News
Family centres ‘must improve’
A GROUP which runs six chil- dren’s centres including East Malling and Snodland has im- proved over the last year but still needs to do better, says an inspec- tion report. The Tonbridge and Malling Chil-
dren’s Centre Group was awarded grade three by Ofsted following a two-day visit in November 2014. Thiswas better than the previous in- spection a year earlier when the group received the lowest grading of four – inadequate, but the latest re- port said it required improvement. The centres, overseen by a group manager on behalf of KCC, are the Woodlands Centre, East Malling; Rocfort Road, Snodland and at Bor- ough Green, Burham and Ton- bridge. Main priority groups include children in the care system, families living in deprived areas and parents. Inspectors said leadership, gover-
nance and management at the cen- treswas good, but the group needed to improve the quality of its practice and services and the ways in which young children and families could
access them. The report said that since the last inspection staff had “worked tire- lessly” to promote children’s centres, resulting in a significant increase from 48% to 63% of families regis- tered in the past year. However, the number of families regularly using the group was still low, averaging 39% across the group. Lead inspector Jo Caswell said
there were a number of strengths. “The strong leadership team and ef- fective advisory board mean im- provements are being seen at a fast rate and the capacity to maintain progress is good,” she said. Excellent working arrangements
meant appropriate actionwas taken swiftly and fewer children were be- coming subject to child protection arrangements. But staff still needed to better identify families in need of extra support and increase the num- ber of teenage parents regularly re- ceiving help. There are 7,468 children aged
under five in the area served by the centres.
Sir John Stanley (third left) with officers fromTonbridge and Malling Council MPpraises council officers
VETERAN MP Sir John Stanley has paid tribute to officers at Tonbridge and Malling Council for their professionalism. The Conservative former
minister, who is retiring after 40 years as MP for the area, said after his last annual meeting with senior officials that they had maintained consistently high standards. He said: “The thousands of
57 jobs atM&S
MARKS and Spencer will open its doors in Aylesford on March 18 with the creation of 57 jobs. The food hall at the SouthAyles-
ford retail park at Quarry Wood will have a 43-seat café and a bak- ery. Other ranges include flowers, cards and gift wrap. The 91,00 sqft store occupies part of the former BHS Home shop.
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letters I have sent them on behalf of individual constituents have been replied to in detail and with both care and expertise. “Also the innumerable issues
that the borough council has asked me to pursue with ministers in successive governments have been accompanied by papers from the council’s officers of unfailing excellence.”
Bridge talk
A TALK, tea and a toasted teacake are on offer at a meeting of Friends ofAylesford Church at The Brassey Centre on Sunday, February 22. Paul Oldham, from the Rochester Bridge Trust, will speak about the crossing and its history, from 3pm. Tickets are £3 for friends and £4 for non-members. For information call Brenda on 01622 882395.
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