Leader of Medway Lib Dems accused of being ‘parochial’
In his response to the Medway Budget speech delivered by the Conservative Deputy Leader, the LibDem Group Leader Cllr. Geoff Juby noted that whilst Rochester, Strood and Chatham were to receive significant financial investment, there was little if any evidence of any such investment being earmarked for Gillingham.
Gillingham amendments rejected by all other parties
Cllr. Juby attempted to put this right by putting forward amendments that sought to secure desperately needed funding for the following:
- Road repairs in his ward and elsewhere throughout the authority
- A decent play area in Gillingham Park for Gillingham children by providing more up to date play equipment in line with recently refurbished play areas in other parts of Medway.
The Conservative's response to Cllr. Juby's proposed amendments was that he was being "too parochial in seeking such expenditure on his ward". Alarmingly, both Labour and UKIP were in agreement with the Conservatives and without exception, voted down Cllr. Juby's proposals. Now doesn't that tell you a story!
Local ward knowledge needed in Medway Council
In Medway, we need more Liberal Democrat Councillors who, like Geoff Juby, are not afraid to stand up at a Budget meeting and try to get a fair investment for their own wards within the overall considerations for the authority as a whole. Somehow, the Conservatives, Labour and UKIP have missed the point, which is that only by being 'parochial' and knowing the wards that you represent can you ever hope to secure a fair deal for the residents thereof.
Ever since the formation of Medway's Unitary Council, Gillingham has been the poor relation to Rochester and Chatham, yet in spite of this, the public still love Gillingham High Street, the park and the Strand, not to mention the Riverside Country Park in Rainham and the friendly Rainham shopping area.
Change needed
Gillingham and Rainham thrived under Liberal Democrat control - let us try to up our influence across Medway and get some real 'localism' back into local politics!
Vote Liberal Democrat on 7th May
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