Homelessness at ‘critical state’


Continued from page one accommodation.” Housing consultative board chairman Cllr John Barned said: "Homelessness has now reached a critical state in the borough and a number of proactive measures need to be im- plemented. "Hopefully we can


make some firm recom- mendations to the cabinet within a few weeks to get action underway." Maidstone, like many


other towns and cities in the UK, no longer has emergency hostels or night shelters. There is a short- age of private rented ac- commodation – especially for people on benefits. Even when the council thinks a household is in- tentionally homeless, it still has a duty to provide temporary accommodation for a “reasonable pe- riod” - generally an average of 21 days. However, the shortage of bed and breakfast ac-


Police portion of council tax


Burden on taxpayers IN Maidstone, in the current financial year, temporary accommodation has been provided for an average of 54 days per household, ex- pected to cost the council £275,000, before es- timated housing benefit payments of £100,000. The council allowed £127,200 for temporary accommodation in its budget for the current year, offset by housing benefit income of £61,670, resulting in a net cost of £65,530. However, the net expenditure on temporary accommodation already stands at £130,580 and is forecast to increase to £175,000 by the end of the year.


commodation inMaidstone and the increased de- mand on the service, means families are being re- located out of town – which brings its own difficulties if there are children involved who at- tend local schools. But the picture is little different in neighbouring authorities, with Medway, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells facing their own problems. Housing services man-


ager Neil Coles’ report states: "As the economic climate continues to con- tribute to increased levels of hardship, it is expected that the number of house- holds presenting to the council as being threat-


ened with homelessness will continue to rise. "Demand across Kent for temporary accommo- dation is currently so high that it is becoming in- creasingly difficult to find accommodation available on demand."


Youngsters flip for pancakes


to be frozen KENT Police Authority has voted to freeze the police coun- cil tax for the forthcoming year and to accept a £2m govern- ment grant instead. The authority has agreed a budget of £274m for 2012-13, of which 68% is funded by the Government and 32% by the police council taxpayer. The authority and force are entering the second year of a major programme to find £50m in four years. However, policing services


will be maintained, including the boost to neighbourhood of- ficers introduced last Novem- ber as part of a reorganisation programme. The county was split into


three policing divisions –West, North, and East – and a new ap- pointment system has been in- troduced to enable victims of crime to see an officer at a time and place of their choosing. Kent still has one of the low-


est police council tax rates in the country, with the average band D household paying £2.67 a week. Ann Barnes, chairman of


Kent Police Authority said: “A one-year grace period will help hard-pressed families, and this decision means that those who are struggling are not burdened with more financial worry.”


Access for all event GOLDING Homes is holding an Access for All event to help find out what prevents dis- abled people from accessing services in Maidstone. The free event at Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, is on March 29, from 10am -3pm will highlight the services available. There will be free prize draw


to win a Wii console plus Wii Fit and others prizes.


6 Malling Oscar finds flipping a bit of a challenge


TWO men have been given community service orders after admitting fly-tipping. Troy Hanson, 39, of Pratling Street, Aylesford, and Dara Mc- Goldrick, 35, of Mitchell Av- enue, Chatham, appeared before Maidstone magistrates and pleaded guilty to five offences of illegally depositing waste. The court heard they had dumped commercial rubbish including timber, rubble and sacks at Crown Quay Lane, Sit- tingbourne, between April and May 2010. Both said they had permis-


PUPILS at Teston & Wa- teringbury NurseryGroup made pancakes at their Shrove Tuesday session. Making them wasn’t a problem, but flipping them was a different matter entirely! The pancakes that sur-


vived the flipping were covered in jam or lemon curd and devouredby the youngsters. Thegroup is holdingan


Easter fun day at Teston Village Hall, from 10am to 12.30pm on Wednes- day, April 4. The event will include


an Easter bunny hunt, biscuit decorating and bouncing chicks. Go to www.testonand-


wateringburynursery.co. uk or call07805796353 for details.


Community service for fly-tippers


sion to deposit waste there, but no environmental permitwas in force for the land and neither of themen had obtained a licence. The pair were each sentenced


to 200 hours unpaid work with £1,250 costs. County Cllr Bryan Sweetland, Cabinet member for environ- ment, highways and waste, said: “These crimes blight our countryside, towns and villages but they also affect us finan- cially because councils have to clear up the mess. Fly-tipping is an anti-social act and a criminal offence.We will not tolerate it.”


Support group extends welcome FIBROMYALGIA sufferers are invited to join a Maidstone and Weald Support Group meeting. The group meets at the Salvation Army Hall in Union Street, Maidstone, for support, friendship – and to have fun. Symptoms of the painful condition include headaches,and muscle stiffness. Thenextmeeting is inthe CobtreeRoomat 1.30pm onWednesday, April 18. Email Julie.amos@sky. com or call 01622 739010.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


Ron Frazer (right), with YMCA’s Bryan Price


YMCA honours


long-serving Ron MAIDSTONE YMCA board member Ron Frazer has retired after serving 30 years – and has been made its first hon- orary vice-president. Bryan Price, chairman of the Maidstone YMCA board of management, presented Ron with a plaque and a certificate to mark his 30 years of service to the board – although he has been a member for 43 years! In his retirement speech,


Ron thanked the YMCA, the board, staff, members and friends for supporting him, for enriching his life and for won- derful memories. He said he was thrilled to be offered the position as honorary vice-pres- ident, which he duly accepted. Lynda Dale, chief executive


of Maidstone YMCA, said: “Ron has been a huge influ- ence on the Maidstone YMCA charity.”


Couple forced to


sleep in their car A PROFESSIONAL couple re- cently sought help at Maid- stone Day Centre, having both lost well-paid jobs and, conse- quently, their home. They had been living in their


car and their relationship had finally cracked under the strain.


“When you become homeless


and you haven’t contributed to your circumstances, it is devas- tating,” said day centre man- ager Sue Tallowin. “They have worked all their


lives, paid their taxes andwon- der why there is nobody there to help them in their hour of need. Mentally, people rarely recover.” In the past year, the centre


has helped six people holding down full-time professional jobs while living in their cars and on other people’s floors.


Late Lent lunches AWARM welcome awaits visi- tors to St John the Baptist Church, Wateringbury, as Lent comes to a close. The last two Lent lunches


take place from 12.30-2pm, on Wednesdays March 21 and 28, and everyone is very welcome to share soup and a roll or a light lunch of sandwiches and cake. Voluntary donations re- ceived for the lunches go to- wards local charities.


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