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downsmail.co.uk Fran wins on casting vote Continued from page one
alternative, to try and get all parties to work together.” Cllr McKay’s nomination – by In- dependent Cllr Fay Gooch – re- ceived only three votes of support in the three-horse race for the chair. When a second ballot was held,
fellow Labour member Paul Harper voted for Cllr FranWilson, while Cllr Gooch voted for Cllr Blackmore. As a named
Cllr Fran Wilson
vote is carried out in alphabet- ical order, that left Cllr McKay holding the trump card – which he cast for Lib Dem group leader Cllr Fran Wil- son.
Cllr Wilson said she was de- lighted but shellshocked at the de- cision to elect her as leader and said: “I knew it would be very close but I didn’t really think we would do it.” However, she is no stranger to the role, having been leader seven
years ago and a member of the council for High Streetward for al- most 20 years. Unlike recent council leaders,
who have headed a cabinet-run system, 73-year old Cllr Wilson takes over as the new committee structure comes into play. It was the Lib Dems who last
year fought for the switch back and CllrWilson said: “Thisway is very
different and much more demo- cratic. As Denise Joy said last year whenwe voted to bring this in: ‘the residents of the borough do not choose first and second class coun- cillors’. “Each of the 55 councillors should be part of the decision-mak- ing process and when five people make all the decisions, as with the cabinet, people begin to feel disen-
franchised. I realise I now have a huge responsibility. It is now down to my leadership to see if we can form a consensus. “We cannot be at each other’s throats. “There are enough of us – Con-
servatives and Lib Dems – who have worked together amicably in the past and there is no reason why we cannot do that again.”
Commiee system replaces cabinet
MAIDSTONE Council has re- viewed its decision-making structures and the cabinet sys- tem of decision-making has been replaced with a new com- mittee system of governance. The leader of the council, Cllr
FranWilson, is also chairman of the policy and resources com- mittee and most decisions will be taken by this and three other service committees. The former council leader, Conservative Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, is vice-chairman. This committee will consider the council’s budget and strategic plan, eco-
nomic development and corpo- rate matters such as risk man- agement. Other committees:
Communities, housing and environment: chairman Marion Ring (Con); vice-chairman Derek Mortimer (Lib Dem). Strategic planning, sustain- ability and transport: chairman David Burton (Con); vice-chair- man Tony Harwood (Lib Dem). Planning: chairman Clive English (Lib Dem); vice-chair- man Malcolm Greer (Con). Heritage, culture and leisure: chairman Gordon Newton (Ind);
Pink ladies get stuck in for cancer charity
THEY may be pretty in pink but they won’t stay that way for long – this team of fundraisers is planning to take part in the Pretty Muddy Maidstone Race for Life. The team, from BMI Somerfield
Hospital in the town, will be among the thousands taking part in the 5k race on Sunday, July 11 to raise money for Cancer Relief UK. Team organiser Lynn Grafham, di-
rector of clinical services at the hos- pital, said: “We thought it would be a
fun way of raising money for a great cause. The tutus are all part of the fun but, to be honest, we will be cov- ered in so much mud by the time we
finish that no-one will know what we’re wearing.” To sponsor the team go to
www.justgiving.com/lynngrafham8.
Town’s website clicks with visitors
THEnew-lookVisit Maidstoneweb- site has recorded a record high in traffic, prompting hopes it could mean more day and weekend trip- pers to the town. Visits to the site were up by 10%
on the same period last year, at al- most 30,000 visits in May alone. Maidstone Council’s culture and
leisure team ran a competition to mark the launch of thenewsite, giv- ing two people the chance to experi- ence some of the best Maidstone has to offer visitors during the course of aweekend break. The prize included an overnight
stay for two at the Marriott Tudor Park, tickets to Leeds Castle, after- noon tea and an art class at This Art of Mine, tickets to Maidstone Mu- seum’s summer exhibition Brick
38 Maidstone Town July 2015
City and free entry to the Tyrwhitt- Drake Museum of Carriages. Entrants had to say what they
liked most about the website and comments included: “Easy to locate what you are looking for”, “draws you to read further” and “clear nav- igation so you can fast track to areas that interest you the best”. One entrant said thewebsite even
made her want to move to Maid- stone! The winner was Michelle Hextall
from Rainham, Kent. She was full of praise for the “In-
spire Me” section of the website which provides ideas for days out. She said: “Great ideas for days out
with the family and things to do for free. Very handy section for me as I’m a working mum and always
after things to do with my daughter and other family members during weekends and holidays.” Laura Dickson, MCL marketing
and sales manager for Maidstone Council, said: “The new layout and all of the work done to the site map seems to have had its desired effect. Thank you to everyonewhoentered the competition, to our partnerswho helped make the prize so fantastic and congratulations to Michelle.” Visit Maidstone is run and oper-
ated by the culture and leisure team, which works to promote Maidstone as a destination for day and overnight stays in the UK and abroad. It also works with local businesses
to nurture and develop tourism in the borough and improve skills and
vice-chairman Richard Ash (Con).
The full council of all 55 Maidstone borough councillors appoints the leader, sets council tax, agrees the council’s budget and constitution, and important plans and strategies.
The leaders of the groups are: Cllr Fran Wilson, Lib Dem; Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, Conser- vative; Cllr Fay Gooch, Inde- pendent; Cllr Dave Sargeant, Ukip; and Cllr Malcolm McKay, Labour.
Twinning call for help
MAIDSTONE’s twinning group is looking for more members to help promote the entente cordiale with a French town. The Maidstone/Beauvais Twin-
ningAssociation began in 1961.Over the years, the links between the two places have gone from strength to strength, but with the Beauvais group still thriving, membership on this side of the Channel dwindled after Maidstone Council cut its fund- ing and then completely withdrew it a few years ago. Borough Cllr Wendy Hinder, twinning committee vice-chairman, said: “Due to the withdrawal of funding from Maidstone Council, we have seen our membership drop significantly.We are urgently trying to re-invent ourselves to increase the membership in order to be able to hold fundraising events.We would welcome new members who have an interest in France, thosewhohave expertise or experience in fundrais- ing, and anyone who just wishes to join to be able to participate in social events and interactions.” Visitors are welcome at the com- mittee’s annual meeting at Maid- stoneTownHall at7pmonTuesday, July 7. Refreshments will be avail- able. Contact the secretary Michael Yates on
myates38@btinternet.com or 079636 677952.
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