'Disdain' for voters over election cycle


MAIDSTONE Lib Dems have been accused of ignoring the will of the public over the frequency of borough council elections. They – supported by Independents –


voted to retain the current system of elec- tions being held in a third of wards annu- ally, in three out of every four years. The ruling Conservatives backed a switch


to whole council elections, with ballots being held in all wards every fourth year. The council consulted residents last year


by sending out a supplementary question with electoral registration forms. Replies to the question were received from about a half of 44,000 households, of which 72% of electors (32,000) said 'yes' to changing the system.


THE Heart of Kent Hospice is £2,500 better off thanks to the ef- forts of these two cycling enthusi- asts. Caroline Drewett (left), had planned to do the Lands End to John O’Groats trip last May along- side her friend Kate Bosley, the hospice’s chief executive. But Caroline injured her ankle


before they were due to set off, so Kate did the 1,000-mile ride on her own, while Caroline post- poned her effort until October. Caroline, manager of the Med-


way Valley Countryside partner- ship at Allington Lock, said: “It was a fantastic challenge and I can truly say I loved every minute, ex- cept for the torrential rain!”


At December's full council meeting, 24


voted against the move and 27 for it. How- ever, the law requires a two-thirds majority for a change to be made. Cllr Paulina Stockell, who moved the mo-


tion for whole council elections, said there was no doubt it would save money (an offi- cers' report suggested £75,000 over a three- year period), as well as improve voter turnout and efficiency. She said the 32,000 votes in favour was a "phenomenal" consultation figure. "It's crys- tal clear, a no-brainer that the electorate pre- fer four-year elections," she added. Lib Dem leader Cllr Fran Wilson said


there were three questions to consider. First, what is best democratic practice?; second,


how certain is it that savings will be made?; and third, what weight should be given to the consultation? Last year's mayor, Cllr Peter Parvin (Con)


said he would have preferred the status quo but, as a large number in the borough said they wanted a change, he had to represent the people, so he could not see "in all con- science" how he could not vote for it. Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) argued that


councillors are more responsive under the current thirds system "because of the healthy whiff of fear that they will lose their seats if they do something crass". He also claimed that, under a four-yearly


Pedal-power pair boost hospice fund


system, council tax would go up after an election and come down the year before the next election. But Cllr John Horne urged members not to treat the people with "sophistry and disdain".


Suspended jail


term for car thief ALVIN Back (19), of Grove Road, Maidstone, was given a suspended prison sentence for stealing an £800 Ford Escort. The incident happened in November last year while Back was on bail. Later that month, he attempted to burgle a home in Oaktree Avenue, Maidstone. He was committed to prison


for 150 days, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to under- take a drug rehabilitation pro- gramme and observe a six-month curfew.


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