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downsmail.co.uk


Five-yearwait to pay rates bill


HURRIED efforts are being made to conclude a concerning situation that has left an invoice of more than £50,000 sitting on the bor- ough council’s desk for more than five years. The companies behind the plush, park-basedAudley Mote House re- tirement facility in Maidstone say they have been eligible to pay busi- ness rates on the bar, restaurant and pool it has opened to the pub- lic since 2012. However, a spokesman for the company says a bill for commercial rates has never been received from Maidstone Borough Council, in spite of efforts to inform it of the omission. It says the amount owing – now estimated at about £56,000 – is sit- ting in its bank. Confusion at the council contin-


ued this week, with a spokesman adding that the property has not been valued for business rates. It said an independent assess-


ment is being carried out, after “problems were experienced with accessing the necessary areas of the


building”, but that the outstanding payment was being calculated from April 2015. A spokesman for Audley, which operates 12 similar village commu- nities across the UK, including one in TunbridgeWells, said there is no intention to criticise the council. The commercialAudley Club op- eration has been in business since 2012 and local borough councillors were even invited to attend the launch. Aspokesman for the council said


it was likely there was “some con- fusion created on both sides” and if the wrong date had been noted then the bill will be back-dated. Audley says it justwants the con-


fusion resolved. A spokesman said: “As a responsible business, Audley pays all invoices in full and on time. Sometimes, a local council can take longer to determine the business rates charge, but in such a scenario, as in this case, Audley puts money aside to ensure it can pay the invoice when it is received. We are confident this matter will be resolved soon.”


Hunt for serial arsonist


KENT Police have released this grainy image of aman they believe may be connected to nine arson attacks in the Tovil area. This council CCTV footage shows


the suspect they would like to speak and hope his “general gait” will be familiar to someone close to him. In other footage, the man is


seen trying car door handles. Vehicles parked in Old Tovil Road


and LaunderWay, Tovil, as well as cars in Florence Road, Maidstone, have all been targeted. Offences have taken place between June 30 and August 18, 2017. He gets in to vehicles, which may


been left insecure, before typically starting fires inside. In some instances, fires have


caused serious damage, including to personal property left inside the


vehicles. No items have been reported stolen by victims. Kent Police has been carrying


out a number of enquiries including house-to-house checks and forensic analysis of the crime scenes. The image appears to show a


whiteman, wearing light trousers, a blue jacket and possible black boots.


Maidstone Chief Inspector Mick


Gardner said: “Whilst the CCTV image may not show a huge amount of detail, we are hoping it may possibly jog somememories. “It was captured in Hayle Road,


shortly before a number of fires were reported in Tovil on August 18.”


Anyone with information should


call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 18-0145.


News


NEW Shopping Outlet Demelza Hospice Care for Children is opening a


new shopping outlet specialising in furniture on Friday 29 September.


Located at 98 Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RJ (former Royal Mail sorting office) and offering everything from sofas to sideboards, electricals to clothing, we will open 9am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday.


If you live in Maidstone or the surrounding area, we are happy to collect your pre-loved furniture. Please call 01622 427885 to arrange. Your donations will help to raise vital funds needed to support seriously ill children and their families in your local community.


Registered Charity Number 1039651 www.demelza.org.uk Maidstone October 2017 13


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