In a change for my regular readers, I aim to focus this column on the year ahead in Swale, rather than my usual attack on centralising Whitehall forces. 2015 will be a major year for our borough. Alongside the Parliamentary elections, we have our own all-out elections, as well elections in 36 parish and town councils – where they are contested.

These will be a major logistical exercise, but of more interest will be the outcomes, both nationally and locally. As a Kent coastal district, UKIP will be a major factor, and the make up of our 47 councillors come 8 May, will be difficult to predict.

More practically, our regeneration ambitions are at last being realised. Following years of effort, alongside the county council, the Homes and Communities Agency and previously (whisper it) South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), we are seeing our hard work bearing fruit.