New faces after cabinet reshuffle
FOUR new faces have been appointed to top jobs at Tonbridge and Malling Council after a cabinet reshuffle. ConservativeMarkWorrall, who has been
leader of the council for eight years, was re- elected to the role after his party in- creased its stranglehold in the local elections. His first move was to rearrange his cabinet, increasing the number of members from eight to nine and cre- ating a new portfolio for health. Cllr Worrall said: “We all face and understand that these are difficult times and it will continue to be our goal to ease the burden where we can by concentrating on high quality but low cost service delivery.
“The council has always been prepared to
look at new and improved ways of deliver- ing high quality services and by reorganis- ing the cabinet in this way, we hope to achieve this.”
His team includes four members who are
New Tonbridge and Malling cabinet Cllr MarkWorrall, leader Cllr Owen Baldock, deputy leader and communities Cllr Jean Atkinson, housing Cllr Matthew Balfour, innovation and service delivery Cllr Martin Coffin, finance and health Cllr Maria Heslop, leisure, youth and arts Cllr Nicholas Heslop, planning and transportation Cllr Mark Rhodes, community safety Cllr Howard Rogers, environmental services
new to the cabinet: Cllr Jean Atkinson (Trench ward), Cllr Maria Heslop (Vaux- hall), Cllr Mark Rhodes (Hildenborough) and Cllr Howard Rogers (East Peckham and Golden Green). Cllr Worrall said: “I would like to welcome them. I am confident their skills will further strengthen an al- ready successful team.” Three former cabinet members
have lost their posts. David Aikman and Mike Dobson did not stand again at theMay elections and Cllr Jill An- derson, who held the housing portfo- lio last year, has moved to become chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee.
It’s goodbye Sue –
and well done, Tony! DITTON Parish Council has said thank-you to a long-serv- ing member – and goodbye to its clerk. Cllr Tony Mulcuck (77) was presented with a plaque to mark his 40 years as a council- lor.
He joined in 1971, just after
Cllr Sue Murray with representatives from her chosen chari- ties, Spadework and the Pickering Centre.
Mayor hands over charity cash CHEQUES for £3,100 each were presented to two charities by Tonbridge andMalling Cllr Sue Murray at the end of her year as mayor. A total of £6,200 was raised at various events throughout the
year for her chosen causes and handed to Norman Davidson, manager of Spadework at Offham, and Polly Taylor from the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, based in TunbridgeWells. Spadework offers tuition in horticulture, catering and other subjects to adults with learning difficulties. The Pickering centre is run by volunteers and provides support including counselling and complementary therapies such as reflexology and yoga for anyone who is touched by cancer. During her second year as mayor, Cllr Murray hosted a variety
of fundraising events ranging from a murder mystery evening to cake sales. She said: “I’vemet so many wonderful people in the local com- munity, from organisations whose events I’ve attended to help raise the profile of their important work, to the individuals who have taken part in my events to help raise money for my chari- ties.
“I’m extremely grateful to everyone for their support and so pleased I’ve been able to help two such worthwhile charities.”
the council had obtained the land on which the community hall was built. “It’s still one of the best in the South, even after all this time,” said Tony. Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in Dad’sArmy, opened the building. Oneofits roomsisnamed
after the late Cllr Don Carman, who served for even longer than Tony – 53 years. Tony rates his proudest achievement as chairing the committee that established the nature reserve on the former quarry site a few years ago. Meanwhile, clerk Sue Ka-
Well done: Tony Mulcuck
Farewell: Sue Kavanagh
vanagh is stepping down after 27 years and handing over to her deputy, Nicola Greenaway, on June 30. She has been with the council for nearly nine years. Sue said: “During that time Nicola has been clerk to the open spaces and amenities and planning committees. She passed the certificate in local government administration last year. I know she has the knowl- edge and experience to serve the parish well.” Sue thanked chairman, Cllr
Mike Porter, plus past and pres- ent members for their support.
Liz leads Lib Dems CLLR Liz Simpson, who represents East Malling, has been voted the new leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Tonbridge and Malling Council. She takes over from Cllr David Thornewell,
who lost his Larkfield North seat in the May elections after serving on the council for 30 years. The Lib Dem group was reduced from seven
to four while the Conservatives increased their stronghold to 48 of the borough’s 53 seats.
Motoring man Brian gets in gear as mayor
THE new mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Brian Luker, is looking forward to a great year ahead. Cllr Luker (59) has represented West Malling and Leybourne ward for 12 years. Born in Ashford, hemoved toWest Malling as a child and attended Clare Park Second- ary School. He left at 15 to take up an apprenticeship
at King StreetMotors before becoming work- shop foreman atWest Malling Garage. Seven years later, he set up his own business. He is a lover of all motor sports, although
Outgoing mayor Cllr Sue Murray hands over the chain to her successor Cllr Brian Luker.
22 Malling
now only as a spectator, but can still be seen riding his road bike around the area.He has worked at the celebrated Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, engineered a saloon car championship winner and was involved
with a Porsche team atWrotham. He said: “I had a wonderful year as deputy mayor and can’t wait to see what this year has to offer. I’m looking forward to meeting people at what will be a great mix of tradi- tional and new events across the borough.” Cllr Luker lives in Leybourne with his
wife Joy and they have twomarried daugh- ters and four grandchildren. He succeeds fellow Conservative member Cllr Sue Mur- ray as mayor. His chosen charities for the year are Ley- bourne Grange Riding for the Disabled and Platform 51, formerly the YWCA, in Ton- bridge. The new deputymayor is Cllr Dave Davis
who represents Burham, Eccles andWould- ham ward.
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56