Cllr. Shellina Prendergast

01/05/2025

Early start in Headcorn!

30/04/2025

Thank you Save Our Heath Lands! Hadn't seen that video before but still feel the same and always will! Looking forward to working with you - much to be done!

30/04/2025

It’s the eve of the poll for KCC election being held tomorrow and I have spent the afternoon in beautiful Lenham. Have a definite spring in my step from talking to so many well wishers and many of whom I had not met previously.
Also bumped into one of the candidates standing against me and it was delightful to talk to him about the local area. Honesty and fairness are very important to me and he hit the mark there - unlike the nasty and negative statements thrown about by some.
Thank you to everybody in Maidstone Rural East for giving me the honour of representing you over the years and I hope you will bestow the same tomorrow!

30/04/2025

Politics is about speaking up for local people and I care passionately about our rural way of life – particularly when it is under constant threat from inappropriate development.

I was honoured to be re-elected to serve residents and businesses in Maidstone Rural East in 2021 and have worked collaboratively with local residents, Parish Councils, our Borough Councillors and Members of Parliament during that time to seek proper joined up local solutions to local problems. Together we have achieved much.

If re-elected to be your voice at County Hall tomorrow, I make the following commitment to you:

• I will continue to be a strong voice for all residents - so your views are taken into consideration when decisions are made and that you can access essential services when you need them.
• Our valued rural life, with its unique character and historical landscape, continues to be under threat from inappropriate development. Our faith in the planning system has been eroded with high housing numbers threatening to ride roughshod over local feelings and harm our countryside without meeting local need or providing the essential infrastructure we need – roads, schools, broadband, transport and medical facilities. I have a proven track record of not being afraid to challenge decision makers to ensure this is provided (and funded) in line with development and preferably before. I will not stop doing this!
• That our children and young people can attend outstanding local schools and access high quality opportunities such as apprenticeships.
• I will continue to wage my personal war on speeding, HGVs using our rural roads and potholes/highways repairs to ensure safety for all road users. Speeding motorists, irresponsible parking and HGVs straying into our rural roads are the single biggest item in my postbag. Working with Kent Highways, I have implemented some positive measures in several rural locations across Maidstone Rural East – whether by introducing 20mph zones outside schools and improved signage. Major routes such as the A20, A249 and the A274 have seen significant improvements in reducing speed, improved visibility and introducing other engineering and physical barriers to speeding. There remains much to be done – particularly in addressing congestion due to roadworks, development and Operation Brock – and I am committed to completing them.
• Our elderly and other vulnerable residents deserve to enjoy a good quality of life and I will work hard on their behalf.
• Living in a safe environment and without fear is key to our wellbeing and I will continue to work with our communities, Kent Police and MPs to ensure that antisocial behaviour in our villages and the adverse impacts of rural crime, particularly in our farming communities, are addressed, policed and enforced.

Thank you again for putting your faith in me over the years and I hope you will do so again so I can be your Champion at County Hall – together we have much to do….

&Kingswood

26/04/2025

Great afternoon spent in and Broomfleld - so many out and about enjoying the wonderful weather and many tending to their gardens. This post not so much about the KCC election - although good to hear so many supportive voices - but about my thanks to the wonderful and resilient community here. Thank you to and Kingswood Scouts for complimentary poo bags at entrance to Kingswood so that everyone can enjoy the glorious surroundings without unwelcome mess. And then there are the iced buns - absolutely delicious and thank you to the village shop for the Saturday treat. And thank you to all those I spent time talking to today and especially the birthday girl (she knows who she is) for their time and support. Good day!

24/04/2025

Another sun soaked day campaigning in Headcorn. Lots of conversations with local residents and friends all of whom recognise the importance of this election and that it is not about national issues but having the right representation at County Hall on things that make a difference to peoples's lives locally. Thanks to my fellow county councillor and KCC candidate Sarah Hudson for her help and support today

18/04/2025

Happy Easter!

15/04/2025

Last of postal votes completed in Broomfield and Kingswood, East Sutton and Ulcombe with the help of Helen Whately MP! My thanks to her and Andy Culham , Chairman of Faversham and Mid Kent Conservatives, for their time and encouragement. Hoping it will pay off on May 1

14/04/2025

Early year education plays such a vital role in the life of our children and this is a much needed facility for families in Lenham. This proposed nursery is something I have supported Lenham Parish Council with over the years and applaud their efforts in planning for the future. I have everything crossed for a speedy approval from MBC and hope to see the nursery up and running in the not too distant future.

A new nursery will provide all-year-round care for working parents to help meet demand as more homes are built.

13/04/2025

Great to spend time at Lenham Country Market this morning - have bought lots of edibles to see us through the next few days at least. Bumped into many friends and supporters - including local representatives - and my thanks to them for their kind words of encouragement and their pledge to mark their X against my name on 1st May - thank you again!

11/04/2025

In Lenham today talking to residents ahead of the KCC election on 1st May and making the most of the wonderful weather. Thank you to friends and colleagues out campaigning with me - would have posted a team photo but this view of the Lenham Cross was just too good to not share....

09/04/2025

Range of topics for discussion at Wormshill Annual Parish Meeting last night - from impacts of large developments in both Lenham and Teynham to school transport and everything in between. Highways safety and speeding inconsiderate motorists a key issues - so very pleased to have been able to help with new village gateway (another on its way shortly) together with improved road markings and signage which I'm sure will make a difference. And the much loved Black Post will soon be reinstated!