News Bank robbery:


man charged A 44-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with a robbery at NatWest bank in Coxheath. Police were called to the bank at 11.25am on November 3 after itwas reported amanwas threatening staff and demanding cash. The offender fled with money in a car parked nearby. MartynWeldrick, from Ormonde


Road in Hythe, was later charged and hasnowalso been charged with the robbery of aNatWest bank in his home town on October 1. He has been remanded in custody. Detectives investigating the rob-


bery have urged anyone who wit- nessed the incident, or who has not yet come forward with information, to call them on 01622 604355.


Santa’s visit


SANTA Claus and his elves are to visit Staplehurst. He will tour the village on his


sleigh from 4.45-7.30pm on Decem- ber 15-18, helped by members of the carnival and fete committee, and Paddock Wood and District Lions, who will be collecting for charities.


Formore local news www.downsmail.co.uk


downsmail.co.uk


Parish clerks threaten to quit over video rule


LEGISLATION that allows mem- bers of the public to record council meetings could cause parish council clerks to quit. Several clerks are close to resign-


ing, according to Geraldine Brown, chairman of the Maidstone division of KentAssociation of Local Councils (KALC). She haswritten to the infor- mation commissioner’s office for clar- ification on the policy, which she fears could have an adverse effect on free speech. The local government secretary


Eric Pickles issued the guidance to councils in June last year, directing that public meetings could be recordedonfilmandreported online. However, Cllr Brown told Yalding


Parish Council that anyone wishing to film all or part of proceedingsmust declare it at the start of the meeting or could be liable for prosecution. Cllr Brown said she believedprob-


lems has arisen since footage from Harrietsham Parish Council meet- ings had appeared on video sharing websiteYou Tube.Members of Hard


KALC chairman Geraldine Brown


– Harrietsham Against Reckless De- velopment – began posting snippets of meetings because itwas unhappy at the parish council’s refusal to minute the public session of its meet- ing. The new guid- ance states that councillors and council officers can be filmed at council meetings, and cor- rects the miscon- ception that the Data ProtectionAct


prohibits this. Mrs Brown said she believed


parish clerks were exempt from the ruling, but would need to sit out of view if a recordingwere to take place, whichwouldhinder the smooth run- ning of the meeting. She said: “The issue is causing a lot


of furore with the parish councilsand some clerks are on the point of ten- dering their resignations. Iamtrying to get some clarification to see what can be done.”


Amanda Broadhurst, clerk to Har- rietsham and West Farleigh parish councils, said: “Some clerks are un- happywith the possible broadcasting onsocial media; a sentiment that I to- tally agree with. “Tomy knowledge this is nothing


to do with Hard.My understanding is that clerks feel that as non-elected members of the parish council they should not have to be included in recordings.” Dennis Clifton, chairman of Harri- etshamParish Council, called the leg- islation “ill conceived and open to abuse”.Headded: “Ourparish clerk, as an employee of the parish council, should not be subjected to the taping and I believe it is an infringement of her civil liberties. “Our first meeting after the regula-


tion came into force was taped and immediately the content was dis- playedonYouTube. This is notwhat the legislation was designed for and should be urgently revisited to en- sure the human rights of employees are properly considered.”


TIMESAVERS CLEANING SERVICES


Tel: 0800 156 0881 www.timesaverscarpetcleaners.co.uk


PROFESSIONAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING


 Carpet Cleaning  Rug Cleaning  Sofa & Upholstery Cleaning  Fire & Flood Damage  End of Tenancy Cleaning


HAVE YOUR CARPETS CLEANED AND READY IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS


when mentioning this advert 25% off


100% Environmentally Friendly All products we use are tried and tested and are safe for you, your children and your pets


 Recommended Trader 4 Maidstone South December 2014


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48