Promotion for
police officer KENT Police Authority has ap- pointed Chief Supt Matthew Nix (pictured) as a new tempo- rary Assistant Chief Constable. He has spent
the last two and a half years as a divi- sional com- mander for the MidKentand West Kent areas. He began his police career in Notting- hamshire in 1985, moving to the West Midlands Police be- fore joining Kent Police 14 years ago. Since then he worked his way up from being a sergeant based in Swale and Medway to specialising in crime investigations, criminal justice, and partnership work with local agencies. With 27 years service in the
police behind him, the 46-year- old father of three from Maid- stone will lead on operational policing in his new role.
Fire service
‘doing well’ KENT Fire and Rescue Service has been given the thumbs up in a survey on how well it performs during and after an incident. People who had been involved
in a fire during 2011/12 were asked how they felt KFRS had delivered its service. Of those who had experienced incidents in their homes, 98% were satis- fied with the overall service and 91% thought that KFRS arrived quicker than expected. Key findings from people
who had experienced incidents in non-domestic premises showed similar figures. KFRS chief executive Ann Millington said: “The results are good news for our firefight- ers and control staff, who work really hard to ensure that the people of Kent andMedway are happy with the work that we carry out.”
Hedgerow plan RICHARD Chantler has applied to remove 48m of hedgerow next to Howe Court Wood in Pilgrim’sWay, Hollingbourne. A supporting statement says
the hedgerow consists of black- thorn, hawthorn, hornbeam, sycamore, elm and oak. It added: “There is evidence of Dutch elm disease in this area, with several dead trees in the woodland. “Only 48m, forming the end of
a narrow spur, is proposed for removal. The only notable tree is to stay in place. I therefore cannot see this proposal having any significant negative effect on the visual landscape or the wildlife value of this site.” Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.
20 East
Hospital gets more help
MAIDSTONE and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is being given more government aid to help balance the books. It is struggling to repay a private finance initia-
tive (PFI) contract taken out to build the Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells. The cost of the Trust’s PFI repayment is currently £1.7million a month from a monthly income of £30million. The repayments will continue for 30 years, by which time the total bill will hit £612m, compared to the £228 million paid to build it. The scheme was agreed with the Treasury in 2008 but Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells was one of seven trusts na- tionwide whose PFI repayments had to be sup- ported by a £1.6 billion Government fund in June this year. Health minister Simon Burns announced these
trusts would now also be supported by a team of PFI experts, who would try to achieve better value for money. He said: “We want trusts with
PFI schemes to get what they pay for, to not pay for things that they don’t need and to pay a fair price for work done under PFI contracts. “That’s why we are taking action and sending specialist teams into hospitals to identify savings and help trusts to manage PFI contracts. These contracts are long and complicated, but we must make sure the NHS gets value for money wher- ever possible.” A spokesman for the trust welcomed themove, saying: “Working alongside primary care trust colleagues, MTW has become increasingly effi- cient, saving millions of pounds a year through better procurement, reducing its reliance on ex- pensive agency staff and introducing innovation that improves patient care at less cost. This con- tinues as theNHS looks to make further efficiency savings nationally.” The 512-bed hospital, built by private contrac- tor Laing O’Rourke, opened in January last year.
Memorial gift to air ambulance THEKent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance night-time flying appeal re- ceived a boost when Maidstone Lions Club presented them with a cheque for £25,000. The donation
to the Marden- based charity was made in memory of their past president John Bradford, whodiedre- cently after a long illness. John was taken to hospital by the air ambulance in April 2010, following a cardiac arrest. Current president Malcolm Luxton said: “John had been in Lions for
over 40 years. He had served the club as president on three occasions, andwas also a zone chairman. John had always been a keen supporter of the Air Ambulance, andwe felt this donationwould be a fitting trib- ute to someonewho had served Lions sowell.” For more information about joining Lions or seeking their help call Malcolm on 01795 841439.
New role for assistant director
MAIDSTONE’Sassistantdirector SteveGoulettehas added another string to his municipal bow. Mr Goulette is to assist Cllr Malcolm Greer, the cabinet member for economic develop- ment and commercial services, to deliver the council’s top pri- orities of a growing economy with rising employment. Maidstone has the highest employment rate in the county at over 80%, thanks to a pro- active approach to supporting local business and encouraging inward investment. Cllr Greer said: “Steve is an
ROAD safety experts from Maidstone have been helping teach students from around the globe the “three Es” of effective casualty reduction. Education, enforcement and engineering were at the heart of a two-day visit to the county town, where 12 students took part in an international road safety scholarship scheme, arranged by the FIA Founda- tion, a charity supporting activ- ities promoting road safety.
experienced and highly capable senior officer. I amdelighted he will be supporting my portfolio. Mr Goulette, who will also act
as the council’s link with inward investment companies, said he was looking forward to the new role, which he will undertake alongside his responsibilities as assistant director for environ- ment and regulatory services. He said: “Maidstone is the county town of Kent and a great place to do business. We want success for all our businesses, but we recognise we need to con- tinue to attract new ones.”
The 12 students, who came
from countries including Viet- nam, Chile, the Philippines and Moldova, visited SenacreWood Primary School to see education in action and the police traffic depot at Coldharbour. Presentations were given by
KCC, Medway Council, the Highways Agency, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and the Kent & Medway Safety Camera Partnership, and stu- dents took part in a Speedwatch
Music room
hits right note LISTED building consent was granted to convert anoutbuilding into a music room, store and garage at Elmstone Farm, Elm- stone Hole Road, Grafty Green. A supporting statement said
the development would have a minimal impact on the out- building and Grade II listed farmhouse. Maidstone Council gave the go-ahead as the “pro- posed works are considered to preserve the building/setting of the building and its special ar- chitectural and historic fea- tures”.
Service station bid THE Shell service station in Detling Hill, Detling, has applied to build a 14 sqmrear extension. If the scheme is permitted by Maidstone Council, the exist- ing store will be demolished and the sales area reformatted and a new disabled customer toilet provided. Additional storage would also be estab- lished.
Birds may top pole TWO carved sand martin birds could be hoisted at the top of a 4.5m totem pole at disused sand quarry Bull Heath, in Bull Hill, Lenham Heath. Heaths Countryside Corri-
dor’s application, whichwill be determined by Maidstone Council, would see the birds connected by a single continu- ous steel frame.
Road safety message goes global
demonstration, and display of fire service cutting equipment. Emma MacLennan,of the FIA Foundation road safety scholar- ship programme, said: “The stu- dents were very impressed at the extent of work going on in Maidstone and were keen to take many of the ideas back to their own countries.” Kate McMahon, formerly the
head of road safety for the De- partment for Transport, also at- tended the course.
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