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.

Freeze for River Ward Council Tax

Councillor John Jones voted against the Conservative budget on Thursday night. A budget which will sadly hurt local residents across the ward comes as a result of the Conservative Government £23.5m cut to our services.

The Conservative cuts include to front line services:

• 15% cut in library budgets, closure of Dockyard Centre and increase in rental charges
• 5% increase in concessionary fares
• Increase in fare revenue from CCTV cars and traffic enforcement mechanisms.
• £2.6m cut to the Early Intervention Grant which includes Connexions, Youth Opportunities Fund and Mental Health Services. Sure Start funding unclear with no inflationary increase or real terms budget freeze on 2010/11
• £3.5m floor-damping mechanism to continue despite pledges by Conservative Councillors. This will see money gerrymandered to safer Conservative shire councils
• Medway Tunnel liability expanded to £3m cost on Council from 2012/13. This is a medium-term liability on the tax payer books. The purchase of the tunnel was opposed by Medway Labour in what was a back-room deal undertaken by the Conservatives
• Cuts to bin services including wheelie-bin provision. Continuation of the blue and white straw-bag system.
• Cuts to safer communities budget coupled with support for 20% cuts to Kent Police and the creation of an elected tier of politicians at the expense of bobbies on the beat
• Huge budget cut to road-resurfacing budget, despite pot-holed residential streets, and loss of staff in the ranger and green spaces department which cares for local parks

The Medway Labour team recognise that families are suffering because of the Conservative cuts to local services, train fare rises, fuel price hikes and the struggle around home budgets caused through concerns around the economy.

Local business is also suffering from the chaos caused by the traffic system changes in Chatham and the poor consultation with local residents. It has led to insufferable delays and cost on business with now weekly changes to the road system in parts of Chatham leading to gridlock and paralysis.

The Tories have also fibbed. They pledged not to increase VAT, and increased it. They pledged not to increase train fares, and increased them. They pledged no NHS re-organisations; and have introduced a wholesale privatisation.

Both River Ward candidates are backing the Labour commitment for a two year freeze in Council tax to help people at a time when budgets are tight.

Alleygating and working with Police

Councillor John Jones and Adetomi Yemi are working with residents to fund community alleygating schemes for River Ward.

Pictured on the alley between Meadow Bank Road and Hillside Road in Chatham the alley-gating scheme reduces the risk of crime and makes residents feel safer.

Coucillor John Jones was successful in securing the alleygate after speaking with local residents on Hillside and Meadow Bank Road from prior to his election in 2010.

The area has a strong communuty spirit but does suffer from anti-social behaviour.

Commeting on the scheme, Cllr John Jones said

"River ward is the most diverse of any in the Medway towns and there are a number of areas which have been neglected by the Conservatives over the years. I have been working with local residents in this area to deliver on alley-gating"

"Anti-social behaviour blights areas of the ward and it is time we had a tough policy on kerb-crawlers and continue to support the Safe Exit Scheme which has seen success"

"The Tories locally have cut the Kent Police budget, cut magistrate services and have introduced soft sentencing for criminals. We need local representatives that work with the Police and not try and politicise them."

Medway Labour are working to stamp out anti-social behaviour which does impact particular communities in Medway.

Please do get in touch with John if you would like an alley-gating scheme for your road.

Caroline Flint MP meets Adetomi Yemi

Candidate Adetomi Yemi meets Caroline Flint MP

Caroline Flint MP, the Shadow Local Government and Communities Minister visited Gillingham yesterday to join our campaign and listen to the community.

The Fresh Ideas event was attended by a number of senior local representatives including those from charities, youth organisations and faith groups. All expressed grave concerns at the cuts being inflicted by the Conservative Government.

A key issue raised were the cuts on young people and the future impact of worklessness that will impact future generations.

Adetomi Yemi is currently a student at a local University and he feels passionately that the local community and specifically families living in Brompton or St Mary's Island are being hurt by Conservative Policies.

The Tories have cut the Education Maintenance Allowance, cut the Future Jobs Fund, risen tuition fees to £9,000 and have cut local Connexion and youth services. All of these are having real impacts on the ground from All Hallows, Hoo to Rainham and Watling.

Labour is standing a candidate under 30 in every target ward in Medway reflecting a generation of change for Medway Council. The future for our towns against a tired and out-of-touch Conservative front bench.

Caroline met with a number of residents close to the Gillingham train station from Brompton, including a number of former Conservatives, who feel angry about the train fare increases.

River is being let down by Conservatives. Time to stand up for your community

Pentagon Toilet Charge needs review

Councillor John Jones and Adetomi Yemi have been supporting shoppers and local residents in their campaign to flush out charges at the shopping centre's toilets.

Chatham's Pentagon Centre has introduced a 20p fee-for-a-pee for anyone needing to spend a penny at its modernised loos, which opened last year.

There have been repeated questions in the Council chamber from angry local residents who feel it is unacceptable that this charge has been introduced because the toilets were upgraded with a £200,000 government grant, paid for by tax-payers.

The Centre have also introduced a paid member of staff to police the toilets. Taking into account costs this is something which needs urgent review.

