Photo: Medway council
Rodney Chambers is a former Conservative councillor for Hempstead and Wigmore ward. He represented the ward between May 2003 and May 2023.
In addition to Hempstead and Wigmore, Rodney represented Hempstead and Wigmore ward between April 1998 and May 2003, St Margaret's ward on Gillingham borough council between May 1991 and May 1995, South ward on Gillingham borough council between May 1987 and May 1991, and Gillingham No 1 division on Kent county council between April 1974 and May 1981.
Rodney has stood in seven elections to Medway council, three elections to Gillingham borough council and three elections to Kent county council, and has been elected on 11 occasions.
Political Career
Rodney has served in the following posts:
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
|
|
Conservative
1 May 2003 - 4 May 2023 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
|
|
Conservative
1 Apr 1998 - 1 May 2003 |
Gillingham Borough Council
|
St Margaret's
|
|
Conservative
2 May 1991 - 4 May 1995 |
|
South
|
|
Conservative
7 May 1987 - 2 May 1991 |
|
Gillingham No 1
|
|
Conservative
1 Apr 1974 - 7 May 1981 |
Only periods where Rodney Chambers represented Medway are included in this section. Some of Medway's current and former representatives have also represented other parts of the country in local government, devolved assemblies and both houses of parliament.
Attendance at Council Meetings
The full council meets six times a year and, unless there are extenuating circumstances, all councillors are expected to attend these meetings.
Rodney's attendance record for full council meetings is as follows:
|
2019 to 2023 *
|
84.0%
|
Present
|
21 |
Absent
|
4 |
|
2015 to 2019
|
75.0%
|
Present
|
18 |
Absent
|
6 |
|
2011 to 2015
|
96.0%
|
Present
|
24 |
Absent
|
1 |
|
2007 to 2011
|
100.0%
|
Present
|
19 |
Absent
|
0 |
Click on a term to see how Rodney Chambers's attendance compared to the other councillors for that term.
* During the 2020 coronavirus (Covid-19) public health emergency, it was informally agreed between the two political groups to run Medway Council meetings with a reduced number of participants. This was to reduce risk, comply with Government guidance and enable more efficient meetings. Rodney Chambers's attendance rate may have been affected by this informal agreement of reduced participants.
Attendance at Cabinet Meetings
The cabinet is the council's executive branch, responsible for proposing the policy framework and budget to the rest of the council and for taking decisions on resources and priorities throughout the year.
Rodney's attendance record for cabinet meetings is as follows:
|
2019 to 2023 *
|
81.6%
|
Present
|
40 |
Absent
|
9 |
|
2015 to 2019
|
81.1%
|
Present
|
43 |
Absent
|
10 |
|
2011 to 2015
|
86.3%
|
Present
|
44 |
Absent
|
7 |
Click on a term to see how Rodney Chambers's attendance compared to the other members of the cabinet for that term.
* During the 2020 coronavirus (Covid-19) public health emergency, it was informally agreed between the two political groups to run Medway Council meetings with a reduced number of participants. This was to reduce risk, comply with Government guidance and enable more efficient meetings. Rodney Chambers's attendance rate may have been affected by this informal agreement of reduced participants.
Attendance at Committee Meetings
Councillors usually sit on a number of scrutiny or decision-making committees. Additionally, they may substitute for another member of a committee who is unable to make a meeting.
Rodney's attendance record for these committee meetings is as follows:
|
2019 to 2023 *
|
|
Present
|
2 |
Absent
|
0 |
Substitute
|
3 |
|
2015 to 2019
|
|
Present
|
3 |
Absent
|
2 |
Substitute
|
1 |
|
2011 to 2015
|
|
Present
|
11 |
Absent
|
2 |
Substitute
|
0 |
Attendance as a substitute member of a committee is not included in the calculation of the attendance rate. Click on a term to see how Rodney Chambers's attendance compared to the other councillors for that term.
* During the 2020 coronavirus (Covid-19) public health emergency, it was informally agreed between the two political groups to run Medway Council meetings with a reduced number of participants. This was to reduce risk, comply with Government guidance and enable more efficient meetings. Rodney Chambers's attendance rate may have been affected by this informal agreement of reduced participants.
We are still working on adding historic attendance records to our database. The earliest council meeting we have attendance data for is that held on 6 May 2009. The earliest cabinet meeting we have attendance data for is that held on 7 June 2011. The earliest committee meeting we have attendance data for is that held on 21 November 2007. Please bear with us while we work back to the earliest data available.
Councillors' Allowances
All councillors are entitled to a basic allowance and to claim for certain travel and subsistence expenses. Some councillors have special responsibilities (e.g. a cabinet portfolio or chairing a committee) and receive an additional allowance.
