Volunteers trained to
help debtors Continued from page one
greater than ever.” Guidance tutor Maurice Burlem said: “The growing numbers of clients with increasingly complex problems and issues makes it more essential than ever that our volunteers re- ceive the best training to en- able them to continue to provide a first class service to our clients.” In addition to debt prob-
lems, in 2011/12 the bureau’s housing advice team saw 318 clients, of whom 142 were homeless or facing homeless- ness; The employment adviser
dealt with 108 clients, 27 of whom received out of court financial settlements and six more a financial award through the courts; and two were reinstated in their jobs. The welfare benefits ad-
viser helped 292 clients, of whom 43 received new or in- creased benefits and 72 re- ceived a lump sum and continued periodical pay- ments. More than £573,800 in benefits was obtained on behalf of clients.
Club offers football qualification
MAIDSTONE United has opened a college academy at its new £2.6million Gallagher Sta- dium The club has teamed up with MidKent College to offer 50 places to young people. Players will spend five days a week at the stadium for the next two years, studying for a BTEC level 3 in sport and a range of voca- tional football-related qualifica- tions, while learning more about the game, training to play and competing in three leagues. Terry Casey, co-owner of Maidstone United, said: “Work-
Continued from page one organisations, some of which could be used to assist interested groups in preparing their bids. The council has also been
asked allocate £40,000 over the next three years to support the procurement process, legal and IT services. Transfers of services couldmean transfers of staff – or redundancies, according to the officers’ report. The council has a number of
‘get out’ clauses if expressions of interest do not meet certain cri- teria; otherwise, they will be obliged to activate a procure- ment exercise, open to the chal- lenging body as well as a wide
Simon Hughes with Teresa Murray and Jacqui Brown of MidKent College, Terry Casey, co- owner of Maidstone United FC with players
ing with MidKent College means thatwe can continue our outreach work, make an even bigger contribution to the com- munity and also provide young players with a unique learning experience from which they will undoubtedly benefit.”
range of public and private bod- ies, who do not need to have local connections. Expressions of interest could
come from a voluntary or com- munity group, a charitable body, a parish council or two or more employees of the local authority. There is no requirement that a ‘relevant body’ has local connec- tions so, for example, a national charitymay make an expression of interest in providing a partic- ular local service even though it has no presence in the area. It is up to the local authority to consider whether acceptance of the expression of interest would promote or improve the social,
Students currently in Year 11
can apply to join the 2013/14 academy season. Applicants will be expected to have four A*-C GCSE qualifications and successfully complete a football trial to be held in February 2013.
Groups invited to bid for council services
economic or environmental well-being of the area. Procurement exercises carried
out under the Right to Challenge will have to comply with Maid- stone Council’s contract proce- dure rules and Mr Tibbit warns: “It is likely that some of the eli- gible bodies will be unable to comply with or score highly in the usual criteria of financial standing, track record, health and safety, environmental per- formance, equality policies etc.” Devolution of services to com- munities is a major element of the development of sustainable communities, being encouraged by the Government.
4 East
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64