News
Driver jailed A DRINK-driver who pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified has been jailed atWest Kent Magis- trates’ Court. Paul Robert Jones (46), from Nor-
man Road, West Malling, gave a breath test of 91mg of alcohol in 100mlof blood when stopped by police in Pollyfield Close, Snodland, in July. The legal limit is 35mg. He admitted drink-driving and driving while disqualified. He was sentenced to 86 days in prison, but because the offences were committed during a sus- pended sentence the overall length of his sentencewas 196 days. Joneswas also banned from driv-
ing for four years and 56 days and had to pay a £150 criminal courts charge and an £80 victim surcharge.
Youth shelter A NEW youth shelter is set to re- place damaged benches close to the multi-use games area at Gibson Drive, Kings Hill. Youth club members and workers helped to choose the youth pod which will be at least 50 metres from the nearest homes. Proposals submitted to Ton-
bridge and Malling Council for ap- proval also include a multiplay unit for children under the age of five next to the play area.
downsmail.co.uk
Gateway’s future at risk as KCC considers move
KENT County Council is poised to leave Maidstone Council in the lurch with news it might pull out of the Maidstone Gateway. The Gateway, designed to offer a “one-stop shop” of services to the community, including advice on housing, benefits and council tax, is on King Street, close to the bus sta- tion and The Mall shopping centre. KCCcontributes half the property
costs of the building – £162,000 per year – and provides or commissions the Kent-supported employment clinics, the health trainer service, an Age UK helpdesk and a deaf serv- ices drop-in clinic. However, KCC has decided that keeping its services in the Gateway does not represent best value for money and is considering relocating its services and withdrawing its funding. It has launched a 12-week consul-
tation on the proposal to move its services to other public buildings in Maidstone from October next year. Bryan Sweetland, KCC’s cabinet member for commercial services, said: “RelocatingKCCservices from Maidstone Gateway will help to off-
HAMILTON KIT C HENS
chairman of Citizens Advice Maid- stone, said the CAB service was well-used in the Gateway, being in an ideal location. He feared the pro- posed move would make the KCC services less accessible. He said: “Not every problem can
set the unprecedented financial chal- lenge faced by the council. “If, following this consultation,we
decide to relocate away from the Gatewaywe will deliver our face-to- face services from other KCC build- ings in Maidstone. “We would ensure that those who currently use the Gateway to meet our staff for specific services and clinics will still be able to do so.” KCC argues that of the 50,406 recorded visits to the Gateway in 2014, only 4% (2,919) were for KCC services or those that it commissions or funds. This equates to more than £55 for each visitor. The remaining visits were for Maidstone Council services (88%) and 8% for other partner organisa- tions, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, HMRC, Victim Support or the Royal British Legion. County Cllr Rob Bird, who is also
be sorted on the telephone or through a computer. “The present Maidstone Gateway
is ideally situated being just above the bus station and next to extensive parking. The alternatives being con- sidered, such as the Kent Library and History Centre or County Hall, are far less accessible.” KCCwill finalise its decision in the
new year. A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “We remain commit- ted to providing excellent customer services, including face-to-face facil- ities for people who need them.We are looking at options, including an- other public sector partnership, to continue to provide services from the Gateway.” The online link to the consultation
can be found at http://consulta-
tions.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/maid- stonegateway/consultationHome
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