It once was a city before losing the privileged status to a bureaucratic bungle, it still has a cathedral and historic castle, has major links with Dickens, but has all its affairs run from Chatham.

Now Rochester is bidding to set up its own council to have more power to run some local services and promote the town.

The City of Rochester Society wants to form an elected authority which would act as an urban equivalent of a parish council for the town and surrounding areas.

Guest speakers from other town councils in Kent, which have a population of a similar size, will be speaking at a meeting about the idea tonight.

For an extra cost of about £1.50 a month on the council tax bill, supporters believe it would strengthen the identity of the town and the community it serves and give the area more democratic representation.

It would also generate funds to be invested in schemes such as youth groups, open spaces and business promotion. The town council would have a right to be consulted on planning applications and licensing matters.

About a dozen elected councillors and a mayor would sit on it and there would be two part-time staff to look after administration.

Society chairman Alan Moss has written to members saying: “We hope that this initiative will be the first of many across the Medway Towns, as we believe that everybody in Kent and Medway should be served by a parish council of some nature.
“For this reason, we are also reaching out to groups who are active across other parts of the Medway conurbation.

“It is envisaged this council would represent and promote the town, set a vision and a strategy for the town, make recommendation on planning decisions, manage public spaces, such as allotments, and allocate funding to local groups and initiatives.

“It would hold the same status as any other parish council that currently operates in Medway, such as Cuxton parish council or Frindsbury parish council.”

The council would serve residents living in the wards of Rochester West and Rochester East and part of River and Rochester South/Horsted.

About 50 politicians and civic leaders from across the county, including representatives from Ashford area, Broadstairs and Faversham town councils have been invited to the meeting.