Deal in sight for parish funding
A RESOLUTION is on the cards for a long-running funding dispute between Maidstone's parish councils and the borough council. MBC – under financial pressure from the Government – had orig-
inally wanted to abolish the ‘concurrent functions’ grant to the 30- plus parishes. But, after massive protests, MBC decided to reduce the grant by 30% this year and to review the whole system in the meantime. Cabinet member Cllr John Wilson told the Downs Mail: “We're planning to go over to a Parish Services Scheme, which is much better in our view.We need to consult with the parishes.” He said it had been “gratefully received” by the half dozen
‘Harmful’ store signs
allowed to remain TWOhanging signs attached to the front of Sains- bury’s in Headcorn are causing harm to the con- servation area, according to the parish council. Chairman Tim Thomas told Maidstone’s plan-
ning committee: “Such signs are acceptable in large town locations, but do not fit into a village High Street alongside several Grade II listed buildings. They give out thewrong impression to other shops.” A planning application to retain the hanging
signs (pictured right), alongwith two fascia signs, went to committee after the council refused per- mission for the hanging signs in July 2005. However, they had not been removed. Cllr Thomas added: “We have reminded enforcement on a number of occasions about this outstanding issue, but it is considered low priority. Just be- cause the signs have been here for a number of years, it does not mean we should condone it.” However, the committee granted planning per- mission for both sets of signs after the borough’s conservation officer opted not tomake an objection. Cllr Ian Chittenden said: “The signs are fairly common practice. I can’t see what harm they bring to the surrounding area and residents.”
Cllr Martin Cox said: “This is no different to a
pub that has an illuminated sign.” Permission was granted with 11 members in favour and two abstentions, from Cllrs Richard Lusty and JohnWilson.
Protection for listed home MAIDSTONE Council blocked a proposed two-storey rear extension at 92 The Quarries, Boughton Monchelsea. The planning department felt it would “erode the visually important spatial relation- ship between this cottage and the adjacent listed building (88 The Quarries)”.
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parishes he had initially spoken to. The total concurrent functions grant paid to parishes last year was £450,000. This is used for services such as grass cutting, mainte- nance and cleaning, that MBC might not otherwise do. Parishes argued that if the grantwere abolished, theywould have
to raise their precepts by about £15 per household per year to re- coup the lost funding. Many villagers see the parish precept as “double taxation” as they already have to pay council tax to MBC, while urban dwellers pay only once for a full set of services. Now, a different funding agreement with individual parishes is being proposed as a replacement for the old grant system.
Golf extension is
given go-ahead A RESUBMITTED planning ap- plication to extend the Ridge Golf Club in Chartway Street, East Sutton, has been approved. In September, Maidstone Council refused a similar pro- posal for a side extension, to enable the health club to be ex- panded and relocated to the ground floor, due to concerns over the size of the develop- ment and its sustainability cre- dentials. But the revamped scheme has
been approved after applicant Stoner Venture Property Serv- ices said the new extension had been made smaller in scale, less bulky and lower in height, adding, “the building has been made more integrated with the existing building, removing the separate entrance, and moving the reception closer to the main club facilities”.
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