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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-


Garden terrace


an “eyesore” PLANNING officers were or- dered to hold talks with the owner of a bungalow in the Loose Valley Conservation Area to improve a rear garden ter- raced area criticised as being an eyesore.


Maidstone Council was un- happy with the introduction of hard landscaping at Rhencullen in Bridge Street, Loose, and de- manded a planning application to make the area more in keep- ing with its surroundings. The application, which re- quested the inclusion of an extra step/terrace on one side of central steps between the rag- stone wall and timber sleeper retaining wall, was slammed for “not going far enough” by Cllr Jim Andrew from Loose Parish Council. Comments from 13 objectors,


who included from Loose Amenities Association and the Valley Conservation Society, raised concerns that the amend- ments did not overcome issues of height, mass and materials. Cllr Tony Harwood called for


the use of gables rather than the stepped approach and recom- mended a deferral for negotia- tions between officers and the applicant. The committee voted in favour of this. Cllr Clive English said: “I be-


lieve a solution can be achieved but it needs some work.”


Allotment order GOLDING Homes has been or- dered to provide alternative al- lotments to replace the land on which it will build six homes for the elderly in Staplehurst. The proposal, which will also replace three garage blocks on land south of Bell Lane,was ac- cepted by Maidstone Council’s planning committee on condi- tion that the applicant can come up with an alternative piece of land for allotments. The development will com-


prise a detached home and five bungalows, in the form of a ter- race.


Pub extension A PROPOSAL to erect a single storey rear and side extension at the Albion Inn pub, Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea, has been accepted. Applicant Joe Bains plans to provide a new toilet area, whichwill enable the introduc- tion of more seating and access to a revamped garden area.


24 South


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 the move, 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.


Dental practice STAPLEHURST Dental Practice has applied to incorporate the ground floor of its premises at 4 Station Road into its business. The dental practice occupies


Memorial gift to air ambulance THE Kent 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 JohnBradford,whodied recently afteralong illness. Johnwas taken to hospitalby the air ambulance in April2010, 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 theAir Ambulance,andwefelt this donationwould beafitting tribute to someone who had served Lions sowell.” For more information about joining Lions or seeking their help call Malcolm on 01795 841439.


the first floor and wants to use the ground floor, which was trading as a hair salon until September 2010, for office space and a meeting room. The planning application, which will be determined by Maidstone Council, also in- cludes a side extension to pro- vide access to first floor treatment rooms.


Mobile home plan NIGEL Greengrow has applied to station a mobile home tem- porarily for farm manager use in Newstead Farm, Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst.


Solar PV scheme PLANNING permission has been granted to install a solar PV array inOrchard End, Maid- stone Road, Sutton Valence.


Call to cut school uniform costs


A NEWcampaign byMaidstone 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, low-cost policies on uniformwhich com- ply with Government guidance on affordability.” Mr Malhotra said he would


also like to see more local au- thorities provide school uni- form grants for those in financial 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- plement measures 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 skirtwhich is more widely avail- able on the internet. By the end of 2013, it is hoped to have our uniform competitively priced in three different suppliers. “The PTA also offers used clothing to parents who may struggle to pay for new uniform.”


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