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Discount for bus pass users
STAGECOACH and Arriva will offer holders of the new young person’s travel pass the chance to take the bus in the evening and at weekends for just £1 per journey. The discount is for 11- to 16-
year-olds travelling by bus out of school time and in school holi- days. It will soften the changes that
took effect from September 1, lim- iting use of the £200 pass toweek- days before 7pm. KCC cabinet member for trans-
port David Brazier said changes to the travel scheme were necessary to meet savings targets during the next three years. He added: “Research showed
that 75-78% of all journeys are made between home and school, sowe focused our limited funding
on the element that parents most valued. Now children will be able to enjoy even wider travel choices on their routes.” Arriva publicity manager Richard Lewis said: “The previous Kent Freedom Pass, which al- lowed free travel throughout Kent on any bus was very popular and we want to encourage youngsters to continue using bus services out- side school hours.” Users simply scan their pass
when they board the bus. Mr Lewis added: “This facility
will be available during the evenings, weekends and school holidays when the passes are not valid.”
Stagecoach is also offering pass holders an off-peak season ticket costing £50 for the year.
Day centre manager Sue ‘will be missed’
SUE Tallowin has stood down as manager of Maidstone Day Cen- tre after 10 years. Her dedication will be missed
by the homeless who use the cen- tre in Knightrider Street and the team that sup- ported her, says
the
Homeless Care charity, which runs the centre. Trustee An-
gela Clay said: “Sue made her
mark and will be greatly missed.” Succeeding Sue (pictured), as manager is Polish-born Zofia Grzymala. Angela said: “Zofia is
Scam warning
MEMBERS at a meeting of Maid- stone’s Older People’s Forum were warned about scams and fraudu- lent activities targetting elderly and vulnerable people. Mark Craig, of at-home care providerHomeInstead Senior Care, advised on how to spot a scam. The event at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone,was also attended by or- ganisations including Macmillan, representatives from Time for Change, who promote more open discussion about mental health is- sues, solicitors and Kent Police. For a free protection kit, go to
www.homeinstead.co.uk/maid- stone.
experienced, enthusiastic and ex- cited about the challenges of this increasingly busy time for us.” Also leaving isAdam Dyer, who organised much of the charity’s Food for Thought operation, which distributes donated food from traders and supermarkets to those in need. He has been re- placed by Mike Philps. The day centre, which provides breakfast, a shower and fresh clothes for the town’s rough sleep- ers, says in future those using the service may be given particular times to call to cope with in- creased demand. The charity also runs a 10-bed
hostel at Godsell House in the centre of town and Maidstone Christian Care.
The alleged
A MAIDSTONE man admit- ted shoplifting when he ap- peared at Mid Kent Magistrates Court. The court heard that Simon
Miles (41), of James Whatman Way, stole an electric tooth- brush and hair straighteners worth £179 from a shop in King Street, Maidstone. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £179 in compensation.
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CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My mother has a live-in Care Worker who stays with her permanently. The live- in Care Worker is self-employed but I met someone the other day who told me that my mother should be deducting PAYE from her wages. Do you know if this is correct or do I need to talk to an accountant?
Yours sincerely Sheila R
Dear Sheila,
The information you were given is almost certainly correct. Being employed or self-employed is not a matter of choice for the individual. Employment status flows from the nature of the work involved. Take a look at the Taxman’s guidance at
www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/esi-01.htm and decide for yourself. I think the guidance makes it pretty clear that live-in care is an employed position and our conversations with HMRC in the past have confirmed employment status in two particular live-in care situations.
The employer has responsibilities to pay National Insurance, to deduct and account for PAYE and possibly to pay compensation in the event that the employee is injured at work. The employer is the person to whom the care is being provided or a care agency if one is involved.
The obligations of being an employer are not insignificant and might include for example being held accountable for any unpaid PAYE by the live-in Care Worker should their tax affairs not be maintained in good order. If your mother’s live-in Care Worker has told her that her self- employed status is fine, I would ask her for justification in the light of the Taxman’s guidance and be cautious if you’re not satisfied with the response. Best wishes
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager Bluebird Care
• Help with getting up or going to bed
• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care
• Washing or Ironing • Shopping
• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care
• Trips to see friends or relatives
MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530
maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone Town October 2014
17
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
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