News


OVER 50s are invited to join line dancing classes at LarkfieldVillage Hall in New Hythe Lane on Mon- days. The easy/beginner class begins at 12.45pm and the more advanced one at 2pm. The sessions were started 18


downsmail.co.uk Line dancing Council tax increase set


years ago by past chairman and president Gerald Benham when he helped to found the Kent Active Retirement Association. Proceeds go towards the launch of more clubs in the county, of which there are now 85. Call 01732 870715.


Red Cross talk


A TALK on first aid will be given by a Red Cross member at Ayles- ford and Eccles WI’s monthly meet- ing onWednesday, March 26. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in


the Brassey Rooms, Station Road, Aylesford. The competition will be for an item starting with B and the recycling stall will be ornaments. Contact Eileen on 01622 715205.


Lease renewed


BUSINESS software company Infor has renewed its lease on offices at Kings Hill until 2019. Infor (United Kingdom) Ltd


moved to Kings Hill Avenue in 2004. The Kings Hill office employs 45 people.


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RESIDENTS in Tonbridge and Malling face an increase of around £28 a year on their council tax bills after borough councillors agreed a rise of 1.99% in its share for the forthcoming year. Thatworks out as a rise of £3.59 a


year or 7p a week for a band D property. The borough council said the re- luctant decision to make this “mod- est” increase was based on the overriding aim of protecting its services for as long as possible and building a more solid base for the future. The council blamed squeezed


budgets with further cuts in gov- ernment funding and reduced rev- enue as a result of the continuing difficult economic climate. Council leader Nick Heslop said:


“This budget is about providing key services but also providing value to the taxpayer. The weekly cost of our services from April 2014 will be £3.54 – the equivalent last year was £3.47, in 2012/13 it was £3.40 and in 2011/12, £3.31. “We will of course continue to


take advantage of savings opportu- nities and efficiencies and we are committed to finding a further £200,000 of efficiency savings dur-


ing the financial year 2014/15. “We continue to achieve all this against the ongoing pressures of continued reductions in direct gov- ernment funding – a cash decrease of £676,137 or 13.4% in 2014/15 when compared to the equivalent figure in 2013/14.” KCC, the fire service and police


have all agreed to increase their re- spective shares of the council tax by 1.99%, making a total rise for a band D property of £28.63 a year. Residents in parished areas will see slight variations depending on the tax levels set by their own parish council.


Samaritans’ new director


THE Samaritans of Maidstone andWeald has appointedMaggie Jones as the new director of its branch in Grecian Street, Maidstone. The voluntary role of director is appointed for a three-year term and is re- sponsible formanaging the quality of the services provided by the teamalong with ensuring that sufficient volunteers are recruited and trained. Maggie (pictured), who takes over from Will Merrifield, has volunteered as


a listening Samaritan at the Maidstone branch formore than five years and has been a deputy director for three years during that time Maggie said: “We are always looking formore help and run frequent infor- mation sessions for potential volunteers. Details are on the branchweb site at www.samaritans.org/maidstone.” To contact the Samaritans, call 01622 674444, email Jo@samaritans.org or go to 48 Grecian Street, Maidstone, ME14 2TS.


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