News
downsmail.co.uk Backlog aer planning merger
THE merger of three borough council planning departments is not working well so far, Maid- stone Council has admitted. Applicants have been disrupted
in their attempts to submit propos- als and details of applications have not been appearing online, making it difficult for members of the pub- lic to comment. The Mid Kent Planning Support Service started operation in May, incorporating Maidstone, Swale
and TunbridgeWells councils. The planning support manager, Ryan O’Connell, has written to parish councils, councillors, businesses and other organisations to apolo- gise for poor service. He said: “We are doing every-
thing possible to manage the back- log of work as quickly and efficiently as possible. “Whilewe expected some delays
at the start and took measures to minimise disruption, the technical
difficulties we have experienced have been significantly greater than anticipated.” The three councils have increased staffing levels to deal with the backlog that began after the merger and Mr O’Connell said the situa- tion was improving. But he ac- knowledged that “a significant number of planning applications will run over their targets”. However, he promised that con- sultation periods will run for the
statutory period of time as the serv- ice did notwant to limit the public’s ability to comment or risk decisions that were challengeable due to an unlawful consultation period. The new Mid Kent Service was implemented to save money. It is based in Maidstone House in King Street and planning officers remain in their own boroughs. It combines the work of administration, land charges, scanning, validation and technical teams.
MP stands down from cabinet role Young graduates
MID Kent MP Hugh Robertson has stood down from the Gov- ernment’s cabinet, to spend time with his family. The busy former foreign min-
ister was in Beirut when the reshuffle was announced. He had already penned his let-
ter of resignation, which was posted on his home page, telling David Cameron it now “feels like the right time to take stock with my family”. He went on to say it would be unfair on the Government and
his “excellent team at the For- eign and Commonwealth Office to remain the minister for The Mid- dle East, North Africa and counter terrorism, without being totally focused on my job”.
He added: “It has been a gen- uine privilege to serve in your
government,” noting his time as minister for sport and the Olympics during London 2012 as a highlight. His resignation coincided with
William Hague’s decision to quit the cabinet as foreign secretary. Mr Robertson’s personal assis- tant in London said: “All the travelling meant that he had lit- tle time to spend with his family and so he asked the Prime Min- ister to let him return to the backbenches.” See Mail Marks, page 27
TWO students from a Barming school have graduated from the Kent Children’s University. Lee Parker (11) and Jessica Stur- rock (9) who attend Barming Pri- mary School, were among 50 youngsters aged from seven to 14 who collected their certificates. The awards celebrate the hard
work the children have put into studying out-of-school subjects and activities to gain a bronze, silver or gold award, certificate or diploma. The Children's University Trust is a national organisation which of- fers activities and experiences out- side normal school hours.
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Maidstone Town August 2014
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