Big savings from shared services
MAIDSTONE Council expects to save more than £1
/4 m a year
after merging its revenue and benefits functions with Tun- bridgeWells Council. The decision to run the serv-
ice jointly was made last Octo- ber. Stephen McGinnes, Maidstone’s head of revenues and benefits, told the cabinet that savings targets had been ex- ceeded. The projected saving of £359,000 in the current year was now expected to be £437,000 and future years were likely to be £587,000 compared to the initial target of £560,000. He told the cabinet that Maid-
stone’s share of the savings would be just over 50%. Overall, staffing levels were cut by 20%, the equivalent
of 14.9 full-time staff, including three of seven management posts. The IT contract has also been reviewed to improve function- ality and make savings. Mr McGinnes said that, after
initial uncertainty, the staff “feel positive going forward”. Cllr Malcolm Greer said: “It’s
a good story. We need to make sure staff know we appreciate what they are doing.” Council leader Cllr Chris Gar-
land said: “I’m very pleased with progress.Well done. It’s an example of the way shared serv- ices can work and I hope to see many more like it.” Maidstone is forecasting a £150,000 saving from teaming up with Swale Council on park- ing services.
We don’t just move houses We move homes....
East Borough raises over £1,200 AN ‘own clothes’ day and a movie night helped East Borough Primary School raise £1,213 for Maidstone Mencap in the last school year. The PTA also held a fashion show that will provide additional
funds for this charity. Maidstone Mencap representative Felicity Rice thanked the school and said that the money would be spent on buying equip- ment for children helped by the charity. Headteacher Jan Herbert said: “I am so proud of the children’s efforts and the support of our PTA and parents.”
Couple want to stay and work in Detling
A WORKING couple want to erect a permanent three-bed- room home in Scragged Oak Road, Detling, to help them op- erate an agricultural business. Mr and Mrs Bastable cur-
rently live in a temporary home at Little Scragged Oak Farm, after gaining planning permis- sion on appeal against an en- forcement notice. They now want to create permanent resi-
dence there. Their design statement says:
“This is a successful working smallholding and forms an in- dispensable part of the rural economy. It is essential that the applicants and their family are given the opportunity to con- tinue on a permanent basis by living in a permanent dwelling on the site.” Maidstone Council will rule on the application.
Bench campaign for ‘much-loved’ Heather A CAMPAIGN has been set up to buy a bench in memory of Bearsted residentHeather Langley, who died, aged 52, in March. Heather, who lived in the same house in Bearsted all her life,
was a former treasurer of Bearsted and Thurnham Society and its chairman from 2002 to 2005. “Having nursed her parents until their deaths she decided to
serve the community as a borough councillor,” said Ursula Gilmore, who is one of those appealing for funds for the bench. She added: “Sadly, shortly after her election to the borough council she developed cancer. To commemorate this quiet, unas- suming andmuch-loved person it had been suggested a bench is purchased to be placed on Bearsted Green.” To donate, call Ursula (01622 737257) or Graham Norton (01622 738924).
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