News
Nappy thief A MAIDSTONE woman who stole baby milk and nappies from a store on the Loose Road has ap- peared in court. Lisa Wallace (43), from Owletts
Close, admitted two counts of shoplifting, the second offence con- cerning cosmetics taken from a shop in Calverley Road, TunbridgeWells. She was sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court on January 25 to 131 days in prison, suspended for 12 months. She must pay £68 compen- sation, £235 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Over the limit A MOTORCYCLIST from Maid- stone has been banned from driving for three years. Daryl Charles, of York Road, ad-
mitted drink-driving in Brenchley Road when hewas stopped onNew Year’s Day. Mid Kent magistrates heard he gave a breath test of 61mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35. Hewas ordered to pay a £100 fine, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Charity quiz A QUIZ is being organised by Maidstone ChurchesWinter Shelter at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 2, at the Mu Mu restaurant in Week Street. Cost is £2 per person for a team of six. Call 01622 296450.
downsmail.co.uk
Councillors split over super council scheme
THE prospect of Maidstone Bor- ough Council being part of a “super district” in amalgamation with other authorities has received a mixed reaction from politicians. Local council bosses are awaiting
the outcome of a proposed “cluster” in east Kent, comprising Dover, Shepway, Canterbury and Thanet. If that goes ahead, serious discus-
sions will start about which merger Maidstone might be involved in. Its central location could make it partner for any of the three currently mooted in three broad geographical terms – east, north andwest. Andwhile the government is pur-
suing a course towards devolved local government, few local ob- servers have any idea how the process might work in practice. But they have words ofwarning. UKIP councillor John Barned said
super districts councils are a recipe for conflict as each area vies for the best deal. He added: “This idea is all about
saving money. But, to be honest, I’m not convinced it will save the money the councils think and could lead to
Councillors John Barned, Matthew Burton and DerekMortimer
conflict between the areas. It’s not something I would vote for. “If we do go into a super council partnership, I’d say that unless the funding changes we are going to face the same problemswe do at the moment. But it is all about money and Maidstone Borough Council is already struggling to make cuts.” Cllr Matthew Burton, who repre-
sentsPark Wood, believes that amal- gamated authorities could work. He added: “It’s very much the di- rection that we are being led in by central government. ” Critics – including Cllr Barned -
have pointed out that the “super dis- trict councils” will simply become
slightly smaller versions of Kent County Council. “And KCC doesn’t do it very
well,” added Cllr Barned. Liberal Democrat borough mem-
ber for south ward, Derek Mor- timer, said: “As long as it’s good for democracy, there’s a fair share for all and no loss of money I could sup- port it. But the devil is in the detail.” Maidstone could end up in a part- nership in the west with Tonbridge and Malling, Sevenoaks and Tun- bridgeWells; to the south/east with Ashford, Canterbury, Thanet, Shep- way and Dover or to the north with Medway, Swale, Gravesham and Dartford.
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