downsmail.co.uk Care service


must improve A MAIDSTONE service providing care for people in their own home- shas been told by a Government in- spector it needs to improve. Homecare Unique Ltd, at Brennan


Mews, Buckland Road, received a routine inspection from the Care Quality Commission. The inspector rated the service as good in terms of how caring and responsive itwas to people’s needs, but said safety, its ef- fectiveness and management needed further attention. The inspector noted that enough


staff were employed to meet the needs placed on the service, adding: “People’s healthwas monitored and health care professionals were in- volved to make sure they remained as healthy as possible. People also told us staff stayed for the length of time allocated andwere caring.” Users received their medicines


safely and staff did everything they could to protect residents’ privacy. However, the inspector noted the provider’s safeguarding policy did not have up-to-date guidance on re- porting abuse; safe recruitment pro- cedures had not always been followed and staffwere notaware of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The servicewas rated as requiring improvement.


News


Call to protect road’s cherry trees from axe


RESIDENTS in Salisbury Road, Maidstone want their street made part of a conservation area after two cherry trees were chopped down withoutwarning. Homeowner Pat Walsh was hor-


rified when she woke one morning to findKCCworkmen taking down one of the trees outside her home – while a dead one remained stand- ing at the far end of the street. Pat and her husband Liam have


lived in Salisbury Road for the past 13 years and she said: “The treewas one of the reasons we bought the house. Itwas home to a whole host of birds – sparrows, starlings and crows. We’ve even had a baby jay and a crested tit – birds which are on the RSPB’s conservation lists.” KCC say the treeswere inspected


and found to be diseased. They only inform residents if more than three trees are due to be felled. Aspokesman said: “The tree out-


side No 52 had a large dead section over the carriageway and severe crown dieback, while a second tree, outside No 21, had major dead- wood and 50% crown dieback.


Residents of Salisbury Road enjoy views of cherry blossom in spring


“These types of defect are usually


an indication that there is a problem between the roots and the stem of the tree, or root death. “The trees in Salisbury Road are


neither covered by a tree preserva- tion order, norwere they situated in a conservation area, so we will not be planting any replacement trees.” KCC’s remit for tree work only


covers safety issues and removal of dead and dying trees which could put the public at risk. Residents hope they and neigh-


bours in Curzon Road and St Luke’s Road can create a conserva- tion area to protect the remaining trees. In the meantime, KCC Cllr Ian


Chittenden has funded the replace- ment of about 40 trees and is com- mitted to replacing five more trees in Holland Road, Curzon Road, Crayford Close and Sittingbourne Road before April next year. Although he suspects he has no


funds left in his devolved budget, he has offered to make re-planting in Salisbury Road a priority in the next financial year. Mr and Mrs Walsh believed the


tree outside their homewas not dis- eased, but Cllr Chittenden said he was satisfied, having seen photos and spoken to the arboriculturist, that itwas affected by die-back. MrsWalsh said:“We try to do our


bit for the environment – surelywe should be preserving trees, not chopping them down?” Erica Longdon, who now faces a stark-looking stump instead of a mature tree, said: “The cherry trees are a feature of this area and one of the reasons people choose to live here. They create a spectacular dis- play in the spring.We need to make sure no more are axed without proper consultation.”


no fix no fee pc repair


All Windows machines fixed Computers & Laptops


• Data Retrieval • Laptop screen repair • Upgrades/Repairs • Anti-Virus / Spyware • Broadband / Routers / Firewalls • Wireless / WiFi Network Solutions • Competitive Rates • DC power jack repair


“Check our website for testimonials


from other satisfied customers” www.nofixnofeepcrepair.co.uk


01622 210345 or 07970 047 409 e-mail: info@nofixnofeepcrepair.com


Free call out and quote, £30 per hour most PC’s can be fixed within the hour


If we can’t fix it you don’t pay Get an extra


10% OFF


If you see it cheaper - we will beat it.


on production of this advert  Maidstone Town November 2015 3





Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56