Thurnham Parish News
Fears over grant petition
A PARISH poll opposingMaid- stone’s plan to scrap the con- current functions grant has been suggested by the Kent As- sociation of Local Councils (KALC)
Thurnham Parish Council
Meetings normally held on the third Monday of each month at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.
CHAIRMAN:Daniel Skinner CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173
Bridge lighting COUNCILLORS are to chase South Eastern Rail to provide lighting beneath the railway bridge onWare Street. Residents in Hockers Lane
and Bearsted Park have asked if the bridge can be lit and the parish council agreed this was a sensible idea. This had been raised with the rail company previously, but there had been no response
Latest crime figures JUST two crimes were reported in September – an attempted burglary and the theft of tools from a shed in Aldington Lane.
has expressed some concern at the complexity of a petition or- ganised by KALC opposing plans to replace the grant with a parish services scheme. KALC is asking parishes to organise a poll to canvas resi-
dents’ views if MBC refuses to alter its position. However, while members at Thurnham said they were in agreement with the sentiments expressed in the petition, they were concerned about the wording of the petition Chairman Cllr Daniel Skin-
ner says: “I would not want to rush in to ask people to sign something that is complex.” Members felt that Thurnham had not particularly benefited
COUNCILLORS in Thurnham have concerns about the future of Maidstone under the council’s Core Strategy. Cllr John Horne said hewas worried that the con- sultation process being carried out by Maidstone council was not giving residents enough options. He said: “I believe the council is not behaving properly and shall be taking advice.We have still not received a response to the comments we put forward. “It appears as though officers have selected cer-
tain areas, without giving proper options. Their approach raises a lot of issues which are very un- satisfactory.” His sentiments were echoed by Cllr PeterWaite
who said: “There is simply no dialogue. We are hitting a blank wall. It would appear that consul- tation means different things to different people.” Cllr Horne said: “Public consultation and pub-
lic enquiries should be open and transparent. I do not have confidence that this is taking place.”
Yoga classes in Maidstone ME14
Yoga has been proven to: • keep joints and spine mobile • increase your strength • reduce anxiety and stress
Tuesday 1030-1200hrs (£7 drop in) St Paul’s Church, Boxley Road, ME14 2AL
Over 50s/Gentle
Tuesday 1800-1930hrs (£7 drop in) Detling Village Hall, Detling ME14 3EY Gentle/Mixed ability
To book contact Lindsay: 07905 010 393,
lindsay.yoga@hotmail.co.uk British Wheel of Yoga fully qualified teacher
www.yogamadesimple.co.uk
from the concurrent functions grant, having received some £4,000 this year, most ofwhich had been spent on the upkeep of the churchyard and land at Averenches Drive, so would not be too badly affected by any changes. However, they accepted
other parishes had differing needs and therefore would support the proposals, al- though they would not circu- late the petition.
Core Strategy concern Putting trust in church
A TRUST could be appointed to run St Mary’s Church in Thurnham. Talks have been taking place between the archdeacon, parishioners and members of the parish council about how the church can best be run, following the collapse of the parochial church council. The PCC at St Mary’s sister church, Holy Cross, Bearsted, has offered to assist, and a public meet- ing is being planned for December, which will be chaired by the archdeacon and parish council chairman Cllr Daniel Skinner. Services have resumed at StMary’s twice a month
and a joint service is planned with the Methodist Church on Remembrance Sunday, November 11. A charitable trust, whereby trustees had mana-
gerial but no financial liability, could also man- age the church-owned properties in Ware Street. The council is to investigate further and find out how similar trusts operate in other parts of the country.
T: 01580 893510 or 01580 714943 5 Honeycrest Indus trial Park
TEL: 01622 765993 10 East
Lodge Road • Stapl ehurs t • Kent • TN12 0RX Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 2pm
The Old Nursery
The Common • Si s s inghurst • Kent • TN17 2HT Opening Hours: Mon & Tues: 9am - 4pm Thurs - Sat: 9am - 2pm
Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
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