News and Reports from Your Local Councillor

Cabinet - 2 February 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:57:05 GMT

Attended Cabinet this evening with the review of fees and charges, the draft budget including the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, an update on the balancing the budget programme which, in producing the balanced budget and taking the decisions we have done means it is fully balanced with no further cuts or savings required with a good financial legacy for local residents and were able to secure additional funding from the Government. This meeting also had the draft Local Plan at Regulation 19 agreed subject to minor amendments before publication and consultation, minutes to the JTB and the purchase of 34 flats at Harbour Village.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9426

Council -16 December 2025

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:50:02 GMT

Attended full council this evening with some reserved minutes, the climate change annual report, the new council tax reduction scheme which will help residents on the poorest households, some minor updates to the Constitution and the Mayor's announcements.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9532

Cabinet - 15 December 2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:46:23 GMT

Attended GBC Cabinet this evening with the latest council achievement report, minutes of the crime and disorder scrutiny committee and in Part B - arrears write off and Rosherville shareholder advisory board minutes.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9425

Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee - 24 November 2025

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:38:59 GMT

Chaired the Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee this evening with the Tree Preservation Orders and Trees in Conservation Areas Guidance, a presentation on the 'Grow in Gravesham' initiative from the Senior Economic Development Officer, an update on the draft Business Development, Industrial, Jobs and Skills Strategy and the latest Corporate Performance Update on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=444&MId=9463

Special Meeting - Cabinet - 18 November 2025

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:29:42 GMT

A Special Meeting of the Cabinet took place on the rise of full council on the 18th November 2025 to deal with the full council unanimous decision to recommend Option 5a for formal submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and this was agreed.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9550

Extraordinary Meeting of the Council - 18 November 2025

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:25:42 GMT

Attended this evening a rare Extraordinary Meeting of the Council to discuss the Council's proposed submission for Local Government Reorganisation. All options were discussed. Option 5a as it is know was put together with support from both Gravesham Borough Council and Dartford Borough Council working in partnership. A good debate was held and in the end the council on a unanimous and cross party basis supported recommending Option 5a to the Cabinet.

Tribute was paid at the start of the meeting to Honorary Freeman of the Borough and Past Mayor Makhan Singh who sadly had recently passed away.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9512

Cabinet - 3 November 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:19:53 GMT

Attended Cabinet this evening with Corporate Performance, review of the legal shared service, procurement of Housing Asset Contracts, Social Housing report, disposal of land at 13 Darnley Street, the counter fraud and corruption strategy, the General Fund and Housing Revenue Budget Monitoring reports, the Gravesend Town Centre Improvement Programme and the minutes to the Climate Change Advisory Board on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9424

Council - 14 October 2025

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:40:53 GMT

Attended full council this evening with questions from the public, reserved minutes, Biodiversity Strategy, the annual report of the Finance and Audit Committee, appointments to committees and Mayor's announcements.

Tribute was also paid to former Councillor Caroline Shelton who had sadly passed away recently.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9402

Climate Change Advisory Board - 6 October 2025

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:12:51 GMT

Attended the meeting of the Climate Change Advisory Board this evening - with the Climate Action Delivery Plan, a new draft for the next one, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero statistics and our council scorecard from Climate Emergency UK on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=458&MId=9477

Cabinet - 29 September 2025

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:53:51 GMT

Attended Cabinet this evening with the Council Housing Asset Strategy, the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme to help provide financial support for households on low incomes, the annual performance report of the council, board membership of our wholly council owned company and minutes to JTB on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9423

Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee - 22 September 2025

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:35:02 GMT

Chaired the latest Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee this evening - with an overview of the Business and Economic Development part of the Portfolio which came in into the Portfolio in May this year and a draft outline of an emerging Economic Development, Industrial, Jobs and Skills Strategy. There was also an update on the Corporate Register of Partnerships and Corporate Performance Update.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=444&MId=9462

