£20,000 bill for council pay error
A MIX-UP over payments to KCC leader Paul Carter, who represents Maidstone Rural North, resulted in more than £20,000 being paid to a mainte- nance fitter with the same name. The council managed to re-
trieve only £769, but said it was unable to recover any more as the other Paul Carter had re- signed and left the country. Allowances of £21,398, in-
tended for the council leader over a period of seven months, were paid by mistake to his namesake, who worked at Aylesford Commercial Services depot. The last payment was made to
themaintenanceman, then aged 54, in March 2008. The payroll error was discovered the follow- ing month, when the council leader’s secretary in his private
Rodd robes up for new role
Cllr Nelson- Gracie with local pupils (from left) Alexander Rolfe, Jenna Aldrich, Harry Petch, and Sally
McConchie
MAIDSTONE’S new Mayor has robed up for his year in office.
Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie, who represents Nettlestead and is vice-chairman of the parish coun- cil,was invested in a ceremony in the council chamber at the Town Hall, following the annual Civic
Service at All Saints’ Church. Family and friends joined his
fellow councillors and officers of the borough to see him take over the civic mantle from Cllr Brian Mortimer. Deputy Mayor for the year is Cllr Clive English.
DownsMail Business Profile Sewing shop celebrates landmark
Sew a Good Yarn celebrates its first anniversary on the 4th of July. To thank all their customers for their support, they are offering 10% discount on all items that day (not in
conjunction with any other offer).
Since opening, the shop has greatly increased the range of products and services. For the new season they have an extensive selection of fabrics, yarns and trimmings including Jubilee/Olympic themed products.
“We have a good selection of haberdashery to give your project that professional finish and to prepare you for the new
season”, said Linda Gander, co- director of Sew a Good Yarn.
According to Liz Sawyers, company co-director, the first year was very positive and productive. “We have had great support from customers and surrounding businesses. It has been very satisfying, an opportunity to learn more about customer needs”.
At Sew a Good Yarn you can learn how to sew, knit or crochet on a 1:1 basis. The shop offers various alteration services as well as advice on your projects. “Our experts can help you create unique handmade gifts and accessories”, said Liz.
- 10% discount on all full-priced items on July 4
- New range of summery fabrics, yarns and trims
- Cross stitch kits to order - Learn to knit, crochet or sew - Alterations - Knitting service
office noticed that his overdraft was near its limit. He told the BBC: “My secre-
tary and my own office sug- gested to me that I needed to rein back on expenditure. Clearly things weren’t quite right.” He asked her to check that his leader’s allowance had been paid into his personal bank ac- count and it hadn’t.
The mistake had occurred
when an employee entered a change of bank details from the council leader on to the other Paul Carter’s record. KCC imme- diately deducted £769 from the maintenance fitter’s net monthly salary of £1,600 but had since been unable to trace him. The council said it would still continue to re-establish full re- covery of the debt if possible.
War tribute given the go-ahead PLANNING permission has been granted for amemorial in Church Street, Maidstone, in memory of a Maidstone-based soldier who died in the CrimeanWar in 1854. The ragstone and granite statue
will be built by planning com- mittee member Cllr Gordon New- ton, who owns The Stone Shop in East Farleigh.He left the Town Hall chamber and took no part in discussions on the application. The statue of Captain Lewis Nolan, funded by Section 106 money, will be placed on the fore- court of the former Kent County Opthalmic and Aural Hospital to mark its association with the war. Captain Nolan was the com- mander and riding master at the Maidstone Cavalry Depot and died aged 36, while in the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Bat- tle of Balaclava. Cllr Newton (pictured), who was awarded the contract prior to
his election in May 2011, hoped itwould be ready for October to mark the anniversary of Captain Nolan’s death.
101, Edgar Place, Chequers Centre Maidstone – Kent, ME15 6AP
Tel. 01622 688638
www.sewagoodyarn.co.uk 16 Malling Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk
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