Martin Webber

London

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.

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Articles

Hearing Local Voices

3 days 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.
Finches Farm

1 month 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.
"Devastating" changes

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.
Bassetts Farm

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".
Petition "Hits target"

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.
"Anger" Over Traffic Scheme

Nov 22, 2024 | westkentradio.co.uk | Martin Webber

The consultation on the Tunbridge Wells Council initiative called “Better Streets” has just one more week before public feedback closes. The council says the aim is to make the St John’s and St James’ areas more pleasant to live in - and safer for walking and cycling. But some residents say that blocking off certain routes to cars - like Powder Mill Lane and Queen's Road - will worsen congestion on the main roads. Seven routes could be blocked off to through traffic.
General Election Special Candidates Talk on Apple Podcasts

Jun 22, 2024 | podcasts.apple.com | Martin Webber

If you want to learn more about the candidates at the General Election in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, then listen to them here. In Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin of the Liberal Democrats, Hugo Pound of Labour and Neil Mahapatra of the Conservatives make their case to be elected. Next you hear the arguments of the Green Party and their candidate in Tonbridge, Anna Cope. There's a response from Tom Tugendhart, who's been the Conservative MP for Tonbridge for the past nine years.
Meads Sports Centre - community action wins!

Apr 2, 2024 | sussexexpress.co.uk | Martin Webber

A community campaign, Save Our Meads Sports Centre (SOMS), has succeeded in its aim. Watch more of our videos on Shots! and live on Freeview channel 276Visit Shots! nowThe Sports Centre on Denton Road, Meads, which is owned by Brighton University, has been saved from closure and will remain as a community resource for Eastbourne residents.
Mental health outcomes, literacy and service provision in low- and middle-income settings: a systematic review of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | npj Mental Health Research

Mar 5, 2024 | nature.com | Kayonda Hubert Ngamaba |Martin Webber |Joule Madinga |Jack M. Liuta

AbstractIn the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the prevalence of mental health issues could be greater than in other low-income and middle-income countries because of major risk factors related to armed conflicts and poverty. Given that mental health is an essential component of health, it is surprising that no systematic evaluation of mental health in the DRC has yet been undertaken.