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£15k housing report finally comes to light
THE Downs Mail has seen a copy of a draft housing report commissioned by KCC that both its leader Paul Carter and a Freedom of Information re-
sponse claimed did not exist. A £15,000 study was undertaken
in the spring by consultant Peter Brett Associates (PBA) under order from KCC’s Paul Carter, who wanted to prove that the method- ology behind the then 19,600 hous- ing target for Maidstone borough between 2011 and 2031was flawed. After former Maidstone Council
leader Chris Garland claimed he had seen the PBA report and it had agreed with this figure, the Downs Mail submitted a FoI request specifically requesting the draft copy of the report. The response from Caroline Dodge, team leader of KCC’s infor-
mation resilience and transparency team, said: “The information you request is not held by the county council.” Cllr Carter, a Conservative who represents Maidstone Rural North, later told the Downs Mail that no report had been produced, but in- stead therewas an “interim study” that he labelled “half-baked”. However, we now have posses-
sion of a 23-page submission by PBA, titled “Maidstone Borough Housing Targets and Housing Sites. Draft report April 2014”. The document assesses the cred- ibility of a study on housing need
Howvolunteering led to job
A 20-YEAR-OLD from Coxheath has told how volunteering at Age UK has transformed his life. Jack Allen, who attended Cornwallis Academy, began volunteering
one day a week at the Goodman Centre in Bearsted, after completing a media studies course at Mid Kent College. His work at the centre, which helps dementia sufferers, gradually increased and a year after starting, he was given a full-time job. He said: “In 2013 I was
so new to all this. I began making teas but I became a lot more confident, helping clients with their activities and making a good impression. “I am really happy that I have got a job here now. I am helping
Jack with Age UK chairman Bryan Vizzard
elderly people enjoy life and giving something back to the community. It is great to hear elderly people’s stories about their lives.” Jack, who enjoys photography and left college hoping to become a
film director, says he found volunteering “really rewarding”. He told the Downs Mail: “If someone wants to volunteer I would tell
them to go for it. I was taken on with no knowledge about the centre andmy confidence has grown so much. Before I could never go up and introducemyself to someone but now I am a lot more confident.” Age UK feature – page 28. Working for the future: focus on starting a business – page 30.
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by consultant GL Hearn that was used to formulate the 19,600 figure (recently reduced to 18,600). It concludes: “We agree with the SMHA [Strategic Market Housing Assessment] that 980 net new dwellings per annum is a reason- able objective assessment of hous- ing need for Maidstone borough in 2011-31.” Ian Chittenden, a KCC member
for Maidstone North East and a borough councillor, said: “If the re- port had advanced to the point that itwas available to certain members, then it should also have been available to the public.
8 Clerks’ concern
overwebcasts THE fear of being ridiculed on social media or having their minutes called into question is causing some parish clerks to reconsider their roles, it has been claimed. Legislation that permits filming
of council meetings by members of the public has put clerks under in- creased scrutiny. Controversy over housing num-
bers and Maidstone’s local plan have caused some residents to post video clips on sites such as Face- book and You Tube, causing a tide of concern, according to the Kent Association of Local Councils. See page four for the full story
December 2014 No. 212 News Traffic calming calls
ABOUT 450 people have signed a petition calling for action to re- duce vehicle speeds on Roseacre Lane in Bearsted.
Cut to bus service
ARRIVA has been urged to have a rethink after route 703 to Blue- water was reduced to two days a week. 16
Repairs needed
GRADE one listed All Saints Church in Mill Street has been put on English Heritage’s “at risk” register.
Haunted Boxley?
MORE fuel has been added to claims made in a new book of su- pernatural goings-on at Boxley House.
OVERSPILL parking on a playing field in Bearsted has angered a parish councillor.
Obituaries 44 Parish Councils54-55
AN allotment was available in Bredhurst; handrails were de- sired after a fall on Jade’s Cross- ing in Detling; collars were being purchased to protect holly trees in Downswood; councillors in Hollingbourne were dismayed at dog owners; daffodil bulbs were set to be replaced in Lenham.
Crime Reports 55
A POST box was stolen in Leeds, as were all four wheels of a Ford Orion in Vinters Park.
29 Comment 38-3946-47 17 3
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