News
Parking fees at Mote Park agreed
PARKINGcharges will be brought in at Maidstone’s MotePark to help retain it as a “jewel in the crown” of the county town. Without extra revenue to help
keep on top of maintenance at the award-winning park, itwas likely to lose its Green Flag status and posi- tion as the second most popular park in Britain, councillors heard. Maidstone Council’s economic scrutiny committee supported an of- ficers’ recommendation for a £1 parking charge from 10am, with the first hour free. Season tickets will be available for regular users and con- cessionary passes for volunteers. Cabinet member for community
and leisure services Cllr John Perry accepted the proposal was “quite emotive” but pointed out that visi- tor numbers had doubled in three years, pushing up maintenance costs. Without additional income, there was a risk that Mote Park would consume a disproportionate amount of the parks and leisure budget. The council maintains 26 parks and open spaces, with an anual
budget of £1.8m, of which £400,000 is spent on Mote Park – yet the park is still heavily reliant on volunteers. The council is anxious to protect
the park from commuter parking, which could mean making charges punitive for vehicles left for more than six hours. The committee voted in favour of
a £1 charge with the first hour free, with the proviso that the income be ringfenced for Mote Park projects. Cllr Mike Hogg said he was op-
posed to the introduction of a charge and suggested the council should privatise its parks, as other local au- thorities had done. CllrWendy Hin- der suggested two hours free parking to allow dog walkers and others to enjoy a stroll and a coffee, but officers said this would mean a drop in anticipated revenue from about £330,000 per year to £123,000. Cllr FranWilson voted against be-
cause residents in her High Street ward had not been consulted. The council will take the park cafe
in house from November this year, while looking at improving the toilet facilities.
Party time for Stones fans
APARTYtook place to celebrateMaid- stone United FC’s second promotion in three seasons. The Stones will play in National
League South (previously Conference South) next season after effectively clinching the Ryman League Premier Division championship with a 0-0 draw at Dulwich Hamlet. AfterMaidstone’s finalgameof the season, at home against East Thur- rock, the Spitfire Lounge in The Gal- lagher Stadiumwas opened for a free party for all – regardless of whether they had attended the game. The league title was the culmina-
tion of an outstanding season in which the Stones also reached the FA
Cup second round for the first time in 18 years. The success has justified the invest-
ment of chairman Oliver Ash, who took over the club almost five years ago and sanctioned the opening of The Gallagher Stadium in August 2012, ending an 11-year absence fromthe county town. He said: “The whole town is alive
with the football club, it's a dream come true for us and a huge thing for the whole town.” Maidstone, who were only pro-
motedtotheRymanPremier in 2013, arenowpressingaheadwith the work to extend their stadium, bringing the capacity up to 3,000.
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