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Dean Kilpatrick
Local Democracy Reporter

Medway Council is likely to agree outsourcing cafes at two of its sports centres next week.

The authority took over the running of the amenities at the Medway Park and Strood sites after Medway Norse - a joint venture between Medway Council and Norse Commercial Services - gave notice it "no longer wished to operate these cafes" beyond August 2017.

Cabinet papers, due to be discussed on Tuesday 4 September, read: "Operating cafes is not considered a core function of the service.

"While accepting it is a temporary situation created by the return of the function by Medway Norse, it has increased budgetary expenditure in the sport, leisure, tourism and heritage service, and created further income uncertainty in what is already a challenging leisure market.

"It is confirmed that outsourcing the cafes to a dedicated provider will provide better customer service while reducing the council's budgetary expenditure and providing income certainty through lease payments."

Staff currently working at the cafes have been informally consulted about the proposal, and their contracts would be transferred to the successful tender.

Image source, Google

The family of a woman who died after a multi-car crash earlier this month have spoken of their devastation at losing her.

Three cars crashed at 14:00 BST on 8 August on Sheerwater Road, Woking, when a white VW Crafter van allegedly stopped to allow a vehicle to emerge from Holm Close, Surrey Police said.

Margaret Hawkins, 73, was taken to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey after the crash but died on 18 August.

Her family said she was a "loving great aunt who will be deeply missed".

They said the "dedicated" charity worker was heavily-involved with the Cat Protection Society.

"We are all devastated to have lost her so suddenly," they added.

Surrey Police said the three cars that crashed were Margaret Hawkins' red Nissan Micra, a blue Audi A4 and a red Honda Civic.

Witnesses have been urged to come forward.

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner is developing an action plan to crack down on violent gangs who come to Kent to deal drugs.

Earlier this month Matthew Scott hosted the first Violence Reduction Challenge steering group with input from around 20 organisations.

One councillor expressed how drugs and gangs were a key issue in the county.

They will meet again next month.

Bomb disposal teams were called to Maidstone town centre last night after a World War Two shell was discovered in the River Medway.

It happened near Fairmeadow at around 18:50 BST yesterday.

Images of the object were sent to experts at the Ministry of Defence to be assessed.

Part of the area had to be cordoned off by police.

A body found near the Pleasurama site in Ramsgate is being treated as "unexplained".

Emergency services were called to a location off Harbour Parade at 09:45 BST yesterday.

The individual, who hasn't yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say they're trying to establish the circumstances of the death.

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

The steps down to Birling Gap beach in East Sussex have had to be closed off again following another cliff fall.

Wealden District Council says the heavy rain on Sunday appears to have led to more rock becoming dislodged.

The council hopes to reopen the steps later this week depending on the weather forecast.

The steps have had to be closed off following the collapse in August.

The National Trust centre remains open.

Police have set up a cordon following reports of a sex attack near Guildford.

Surrey Police are carrying out inquiries following reports the incident took place in bushes and shrubs between Barrack Road and Chatham Mews in Stoughton.

A cordon has been put in place on Stoughton Road, and police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

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A conversation with a homeless man in Chichester inspired Steven Payne to take on a record breaking challenge.

Steven has just spent 17 days crossing the Alps from Italy to Switzerland, bouncing most of the way on a spacehopper.

He wants his unique achievement to raise awareness of the plight of those living on the street.

Image source, RNLI

A man has been arrested after he was rescued from the sea following a disturbance in Margate.

Officers were called to the Royal Esplanade at 17:50 BST on Monday where a woman was reportedly assaulted.

During the incident the woman and a 27-year-old man entered the sea.

He fell into difficulty and was brought to safety by the RNLI in Margate.

After an assessment by the ambulance service he was detained by Kent Police officers.

He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing.

Are you a super Snapchatter or avid Instagrammer? A business in Brighton is offering you the chance to compose the perfect self-portrait for your social media profile.

Image source, Google

Residents in a block of flats in Peacehaven were forced to leave their homes over the bank holiday weekend after rain flooded through the roof.

Firefighters helped move about 20 people from 17 flats at Aqua House on South Coast Road into temporary accommodation after rain water poured through extension works being carried out to the building.

One resident, Martin Palecek, said "we knew we were in trouble" and described "waterfalls" in the corridors.

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To kick-start the week, here’s a picture by Claire Hayhurst of fluffy clouds hanging above boats in Folkestone. It’s our #PhotoOfTheDay

Image source, Claire Hayhurst

Police were called to a heritage railway line in Sussex after a member of staff was attacked with a stick by two youths.

Patrols had to be put in place at the Bluebell railway near Uckfield following a separate incident on Sunday where a stone was thrown at a train window.

Police say they are continuing their inquiries after two youths threw a stick at a volunteer.

Alina Jenkins
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Here's what's in store for the day ahead...

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Fire crews have been working through the night to tackle a huge blaze in West Sussex.

Roads were closed and people were told to avoid the area after the fire took hold at Rectory Road in Worthing at about 18:30 BST on Monday.

Two aerial ladder platforms and 10 fire engines fought to control the flames rising from a block of flats, shops and restaurants opposite the Thomas A Becket pub.

The fire service later tweeted that the blaze was "largely under control" and it would work through the night to damp down hot spots.

It said most roads would reopen for the morning rush hour though some nearby businesses would still be affected.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Helicopters could not be used to investigate a chemical haze on the Sussex coast last summer as it was not known if the gas was explosive.

Birling Gap was evacuated and more than 150 people needed hospital treatment.

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) were asked for help by Sussex emergency teams, but they said their aircraft could not fly, documents show.

East Sussex fire service used gas detection units, but found nothing.

People reported burning eyes, sore throats, skin irritation and vomiting after the gas engulfed the beach on the August bank holiday weekend.