Cabinet - 8 September 2025

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:14:50 GMT

Attended GBC Cabinet this evening with Corporate Performance, the latest achievements report, General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Budget Monitoring, JTB Minutes, Development of Milton Place and The Charter on the agenda with oth.ers

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9422

Planning Committee - 30 July 2025

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:10:21 GMT

Attended Planning Committee this evening. As Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Planning I am not usually allowed to sit on the planning committee as a voting member but I can go and observe and speak on items on the agenda either as a Ward Member or on behalf of residents or just for general observations.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=106&MId=9409

Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee - 7 July 2025

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:24:47 GMT

Chaired the Planning and Business Development Cabinet Committee this evening (postponed from the 16 June at the request of Officers).

Tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas, a draft building control strategy and the Q4 reporting for 24/24 of the Corporate Plan on services and PI's within the portfolio were on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=444&MId=9502

Cabinet - 23 June 2025

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:16:46 GMT

Attended Cabinet this evening with the outturn report (the draft annual accounts) for 2024/25 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account being the main items on the agenda with the minutes to the Gravesham JTB there as well.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9421

Council - 17 June 2025

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:12:25 GMT

Attended full council this evening with the revised climate change strategy, being the main item on the agenda amongst other things.

We also paid tribute to a former Councillor Brian Newell this evening who had recently passed away who was also Treasurer of Gravesham Labour for some time before moving away and I worked with him during elections and was grateful for his wisdom. My thoughts with his friends and family.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9401

Cabinet - 27 May 2025

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:06:53 GMT

Attended Cabinet tonight with Building Safety Policy, Corporate Performance, the latest council achievements update, minutes to meetings of Joint Transport Board, Crime and Disorder Scrutiny and Climate Change Advisory Board amongst other on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9420

Annual Council/Mayor Making 2025

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:01:23 GMT

Delighted to have attended the Annual Council / Mayor Making ceremony tonight at the Woodville. This is the AGM of Gravesham Borough Council in which we elect the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the incoming year and agree the new committees etc.

Honoured to have seconded the motions as Deputy Leader for both Cllr Jenny Wallace as our new Mayor and Cllr Alison Williams as our new Deputy Mayor for 2025/26 municipal year.

Announced and agreed formally at council today was a slight change to my Cabinet Portfolio which has seen Business and Economic Development be added to the Portfolio and a name change from being called the Strategic Environment portfolio and Cabinet Committee to the Planning and Business Development portfolio and Cabinet Committee. All other parts of the portfolio remain the same.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9400

Photo - GBC

Climate Change Advisory Board - 6 May 2025

Tue, 06 May 2025 10:03:32 GMT

Attended the council's Climate Change Advisory Board this evening with the agenda having the Climate Change Delivery Plan, the proposed revised Climate Change Strategy and an update from the Energy Sustainability Team on their progress which has shown that having secured external funding for much of the work, we have helped residents that have had the work done an average £93.71 a year on their energy bills which is great news for residents.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=458&MId=9293

Council - 15 April 2025

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:56:21 GMT

Attended full council tonight with the Corporate Risk Register, Street Trading Resolution and Policy and an appointment to outside body (Henry Pinnocks Charity) were on the agenda as well as some reserved minutes.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=9204

Strategic Environment Cabinet Committee - 26 March 2025

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:50:35 GMT

Delighted to Chair the latest Strategic Environment Cabinet Committee this evening, with a presentation on the start of the Building Control Strategy, the Gravesham Conservation and Heritage Strategy and the Corporate Plan Q3 reporting for the Portfolio on the agenda.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=444&MId=9274

Cabinet - 17 March 2025

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:34:58 GMT

Attended Cabinet tonight with Local Government Reorganisation Submission (supporting Option 5a), Corporate Risk Register (which is an annual paper), and two items in Part B which included arrears write off and the business plan for Rosherville Ltd the Council's wholly owned local authority trading company. Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9241

Overview Scrutiny Committee - 6 March 2025

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:45:29 GMT

One of the most important functions as a Cabinet Member is to be scrutinised and to be summoned to appear before the Counci's Overview Scrutiny Committee on decisions you have taken or on decisions taken by Cabinet that fall either wholly and mainly in your Portfolio and to answer questions from the committee on those decisions. The Overview Scrutiny Committee is Chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and it is they that set the agenda and can call items in or a number of members together can call items in.

