Martin Webber
Editor at BBC World Service
I edited BBC World Service World Business Report from 1995 to May 13th 2022. I love radio (& old radios) and follow big economic growth and environment debates.
Articles
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3 weeks ago |
westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber
There's concern that local voices will struggle to be heard when the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is abolished in three years time and replaced by a more distant unitary authority - likely to be based in Maidstone. The idea of a Tunbridge Wells Town Council was supported by Mark Ellis - the local Liberal Democrat who's a Borough and Kent County Councillor. He encouraged residents to engage in the consultation.
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2 months ago |
westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber
Nearby properties in the village of Five Oak Green are vulnerable to flooding, but the developer says the flood issues have been taken into account. The housing estate would be on the narrow and winding B2017 road which leads to Tonbridge 4 miles away. The developer B.Yond said the new homes were needed to meet the council's house building targets set by central government. It plans to provide a new 3 metre wide off road cycle route from Capel Primary School to the village.
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2 months ago |
westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber
Mike Martin has written to the Treasury on behalf of 17 local businesses including TasteWells, Sankey's, Tiger Tavern in Culverden Down, Spa Hotel and Fuggles Beer cafe in Grosvenor Road. They all want changes to the current business rates system. The letter states: "From 2025-26, the retail, hospitality, and leisure relief rate will be reduced from 75% to 40%. This has come as devastating news to hospitality businesses in Tunbridge Wells.
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2 months ago |
westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber
Tunbridge Wells Borough planning committee approved the scheme by 5 votes to 3, despite concerns that the development was too big for the village to handle. Local Conservative Borough Councillor Tom Mobbs called it a "deeply disappointing outcome" which set a "dangerous precedent for overdevelopment".
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Feb 10, 2025 |
westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber
Since 1974, Tonbridge has been the only part of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough council area without a more local Town or Parish Council. The Conservative leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Matt Boughton, said on Monday that - up to now - he has had mixed feelings over whether a Tonbridge Town Council should be set up, as he was concerned about the cost.
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The Labour govt plans to abolish Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Now both the towns of Tunbridge Wells & Tonbridge are likely set up their own Town Councils to run parks & some buildings. Consultations open. See: https://t.co/0C8u7P9SMP
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