News
downsmail.co.uk Offices named aer councillor NEW offices for hundreds of Kent County Council staff have been named in memory of long-serv-
ing Tonbridge and Malling politician Mark Worrall, who died two years ago. KCC leader Paul Carter unveiled a plaque and declared the building in Kings Hill officially open at a cer- emony attended by members of Cllr Worrall’s family.
Worrall House, on Kings Hill Av- enue will provide a base for teams in adult social care, education, human resources, chil- dren’s social care and the sport and
culture team.
The building at 30 Kings Hill Av- enue has been renamed to reflect the role Tonbridge and Malling Council, and particularly its leader, played in the development of Kings
Manhunt aer
PC hit by car A MAN was remanded in custody after a policeman suffered a frac- tured back and leg in a suspected hit-and-run accident at Larkfield. Lewis Goldswain (27), from Vic- arage Road, Halling, was arrested at Maidstone Police Station after he went there voluntarily the day after the incident in London Road. He was charged with causing
grievous bodily harm with intent and remanded by magistrates to appear at Maidstone Crown Court as we went to press.
PC John Fordham, who was in plain clothes, was hit by a gold Volkswagen Golf as he carried out a traffic enquiry at about 6.45pm on Saturday, July 26, near the New Hythe Lane junction. The driver of the vehicle left the scene, sparking a major manhunt. Passers-by rushed to help the officer, who is based at Tonbridge Police Station. He was taken to King’s College Hospital, London, where he was treated for a fractured vertebra and thigh and said to be in a serious but stable condition. Kent Police said the officer had been visited by lots of colleagues and was in good spirits: “We would like to thank members of the public for all their help and best wishes.”
WI hobbies date
AYLESFORD and Eccles WI mem- bers will be holding their monthly meeting in the Brassey Rooms, Aylesford at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 24.
There will be a talk by a repre- sentative from Hobbycraft and time for a cup of tea and a chance to find out what other events are available to members. All are welcome. Contact Eileen on 01622 715205.
18 Malling August 2014
Hill. Two of Cllr Worrall’s children, Samantha (17) and Emma (13) at- tended the event. His sister, Gillian McDermott, who also attended the ceremony, said: “I really don't think that Mark ever realised just how well he was thought of. He was so incredibly modest but I know that he would have been honoured and extremely surprised to have such an amazing building named after him.” Cllr Carter said: “I am sure Mark
would have been absolutely chuffed to have a building named after him. He was a quiet, modest and very gentle man, but he made such a huge difference to the lives of so many and particularly to this
area of Kent. He played a massive part in the establishment of Kings Hill and I am delighted to name this building in his memory.
“The new accommodation also marks an important step in the council’s efforts to streamline the way it works and its ongoing com- mitment to Kings Hill.” Cllr Worrall represented West Malling and Leybourne for 30 years on Tonbridge and Malling Council after being elected in 1982. He be- came leader of the Conservative group in 1985, was leader of the council from 1985 to 1995 and again from 2003 till his death in 2012 after a short illness. In 2008 he was awarded an OBE for services to local government.
NHS West Kent CCG news
CQC criticised IAN Ayres, chief officer of the NHSWest Kent Clinical Commis- sioning Group (CCG), has told his governing body “there were issues of inappropriateness re- garding some comments” made by the Care Quality Commission in its criticisms of Maidstone and TunbridgeWells hospitals. He reported the trust had
raised these with the commission and the CCG had written to NHS England on behalf of the trust.
Poor response THECCGhas been told that local patients are getting “a less re- sponsive” ambulance service for the highest category calls. The problem is being pursued by the urgent care board.
TRIBUTES were paid to a writer who died after a scuba diving ses- sion at Holborough Lakes in Snod- land. Vikki Shelley (33), of Queensway, Sheerness, was taken to Maidstone Hospital after she became ill on her third dive of a training session on Saturday, July 12. She was transferred to a hospital in Great Yarmouth which has a spe- cial chamber for treatment of the bends, but was pronounced dead the following morning. Ms Shelley, who lived alone, had been on a private scuba diving course, supervised by an instructor, divemaster and rescue diver, which would follow initial training in a
Service fear THE CCG has been told there are “various issues” concerning local dermatology services, which are now not seen as fit for purpose and aren’t meeting patient needs.
Down trend THE majority of patients inWest Kent continue to feel they have a good experience of GP and out- of-hours services – but latest re- sults show a reduction in positive experiences. This finding contin- ues the downward trend since 2011/12.
Homes care WEST Kent CCG has set up a meeting to improve care and practice in nursing and residen- tial homes. It wants visits to be seen as supportive.
Writer dies in lake accident
swimming pool. Under the name Victoria Leys, she had written the Darkseed Se- ries and had also worked as a tele- vision extra.
Lea Schhizas, from MuseItUp, which published her novel, said she was a “fun and spirited young lady” and it was “truly devastat- ing” to hear of her passing. Tonbridge and Malling Council said it was working with Kent Po- lice to investigate the incident but declined further comment. A pre-inquest review at the Mid- Kent coroner’s office heard that Ms Shelley suffered a hyperbaric in- jury, which relates to oxygen or gas pressure and fluid in her brain.
KCC leader Paul Carter with Cllr Mark Worrall’s sister, Gillian McDermott, and his daughters Samantha and Emma
Tax bills on
the increase INCOME tax payers in Maid- stone and Malling are seeing their bills rise faster than the av- erage rate for the UK, according to a survey. In Maidstone, taxpayers pay an
average of £5,520 a year, an in- crease of 8% over five years, above theUKaverage amount of £4,985 which is an increase of 6.2% since 2006/7. Households in Tonbridge and Malling have seen an even higher hike, paying an average of £6,970 in income tax each year, an in- crease of 10.6% over five years. Accountant UHY Hacker
Young said the statistics are due to the shift of the tax burden onto higher earners in stockbroker belt towns in the South East. They have been hit by an increase in the upper rate of tax, currently at 45p, and as tax thresholds have not increased in line with infla- tion, more people have been pushed into the highest bands. The firm said: “With property
prices in London pushing many out of the capital and into the sur- rounding counties we are likely to see a further increase in higher earners in other areas of Kent. “The areaweathered the reces-
sionwell, with a large number of residents continuing to take home significant pay packets. The downside of Kent’s large number of high earners is that residents have some of the coun- try’s highest income tax bills.” Sevenoaks and Tunbridge
Wells top the league in Kent, while Medway and Ashford had a drop in the average income tax bills over the past five years.
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