In his latest message to residents Cllr Alan Jarrett discusses Medway Light Nights, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Innovation Park Medway and voter ID.
Dear residents,
I hope you have all had a pleasant start to 2023.
Tonight (Friday, 10 February) sees the return of Medway Light Nights and the baton has been handed to Chatham this year. The free two-day light extravaganza will launch with more than 600 schoolchildren from across Medway parading along the High Street with artwork they have created showcasing what they love about Chatham. There will be 19 spectacular displays which will entertain crowds of all ages - we hope to see you there.
This week is also Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and we have been supporting this important campaign. There is specialist support available for children and young people in Medway who may need help with their mental wellbeing. Medway has a range of in person and online support for residents, including Kooth and Release the Pressure. We understand how important conversations with children and young people about their mental health are and I would encourage them to access support, if needed. We are committed to ensuring all young people in Medway have the best start in life and supporting Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is part of Medway’s work to become even more child-friendly.
There is lots happening and coming up in Medway.
Earlier this week we announced that we will be transforming Lordswood Library into a brilliant new community hub, with a new dedicated children’s library, which will provide residents will more services. The library in Kestrel Road will close from Monday, 20 February and the new hub is due to open this summer.
I recently visited Innovation Park Medway’s (IPM) southern site. IPM is a new location for high-value technology, engineering, manufacturing and knowledge-intensive businesses looking to grow in the south-east. Over the last year we have completed the infrastructure works including installing drainage, power and utilities, developed designs for the construction of office buildings and office space is currently being advertised through Harrisons and Avison Young is marketing the northern site. Construction on the first office plots is due to start later this year. Work also continues on the regeneration of Rochester Airport and I look forward to watching it progress.
Our budget setting meeting for the next financial year ahead will be held on Thursday, 23 February. The budget will set out how we will spend our allocated funding for the 2023/2024 financial year.
As I’m sure you know, Medway’s local and parish elections will take place on Thursday, 4 May. You may have also heard that the government has introduced new legislation which means you will need to bring an accepted form of photo ID with you to the polling station to be able to vote. You can use your passport, driving licence and blue badge.
If you don’t have photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC). You can apply online for a VAC and the deadline to apply is Tuesday, 25 April. Only apply if you don’t have one of the forms of accepted photo ID. Residents are encouraged to apply early to make sure they can vote in the local elections on Thursday, 4 May. Residents can also apply for a postal vote.
We are also looking forward to the Medway Food and Drink Festival in Rochester Castle Gardens from Friday, 31 March to Sunday, 2 April. The hotly anticipated festival promises to cook up a storm with drinks and food on offer from all around the world. In addition to the family-friendly daytime festival, there will be evening comedy entertainment for adults. Both ticketed events and are on sale now and I would encourage residents to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Cllr Alan Jarrett
Leader of Medway Council