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former club MAIDSTONE Council removed a group of homeless squatters who set up camp in a former town cen- tre nightclub Chicago Rock in Lower High


Street has been empty since the ownerwent into administration al- most two years ago. The squatters gained access to the building shortly before Christmas. With the help of the council the squatters are now “sofa surfing” for the foreseeable future and being given residential support. Acouncil spokesman said: "They


moved out before Christmas. We helped them through our assertive outreach programme, including advice about Maidstone’s Winter Shelter Scheme and finding private rented accommodation. “Our team is keeping an eye on


the area and will look to help any- one else that we find there."


downsmail.co.uk


Clean and safe town is top of your priorities


ENSURING residents live in a clean and safe environment is Maidstone Council’s top priority, according to a survey.


More than 5,000 responses were


received after the council’s cabinet visited 14 locations across the bor- ough and invited online feedback asking residents which of the coun- cil’s responsibilities most mattered to them. A clean and safe environment topped the poll with 925 responses (18%), closely followed by trans- port improvements, which was cited by 858 people (17%). The council has agreed to prioritise these topics during the next five years as part of its draft strategic plan.


Despite the council citing an as-


sessed housing shortage for press- ing ahead with the high figure of 18,600 new homes between 2011 and 2031, planning for sufficient homes to meet the borough’s needs came seventh out of the eight cate- gories with 506 respondents (10%) considering this most important. However, this issue topped the


Cricket coach


Cyril retires CRICKET coach Cyril Davey has been presented with a crys- tal bowl to mark his retire- ment.


Cyril, who has been coach-


ing for the Association of Kent Cricket clubs, local schools and the Maidstone Cricket Academy for 35 years, has seen many youngsters play and enjoy the game. He received his trophy from Phil Pass, Maidstone cricket develop- ment officer. Phil and the academy wished him well and thanked him for his work.


Knifepoint robbery


POLICE want to speak to a man in a hooded top after a teenage boy said he was robbed of his phone at knifepoint in Bower Lane, Fant. The suspect is white, with ginger


hair, of slim build, aged about 35– 39 and 5ft 8in tall. He was wearing a hoody and tracksuit bottoms. Anyone with information can call


DC Claire Beckett on 01732 379147 or Kent Crimestoppers anony- mously on 0800 555 111.


30 Maidstone Town February 2015


poll for importance in Lenham and Coxheath – both villages where campaign groups have been estab- lished to prevent large housing de- velopments. The least important category,


whichwas considered most impor- tant by only 442 respondents (9%),


Maidstone Council received more than 5,000 responses to its survey on priorities


was enhancing Maidstone town centre. This view was even shared by respondents at Maidstone Gate- way in King Street – the very heart of the town. For its draft strategic plan 2015-


20, the council’s cabinet has recom- mended allocating the highest level of funding to the clean and safe pri- ority.


Transport infrastructure is not


the direct responsibility of the bor- ough council, but funding is being allocated to public transport and parking management. It was also agreed to set aside substantial capital resources for in- frastructure and is developing a community infrastructure levy, which will help to raise funds for transport infrastructure improve- ments.


Your priorities


Highest priority – vote breakdown A clean and safe environment: 925 (18%) Transport improvements: 858 (17%) Encouraging good health: 638 (13%) Promoting employment and skills: 596 (12%) Good leisure and cultural at- tractions: 531 (11%) Respecting Maidstone borough: 508 (10%) Planning for sufficient homes to meet the borough’s needs: 506 (10%) Enhancing Maidstone town centre: 442 (9%)


Put your best foot forward Pub back after


A LOCAL pharmacy has launched a foot health consultation service in conjunction with the All About Health programme. Medi Pharmacy in Maidstone is encouraging people, especially those with diabetes, to take foot health seriously. Pharmacist Nanda Ghanta said:


“In diabetics, amputation is very much a worst-case scenario. Eighty per cent of diabetics suffer with things like dry feet as a result of their condition, as well as more se- rious things like nerve damage and open sores.”


“In winter we cover up our feet


and tend not to think about them again until it gets to flipflop season. But your feet are very important and should be kept healthy and happy all year round. “Our service will help people


spot any changes and care for their feet more effectively.” For a foot health check go to


Medi Pharmacy, 13A Tonbridge Road, Maidstone. For more advice about looking


after your feet and your health visit allabouthealth.org.uk.


Woman flown to hospital


THE air ambulance was called to an accident on Sandling Road in Maid- stone. Awoman in her 40s, with head and arm injurieswas flown to King’s Col-


lege Hospital, London, after the incident at just before8pmnear the Stacey Street roundabout. The woman was believed to have been walking when she was hit by a


car. The driver of the Citroen Xsara was also taken to hospital. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.


being silenced THE Queen Anne pub in Sitting- bourne Road, Maidstone has re- opened under new management two months after itwas found to be playing copyrighted music without a valid permit. The pub claims to be the town’s


only gay pub. In November owner Caladium Ltd was ordered to bring its licence from Phonographic Per- formance Ltd up to date – and to stop playing music in the meantime. The company also had to pay


£1,661 in costs after the case was taken to the High Court in London. Mr Justice Norris ruled against Caladium and in favour of PPL after hearinghowan inspector visited the pub in July last year. Playing music in public without permission is an infringement of copyright and pubs and clubs re- quire a licence from PPL, which owns the rights to many chart hits. The pub, which closed the same


month as Caladium was fined, is back in operation and music is again being played.


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