The amount Rodney received each year in allowances and expenses was:
|
2022/2023
|
£27,380.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£10,952.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£16,428.00 |
|
2021/2022
|
£26,833.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£10,733.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£16,100.00 |
|
2020/2021
|
£26,462.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£10,585.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£15,877.00 |
|
2019/2020
|
£25,839.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£10,286.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£15,198.00 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£355.00 |
|
2018/2019
|
£20,523.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,987.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£11,313.00 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£223.00 |
|
2017/2018
|
£20,147.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,889.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£11,189.00 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£69.00 |
|
2016/2017
|
£19,959.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,836.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£11,123.00 |
|
2015/2016
|
£22,169.00
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,783.00 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£13,355.00 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£31.00 |
|
2014/2015
|
£34,374.24
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,730.84 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£25,643.40 |
|
2013/2014
|
£34,374.24
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,730.84 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£25,643.40 |
|
2012/2013
|
£34,470.78
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,755.37 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£25,715.41 |
|
2011/2012
|
£35,532.72
|
Basic allowance
|
£9,025.20 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£26,507.52 |
|
2010/2011
|
£35,548.22
|
Basic allowance
|
£9,025.20 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£26,507.52 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£15.50 |
|
2009/2010
|
£35,732.12
|
Basic allowance
|
£9,025.20 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£26,507.52 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£199.40 |
|
2008/2009
|
£35,245.68
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,935.80 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£26,245.08 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£64.80 |
|
2007/2008
|
£34,376.47
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,696.64 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£25,336.73 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£343.10 |
|
2006/2007
|
£33,876.92
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,486.63 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£24,925.68 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£464.61 |
|
2005/2006
|
£33,068.52
|
Basic allowance
|
£8,243.40 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£24,213.24 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£611.88 |
|
Total
|
£535,911.91
|
Basic allowance
|
£165,706.12 |
Special responsibility allowance
|
£367,828.50 |
Travel and subsistence
|
£2,377.29 |
Allowances information is only available from 2005 onwards. Click on a year to see how Rodney Chambers's allowances compared to the other councillors for that year.
Voting History
Most decisions taken by councillors at meetings of the full council are made by unanimous agreement or, if the decision is disputed, by show of hands. However, the council's constitution states that in certain circumstances, or if six or more members request, a "recorded vote" may be taken, where each councillor's vote is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
The votes recorded for Rodney are as follows:
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Government: Restore Universal Credit Payments
7 Oct 2021
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
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Government: Protect the Right of Communities to Object to Planning Applications
22 Jul 2021
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Public Questions: Suspend Time Limit
22 Apr 2021
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council: Oppose Lorry Park Legislation
8 Oct 2020
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council: Campaign for Hoo Peninsula to Become Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
8 Oct 2020
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Convene a Cross Party Working Group to Review Memorials, Historic Markers and Monuments (Amendment)
16 Jul 2020
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Capital and Revenue Budgets 2020/21
20 Feb 2020
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Remove Mixed Use Designation for Chatham Docks in the Local Plan
23 Jan 2020
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Proposed Changes to the Rules for the Nomination of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
18 Jul 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Commit to Food Justice (Amendment)
25 Apr 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Acquisition of Depot Site for the Waste Collection and Cleansing Service
25 Apr 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Revenue and Capital Budgets 2019/2020
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Revenue and Capital Budgets 2019/2020 (Labour Amendment)
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Pentagon Centre Purchase (Exempt Amendment)
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Pentagon Centre Purchase (Amendment): Prioritise Gillingham Town Centre for the Future High Streets Fund
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Pentagon Centre Purchase (Amendment): Obtain Two Further Independent Valuations
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Pentagon Centre Purchase Discussion: Suspend Time Limits
21 Feb 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Support the Co-operative Party's Charter Against Modern Slavery (Amendment)
24 Jan 2019
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Scrap Bulky Waste Collection Charge and Tackle Fly-Tipping
19 Jul 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Council: Complete SEN Review by End of July and Share Conclusions Publicly
19 Jul 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
The Council's Petition Scheme - E-petitions (Amendment)
26 Apr 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Additions to the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme
26 Apr 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018/2019
22 Feb 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Explore Options to Tackle Knife Crime (Amendment)
25 Jan 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Community Governance Review - Proposed Establishment of Rochester Town Council (Amendment)
25 Jan 2018
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Establishment of Committees, Appointments and Schedule of Meetings 2017/2018 (Amendment)
27 Apr 2017
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Capital and Revenue Budgets - 2017/2018
23 Feb 2017
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Reduce Time to Trigger Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
26 Jan 2017
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Government: Reconsider Transition Arrangements for Women's Pensions
13 Oct 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Council: Develop Support for Young Refugees
21 Jul 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Support the UK's Membership of the EU (Amendment)
28 Apr 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Government: Reverse Planned Changes to Education (Amendment)
28 Apr 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Capital and Revenue Budgets - 2016/2017
