THE BRIEF
π₯ Hospice to Close Children's Service: The Hospice in the Weald, based in Pembury, announced on 26th May that it will close its Children and Young People's Service. The service, launched in March 2023, supported 33 families and delivered care directly into patients' homes. Ten staff now face redundancy, with a 30-day consultation underway.
The hospice said fundraising had not kept pace with rising costs including National Insurance increases, NHS pay uplifts, National Living Wage rises, and broader inflation. It described the decision as a "financial reality" needed to protect its wider services. The hospice said it will support all affected families and staff through the transition. Read more here.β
π¦ Β£10.2 Million Upgrade at Water Treatment Works: Southern Water has finished a Β£10.2 million upgrade at its Tunbridge Wells South Wastewater Treatment Works in Broom Lane, Langton Green. The work increases treatment capacity from 260 litres per second to 321 litres per second. An earlier phase last year improved phosphorus removal. Both phases cut the volume of storm water released into the River Grom during heavy rainfall.
The River Grom flows into the River Medway. The project forms part of a wider scheme covering Tunbridge Wells, Bidborough and Tonbridge. That scheme sits within Southern Water's Β£1.5 billion plan to reduce storm overflows and improve water quality across the region. Read more here.β
Families Fight Council's Transport Cuts: Kent County Council will change how it funds school transport for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities aged 16 and over, from September. Instead of arranging transport directly, families will receive a Β£4,000 personal budget to make their own arrangements.
One Bidborough mother says that sum falls short. Her 18-year-old son Thomas has complex needs. Booking a taxi twice daily, five days a week, quickly exceeds the allowance. The only cheaper option is public transport. For Thomas, that would mean a 20-minute walk to a bus stop. A 15-minute journey would take over an hour. Thomas says a change to his routine would be hard to manage.
The council says there is no automatic right to free transport after 16. It argues that independent travel supports progression toward employment and self-reliance. Ward councillor John Moreland disagrees. He says the council has a legal duty to ensure vulnerable children can access education. Caroline has lodged an appeal. A decision is pending. Watch the report here.β
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