County Councillor Martin Vye for Canterbury City South West

Welcome to my webpage, where I will keep you informed of the work I do for the residents of Kent, and in particular for those living in Westgate and Wincheap Wards in Canterbury, which is the Canterbury City South-West Division that I represent.

I was first elected to Kent County Council: May 1989.

I am KCC Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children, Families and Education .

I am the Lib Dem Member for the following committees:

• Children, Families and Education Policy Overview Committee,

• Governor Appointments Panel,

• School Organisation Advisory Board,

• Vice-chairman, Children's Champion Board

• Chairman of the Kent Schools Admissions Forum.

• Chairman of the CFE Race Equality Forum

• Members' Monitoring Group( school and nursery performance)

• Strategic Equalities Group

• Kent Children's Trust Board

I am also a Canterbury City Councillor, where I was Lord Mayor of Canterbury 2004 - 2005.

I am Chairman of Governors, Kingsmead Community Primary School

Foundation Governor, St.Thomas' RC VA Primary School

My first concern as councillor is to get the best possible service from the county council for people who live in Wincheap and Westgate wards. These are some of the things I have been trying to do.

1. ROADS AND FOOTWAYS

I put constant pressure on Kent Highways to repair and improve our roads and pavements. The county council has never put enough money into highways maintenance. Look at the state of the road in New House Lane---Bishops Way-Knight Avenue-the bottom of Whitstable Road.

2. ROAD SAFETY.

I have got agreement for a second pedestrian crossing on the very busy Ashford Road, Thanington

I obtained money for Thanington Parish Council to buy Speedwatch equipment

Kent Highways have agreed to put in measures to safeguard vulnerable pedestrians at the corner of Whitstable Road and the Monument roundabout, after pressure from me

3. FLOODING.

I worked last summer on a group of councillors looking into the risk of flooding in Kent. I made a special point of highlighting the flooding caused by inadequate highways drains in our area- St Peter's Lane,for example and am pushing for more investment in these.

300 Years Lifecycle or Pipes and Gullies Press Release.

Question to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste .

4. BUS SERVICES

I am working with other councillors to work up a scheme to replace the Postbus, which has been axed by Royal Mail, and was of great value to people living in the Hilltop area of Thanington

5. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

Every year I help a number of parents to put their case for free home to school transport to the appeal panel

I also give advice to a number of parents who have not been given their choice of school for their child.

I have pressed for Children's Centres on the western side of Canterbury. There is one being developed for Wincheap/Thanington, and

the possibility of one on the London Road Estate.

6. YOUNG PEOPLE.

Each year I have allocated a substantial part of my councillor's grant to youth facilities: to the Thanington Neighbourhood Resource Centre, and to the Youth Team on the Canterbury High School campus. Both of these do excellent work in providing interesting, positive things for young people to do, and indeed in helping them through to further education and employment.

I have led delegations of local young people to sessions of the International Youth Parliament. I started this four years ago when I was Lord Mayor of Canterbury, and we have held sessions subsequently in Italy and Hungary. This year we go to Russia.

7. PEOPLE IN NEED.

I have helped a parents and carers action group in their campaign to maintain good day services for people with a learning disability. KCC plan to sell off the present Cow Lane Centre: parents and carers are fighting for a replacement centre that would be at least as good as the present one.

But as a county councillor I have a duty to work with other councillors to make sure everyone in Kent gets a good deal from the County Council .My main focus is on education and children's services, and my top priorities here are as follows:

1) Watch over the massive education budget, and ensure it is being used in the best possible way to support schools and early years nurseries and pre-schools.WE think that the Conservative administration is spreading KCC's effort too thinly---for projects like Kent TV, and profit making companies it has set up. This February I moved amendment to the Budget proposals which would focus effort on reducing child poverty.

2) Follow closely the achievement of schools and nurseries in raising standards of children's and young people's attainment.I am part of a group that does just that---and last year I did my own research into the reasons why some schools are not performing well.

3) Help to make sure that everyone-regardless of colour, creed, disability, gender, or sexual orientation---gets a fair deal , either as user of KCC services, or as employee.

4) Champion the best environmental practice in the way schools are built and run, and in the school curriculum.It is vital that KCC sets an excellent standard in the buildings it is responsible for.

5) As member of the Kent Children's Trust, and as both county and city councillor,I want to play my part in the new partnership arrangements between county, districts, Health and Police to make sure our services are working together to achieve the best outcomes for all our children

Grant Aid

All parts of my Division can receive grant aid from my annual local members grant of £10,000.

Details of how I spent the £10,000 in previous years and how to apply for a local members grant in 2007-08 are available via this link:

County Councillor Financial Support.

Details of other sources of funding are also available by clicking on this link:

Looking For KCC Funds? KCC Can Help.

If you would like any more information, or you need my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are available on the following page:

County Councillor Contact Details.