downsmail.co.uk Nominations
for awards DOyou knowanyonewhodeserves an award for their work in the com- munity?
Chartered accountants Perrys are seeking nominations for exceptional individuals in Kent who will be ho- noured at an awards ceremony in November. Perhaps you know somebody
who has done something incredible or shown strength in the face of ad- versity - or maybe they are excep- tional because they have tirelessly worked to help others? Shortlisted individuals will be put
to a public vote. The winner will be revealed and presented with a tro- phy and other goodies. Stewart Pope, CEO at Perrys,
which has been operating in Kent since 1983, said: “We would like to encourage everyone to take part and nominate an individual they feel is exceptional. Whatever the reasonwe want to hear about them.” To make a nomination email ex-
ceptionalawards@pmwcom.co.uk with a description of the individual and why they are exceptional and include your contact details. The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 25, 2016.
Your views on ambulances
THE public has been asked by the chief inspector of hospitals to high- light areas its investigation team should look at when it inspects the South East Coast Ambulance Serv- ice.
Users are asked to set out their ex- periences of the service ahead of an inspection by the Care Quality Commission on May 3.
Inspectors will be visiting emer- gency operations centres and inter- viewing ambulance staff, as well as talking to other organisations and agencies with which the trust col- laborates.
Anyone wishing to give their views can do so online at
www.cqc.org.uk/syesecoastamb, by email to
enquiries@cqc.org.uk, by calling 03000 616161 or writing to the CQC at Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA.
Ceiling fire
A FIRE in a false ceiling filled an in- dustrial unit at Tovil with smoke. Crews were called after the smoke was seen billowing from the building in Tovil Hill. Firemen put out the fire and used fans to clear smoek from the building. No one was hurt.
investigated.
News
Partnership to promote pride in county town
ANEWtown centre partnership is powering forward to make the county town the pride of Kent.
One Maidstone – a collaboration
between the former Town Centre Management and the Town Team, backed by Maidstone Council – is a community interest company (CIC) formed with the aim of promoting Maidstone’s status as the county town. The not-for-profit organisation is politically independent and aims to act as a catalyst to communication between members and local au- thority decision-makers. Unveiling the new logo and the mission statement for One Maid- stone, at Strawberry Moons night- club in Gabriel’s Hill, One Maidstone chairman Andy Davey said: “We aim to bring together businesses, the community and the voluntary sectors ensuring the town continues to be worthy of being the county town of Kent.” Four key working groups will
deliver key projects to benefit the town centre and the business crime reduction partnership MaidSafe.
Boardmembers and supporters of OneMaidstone at the launch These will focus on events, public
realm improvements (regeneration and street scene), marketing and volunteers, which would include training stewards to support town centre activities. The new branding and logo for
One Maidstone was created by Maidstone-based graphic design company Geomedia and the pro- motional video compiled by Gareth Powell of
PlayMountain.co.uk, also based in the town’s Royal Star Ar- cade.
Cllr Fay Gooch, deputy leader of Maidstone Council, said: “It is so important we have a long-term vi- sion for the town centre to make it stand out as the county town. We have a strong cultural side, a huge retail element and some fantastic small businesses – a wonderful mix.” The CIC has pledged to organise
at least four major events each year – the first of which is the St George’s Day celebration on April 23 (see page 20 for more details).
Licensing
teams merge MAIDSTONE Council is to save rate-payers £45,000 by sharing serv- ices with two other Kent authorities and one in London.
The council has reached an agree- ment with the London Borough of Bexley to join Sevenoaks and Tun- bridge Wells to handle licensing op- erations. By sharing administration costs across the four authorities, the council can make significant sav- ings.
Send us your pictures
MANY thanks to the reader who sent us this photograph of a field of rape near Leeds village. Neill Johnston was out walking at dusk when he captured this image on a bridleway off Burberry Lane. Do you have a picture our readers would enjoy? Drop us an email at
info@downsmail.co.uk.
The cause of the fire was being Charity sale for Mencap Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk 20 Maidstone Town May 2016
The department issues of licences, permits for bars and nightclubs as well as hackney carriages and taxis. The move follows a trend by many councils to share services with neighbouring authorities. This can take in any number of functions such as bin collection, recycling or legal services.
GRAB a bargain at Maidstone Mencap’s plant, book and cake sale on Saturday, May 21. The event at Cobtree Hall, School Lane (off Willington Street), Maidstone, starts at 2.30pm. For details contact Rita on 07790 643218.
In this case, each of the four au- thorities retains its own policy on li- censing but a team in Sevenoaks deals with the paperwork. Each authority’s information is held on a central database but ad- ministered and maintained by staff at Sevenoaks District Council. The final decision was agreed unanimously at a recent meeting of the MBC communities, housing and environment committee at the town hall. It follows a trouble-hit sharing of planning services with Swale Council.
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