News


Town tax office set for closure


HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed its Maid- stone office will close in 2020/21. The office, at Medvale House in


Mote Road, Maidstone currently employs about 200 people. Those still working at the time of closure will have the chance to relocate to one of two new regional centres. The Government’s taxation de- partment is now mid-way through a 10-year modernisation pro- gramme designed to create a tax authority fit for the future. It plans to close 43 offices in the London, South East and East of England by 2028, while creating re- gional centres in Croydon and Stratford, East London. William Hague, chief people offi-


cer, HMRC said: “HMRC’s work- force in the area is currently spread throughout 43 offices, many of which are a legacy of the 1960s and 1970s, and range in size from about 2,000 people to fewer than 10. By bringing them together in large, modern offices, equipped with dig- ital infrastructure and training fa- cilities, HMRC will support more


skilled jobs and varied career paths up to senior levels with less need to move around the country.” HMRC expects between 5,000


and 5,300 full-time equivalent em- ployees to work in the Stratford re- gional centre and 2,500 to 2,800 full-time equivalent employees in the Croydon regional centre. There will also be specialist cen-


tres in Worthing and Dover. The reorganisation includes in-


vestment in online services, data analytics, compliance techniques and new skills and ways of work- ing to make it easier for the honest majority of customers to pay their tax and harder for the dishonest minority to cheat the system. Lin Homer, HMRC’s chief execu-


tive, said: “HMRC has too many expensive, isolated and out-dated offices. This makes it difficult for us to collaborate, modernise ourways of working, and make the changes we need to clamp down on the mi- nority who try to cheat the system.” The plans are designed to gener-


ate estate savings of £100 million a year by 2025.


PART-TIME MEDIA EXECUTIVE Maternity Cover


We are currently recruiting a part time telesales person to sell advertising across our successful Downs Mail and Mid Kent Living publications and associated online products.


The role will involve:


• Handling inbound and making outbound calls • Developing business from existing clients • Obtaining and growing new business • Canvassing from competitor publications and online products • Working to achieve challenging revenue targets and meeting strict deadlines on a weekly basis • Maintaining accurate and up to date records


The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role and will: • Have experience of working to sales targets • Have a confident and outgoing personality • Be determined and persuasive • Be self-motivated and able to show initiative • Have excellent communication skills • Show commitment and be a team player


This is a permanent part-time position of 22.5 hours per week to be worked Monday to Wednesday.


Friendly, flexible, family owned business


Basic salary + uncapped commission + bonus + 31 days (pro rata) annual leave


Email applications to the sales manager. Include your CV and a covering letter explaining how your experience matches the job requirements and why you would be successful in the role.


bill.brett@downsmail.co.uk 10 Maidstone and Malling's No.1 Newspaper Maidstone South January 2016


downsmail.co.uk Double success for James


JAMES Hall (20), who performs for Tovil-based gymnastics club Pegasus, has made history in both Great Britain and Germany in the space of twoweeks. Australian-born Jameswas selected as part of theGBteamto compete at


the world championships in Glasgow, which claimed the silver medal. Great Britain has never achieved such a result and the teamhasnowqual-


ified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. After Glasgow, James began train-


ing for the Bundesliga in Germany, where he joined the team represent- ing Monheim of Germany. Monheim wonthe competition for the first time. James performed clean routines in- cluding high-level skills and new ele- ments and connections to carry the teamthrough the event to success.He and his team mates have been asked to take part again next year. James first appeared for Team GB at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic


Festival in Sydney, winning floor gold. Born in Australia, he is a multiple medallist at the Britishand English Championshipsandmadehis senior team debut at the FIGWorld Cup in Glasgow in 2014.


Crash driver dies before trial


APENSIONER charged with driv- ing offences following a serious accident at the East Farleigh level crossing died just days before his trial.


Railway signalman Doug Cadell


was seriously injured after being struck by a car at the crossing as he was closing the gates. Mr Cadell (62), from Hawkinge, sustained head injuries and frac- tured vertebrae and was left un- conscious after the accident in


April. Driver Rodney Spicer (70), of College Avenue, Maidstone, was due to appear at Sevenoaks Mag- istrates’ Court charged with driv- ing without due care and attention on December 9, but passed away on November 29. He had denied the charge when


he appeared at an earlier hearing in October. Network Rail has offered its con- dolences to Mr Spicer’s family.


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