Malling Mail Serving local people, businesses & events in


Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling


CONCERN is growing over the future of GP services in West Malling as residents wait to find out the next step after their surgery was put up for sale.


Bids have already started coming in for the surgery in the High Street, but as yet there is no indication what plans there are for a replacement.


The surgery in the High Street is part of the West Malling Group Practice, which also has sites in Kings Hill and Leybourne. It has been in the Milverton building for more than 70 years. Members of the Patient Participation Group were told a few months ago that the site would be going on the open market, but there appears to have been no communication shared with patients or residents generally. Trudy Dean, chairman of West Malling Parish Council, is concerned by the latest developments. “West Malling surgery has existed long before most residents were born and it serves our market town where people can combine visits to the surgery with trips to the shops, library, Post Office,


optician, dentist and other services.” The parish council fear that the Practice may decide to have one large centre at Kings Hill serving the whole area, although the practice have ac- knowledged that there may be parking issues with that plan.


The parish council are hoping to have a meeting with the practice manager in March.


Mrs Dean added: “It would be a huge blow to West Malling residents if this sur- gery closes – and a blow to our continued fight to retain a real market town deliver- ing shops and services in a rural setting.” Vicki Plummer, the Business & Finance Manager at West Malling Group Practice, confirmed that they are hoping to still have “a presence” in the high street. “The West Malling Site is in part a listed building and in great need of repair” she said. “We are in discussions with West Kent CCG to create a long-term sustain-


able premises and care plan for the ever increasing patient area we have that spans Kings Hill, West Malling and Leybourne. “The sale of West Malling is part of a bigger puzzle to ensure the local pop- ulation’s primary care needs can be accommodated not just today but that we ensure we have a five and 10-year plan based around local developments. “Our plan is to keep a presence on


West Malling High Street after the sale but that the majority of the business is moved to our other two sites of Ley- bourne and Kings Hill. Our Kings Hill surgery sits half empty at present “


Councillor Trudy Dean increases her allowance to aid advertising for community events


COUNTY Councillor Trudy Dean has decid- ed to use her increased allowance to pay for advertising in Downs Mail.


Mrs Dean has been given a 15% increase in her allowance, which she opposed, and she has decided to use that money to advertise community events in her county division of East and West Malling and Larkfield.


She said: “I opposed the increase in Councillors allowances but do not want to see residents I represent disadvantaged. So I have decided to use it instead in advertising of main local community events. “Social events like East Malling ‘Picnic in the Park’, West Malling Music@malling Festival and Larkfield Martin Square light-


ing up event bring people together, enrich our lives and often provide an opportunity for local voluntary groups to fund raise for their activities.


“I have chosen Downs Mail as it circulates my entire area free of charge, making sure everyone is able to get involved in supporting local community life.”


FOUR local volunteer groups received Environmental Awards from the Borough Council.


Environmental Champion “Love Where You Live” awards, sponsored by Veolia, were awarded by the Mayor at a Tonbridge Castle ceremony. Anita Oakley’s work organising (and feeding) Larkfield Litter Pickers, and East Malling volunteer Linda Bailey’s work in East Malling litter clearing group were recognised with awards. Michelle Tatton also received an award for her work organising Clare Lake volunteers.


Michelle made a short presentation to the audience of photographs illustrating the transformation of the lake over the last few years.


January / February 2018


Michelle Tatton is 4th from the left


A Malling Action Partnership publication Malling January 2018 23


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