Politics in Kent dominated by Brexit and coronavrius
Published: 06:00, 02 January 2021
It was a truly turbulent year in politics, dominated by two words - Brexit and Covid. The two converged to conclude an annus horribilis for Kent as the French authorities blocked travel from the UK amid Covid fears. Political editor
Paul Francis looks back at the highlights and lowlights.
Brexit Gets Done
A Brexit deal was agreed in the 11th hour
After securing a comfortable majority at a snap election at the end of 2019, the government finally managed to get its Brexit Bill through Parliament in January.
Unlike the furore and raucous late night debates and votes when then Prime Minister Theresa May was striving to get a deal done, the formal passage of legislation marking the end of four decades in the EU went through with barely a murmur.
KCC vow to build on success of Innovative Sector Exchange project as it ends after four years
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Updated: 09:29, 17 December 2020
County council chiefs say they are determined to continue to build on the success of a cross-Channel business support programme which ends this month after four years.
The Innovative Sector Exchange (ISE) project was part-financed by the European Interreg 2 Seas Programme and provided free support to hundreds of businesses in Kent and neighbouring regions across the Channel - Hauts-de-France, East and West Flanders in Belgium and the South West of the Netherlands.
KCC s Cllr Mike Whiting
It helped small firms make connections in other parts of Europe and to better understand how to adapt products and services for international markets. Kent County Council led the project in partnership with the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Chambers of Commerce in Belgium and innovation support agencies in the Netherlands and Northern France.
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Updated: 13:31, 10 December 2020
The owners of a golfing venue have had to pay thousands of pounds to clear 35 tonnes of fly-tipped waste from their land.
Rachel and Peter Appleyard arrived at Sittingbourne Golf Centre in Church Road, Tonge, Tuesday morning to find the mound of rubbish at an entrance to its site currently being used by construction workers.
Fly-tippers dumped 35 tonnes of recycled waste at the Sittingbourne Golf Centre in Church Road, Tonge
The venueâs driving range is being refurbished and extended, while new facilities are being added including an 18-hole adventure golf course, a childrenâs play area and two sports pitches.