Thank you

John Jones and Tomi Yemi would like to thank all those that supported them in the recent election.

The full results can be found here.

Though the result was disappointing both John and Tomi congratulate both Andrew Mackness and Craig MacKinley and wish them well in representing the concerns of residents in the new administration.

Education Education Education

Medway is blessed with some truly excellent schools and some terrific teachers who work hard for their pupils, but it also suffers from a number of schools which are not receiving the political support to succeed.

Whilst the Tories keeping talking about the schools which are performing well, and incidentally without the need from political interference, they are simply ignoring Primary school education across the area.

Two years ago the Tories were mired in a botched Primary School programme, which went horribly wrong for the ruling elite. A programme which was considered and rejected by the government for being poorly written, and which then was opposed by a cross-bench selection of Councillors. The results was the involvement of central government and good Primary schools were saved along with the poorly performing Portfolio holder.

The lesson to be learnt from that mismanaged Programme was that you simply can not trust the Tories on education. Commenting Cllr John Jones stated that

"It is unacceptable that after years of Tory rule over the Local Education Authority, Medway still languishes near the bottom of the Primary school league tables and yet we see nothing from Tories on focusing on good education for under 11s.

Coupled with the £281,000 cut in Sure Start it is clear that local Conservatives are not putting families or children first.

Medway Labour will safeguard our Sure Starts and will focus energy not on performing schools, but on those which need attention including Primary schools and Academies.

The Tory fixation over Grammar schools has twisted the debate on education. No one is threatening these schools accept David Cameron and his etonian chums in Whitehall."

Candidate Adetomi Yemi stated also

"The Tories are also undermining education for post-16s with the scrapping of the EMA and now the increase in tuition fees to £9,000 per annum. How are the average family supposed to afford education for their children? It is a Tory disgrace"

Chatham Bus Station Cost

Last night the Tory administration was asked for the third time by the Labour opposition to provide a full and transparent cost breakdown for the overtime and overdue Chatham 'dynamic' bus facility.

Residents of River Ward and Medway are aghast that the project has run over time and over the opinions and concerns of residents in the ward and area.

The fear from Labour was that the money was due to run out at the end of April is becoming very real. The Tories did not confirm any extension of funding for the bus facility from cental government and instead continued to produce the same tired and turgid response, which only seeks to highlight why residents of River simply have no confidence in this administration to manage a major programme.

River Ward residents are fed up with living on a building site. Tories have failed to get a grip for years and it's time for a change in May.

Chatham Bus Station Funding Concerns

Cllr John Jones (River) and Cllr Vince Maple (Chatham Central) have put in an urgent question on Thursday over the cost for the dynamic bus station.

The bus station was badly planned and the consultation on the building was lamentably poor. Many residents remain very unhappy by the fact that whilst the Pentagon Centre was fit for purpose and indoors, the new facility is exposed to the elements and whilst modern may not be fit for everyone.

The cost of the new facility runs into the many millions and may now have gone severely over budget.

Medway Conservatives have failed to answer simple questions on how much the facility will cost Council rate payers at every Council where the question has been asked.

It is time they gave a straight answer.

The facility should also have been finished by now. There are major concerns that the Medway Conservatives have bungled another major programme in the ward and are trying to brush the issue under the carpet.

Please see a link to the Full Council agenda here and please do attend tomorrow night if you are interested in finding out more

Commenting Cllr John Jones stated:

"The issue of the new bus station has vexed constituents for months with many opposing not only the design and location but also the timetable and cost of construction.

Many residents felt they were poorly consulted and were very angry to see the historic Paddock vandalised by Tories.

I welcome and support the question by my colleague Vince Maple. If the Tories have gone over budget on another key project it will represent the final disgrace of a Group that is simply out of touch and soon to be out of office."

Labour will keep you updated on news from Thursday night

Standing up for Small Business

River Ward candidates speaking to small business owner in Brompton

River Ward Labour candidates John Jones and Adetomi Yemi have been canvassing small business across the ward to gain an insight into the impact of Council policy on local trade.

Local tradespeople in Chatham have reported a significant reduction in trade because of the poor consultation and planning surrounding the Tory £2.5m Chatham road system that has sadly driven residents and their wallets to other areas in Kent.

Businessmen feel let down by the Medway Tories who have run roughshod over local business.

Commenting John Jones stated

"Since being elected last year, I have spoken with a large number of local businesses who feel let down by the Medway Conservatives. Trade in Chatham Highstreet and the Old Rochester Highstreet has declined as other areas of Kent have seen increases in footfall.

The Tories have squandered £2.5 on a road scheme which has hurt local business. Never again can a project be allowed to go ahead without speaking to local residents.

We will stand up for local business against potty Tory schemes."

Labour is listening to local business across River Ward and they are saying it's time for a change.

Influence to change things

Adetomi Yemi, Ed Miliband & John Jones

Cllr John Jones and Adetomi Yemi are campaiging hard to put the issues of people in River Ward at the top of the political agenda not only locally but also at the national level.

Commenting Cllr John Jones stated

"Irrelevent of political affiliation, it is important to residents that they know they have Councillors who can punch their weight and influence decision makers, to make things happen and fight for extra resource for our area

Since the Tories locally have had a mixed record working with the Police we believe the area needs people who can work in partnership with local organisations, faith groups and lobby organisations like the Medway Pensioner's Forum and community groups on St Mary's Island and Brompton"

Both John and Tomi have the ability to fight for the area

Medway Conservatives have undermined the area with the incompetent management of the Chatham two-way system, mismanagement of the 'dynamic' bus facility and the potential for a Tunnel Toll.

It is time for change in May.

Vote John Jones and Tomi Yemi

Time to get River Moving

Cllr John Jones and Labour candidate Adetomi Yemi are working to keep the Yellow Bus scheme, secure the Medway Freedom Pass, improve traffic flow and work for better more aligned bus services for residents and those who work in the ward, including on a Sunday.

Former Labour Councillor Bill Esterson, worked tirelessly to secure the extension of the Yellow bus scheme onto the island.

A scheme which will not be scrapped despite the mutterings from some quarters.

Commenting on transport provision John Jones stated that,

"Labour is committed to retaining the yellow bus scheme for the island and will also work to get Medway moving, after the incompetence of the current administration, which has hurt local residents and business.

We have seen constant roadworks on Dock Road, the fiasco over the Medway Street / Globe Lane turn, the ongoing incompetence over the management of the 'dynamic' bus facility and eye-watering increases in train fares.

We are all at risk from the potential Tory Tunnel Toll because of the botched purchase which could leave Medway residents a massive tax bill in future years

Imagine what the Medway Conservatives could achieve in another four years!"

The Conservatives have mismanaged major programmes and have left small business in the ward a terrible legacy. There is also a real lack of scrutiny over bus provision in Medway with Arriva feedback indicating a high level of dissatisfaction amongst residents on the price and frequency of bus services.

We will work to ensure we get the ward moving again by supporting the services we cherish and by improving and scrutinising transport more effectively.

Labour are committed to improving consultation and getting River ward moving.