The committee has powers under the constitution including to note, comment, or to refer the decision back for further consideration.

I do not take decisions lightly and I always assume I will be called into Scrutiny as this is right and proper and I take it very seriously.

So I was delighted to attend the OS meeting this evening to discuss and answer questions on the Local Development Scheme which sets out the timetable towards Regulation 19 of the Local Plan. while there I also answered questions on another decision Cabinet took on battery storage.

Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=105&MId=9270

BBC Radio Kent - 26 February 2025 - Flytipping

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:12:15 GMT

I joined BBC Radio Kent this morning to talk about some of preventative and proactive work we have done as a Council working with the Environment Agency and Kent Police to deal with flytipping and the gangs and companies that are behind much of it.

The council created a brand new team in September 2020 to investigate and prosecute flytipping in Gravesham with much success. To remind that while the council can investigate and prosecute all flytipping it can only clear public land and not private land (this includes private alleyways).

Programme he re - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0knts7t

Logo screenshot (c) BBC

Council - Budget Meeting - 25 February 2025

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:30:04 GMT

Attended full council this evening where the 2025-25 Budget was agreed unanimously by all Councillors.

Only around 10% of your council tax bills is retained by Gravesham Borough Council to deal with housing, planning (including planning policy and enforcement), sports and leisure, arts and culture, parks and cemeteries, community safety, elections, tourism and heritage, licensing, parking, environmental enforcement, litter collection, bin collection and business and economic development and lots more.

Kent County Council retains around 75% of your annual bill on education, social care, social work, libraries, environment, trading standards, waste disposal and highways including roads and pavements (and potholes!)

The rest goes to Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue.

Please see https://shanemochrie-cox.org.uk/useful-contacts for who does what and contact details for each.

Cabinet - 24 February 25

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:00:14 GMT

Attended the GBC Cabinet tonight with the Investors in People report, Corporate Performance, a proposal for battery energy storage, work with Homes England to help deliver key brownfield sites in the Borough, the formal Local Development Scheme and the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership 2025-2028 which I Chaired Cabinet for as the Leader is the council appointee to this board. Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9240

Community Litter Pick - Perry Street and Surrounding Roads - 18 February 25

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:57:56 GMT

Great to have joined along with Dr Lauren Sullivan MP Member of Parliament for Gravesham many of the Street Champions today around Perry Street and surrounding roads in the Ward to litter pick - over 40 bags of rubbish collected and fly tips reported.

This is addition to the daily work that goes on by the Gravesham Borough Council Street Cleaning Team - imagine what could be done with the budget for local residents if we did not have to spend so much money of litter picking and street cleaning.

Thank you to all those who joined today and helped. If you wish to join the Street Champions please visit https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/keeping-gravesham-clean/street-champions

If you wish to report a fly tip for investigation and clearing please visit https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/keeping-gravesham-clean/flytipping-littering

Councillor Surgery - 15 February 25

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 13:40:06 GMT

Thanks to those local residents that attended today's February edition of the monthly Councillor Surgery for Coldharbour and Perry Street residents. We will now work on your casework. This takes place the third Saturday of each month at Shears Green Court (off Haynes Road) from 9.30am-10.30am. No appointment needed.

Community Safety Partnership - 13 February 25

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:34:39 GMT

Attended and Chaired the latest meeting of the Gravesham Community Safety Partnership this morning with partners including the latest Strategic Assessment (which helps target resources based on crime data), the serious violence duty, prevent and community engagement on the agenda.

Grand CIC Board Meeting 4 February 25

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:21:34 GMT

I am one of the council appointees on the Grand CIC which runs the Grand service based in the town and there are quarterly board meetings. So attended the latest one today looking at the work undertaken by staff, a service level agreement.

