Medway Matters Live: free Strood Q&A on 1 October

Medway residents can question council leaders about the area’s future at a free public event in Strood on Thursday, 1 October 2026. Medway Matters Live will run from 7pm to 8.45pm at Strood Sports Centre, with council service stalls open from 6pm. Admission is free, but booking through the Medway Council website is essential.

The meeting is open to Medway residents and will bring together council leader Cllr Vince Maple, chief executive Richard Hicks and host Rob Smith. Medway Council confirmed the arrangements in an event notice published on 1 September.

When and where Medway Matters Live takes place

The hour before the main meeting is reserved for council service stalls. Residents will be able to learn about the services offered by Medway Council and the support currently available through them.

The council notice does not provide transport or accessibility arrangements. Anyone who needs those details should check the available information while booking through the council website.

Council restructuring will be central to the evening

This will be the first Medway Matters Live event since the July announcement about restructuring local government across Kent and Medway in 2028. Under the announced plans, Medway is due to form a new North Kent Council with Dartford, Gravesham and Kent County Council.

Maple and Hicks are expected to update residents on recent developments within the council, its plans for the future and the next stages of local government restructuring and devolution. The event gives residents an opportunity to hear directly from both leaders following that announcement rather than relying only on written council updates.

Maple said the meeting would allow the council to explain what the future structure means for Medway and outline the next steps. He also encouraged residents to use the event to raise their own questions.

Residents will have a direct question-and-answer session

Former BBC South-East journalist and Medway resident Rob Smith will return as host. He will open the evening before the council leader and chief executive deliver their updates.

A moderated Q&A will follow, allowing residents to put questions and views directly to Maple and Hicks. The format is intended to cover both wider changes facing local government and issues raised by people attending the meeting.

Hicks said previous events had attracted residents interested in council services, recent developments and opportunities to express their views. He described hearing directly from residents as a central part of the meeting.

Free tickets must be booked before attending

There is no admission charge, but a ticket is still required. Medway Council states that booking is essential and directs residents to reserve their free place through its website.

Those who want to visit the service stalls should arrive for their 6pm opening; the hosted updates and Q&A begin at 7pm and finish at 8.45pm.

Source: Medway Council