News Tory has ‘lile


regardfor truth’ LIBERAL Democrat leader Fran Wilson, pictured, has accused her Conservative rival of having “little regard for the truth” over claims her


party


would fritter away a govern- mentwindfall. Tory John had


Perry


urged the Lib Dems not to spend


cash from a busi-


ness rates scheme on “marketing campaigns” but look to fly-tipping, air quality and traffic congestion instead. But Cllr Wilson accused him of


deliberatemisrepresentation as no decisions had been taken on howit might allocate up to £640,000 of windfall cash from the business rates retention scheme. In fact, the cross-party committee


considering the issue unanimously called for more detail before any decision could be made, she said, adding: “There was across the board concern that the papers put in front of us did not give enough detail


schemes hadmerit or not.”


downsmail.co.uk


U-turn over proposed ‘cuts’ to 74bus services


NEWS that a number of bus serv- ices have been “saved” has been played down by one of the compa- nies responsible for operating themin and aroundMaidstone. Kent County Council had an-


nounced inNovember that 74 serv- ices around the county could be axed as part of a cost-cutting pro- gramme. Since then,CllrMikeWhiting has


replaced Cllr Matthew Balfour as KCC’s lead for transport, and theU- turn on the planswas announced in March. But Norman Kemp, of Nu-Ven-


ture, insists there was never as much doomand gloomaswas orig- inallymade out. He said: “To an extent, we are


spectators in all of this. But the council only funds 3% of the bus services around the county. “Some of the services that were


to know whether the


listed as being at risk were there only down to the fact thatKCCpro- vides, maybe, one or two of the buses on that route. “To a large extent,we keep out of


YMCA MAIDSTONE


Spring into Healthier Lifestyle


the politics, but we, of course, sup- port themin their consultation and I would hope that they will have a chat with us and the other bus op- erators during it.” Among the services listed as


being at risk was the 150, which runs between Maidstone and Walderslade, serving Blue Bell Hill village and other surrounding areas. As an area served by Maidstone Borough Council but geographi-


cally closer to the Medway Towns, bus services in that area are vital. Cllr Wendy Hinder, who repre-


sents Boxley ward and sits on Box- ley Parish Council, welcomed the news that the servicewas safe. She said: “It’s a relief to hear that


our bus service is not going to be af- fected. “It’s a crucial service, especially


for people who need to get into Maidstone – childrenwho head into the town to go to the grammar schools certainly rely on it.” Antony Hook, Liberal Democrat


spokesman for economic develop- ment at KCC, said: "We welcome this U-turn…these are buses that people need to access education, work, health services and shops. “Cutting themwould have been a


real blowtomanyKent families, in- cluding the elderly, disabled and many poorer people who do not have access to cars. “Small businesses would have


suffered too, as customers relying on these services would no longer have been able to reach them.”


Sunday 6 May 2018


Join for as little as £21 per month FREE Parking, FREE Creche Over 60 Group Exercise Classes per week & No Joining Fees


Maidstone YMCA, Melrose Close, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6BD Tel: 01622 749404 www.maidstoneymca.org.uk


Find us on


Charity Number: 1110087 Classes here


YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.


SUPPORT & ADVICE ACCOMMODATION FAMILY WORK HEALTH & WELLBEING TRAINING & EDUCATION


Discounted early bird entry until 8 April 2018


A 6 mile circular route starting and finishing at Harrietsham Village Hall. Walk amongst the bluebells on the North Downs and through the beautiful Kent countryside in support of Heart of Kent Hospice. Dogs welcome.


Register Now Visit: www.hokh.org/events Tel: 01622 790195 Email: fundraising@hokh.co.uk


Heart of Kent Hospice @Heartofkenthosp Sponsored by:


20


Maidstone April 2018


Maidstone April 2018


21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25