Larch must stay MAIDSTONE Council has re- fused an application to fell a larch tree at 17 Greenwich Close, Maidstone. Andy Sutherden felt the tree


was unsafe after a tree surgeon said there was evidence of rot at its base. The report said: “The tree has grown too large for its location and root structure and is now a danger to the house and neighbouring properties.” However, the council’s deci-


sion notice said a visual inspec- tion revealed no visual defects or fungal decay. It added: “The council considers the removal of the larch tree would be to the detriment of the amenity and character of the area.” The council did, however,


grant permission to reduce the crown of a yew tree by 30%.


Extension for annex PLANNING permission has been granted for a single storey annex at 58b Poplar Grove, Allington. Maidstone Council granted consent on condition that materials used in the con- struction matched those used in the existing building.


Beauty therapy plan CAROL Dowle wants to estab- lish Tranquility, a shop offering chiropractic, beauty therapy and complementary health, at 62 Lower Stone Street, Maid- stone. It would replace Mobile Media Communications Ltd.


Call to cut uniform costs


ANEWcampaign by Maidstone Citizens’ Advice Bureau is urg- ing schools to help families cut the high cost of kitting out their children during the recession. Maidstone CAB says too many schools still insist uniform should only be bought from ex- clusive suppliers, rather than cheaper supermarkets and high street chains. Their “adding-up” campaign


says schools should:  Ensure uniforms can be bought from a range of outlets Offer sew-on badges which


can be put on plain clothing  Encourage recycling or


swap schemes  Choose colours which can


be carried over from one school to the next  Appoint a governor to check the affordability of


parental expenditure Bonny Malhotra, chief execu-


tive of Maidstone CAB, said: “We are seeing more and more families struggling with the high costs of uniforms and kit.” Mr Malhotra said many of the


new academies had opted for costly uniforms and said: “Schools should help struggling families keep costs down.” He criticised those schools which insisted on uniform being purchased directly from the school at a hugely–inflated cost, to subsidise school funds. He said: “We are calling on schools to help families by adopting sensible, lost-cost policies on uniform which com- ply with Government guidance on affordability.” Mr Malhotra said he would also like to see more local au-


Volunteers help RSPCA A GROUP of colleagues from UK Power Networks took time out of their busy schedules to carry out work at an RSPCA animal centre. Staff from the connections department,


in Bircholt Road, Park Wood, went to the centre in Leybourne, on August 8, where they laid a patio, stained fences, cut hedges and cleaned up the car park. They also helped to clear a meadow of plants that are poisonous to animals and met some of the animals looked after by the charity.


thorities provide school uni- form grants for those in finan- cial need. At present, only 40% of schools provide grants. CAB evidence suggests little


has changed since Department for Education research in 2007 showed that more than a quar- ter of families on annual in- comes under £15,000 were spending more than 20% of their income on school costs. One in six had to buy uniform


from a designated shop or from the school, despite government guidelines issued in 2004 that school clothing should be avail- able “off the peg”. Maidstone’s St Simon Stock School has already begun to im- plementmeasures to cut costs. Deputy head Ruth Simpson


said: “In 2010 we phased out blue shirts in favour of white be- cause they tend to be more widely available and cheaper. “This year, we have changed


the girls’ school skirt to a cheaper skirt which is more widely available on the internet. “By the end of 2013, it is


hoped to have our uniform com- petitively priced in three differ- ent suppliers. “The school PTA also offers


Agie Smolinska and Karen Aspinal stain fences at the centre


good used clothing to parents who may struggle to pay for new uniform - a service which is dis- creet and well used by parents.”


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