Should Tunbridge Wells Borough Council take on a debt of £ 68 million to boost the shopping centre it owns in the town centre? The deputy leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Justine Rutland of the Liberal Democrats, explains why she thinks the redevelopment plans are right for the town. She explains to Martin Webber how plans for a new "boutique" cinema will provide desperately needed meeting places for young people. And she defends the plan to demolish one of the town's important heritage buildings, the Victorian Friendly Societies' Hall on Camden Road. The memorial foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise, to great excitement in the town in 1877. Justine also addresses the petition signed by 5,000 people who want the Friendly Societies' Hall to be saved - it's currently a thriving Snooker centre.

The failure of the water supply for most residents in Tunbridge Wells in recent weeks has made national headlines.

It's left people angry and frustrated that previous lessons haven't been learnt. A group "Dry Wells Action" has been set up which held a public meeting on Wednesday 21st January.

Around a hundred residents turned up, but both South East Water and their regulators said they couldn't attend.

Martin Webber was there with his colleagues Liz Barnes and Zac Daunt-Jones talking to the people who's lives have been turned up-side-down by the lack of a basic public service.

Interviewees included the founder of Dry Wells Action, Jonathan Hawker, and water industry expert and chartered geologist, Charles Hedges (after 15 mins he expresses his deep concerns about South East Water's performance).

Yes. There’s been quite a gap since my last podcast was released to the world. But I’m back. And in the coming months I promise once more to be regularly publishing fascinating interviews on what you need to know about local issues.

Firstly, the best bits from two of my in depth interviews in the past year with the Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin.

I tackled him at length about whether the Lib Dems are in tune with the public mood on the issues of Gatwick expansion, house building on green fields and immigration.

I also wanted to get answers on how his party would deal with the UK government’s record £2.7 trillion of debt. That is £40,000 of debt for every person in the country - and it’s still rising.

I started by asking him how he felt in the moment he found out that he'd become the very first Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells.

Do get in touch with any reaction to the interview - and check out the YouTube site Southborough News for more about local people and issues.

Thanks so much!

Martin Webber, West Kent Talking's Presenter and former BBC World Service Business Editor 1995-2022