Councillor John Jones stated

"The issue of the Pentagon Toilets has been raised by the independent Medway Pensioners Forum and also other local campaigners who feel passionately that this is another disgrace against the public purse" "This toilet fee needs to be reviewed urgently by senior management"

The toilets were council-owned toilets until they were handed over to the centre's management a year ago, when bosses were given £200,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency to give them a facelift.

Standing up for Sure Start

Adetomi Yemi and Councillor John Jones

Councillor John Jones and Adetomi Yemi believe that Sure Start centres are a vital asset to Medway and its families and are concerned by the lack of clarity from the Medway Conservatives about future funding.

Sure Start centres have a proven track record of improving the early years development of children, offering support and advice to families and providing a safe and welcoming community space.

Labour councillors are concerned that the Government’s introduction of the new Early Intervention Grant replaces money ring-fenced specifically for Sure Start. This money will now be in the hands of local authorities, who effectively have less money to spend on a broader range of areas; this can include, but does not necessitate, spending on Sure Start.

Cllr Teresa Murray (Rochester East) says

“We are deeply concerned that the promise made by David Cameron to safeguard money for Sure Start has been broken, and seriously urge the council to sustain its funding for the scheme”,

Cllr John Jones (River) stated that

“As a god parent, I am increasingly concerned by the threats seen elsewhere in the Country with Tory funding cuts. We will stand up for these centres and work with mums and dads to ensure their children get the best opportunities in life.”

Medway Labour submutted a motion to full Council in January, proposed by Cllr Teresa Murray (Rochester East), urging the council to ensure that Medway’s Sure Start centres are kept safe from the round of cuts expected.

This motion was opposed by the Conservatives and watered down. This raises the real spectre of a real-terms cash cut in funding.

How much has a Tory traffic jam cost?

Four years of bodged Road Closures and poor consultation

River Ward Councillor John Jones and Adetomi Yemi are challenging the current Medway Council Conservative administration on the total failure to manage road improvements in Rochester, Chatham & Strood.

Over the last four years, Medway residents have experienced unprecedented and infuriating delays to their journeys and small business has suffered through lost trade, delays to goods delivery anda reduction in foot fall.

Any one driving through Medway can not have failed to have been impacted by a lack of co-ordination on roads.

We are interested in hearing of your experiences of roadwork chaos in Medway and highlighting your suggestions for improvements in future.

The road changes have been so badly mismanaged that trade in Chatham has decreased by up to 20% and many residents are simply put off from travelling into our town centres because of the delays.

We have had numerous incidences of traffic light failures and indeed Council staff being used to re-direct traffic.

In Rochester, during the Christmas Market, residents and tourists were not served well after many were stuck in unacceptable traffic jams during a key trading period.

It highlights how small business in Medway is ill-served by an administration which is out of touch with the mainstream majority.

There is no point regenerating an area if you alienate the same public you seek to serve and it is clear the Conservatives locally have lost touch with the public.

We will continue to raise serious questions on the £2.5m Chatham two-way system which Labour opposed. We will continue to challenge the nature of works in Rochester which though a key junction in Corporation Street, appears not to be a priority for the Conservatives. We will continue to scrutinise and challenge the Conservative lax regime which does not challenge major gas and water works.

Residents are also angry that whilst millions are spent on major road programmes that residential streets have been left mired with potholes which are leading to damage to vehicles. We will seek to refocus the attention onto your street.

In May, you can send a message to the Conservatives in Gun Wharf that the four year incompetence on roads must come to an end

Standing up for Commuters

As a regular commuter into London John Jones knows well the cost of the average commute into London.

The River Ward Labour team are working with Medway Labour colleagues across Strood, Rochester, Gillingham and Chatham stations to campaign against the 9% increase in rail fares which stings commuter in the pockets.

The Conservatives in Medway campaigned against fare increases prior to May 2010 but have supported the government's great train robbery.

Cllr Paul Godwin, Leader of the Labour Group says

“We believe the Conservatives have targeted the squeezed middle class commuter and have undertaken a u-turn on promises to voters. Considering the Tories campaigned on this issue, and promised commuters fares would not increase, this is hugely hypocritical”.

“We are now presenting a motion to full council to challenge these false promises calling on the Tory administration to stand up for Medway’s train users”

The Labour Group is concerned about the potential impact of prohibitively high fares for Medway.

Cllr Vince Maple says

“We believe this government’s imposition of year-on-year rail fare increases for Kent’s commuters threatens to damage the Kent economy, deterring visitors, commuters and businesses from coming here”

John Jones and Adetomi Yemi will continue to fight for fair fares.

Welcome to River Ward Labour

Councillor John Jones and Adetomi Yemi

Welcome to the River Ward Labour blog for Councillor John Jones and Labour candidates Adetomi Yemi.

We believe and care passionately for our community and we believe the area is being let down by the Medway Conservatives through rushed regeneration schemes, support for government cuts and local Councillors who are standing silent as rail and commuter fares sky-rocket.

We believe the community deserves a strong voice to oppose the Conservative-led cuts and a voice which will speak up for our communuty.

We hope you enjoy reading our blog of campaign activity and updates for our community.