South October 2014

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CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service

Memorial trip raises £2,000

AMISSIONto pay tribute toYald- ing’s fallen soldiers has raised more than £2,000 for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal – and money is still rolling in. Thirteen cyclists from Yalding, Laddingford and Hunton set out from the YaldingWar Memorial to cycle 100 miles toYpres, taking with them a small sack of soil from the village green to lay at the foot of the Menin Gate. The soilwas dug by Elsie Stanley,

the niece of Albert Masters, whose name is on the war memorial and also on the Menin Gate. Elsie. who is pictured with the

team, read of their endeavours in last month’s Downs Mail and turned out to see the cyclists on their way – but the whole of Yald- ing High Street was lined with friends and family to welcome them on their return.

for discussion A PUBLIC meeting will address concerns about the 59 bus route. The Arriva service runs between Maidstone and Grafty Green via Boughton Monchelsea, Chart Sut- ton, Kingswood and Ulcombe. There are just three buses each

way on weekdays. The last bus going to Maidstone leaves Grafty Green at 1.25pm, with the final one leaving town at 5.45pm. The earliest time during the week elderly resi- dents can use their bus pass means arriving in Maidstone at 10.20am. There are also regular delays on the 13-mile route. Oonagh Hyndman, who lives in Boughton Monchelsea, said: “Chart Sutton and Boughton Monchelsea are only five miles from central Maidstone but we only have a cou- ple of buses a day.” Representatives fromArriva,New

Venture, Maidstone Council and KCC have been invited to the meet- ing at Boughton MonchelseaVillage Hall onWednesday, October 8.

Organiser Simon Gardiner said:

“Itwas a fantastic experience – and quite moving at times. “It involved a lot of hard work,

blood (cyclist Graham Reid went over his handlebars), sweat – and a few tears.” On arriving in Ypres, the team

took part in the Last Post ceremony, laying a wreath at the Menin Gate. The cyclists then said prayers be-

fore the Yalding soil was buried in a raised garden. Simon said: “It was a great expe-

rience and showed us whatwe can do whenwe set our minds to it.” Even though the cyclists have

raised almost 10 times their original target of £250, they will continue collecting sponsorship until Re- membrance Day, November 11. Donations can be made via

www.justgiving.com/Andrew Perch

Bus service up Burglary charges

TWOmenwere charged after a car, animals and fishing equipment were allegedly stolen from a prop- erty in Bishops Close, Nettlestead. Joseph Smith (19) of Fairmeadow, Maidstone was charged with burglary, driving without insurance, driving whilst disqualified and theft of a motor vehicle. Matthew Gilbert (18), of Lysander Road, Kings Hill was charged with theft of a motor ve- hicle, burglary and trespassing on the railway. Smith was remanded in custody pending court proceed- ings and Gilbert was bailed.

Home plan agreed

ANapplication to convert an office to ahomeinWillow Lane, Paddock Wood has beenwon on appeal. Jean Ang was twice refused con-

sent to change use of The Stables because Maidstone Council felt it would result in a “harmful and un- justified” development in the open countryside. However the decision was overturned by a planning in- spector.

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 South October 2014

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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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