CAB hit by volunteers shortage


FINANCIAL hardship is hitting the voluntary sector, with fewer people offering to volunteer. Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau is one of the organisa- tions that has been hit by fewer people being able to give their time for free – and is now on the look-out for new volunteers. The bureau, which is Maid-


stone’s largest advice-giving charity, is also the largest in Kent. It operates from its head- quarters in Bower Terrace, as well as from offices in the


Maidstone Gateway. It offers ahomevisiting service,


and monthly outreach sessions in Headcorn, Lenham and Mar- den and twice-monthly sessions inAylesford and ParkWood. The bureau, which receives


the bulk of its funding from the Legal Services Commission and Maidstone Borough Council as well as from various charitable trusts and donations, has 28 staff and 52 volunteer advisers, as well as volunteer adminis- trative staff and trainees.


However, 21 volunteer advis-


ers left during the year, while only six replacements were re- cruited, prompting the bureau to launch a vigorous recruit- ment campaign. Speaking at the bureau’s an-


nual generalmeeting, chairman SirMichael Buckley said: “The bureau continues to need new volunteers, whether as advis- ers, administrative workers or members of the trustee board. “Unlike some other advice agencies, the bureau provides


Car park ‘at risk of falling down’


COUNCILLORS are set to demolish a crumbling town centre car park, which is costing the council dear. Structural engineers found the King Street multi-


storey car park in Maidstone in need of urgent and costly repairs to prevent it from collapse. The concrete car park,built in the early 70s, has de- teriorated badly in the past 10 years.Without signifi- cant repairs, the building would need to be closed within a year, according to an officers’ report. Members of the cabinet were told that the loss of spaceswould nothaveasignificant impactonparking in the town, as there was already a surplus of some 400 spaces at any one time. If a surface level car park were to be created, it


Community’s


priest ordained THE guardian of Pilsdon at West Mallingwas ordained as a priest at a ceremony at the reli- gious community. The Rev Pamela Rink (56) is


also honorary assistant curate for East Malling, Wateringbury and Teston. She became guardian at Pilsdon in Decem- ber, 2011. She is pictured with Bishop James Langstaff. Married to Dennis, with two


adult children, Caroline and Matthew, she previously worked in nursing in South Africa and the UK for 20 years. She said her ordinationwas a


huge privilege and an over- whelming experience. A Christian community, Pils-


don offers help to people need- ing refuge or time away from everyday life.


would provide around 65 parking spaces – a net loss of 148 spaces. Demolition of the car park is estimated at £500,000, while repairs to extend the life of the car parkbyafurther10years are likely to cost £700,000. Although this would allow the ground floor retail


space to be re-let, bringing the council some addi- tional income, therewas no sign ofmarket interest in the current economic climate. The cost of demolishing the entire building and cre-


ating a surface level car park in the short termwould be around £650,000, whichwould generate some in- comewhile allowing officers tocontinue toseekother


development opportunities. Cllr Eric Hotson told the cabinet: “We see the good,


the bad and the ugly in King Street and this is not the first time in 15 years thatwe have found ourselves in this situation. Officers have been working very hard over a long period to try to resolve this. An incredible amountwas spent a decade ago in order tomake the building safe – and herewe are again.” Membersagreed that demolition of thebuildingwas


the right thing to do, but said marketing of the site to potential future developers would continue. Creation of a surface car park, with good landscaping, in the meantime, would at least generate some income for the council. The King Street car park has 213 spaces, which


earn the council £42,000 a year. The ground floor has been empty since being vacated by the Co-op super- market a year ago.


Three cautioned in drugs operation PUBS and bars in the West Malling area were visited by po- lice in a crackdown on drugs. Police dogswere used to identify people suspected of possessing drugs in the evening operation on Friday, September 21. Three men were found to be in possession of drugs. A 28-year- old man from Maidstone was given a caution after being found in possession of cocaine. A 46- year-old man from Snodland re-


SMOKERS who are fined for dropping cig- arette butts on the streets of Maidstone could get some of theirmoney back – if they give up the habit. Maidstone council,which operates a zero- tolerance litter policy, issues £75 fixed penalty notices to offenders, and most of them are given for smoking-related rubbish. Now anyone fined for discarding ciga-


rettes can claim back £50 in high street vouchers through a NHS Stop Smoking course. Offenders who pay their fines will be offered a leaflet inviting them to attend a free seven-week Quit Club. If they kick thehabit they will get the vouch-


12 Malling


ers to spend in the town’s shops. People taking part will have their carbon monoxide levels monitored each week to prove they are no longer smoking. But critics, including town centre man-


ager Bill Moss, say the scheme is a waste of tax-payers’ money. Graham Thomas from the Kent Commu-


nity Health NHS Trust stop smoking team said: “We know quitting is tough but no one has to go it alone. We can provide advice and practical support to help people to quit. We can also provide nicotine replacement therapy for a normal prescription charge.” The Quit Club will be held in Maidstone


ceived a caution for possession of a class A drug and a 38-year-old Snodland man received a police caution for possession of class A and B drugs. Insp Nick Sparkes said: “We are supported in our work by li- censees, who are as keen as we are to ensure premises remain drug-free. We will continue to tackle drug use in Tonbridge and Malling to keep it a safe place to socialise.”


Willow wanted SUSAN Runacus has sought planning permis- sion from Tonbridge and Malling Council for a re- placement boundary fence at Grade II-listed 91 Chapel Street, Ryarsh. She proposes to replace


old green plastic chain link fencing with “a more com- plimentary willow fence using natural materials.”


Littering smokers are offered away out


from next month to coincidewith a national stop smoking campaign. Anyone who has paid a fine for dropping smoking-related lit- ter during August can attend. The scheme will begin as a pilot, jointly funded by the NHS and Maidstone council from the paid fines. Vouchers cannot be spent on tobacco or alcohol. Cabinet member for environment Cllr Marion Ring said: “The figures tell us the vast majority of littering in Maidstone is smoking-related. “This scheme not only helps someone re-


coup some of their penalty charge, it also of- fers them a lifeline to a smoke-free future.”


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


substantial advice to the great majority of clients, accompa- nied by action when appropri- ate. It is very far indeed from being only a sign-posting or re- ferral organisation.” Guidance tutor Maurice Burlem said: “The past year has seen a disturbing fall in the number of advisers in the team. While it is heartening that 38% of those who left did so because they found employment, the decline is considerable cause for concern.”


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