Simon Finlay

6 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Simon Finlay

One of the country’s top academy trusts has warned it will have to consider making teachers redundant because of a funding squeeze by government. The Leigh Academies’ Trust (LAT) says it and other schools in the region have been forced into an “increasingly unsustainable financial position”. One education commentator said he was “horrified” to hear of LAT’s predicament while Weald of Kent MP Katie Lam called on Education Secretary Bridget Philipson for honesty.

1 week ago | kentlive.news | Simon Finlay

A leaflet which had to be removed from circulation by Reform UK after complaints about a breach of election rules has been reported to the police. The party sent out a six-sided pamphlet bearing the image of leader Nigel Farage and the logo for Kent County Council (KCC) ahead of the local elections. Critics claimed voters may have been misled to believe KCC was endorsing the right-wing outfit. Reform UK was forced to withdraw the leaflet from distribution and publicly apologise for using the logo.

1 week ago | kentonline.co.uk | Simon Finlay

A leaflet which had to be removed from circulation by Reform UK after complaints about a breach of election rules has been reported to the police. The party sent out a six-sided pamphlet bearing the image of leader Nigel Farage and the logo for Kent County Council (KCC) ahead of the local elections. Critics claimed voters may have been misled to believe KCC was endorsing the party. Reform UK was forced to withdraw the leaflet from distribution and publicly apologise for using the logo.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Simon Finlay

Reform UK has been forced to pull a campaign leaflet from circulation after complaints it “breached” electoral rules. The tract had been posted through doors in the Folkestone area until a member of the public spotted the party had printed the Kent County Council (KCC) logo on one of the pages. When it came to the attention of the Labour Party, the matter was referred to the legal team at KCC. KCC has been approached for comment.

2 weeks ago | kentonline.co.uk | Simon Finlay

It is exactly two years since the chalk cliff at the A226 Galley Hill Road collapsed, closing it instantly and leaving a huge mess to clear up. Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay returns to the scene to find frustrated locals still counting the cost and their blessings…Entering Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe is rather like stumbling upon a dystopian scene from a novel by George Orwell or H G Wells. Seemingly abandoned, dust-covered cars parked on the roadside with smashed in windows.