fair taking place this World Mental Health Day
Medway Council will host Medway's first Veterans' Wellbeing Fair this autumn.
-
Improving access to affordable and healthy food
A new community supermarket – offering access to affordable, healthy and nutritious food – is set to open in Chatham this October.
-
Stay cool this summer
With warmer temperatures forecast a Heat-Health Alert has been issued for the South East, including Medway.
-
Refreshed plan outlining financial and wellbeing support in Medway agreed
Residents in Medway who continue to face financial pressures are being reminded of the wide range of support on offer.
-
Cuxton, Halling and Riverside ward by-election result
A by election was held in the Cuxton, Halling and Riverside ward on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
-
Summer fun in Medway
The school summer holidays are almost here, and there is plenty to do and see right here in Medway.
-
Medway Leader Cllr Vince Maple elected Chair of Key Cities network
Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, has been elected as the new Chair of Key Cities, the national, cross-party network representing cities and urban centres across the UK.
-
Advancing higher education in Medway
A new vision to drive growth and strengthen Medway’s higher education collaboration has the backing of key organisations.
-
Medway joins Local Councils Network
Medway Council has become a member of the Local Councils Network (LCN).
-
Medway Local Plan 2041: Consultation on specific supporting evidence-base documents
Following feedback from the appointed Planning Inspectors, who are examining Medway’s Local Plan, we are set to start further consultation on some of the supporting Local Plan documents.
-
National initiative to target crime and antisocial behaviour in Chatham
A multi-agency initiative to rejuvenate Chatham has been launched with a proactive operation in the town centre.
-
Statement from the Leader of Medway Council on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code of practice
The Leader of Medway Council has issued a statement following the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code of practice.
-
Improvement works at Gun Wharf
From Monday, 18 May 2026, the reception desk at our Gun Wharf office (Dock Road, Chatham) will be closed to the general public whilst improvement works take place.
-
New Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Medway announced
Last night (Wednesday, 13 May) Cllr Douglas Hamandishe was elected as the new Mayor of Medway at Medway Council’s annual meeting.
-
Tributes paid following death of Cllr Phil Filmer
Medway Council is deeply saddened to share news that long-standing Medway councillor, Cllr Phil Filmer, has passed away.
-
Save the date for Medway’s Armed Forces Day celebrations
Medway will come together on Saturday, 27 June to celebrate Armed Forces Day at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
-
Medway Youth Council holds its Annual Young People’s Conference: DigiCon
Young people across Medway’s schools joined forces with community organisations and key decision makers at the Medway Youth Council young people’s conference.
-
Medway launches AI powered website search tool
We have launched a new AI powered search bar on our website to help residents find the information they need faster.
-
Hoo St Werburgh & Chattenden Parish Council election result
Graham Brian Grice has been elected as Parish Councillor for the Hoo Ward of Hoo St Werburgh & Chattenden Parish Council.
-
New £4.5million fund to support residents set to be discussed by Cabinet
Medway Council's Cabinet will meet next Tuesday (10 March) to discuss the new Crisis and Resilience Fund.
-
Medway Council sets out its budget for the coming financial year - 2026/27
Following approval at Full Council last night (Wednesday, 25 February) Medway Council has set out how funding will be used to support its services and residents over the year ahead.
-
Medway retains gold award for Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
We have received continued recognition for our commitment to support the Armed Forces community.
-
Have your say on the way councils in Kent and Medway are organised
The Government has today (Thursday, 5 February) launched a consultation on the future number of councils in Kent and Medway and the areas they should cover.
-
A Christmas message from Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council
As we move towards Christmas, it is a great opportunity to both reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to the year ahead.
-
Medway’s Local Plan submitted to Secretary of State
The blueprint for how Medway will grow over the next 15 years has been formally submitted to the government.
-
Kent’s council leaders issue devolution desert warning
All 14 of Kent and Medway’s council leaders have put their political differences to one side to urge the government to deliver devolution for the county and avoid it becoming a ‘devolution desert’.
-
Medway Council submits final proposal for local government for Kent and Medway
Medway Council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation for Kent and Medway has been submitted to the government today (Friday, 28 November).
-
Statement on removal of illegally erected flags in Medway
Medway Council has completed work to remove flags illegally erected across Medway.
-
Councils reveal draft business cases for new councils
Councils from across Kent and Medway have today (Wednesday, 5 November) published a series of draft business cases.
-
Statement on the former Debenhams building in Chatham
The council has made the following statement following a small fire at the former Debenhams building in Chatham on Wednesday, 17 September.
-
Medway Council Cabinet to consider commissioning full business case for its Local Government Reorganisation proposal
Medway Council will look to explore commissioning a business plan for its proposal to create four unitary authorities across Kent and Medway as part of Local Government Reorganisation.
-
Council reorganisation takes the next step
Kent and Medway’s councils have asked their advisors KPMG to look in more detail at two options for unitary councils and the areas they should cover, it was announced today (Friday 5 September).
-
Stay cool this summer
With warmer temperatures forecast, a yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued for the South East, including Medway.