Police and Crime Panel Meeting

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:28:07 GMT

Attended the regular Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel this morning which included proposals from the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner on his budget and precept and included the reappointment of the Chief Constable, and PEEL inspection update - full details and agenda here: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=776&MId=9513&Ver=4

Photo from the PCC's Office taken during the meeting.

Cabinet - 3 February 25

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:18:17 GMT

Attended the Cabinet Meeting of GBC tonight with the Member training plan, tenancy management policy, Housing Consumer Standards Action Plan, Brownfield Land Release Fund Procurement and the Draft Budget for 2025-26 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account on the agenda. Full agenda here: https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=9239

GBC Housing Community Surgery - Lawrance Square - Jan 25

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:39:28 GMT

Today as part of being a listening council Gravesham Borough Council held a housing surgery on Lawrance Square with Housing Officers, Kent Police, Repairs Team and I joined them to listen to residents issues and gather lots of casework that residents were being helped with. In the end dozens of residents and households attended so thank you to all those that attended and I look forward to this returning. As your local councillor together with Ward Colleagues we hold monthly Councillor Surgeries on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9.30am - 10.30am at Shears Green Court Communal Lounge off Haynes Road.

DGS Health and Care Partnership 20 Jan 25

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:44:40 GMT

Attended the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Health and Care Partnership (the local health board) today with public health needs, social care and finance on the agenda.

Councillor Surgery - Jan 25

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 20:01:06 GMT

Every month, as your local Gravesham Borough Councillors and we have done since we were elected, we hold a monthly Councillor Surgery for Coldharbour and Perry Street Ward residents, which took place this morning. It takes place on the Third Saturday of the Month from 9.30am-10.30am at Shears Green Court Communal Lounge off Haynes Road in the ward. For more information please use the contact page on this website. All casework gained will be worked on and thank you to those that attend.

New Farmers Market in Luddesdown

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 13:37:36 GMT

Attended the new Farmers Market in Luddesdown today with lots of local produce from local farms and businesses.

Grand Board Meeting - 14 January 2025

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:54:25 GMT

Attended the a meeting of the board of the Grand today to discuss future structures and discussions on future plans.

Cyclopark Event - Jan 25

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 19:27:01 GMT

Delighted to attend the National Cyclo Cross Championships at the Cyclopark today with Dr Lauren Sullivan MP for Gravesham and met with the manager of Cyclopark, the Chair of the Board and British Cycling which is the governing body for cycling sports to hear about exciting ideas and plans to ensure that this well loved local facility remains part of the fabric of Gravesham and Gravesham Borough Council will do what it can to support this.

LItterpick in the Ward Jan 25

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 19:23:03 GMT

Delighted to have done another regular litterpick today in the ward and joined by Dr Lauren Sullivan MP for Gravesham! We did a route near Copperfield Academy along Dover Road East and some of the surrounding roads. I have reported other rubbish and litter than will need our council services to pick up and Lauren will be reporting the litter on railway land which includes flytipping and we will be looking to enforce against those that flytip.

Planning Committee - Battle of Britain - Jan 25

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:17:29 GMT

As promised to ward residents, I attended the Planning Committee on Wed 8 Jan as the site that was the former Battle of Britain was on the agenda. The issue was regarding a new electricity power station on the site that will be a former care home. I raised issues from residents including noise, security of the site, coverings and proximity to the school. This is in addition to previous issues I have raised at past Planning Committee meetings such as the height of the building, the design of the building, overlooking, parking spaces (residents, visitors and staff and the impact on local residents should parking be at capacity) and road and traffic issues such as the busy New House Lane and Coldharbour Road junction.

Briefing with the Chief Constable of Kent Police - Jan 25

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:06:57 GMT

I attended a briefing with the Chief Constable of Kent Police Tim Smith in Maidstone today and raised some issues about crime rates and ensuring a focus on prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour.