South July 2015

News

New law used to keep peace

A MAIDSTONE housing associa- tion has used a new piece of legis- lation to silence an unruly tenant whowas causing a disturbance. Golding Homes is believed to be

only the second housing association in the country to use the new law to take out an injunction that prevents a tenant from causing annoyance to neighbours. The housing association took the

town centre tenant to court, after he had repeatedly disturbed his neigh- bours over two years with drunken outbursts, noise and swearing. It gathered evidence from resi-

dents to apply for the injunction, which came into being last year. The injunction powers are

awarded under the Anti-Social Be- haviour, Crime and Policing Act of 2014, and include positive require- ments alongside restrictions. While the injunction prevents the

tenant from causing nuisance and annoyance, it also requires him to at- tend a community detox pro- gramme for alcohol addiction. The tenant will be monitored and

any breaches could risk a potential prison sentence and eviction. Golding Homes’ neighbourhood advisor Sam Oborne said: “We are pleased to have support from the court for the positive requirements in this injunction. “We feel that if we can put meas-

ures in place to help the resident overcome his alcohol addiction, it should go hand in hand with pre- venting nuisance and annoyance. “We alsowant to thank the neigh-

bours for being willing to get in- volved and go through this process.” Golding Homes was advised and assisted in obtaining the injunction and an accompanying suspended possession order by housing law service LLP. Partner Julie Allen said: "The abil-

ity for social landlords, such as Gold- ing Homes, to legally impose positive requirements on individu- als is a significant advance in the on- going challenge to tackle and resolve anti-social behaviour. Any step that avoids the ultimate sanction of evic- tion must bewelcome.”

downsmail.co.uk

Parish chairman Ros joins guests at palace

THE chairman of Downswood Parish Council, Ros Cheeseman, was among guests at Buckingham Palace for theRoyal Garden parties. Ros (right) and husband Edward

joined about 8,000 people for the party in at the end of May. She said: “I was surprised to be nominated and not sure why Iwas there really, other than that I have been a councillor in two different parishes for 30 years. Whatever the reason, itwas a fantastic day.” Roz, who works as a medical PA,

is also a member of Downswood WI and a past president and secre- tary. She is also a member of St Nicholas Church, Otham. Jo and DavidWardwere also in-

vited, as the founders of Headcorn- based charity Abigail’s Footsteps. The couple established the char-

ity in 2010, following the death of their daughter Abigail Rosie-Ann whowas stillborn at 41weeks. The couple formed the charity to improve the bereavement training midwives and care staff receive and the quality of information that fam- ilies suffering a stillbirth receive. Mr Ward, who runs Ward Secu- rity in Anthony Way, Rochester,

and his wife were guests at Buck- ingham Palace on May 12. The followingweek, Staplehurst volunteer and community worker Kenneth Collins was among the guests, as was BEM recipient Mr Raymond Foster, from Maidstone. Volunteer Sandie Turner, who helps run Rubicon Cares, a charity offering low-cost and free coun- selling to victims of serious crime throughout Kent,was also invited.

PUBLIC EXHIBITION

Countryside Properties invite you to attend a public viewing of the proposed residential development on land at Rumwood Green, Langley.

The exhibition will take place Langley Village Hall on Friday 17th July between 2.30pm and 5.00 pm & Saturday 18th July between 10.30am and 2.00pm.

For further details please visit www.rumwoodgreen.co.uk

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Maidstone South July 2015

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