25 Feb 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Management of Public Health Budget Cuts
21 Jan 2016
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Questions at Cabinet Meetings: Add Provision
15 Oct 2015
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Questions at Council Meetings: Reduction of Provision
15 Oct 2015
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Government: Reconsider Public Health Budget Cuts
12 Aug 2015
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Scrutiny Task Groups: Substitute Members
24 Jul 2014
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Rochester Airport: Masterplan
23 Jan 2014
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Rochester Airport: Masterplan (Adjournment)
23 Jan 2014
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Public Questions: Suspend Time Limit
23 Jan 2014
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Rochester Airport: Capital Programme
25 Jul 2013
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Rochester Airport: Capital Programme (Deferment Amendment)
25 Jul 2013
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council Plan 2012/2013
23 Feb 2012
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Capital and Revenue Budgets 2012/2013
23 Feb 2012
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Airport Proposals in Medway and Kent: Opposition
12 Jan 2012
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Airport Proposals in Medway and Kent: Opposition (Amendment)
12 Jan 2012
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Chatham Waterfront Bus Station: Capital Programme
15 Sep 2011
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Exclusion of Press and Public: Chatham Waterfront Bus Station
15 Sep 2011
|
|
Rodney Chambers was absent from the vote |
|
Election of Mayor: Opposition Candidate
25 May 2011
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Protect Sure Start Centres
13 Jan 2011
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Protect Sure Start Centres (Amendment)
13 Jan 2011
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Council: Call on Cllr Brice to Resign
25 Nov 2010
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Public Spending Reductions
29 Jul 2010
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Introduce Free Bus Travel for Under-18s (Amendment)
14 Jan 2010
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council: Keep St John's School Open
12 Nov 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council: Keep Ridge Meadow School Open
12 Nov 2009
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|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Council: Remove Charge for Companion Pass (Amendment)
12 Nov 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Various Property Disposals
30 Jul 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Stop School Closure Consultation
18 Jun 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
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Development of Queens Court
5 Mar 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
5 Mar 2009
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|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Capital and Revenue Budgets 2009/2010
26 Feb 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
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Capital and Revenue Budgets 2009/2010 (Amendment)
26 Feb 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Government: Re-open Sub Post Offices in Medway
15 Jan 2009
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|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Additions to the Capital Programme and Revenue Budget (Amendment)
15 Jan 2009
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Call on Portfolio Holder to Resign
31 Jul 2008
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Increase Number of Votes Recorded (Amendment)
31 Jul 2008
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Capital and Revenue Budgets 2007/2008
1 Mar 2007
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Local Development Framework: Submission Stage Development Plan (Amendment)
15 Jun 2006
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Stop School Closures and Develop Medway-wide School Strategy
8 Dec 2005
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
MPs: Oppose Proposals to Remove Right of Appeal of Overseas Students
3 Nov 2005
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Make Arrangements to Enable Registration of Civil Partnerships
3 Nov 2005
|
|
Rodney Chambers abstained |
|
Declare Land at Compass Close Surplus
4 Nov 2004
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Declare Land at Compass Close Surplus (Amendment)
4 Nov 2004
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Reverse Decision to Declare Land at Compass Close Surplus
16 Sep 2004
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Oppose University Top-up Fees
15 Jan 2004
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Proposed Bill: Enforcement Issues
15 Jan 2004
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Council: Consult on Sales of Open Land Space
4 Dec 2003
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Proposed Bill: Enforcement Issues
6 Nov 2003
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Declare Land at Compass Close and The Tideway Surplus
23 Oct 2003
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Declare Land at Compass Close and The Tideway Surplus (Amendment)
23 Oct 2003
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Declare Land at Former Priestfields' Nursery Surplus
11 Sep 2003
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted in favour |
|
Medway Local Plan (Amendment)
25 Sep 2002
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Council: Investigate Alleged Attempt to Limit Free Speech Against Trade Union
30 May 2002
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Increase Secondary School Places in Walderslade
13 May 2002
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Cabinet Decision Contrary to Budget and Policy Framework
5 Dec 2001
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
|
Reconsider Forecast Overspend in Compliance with Budget and Policy Framework
5 Dec 2001
|
|
Rodney Chambers voted against |
Recorded votes are only available from December 2001 onwards. Click on a vote to see the full details of the motion and how the other councillors voted.
Electoral History
Rodney has stood in the following elections:
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
2 May 2019
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
1,613 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
7 May 2015
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
3,555 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
5 May 2011
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
1,779 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
3 May 2007
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
1,469 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
1 May 2003
|
|
|
Rodney Chambers
Conservative
|
1,373 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
4 May 2000
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
1,376 |
|
Hempstead and Wigmore
1 May 1997
|
|
|
Rodney Brian Chambers
Conservative
|
2,311 |
Gillingham Borough Council
|
St Margaret's
2 May 1991
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
1,180 |
|
South
7 May 1987
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
866 |
|
Brompton
5 May 1983
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
568 |
|
Gillingham North West
2 May 1985
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
1,611 |
|
Gillingham No 1
5 May 1977
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
2,374 |
|
Gillingham No 1
12 April 1973
|
|
|
R. Chambers
Conservative
|
1,756 |
A green bar on the right hand side of the result indicates that Rodney Chambers was elected, while a red bar indicates they were not elected. Click on a card to see the full results for that election.