Councillors
investigated MAIDSTONE’S standards com- mittee has examined 10 com- plaints involving 18 councillors in the past year. There were seven complaints
about 15 parish councillors and three complaints about borough councillors. All except three complaints related to Bearsted. Four led to no further action,
three were referred to the moni- toring officer and three were re- ferred for investigation. Of the latter three, in two cases
the committee agreed with the investigating officer’s finding of no breach and, in the final case, against former parish chairman Chris Dyke, the matter went to public hearing. The Localism Act means all
local authorities have to adopt a code of conduct which demands they maintain high standards at all times. A model code of con- duct is likely to be drawn up by the Local Government Associa- tion in
Kent.The aim is to enable complaints to be dealt with sim- ply, efficiently and informally, if appropriate, says the council.
Cannabis destroyed AROUND 120 plants were de- stroyed after police shut down a cannabis farm at a house inWell Road,Maidstone. Detectives launched an inves- tigation to find those involved in the cultivation.
A vision for better trains
TONBRIDGE and Malling Council has produced “A Man- ifesto for Improved Rail Serv- ices” with the aim of urging the Government to help upgrade rail services within the bor- ough. It aims to ensure that the new
rail franchise includes compre- hensive Thameslink services from Maidstone East through East Malling, West Malling and Borough Green to Blackfriars
and stations beyond. It also highlights the importance of in- cluding a true “peak” service to Cannon Street and ensuring that the new high speed (HS1) serv- ice to St Pancras stops at Snod- land station. The council also wants a review of the system for increasing fares, which it says is currently complicated and dis- proportionate. Cllr Nicolas Heslop, cabinet member for planning and trans-
portation, said: “This compre- hensive rail manifesto has been sent to Theresa Villiers MP, the rail minister and delivers the importantmessage that the bor- ough council wishes to work with her officials to ensure that the interests of communities across Tonbridge and Malling are fully reflected in the next rail franchise.” Visit
www.tmbc.gov.uk/pub- lictransport for more details.
Mote House nears completion
THE five-year renovation of Grade II listed MoteHouse by Audley will be completed this summer, with the official opening planned for July 6. Many of the original features of
the Georgian mansion and its sur- rounding grounds, are being re- stored to their former glory. These will include the 2.5-acre
walled garden, the clock tower, stables with horse name plates and livery, old brew house, Geor- gian iron hand water pump, ice houses, the splendid staircase in the main house, and Georgian steps within the grounds over- looking the Len valley. Visitors to the surrounding 450-
acreMoteParkwillbeable to stop at themain house to enjoy tea and cake in the restaurant, which re-
£25,000 boost for community groups
CHARITIES and organisations in and around Maidstone are being offered the chance to win £25,000 to help fund future projects and celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The Cobtree Charity Trust dis- tributes about £150,000 each year, supporting more than 60 local organisations with their running costs. But the trustees also make an annual award, this year dubbed the Cobtree Jubilee 2012Award, to help specific projects. These can be anything from
sports club changing rooms, Scout and Guide facilities to a new church spire or kitchen. The pot of cash can go to one
major recipient or be divided into several chunks. Trust chairman Richard Cor-
ben said: “Times are particu- larly tough for charities at the moment, with so many people chasing ever-diminishing re- serves. “The idea of this award is to
help one or more local organi- sations, who can demonstrate why they need a particular “lift” to turn their dreams into reality. The scope is vast and all applications will be carefully considered by the trustees.”
Mr Corben said: “Applica-
tions must comply with the ob- jectives of the Cobtree Charity Trust and are therefore welcome from organisations working to enhance the lives of those need- ing support, for the benefit of the public or working to pre- serve the fabric of historic buildings.” The Cobtree Charity Trust Ltd
was founded by 12-times Mayor of Maidstone Sir Garrard Tyr- whitt-Drake and his wife, Lady Tyrwhitt-Drake, and the council leases Cobtree Manor Park from the Trust. In order to apply for the Ju-
bilee Award, you or a represen- tative of your organisation needstosendanemail
to
richardcorben@hotmail.co.uk, telling the trust about your- selves, your organisation, the work that you do and your fu- ture plans, and how you would spend the money. Applications should describe
the work or project, with a fi- nancial plan attached, as well as a copy of your annual report and accounts. The deadline for entries is
June 30, and the £25,000 will be awarded at a special ceremony in the autumn.
To apply,
your application should include:- • Details about you
• Your present plans Email to:
richardcorben@hotmail.co.uk The cobtree Charity Trust Ltd Reg. Charity No. 208453
Closing date for entries June 30th 2012
20 Town Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
• The work you do • Your future plans
• Your annual report & accounts
The renovated Mote House will re-open on July 6
tains its original splendour. Oncethe houseisopen, Audley
plans to recruit locally, particu- larly for guest services, including restaurant, bar and health and fit- ness staff. People, aged over 50, from the
local community, will be invited to join the Audley Club, which is lo- cated in the main house. It in-
Cobtree Charity Trust
cludes a gym, swimming pool, restaurant, bistro and library. The Mote House Village con-
sists of 100 houses, cottages and apartments, for sale to those aged over 55. There are also 12 unique apartments in the main house. The house and park have a long
and varied history, including visits by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1531, and by King George III and prime minister William Pitt in 1799 to inspect 3,000 troops of the Kent Volunteers. In 1941, Mote House was com- mandeered by the Army as a headquarters and training facility during the SecondWorldWar and was later used as offices for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Cobtree Jubilee Award 2012
Your charity or charitable
organisation can win up to £25,000
Applications are welcome from a wide variety of organisations with projects started or are ready to start, given the funding.
Your charity
Twenty five thousand pounds
October 2012
£25,000 Cobtree Trust
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