Driver banned GINTARAS Blekas (34), pre- viously ofAllen Street,Maid- stone, was banned from driving for 22 months after a series of motoring offences. Blekas drove a Peugeot 406
in Eyhorne Street, Holling- bourne, on November 6, 2010, otherwise than in ac- cordance with a licence and failed to give a breath speci- men for analysis. On December 16, 2012, he
drove aVWGolf on Blue Bell Hill, Maidstone, and when stopped, gave a breath test of 86mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mg.
He admitted the offences
and was fined £350 by Mid Kent Magistrates with £85 costs and a £15 victim sur- charge.
Six trees to go PLANNING permission has been granted for the removal of six trees as part of works to the churchyard at All Saints Church in Upper Street, Hollingbourne. Churchwarden William
Perrywas given conservation area consent but was advised by Maidstone Council to give the adjacent landowner rea- sonable advance warning of the tree works.
Parish scheme go-ahead
A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to support spending in the parishes is to go ahead. More than 100 representatives
of Maidstone’s 35 parishes packed the Town Hall chamber, to argue against replacing Maid- stone Council’s concurrent func- tions grant with a new parish services scheme. They said it would lead to “double taxation” in some areas, with parishes paying twice for some services, first through their council tax and then via the parish precept, which local councils levy to fund services. The parishes scored a victory
when the council agreed to refer the matter back to cabinet for fur- ther discussion, after an impas-
sioned plea from Cllr John Perry, chairman of Staplehurst Parish Council, speaking on behalf of Maidstone KALC – the Kent As- sociation of Local Councils. However, when the cabinet
met, it decided the new scheme was still preferable to the 20-year old concurrent functions grant. But the cabinet did agree to ex- tend funding for a further year to those parishes which use their grant to pay for street lighting – costing the borough council around £37,000. It also agreed to a meeting be-
tween officers, two members of Maidstone Council and repre- sentative of KALC. However, not all members of the council backed the decision.
CLLR Cynthia Robertson has opened the renamed media room at Maidstone Community Support Cen- tre (MCSC) in memory of her late husband’s work for the centre over the last 16 years. In his role as a borough and county councillor,Mal-
colm had been a regular visitor to the many charities in MCSC. These visits increased during his year as Maidstone’s mayor in 1996-1997. He raised money for the refurbishment of the centre and took such an interest in themanagement of thebuilding hewas in- vited tojoin the board.Hewasavaluedand respected member until his death in August 2012. The board of the centre agreed that as a mark of
their respect and gratitude and in recognition of his expert advice on media equipment, the room should
Cllr Paulina Stockell said: “If the parish services scheme is every- thing we claim it is, it could be a good thing – but we will have to wait and see.” Cllr Gordon Newton said: “Downswood and Otham are to- tally against this and so are many of the other parishes. I do have a problemwith thewaythis is being introduced.” But Cllr John Wilson, cabinet member for community and leisure, said: “We have asked the parishes for their comments. Let’s now take things forward and work together.” Geraldine Brown, chair of Maidstone KALC, said Maid- stone KALC was now consider- ing its options.
Popular councillor remembered in media room
bear his name. Cynthia unveiled the plaque in the room to record this fact, and is pictured with MCSC chairman Mike Evans.
a healthier start newyear
Getyour off to
£ Ourmemberships include** unlimited use of the
fitness suite, swimming pool andworkout classes For full details of all facilities, activities, memberships available and to join online visit:
www.maidstoneleisure.com
Tel: 08451 552 277 Maidstone Leisure Centre Mote Park,Maidstone, Kent ME15 7RN
Become a fan on Facebook Followus on Twitter @GymInMaidstone or @SwimInMaidstone
*Relates to off-peak gym and swimmembership. 12 monthminimum term applies. **Dependent upon membership type. Othermemberships also available, see online for details. Terms and Conditions apply, all parts of this offer subject to change. To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330 East 27 foronly 19 .95 permonth *
Join Online Today!
Lose weight, tone up and get fit in 2013 atMaidstone Leisure Centre
all part of
great feeling
FREE Parking
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