This week’s Kent Politics Podcast welcomes Medway Council leader Vince Maple as he nears a year in charge of the local authrority.

He talks about the differences between being in opposition and governing and how that affects the way he’s seen issues.

After 16 years in opposition, Cllr Maple’s Labour group gained a majority on Medway Council in May last year and have just passed their first budget.

He also discusses the challenges the administration has faced in its first year and if there’s anything he’d approach differently – as well as how confident he is in a future Labour government and what it might do for places like Medway.

The episode also sees our reporters discuss a decision by Swale council to reject a solar farm which may come back to bite them, the reasons behind why some men in Kent are dying young, and the latest on Medway Council’s precarious finances.

The weekly podcast, which launched in January, brings together local democracy reporters, Simon Finlay, Robert Boddy, Dan Esson and KM Media Group political editor Paul Francis.

Simon covers Kent County Council while Robert reports on Medway Council and Dan specialises in borough and district councils.

Paul brings his weekly Westminster Watch review – highlighting what’s happening in parliament and how it affects the county.

Next week we’ll be joined by former deputy leader of the Medway Tories, Elizabeth Turpin, to talk about her reasons for leaving the group to sit as an independent councillor.

You can listen to the podcast at IM Listening, or download it from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and TuneIn – just search for Kent Politics Podcast.

New episodes are available each Friday.

The podcast is the latest move to increase KentOnline’s political coverage ahead of a general election likely to be held later this year.

In recent months we also launched bespoke sections on KentOnline highlighting Kent Politics and Medway Politics.

Added to this is the highly-respected Kent Politics Show which airs on KMTV each Friday evening.