-
Medway Matters Live is coming to Gillingham
Medway Matters Live returns this October offering residents the chance to find out the latest news and put their questions directly to the council’s leaders.
-
VJ Day 80 commemorations
Friday, 15 August marks the 80th anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day – the end of the Second World War.
-
Residents reminded to have their say on Medway’s draft Local Plan
There is just over one week left to review Medway's final draft of its Local Plan and comment on its legal compliance and soundness, against national planning policy.
-
Renewed plan agreed to continue to support residents through the cost of living crisis
Residents in Medway who are facing ongoing financial challenges are being reminded of the support and help on offer.
-
Fun-filled Love Gillingham weekend returns
Residents are invited to come together for and celebrate the best of Gillingham with at the Love Gillingham weekend.
-
You will not be able to make some payments on Tuesday 8 July 2025
We're upgrading our income management system on Tuesday 8 July. This means payments cannot be taken in any library or community hub on this day and some payments will be unavailable online.
-
Continuing to support Medway’s Armed Forces community
We are proud to continue to support the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Credit Their Service campaign.
-
Medway Council supports Fair Tax Week 2025
We are proud to support Fair Tax Week 2025, which runs from Sunday, 8 June to Sunday, 15 June.
-
Statement: Local Government Reorganisation
Kent and Medway councils have received feedback from Government on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals.
-
Medway’s journey to becoming a Marmot Place
Medway has enlisted a world-renowned health specialist as part of our continuing multi-agency efforts to address inequalities and improve health outcomes for all our residents.
-
Statement following recent ruling by the Supreme Court
The Leader of Medway Council has issued a statement following the recent biological gender ruling by the Supreme Court.
-
Some online services will not be available from 6pm Friday 25 April 2025
We're upgrading back-office systems from 6pm on Friday 25 April to 8am on Saturday 26 April 2025. This will affect some online services.
-
Councils outline interim proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Kent and Medway
As set out in the Government’s English Devolution White Paper, all 14 council Leaders in Kent have submitted their interim proposals to replace the current two-tier system with new unitary councils.
-
Medway Council approves budget for 2025/2026
Following a meeting of Full Council on Thursday, 27 February 2025, Medway Council has approved its annual budget for 2025/26.
-
Medway Matters Live heads to Hoo
Residents are invited to join the council’s leaders at a free event where they can find out the latest council news and directly ask their questions.
-
Devolution Priority Programme: Government decision and Cllr Vince Maple statement
Today (Wednesday, 5 February) the Government has confirmed that the Kent and Medway region has not been selected for the Devolution Priority Programme.
-
Have your say on the future of Rainham town centre
We are looking to hear from anyone with an interest in Rainham to get their views and feedback on the future of the town centre.
-
Medway’s Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration
Medway’s communities will come together once again to remember and honour the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
-
Devolution Priority Programme: Joint letter sent to government
The leaders of Medway Council and Kent County Council have written to the government to express an interest in joining the devolution Priority Programme.
-
A Christmas update from Medway Council Leader, Vince Maple
This time of year is a great opportunity to look back over the past 12 months.
-
Statement on devolution
In a joint statement the Leaders of Kent County Council, Medway Council, and the District and Borough Councils of Kent said:
-
Pensioners in Medway to receive additional support this winter
Some of Medway’s most vulnerable residents will receive additional financial support this winter to help with their energy bills.
-
Council recognised for supporting residents’ financial wellbeing
Medway Council has received the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Guiders of the Year Award for its work supporting residents and promoting financial wellbeing.
-
Medway Council picks up Money and Pensions Service Award
We are pleased to announce we have won the Money Guiders Partner of the Year Award at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Guiders Awards.
-
Residents warned about potential welfare support scam
Residents are being warned of recent reports of scam text messages relating to welfare support.
-
Speeding ticket scam text alert for residents
Residents are being warned about a speeding ticket text message scam.
-
A statement from Cllr Vince Maple on devolution Expression of Interest
Following an invitation from the Deputy Prime Minister, Medway Council has submitted an Expression of Interest to the government in the opportunities offered by devolution.
-
Scam text alert for residents
Residents are being warned about a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) text message scam.
-
New British Sign Language service set to launch
Residents will soon be able to use a new British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting service when talking to council officers.
-
Former employee must pay back more than £8,000 after council investigation
A former council employee, who continued to work for other authorities while claiming sick pay, must pay back more than £8,000 following a Medway Council investigation.
-
Scam call alert for residents
Residents are being warned about potential scam calls from a false Medway Council phone number.
-
Statement on stabbing in Gillingham last night
Medway Council leader, Cllr Vince Maple, has issued a statement following the serious assault in Gillingham last night (Tue, 23 July).
-
Changes to Medway's Cabinet
Medway Council has today announced the appointment of three new members to the council’s Cabinet to replace Cabinet members elected as Members of Parliament at last week’s General Election.
![Richard Hicks [left] and Vince Maple [right]](http://www.medway.gov.uk/images/Richard_and_Vince__660_.jpg)
