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Critical report ‘just box-ticking’
A DAMNING Ofsted report on a Headcorn playscheme has been at- tacked by the parish council that agreed to run it. More than 70 four- to eight-year-
olds attended the playscheme at Headcorn primary school on 14 mornings through the summer. But in a report from an Ofsted in- spector, the parish councilwas crit- icised for failing to vet staff properly, keep all records on site, guide staff, review its performance and involve all those attending. Responding to the report, which
rated the playscheme as inadequate, Headcorn Parish Council explained how, in spite of a heavy workload and anewclerk, it had agreed to run the summer school so as not to dis- appoint local children. Parish council chairman Lyn
Selby said: “The Ofsted inspector told us that the children were hav- ing a happy, fulfilling and safe time
at the playscheme and said children told her they enjoyed coming and a parent went out of his way to say how much itwas appreciated. “The decision to run the morning holiday playschool – just 42 hours in total –was made late sowe concen- trated on making an entertaining programme and ensuringwe had a safe environment with staff we knew from previous years.We did not initially have a handy file with all the paperwork carefully arranged as required by Ofsted. “The emphasis throughout was
on the lack of available paperwork, including a staff development plan, which as the staff were only em- ployed by us for 42 hours, less in some cases, seemed to demonstrate box-ticking overcoming real life.” She said the parish council con-
tinued to receive thanks for provid- ing the playscheme, which has been run for 25 years.
Award for rail supporter
RAIL enthusiast and former Mayor of Maidstone Mike FitzGerald has been recognised for his work with community rail in Kent. Mr FitzGer-
ald (74), who has begun to wind down much of his charitable ac- tivity in Maid- stone,
is
chairman of the Kent Com- munity Rail Partnership
(KCRP) and also the Medway Valley Line Partnership. The KCRP brings together local community groups to support im- provements to rail links and facili-
ties, organises railway trails and even music events aboard the trains. Mr FitzGerald is pictured with his
third prize in the outstanding volun- teer contribution category at the Association of Community Rail Part- nerships’ annual awards in Torquay, for his 10 years’ service. Sarah Deakin, engagement offi-
cer achieved second prize in the small projects category for the Champions action day she organ- ised.
The Kent Community Rail Part- nership includes Sustrans, KCC, Swale Council, Medway Council, Maidstone Council, Tonbridge and Malling Council, Southeastern Rail- way, parish and town councils along the railway lines, Nu-Venture Coaches and others.
Call for lorry parks
KENTCounty Council leader Paul Carter has called on the Govern- ment to create a network of na- tional lorry parks to prevent residents being blighted by HGVs which park up overnight. In an angry outburst at the Maid-
stone Joint Transportation Board, the county council leader called on Highways England to spend some of the levy it receives from foreign lorry companies to provide park- ing facilities for the trucks. Residents in Sandling have been blighted for years by HGV drivers parking overnight in a layby on Old Chatham Road, leaving litter
andhumanwaste inthe verges and gardens of properties. Committee chairman David Bur-
ton said villagers in and around Marden experienced similar prob- lems from lorries which were forced to park up for the night. Foreign hauliers have been charged to use UK roads since April 2014. Cllr Carter said: “It is time the treasury spent some of the money it charges foreign lorries to use on our roads. “These drivers have nowhere
else to go when their tachograph runs out and police will not take enforcement action.”
Maidstone South November 2015 5
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