Help plan future of libraries
The Villager Cuts hitting
across board BEARSTED is not alone in being hit by cuts in Govern- ment spending, the parish council meeting was assured. Cllr Mike Cuming, who also sits on Maidstone Coun- cil, said that many people don’t realise the reason be- hind cuts is that incomce from capital investment in- terest had gone down. Maidstone’s capital invest- ment income was more than £2 million seven years ago, but last year it had fallen to under £250,000, Cllr Cuming told members.
“At the same time, our rev- enue support grant has been slashed from £8.3m to £6.5m, which is a hefty cut,” he said. Cllr Cuming said he was concerned that some resi- dents did not realise where the main problems lay. He said: “We are seeing se- vere cuts at every level of government.”
Activities day A SPORTS and activities day will take place on Bearsted Green on Tuesday, August 27 – the day after Bank Holiday Monday. The day is being co-ordinated
by the community warden Adam McKinley and will in- clude events for all ages. All the village sporting groups are being invited to take part – from football and tennis to cricket, bowls and golf – and it is hoped the day will be another family fun day to add to the vil- lage calendar. The day has been held in the
past, traditionally in the week prior to the children returning to school, but did not take place last year. Adam said: “We are re-intro- ducing the activities day and hope to make it bigger, opening it up to people of all ages.”
BOOKWORMS in Bearsted are being asked to come up with new and efficient ways of run- ning the local library service. Facing yet another year of on- going cuts, KCC is asking resi- dents in Bearsted and Madginford to speak up about what they want – and how the service might be improved. KCC has to save £1m in 2014 and 2015 and libraries’ project manager James Pearson has is- sued an open invitation to all residents to help modernise the villages’ library service. Gone are the days when li- braries were just a place to bor- row books; now they offer DVD and CD rental and access to com- puters, a wealth of information and online services.
But, in these difficult eco- nomic times, many libraries are facing total or partial closure. Bearsted has two libraries – near The Green (pictured) and in Madginford – and some libraries around the country fulfil a dual role, working with local organi- sations or the parish council.
Committee chair, Cllr Barbara Dunford, said: “KLS are commit- ted to retaining a library in Bearsted, but the current build- ing is expensive to run and in poor condition. In Madginford, they are keen to reduce the costs of running the library.” Mr Pearson has pledged: “We want to work with you and your community to find new and effi- cient ways to run local library
Youth club equipment agreed BEARSTED Youth Club is to get the benefit of some new equip- ment.
The parish council has agreed that Cllr Geoff Licence, who runs the weekly club, can shell out some cash on a new pool table and cues, to replace the existing ones which are broken or badly dam- aged.
Cllr Licence said: “The tips are missing off the cues and the balls drop out of the pockets and roll away across the floor.” Longer term, the youth club and playscheme are to list their pri- orities for new equipment, which will then be determined by the council’s community committee.
Other items needed include folding table tennis tables, football goals, a basketball post, shed and floor mats.
Singers to compete on the Green YOUNG singers will have the chance to showcase their talent at Bearsted’s two-day music event, “Music on the Green 2013” on May 25 and 26.
A panel of judges will decide on six finalists from audition tapes, who will be invited to perform at the event, when the winner will be chosen.
If you are under 21, a solo singer and would like to enter, send an audition video clip to
clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk For more information or to buy tickets for Music on the Green go to the parish council website at
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk. Tickets are also available in local shops.
PATIENTS who park on double yellow lines outside the doc- tor’s surgery have been warned that they do so at their own risk. While the lines are on private property and are therefore not strictly enforceable by Maid- stone Council, plans are in hand to make sure that carefree car- owners get caught.
The surgery manager is al- ready monitoring the situation as drivers continue to treat the lines as invisible.
This page is sponsored and edited by:
Bearsted Parish Council
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
24 East
On one occasion a doctor could not get his car out of the car park to respond to an emer- gency call, the parish council heard.
However, as access to the sur-
gery, in Yeoman Lane, is also an access to a Bearsted Council car park, it could be argued it does fall within Maidstone’s remit. Alternatively, the fact it is a public footpath could land it in the court of KCC’s highways de- partment.
services. Do you have any ideas or comments about library serv- ices in your area?”
More information about future library services can be found on
www.kent.gov.uk/libraries. You can also telephone 01622 696504, email
fls@kent.gov.uk or write to The FLS Team, Kent Li- braries, Registration and Archives, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LQ
Cricket lease BEARSTED Cricket Club’s lease has finally been finalised More than a year after discus- sions began between lawyers representing the club and the parish council, an agreement has been drawn up which is ac- ceptable to both sides.
The parish council owns Bearsted Green and has a duty of care to residents in the vil- lage. Some residents com- plained to the council about the possible risks from stray cricket balls landing in their gardens when cricket matches were being played on the pitch on the Green.
The council’s lease to the cricket club now contains clauses to protect all parties against potential damage or in- jury.
The Club will continue to put right any damage caused as a result of their games.
Clamping down on parking at surgery
Cllr Alan Rowe said it was a complex issue, but one which he felt would be resolved within a matter of weeks. He said: “There are plans to put a three-hour time limit on parking at the surgery car park, which would be enforceable by Maidstone council.”
In the meantime, the parish council is asking residents to park courteously and responsi- bly around the surgery.
Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:
01622 630165 Chairman:
clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Richard Ash
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk Clerk: Helen Elstone
MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERYWELCOME
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