News
Borough crisis as grant slashed
SWINGEING Government cuts have left Maidstone Council facing a financial dilemma.
Chancellor George Osborne an- nounced in his Autumn Statement that he would be phasing out the revenue support grant (RSG). The aim is for local authorities to be self- financing by the end of the decade rather than relying on central gov- ernment grants. However, it was recently an- nounced that the grant was to be cut this year and axed in 2016/17. Cllr Richard Ash said: “We were told the grant would be phased out. My understanding of ‘phased’ is gradual – not a reduction this year, then nothing at all the next. “We were left with just three months to make another £628,000 of
savings. By 20/21, we will need to be saving £1,319,000.” Cllr Ash said the council would, for the first time in many years, have to consider borrowing. Council leader Fran Wilson said: “This announcement has put un- precedented pressure on our budget for at least four years.”
The council is challenging the
Government ruling but in the mean- time it is looking at other ways of making savings and raising income. It has already introduced parking charges at Mote Park. The creation and leasing of its business terrace at the Maidstone Gateway is another new way of raising revenue. The policy and resources commit- tee will look more closely at where savings can be made.
Meeting over park maintenance A SITE meeting is to be held at Hayle Place to establish an action plan for the maintenance of the park. Taylor Wimpey told Tovil Parish Council a site meeting will be held with consultants and sub-contractors. A separate meeting is being sought by local district and county councillors with KCC, Maidstone Council and Taylor Wimpey once an action plan has been set. Maidstone’s planning enforce- ment team is also to ensure outstanding planting is undertaken.
A BURGLAR who left his DNA on spades used to break into his vic- tims’ homes has been jailed for two years and three months. Nathan Norman (30), formerly of
Ewell Avenue, West Malling stole thousands of pounds of jewellery and electrical items after using the tool to force his way in through the patio doors of a property. He pleaded guilty to two counts
of burglary at Maidstone Crown Court. The court heard how the house
containing the jewellery and electri- cal items, in the Police Station Road area of West Malling, was broken into by Norman on February 25, 2015. The victim returned to find the property ransacked, with drawers pulled
out and items strewn across the floor in many of the rooms. Norman had also attempted to break into a house in the Barming area
of Maidstone in October 2014 but had been unable to force his way in through the back door. On both occasions stolen spades had been left discarded in the back
gardens of the affected properties, providing forensic evidence linking Nor- man to the offences. Speaking of the victims, Detective Constable Neil Buckle said: “Nathan Norman demonstrated scant regard for theirwelfarewhen he selfishly tar- geted their homes and on one occasion rifled through valuables he had no right to be anywhere near. “The DNA found on the spades he used proved he was involved in both
offences, and I ampleased he is off the streets and behind bars where he can cause no further harm to law-abiding members of the public.”
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www.downsmail.co.uk Mesothelioma & asbest os
Mesothelioma & asbestos compensation in K
downsmail.co.uk Spade raider sent to jail
compensation in Kent & Medway
Kent & Medway hav e one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the UK. Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer of the chest lining caused by inhaling asbestos fibr of the chest lining caused b y inhaling asbestos fibres.
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14
Maidstone Town March 2016
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