News Police uncover
a dope factory KENT Police are investigating after a cannabis factory was dis- covered in a house inMaidstone. Officers went to the premises
after receiving a report of suspi- cious activity in Cross Street on Tuesday, January 2. They discovered more than 200
cannabis plants growing in the cellar and a first-floor room. The plants were seized along
with a quantity of growing equip- ment and an investigation is now under way. Officers are keen to hear from
anyone suspecting that a cannabis factory may be operating in their area. Signs can include windows
being permanently covered from the inside and vents protruding from the roof tiles. A strong herbal smell can often be de- tected. People calling at the ad- dress daily orweekly, but only for short periods of time, can also be a sign of suspicious activity. Anyone with information is
asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting reference 02- 0471. Alternatively, call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
downsmail.co.uk
Transport chief is axed amid bus cuts concerns
THE county council’s transport chief has been fired in the wake of a decision to remove crucial subsidies from 70 key bus routes being revealed in themedia. Matthew Balfour was relieved of
his post as the cabinet member for planning, highways, transport and waste at a one-to-onemeetingwith Kent County Council leader Paul Carter. County hall sources suggest Mr Balfourmay have paid the price for the manner in which the plans to cut funding to “socially neces- sary” bus routes emerged. The proposed removal of subsi-
dies from the services could mean they are no longer viable. Therewas an immediate public outcry. Cllr Balfour said hewas currently
trying to work out how to “brain dump” such a vast amount of knowledge regarding the county’s transport plans. Member for Swale,MikeWhiting,
will writing 2018 ad_Layout 1 13/12/2017 10:45 Page 1
has been appointed his successor. Cllr Balfour, who will continue to represent Malling rural east on the county council and is also a bor-
CllrMatthew Balfour, who has been re- place as county coun- cil’s transport chief
ough councillor, saidhewas hoping to spend a couple of hourswithCllr Whiting for a hand over. He said: “Mike is a friend and I
wish himall the best. I hope to bring him up to speed, which seems the kindest thing to do.” Cllr Balfour claimed he had been
given no specific reason why he was out of the cabinet.He added: “I have enjoyed making progress in my job but budgetary cuts have
meant thatwe have not been able to maintain our roads to the standard wewould all like. This is in spite of officers being extraordinarily imag- inative in making sure that every penny of the pittance we receive is spent in themost effectiveway pos- sible.” CllrMikeWhiting said: “I amde-
lighted to have been offered the op- portunity and am looking forward to the challenge ahead.“
Will Writing Month
A solicitor will prepare a new Will or update your existing Will, free of charge in return for a donation to Demelza Hospice Care for Children*
For more information, please call Lisa Clark on 01795 845275, email
lisa.clark@
demelza.org.uk or visit:
www.demelza.org.uk/willwriting
*There is a suggested donation of £100 for an individual’s Will or £150 for a couple’s Will Registered Charity Number 1039651
14 Maidstone February 2018
May 2018
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