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Funding change may hit tax bills
COUNCILtax bills could surge up- wards in some parts of the Ton- bridge and Malling area if the borough’s proposals to reduce funds to parishes goes ahead. The authority is considering mak-
ing big changes to theway it charges for its services which it says will make the system fairer. But a num- ber of parish councils fear this will mean a cut in their funding. West MallingParish Council chair-
manTrudy Dean predicted that bills would rise in her area if the changes go ahead. She said that parish coun- cils may have to raise precepts by as much as 12%. Funding through the borough’s FinancialArrangements with Parish Councils is paid to all parish coun- cils to provide services including maintaining allotments, footpaths, cemeteries, sports grounds and lighting. But in Tonbridge, which has no parish councils, the borough pays for these services. The money paid to the parishes allows them to reduce the amount of council tax that they charge in their parish pre- cept. The borough council thinks it would be fairer if the people who
benefit from these local services paid for them via a “local charge” in the same way as parished areas pay through their parish precept. Cuts in government funding have
left Tonbridge and Malling looking for ways of saving £1.8million over the next four years, including a re- view of grants to parish councils in 2017/18. Local charges would re- place the need to give grants to parish councils, saving about £226,000 a year. The majority of services such as
waste collection, recycling, housing and country parks are borough wide and therefore would not form part of the local charge. Cllr Martin Coffey, Tonbridge and Malling’s cabinet member for fi- nance, said: “We want to hear what our residents and parish councils have to say about this proposal, which is abouthowwe maintain the quality and range of services thatwe know our residents enjoy while sharing the cost of local services fairly across the borough.” The council has launched public consultation before a final decision is expected in November.
Mortgage firm’s office move
MORE than a hundred guests attended an office-warming party hosted by Mortgages for Business to celebrate the company’s move to newly-fitted offices at Kings Hill. Guests included representatives
from many of the UK’s leading mortgage lenders as well as clients and neighbouring businesses. David Whittaker, managing
director of the independent mortgage-broking firm, said: “We are delighted that so many friends and colleagues could join
A WOMAN from Aylesford has been sentenced after she admitted stealing nearly £8,000 from the Brewer’s Fayre pub in Leybourne. Allenie Natalie Stevens was sen-
tenced at West Kent Magistrates’ Court after admitting she burgled
us. It was great to be able to show them around the new office and share our plans for expansion, which includes strengthening our commercial team as well developing our residential mortgage department. “The increased space will allow
us to recruit more staff sooner rather than later.We are looking formore brokers and case managers and we hope to be able to tap into the local population to fill many of these positions.”
Woman admits theft from pub
the Castle Lake, on CastleWay, on November 30 and took £7,741.23. Stevens (23), from Bentley Close,
was sentenced to 180 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. She must pay £744 compensation, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
News
TICKET OFFER AVAILABLE UNTIL 1ST JULY Malling May 2016 25
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