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


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-


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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.”


downsmail.co.uk


David andMarion set to be new‘chain gang’


NEXT year’s Maidstone mayor will beDavidNaghi. Liberal Democrat CllrNaghiwas


nominated as ‘mayor select’ for the county town for 2018-19 by mem- bers ofMaidstone BoroughCouncil onMarch 7. Father of three Cllr Naghi is a


local builder and has been on the council since 2002, currently serving inMaidstone eastward. He has been the deputy mayor


duringCllrMalcolmGreer’s time in the town’s most prestigious civic post. Cllr Greer, a former manager at


Gillingham FC’s Priestfield sta- dium, has been a councillor since 2003 and represents Boxleyward. Themayor’s office – which is en-


tirely non-political – oversees hun- dreds of engagements throughout the year, aswell as representing the borough in other parts of the coun- try. It isMaidstone’s custom to ap- point the deputy as mayor, who also becomes chairman of the bor- ough council. Conservative Cllr MartinRound joked he thoughtCllr


Naghi was a “complete idiot” be- cause he was allegedly unable to grasp rural affairs. But over the decade he has


known him, has become impressed by his “infectious enthusiasm and motivation” and added he has the making of a “very greatmayor”. Ukip councillor Gordon Newton


Family Funeral Service brings its personal service to Headcorn Business Focus


said: “I have knownCllrNaghi and his family formany years. I and his


and Cllr Ring “go back a longway” and would have no hesitation in supporting the recommendation for her to become deputymayor.


Family Funeral Service brings its personal service to Headcorn


FAMILY Funeral Service has opened a new base in Headcorn, offering its friendly service to even more people across the Maidstone area. The family


owned, and family run business offers a personalised approach, with the option of home visits and access to a friendly voice at the end of the telephone 24 hours a day. Already operating out of Bearsted, Family Funeral Service is run by Michael Lawrence and his son Robert, along with Kim and Angela - the team behind the third-generation business


4 Cavendish Way, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME15 8PW


01622 260200


that has been helping families in the area for 40 years.


Michael Lawrence said: “We are pleased our branch in Headcorn High Street is now open. We’ve worked hard to ensure the premises is sympathetic to the village conservation area, with help from Nick Prior, at Woodland Carpentry, and provides a comfortable environment in which people can relax and talk through their needs.


“Jo will be our lady on hand to help families looking to arrange a fitting tribute for their loved ones. I will also be there daily to meet families and help with their requirements and wishes.”


To meet his new business commitment, Michael has recently moved to Headcorn. He added: “The loss of a loved one is never easy to cope with, and the added stress of making arrangements can often bring further emotional upset. With our experience of


Find us at:


59 High Street, Headcorn TN27 9QA


01622 962001 Maidstone Weald April 2018 29


making funeral arrangements we have learned how to help families have and be part of a meaningful service that celebrates life. “Our approach is simple. We sit with you in our office or your home, taking you slowly and methodically through the various decisions that you will face and the options available to you. Sometimes, it’s just good to sit and talk to someone with experience and compassion before making a decision.” Contact Family Funerals on Bearsted 01622 260200 or in Headcorn on 01622 962001.


Maidstone’s ‘mayor select’ for the coming year is Lib DemCllr David Naghi and the ‘deputymayor se- lect’ is Conserva- tive CllrMarion Ring


ward members support his ap- pointment and they know and I know that he will do a damn good job.” Conservative councillor Marion


Ring has been named as Maid- stone’s ‘deputymayor select’. CllrDenise Joy said: “It is good to


knowthatwe have a ladymayor in waiting. It’s been 10 years and Iwas the last one, so I amlooking forward to it.” Ukip’s Cllr John Barned said he


News


Wartimewalks WALK back in time and celebrate the part Maidstone people played duringWWI. That is the invitation being


made to active fans of history to take two commemorative walks tracking the lives of soldiers, sailors, aircraft mechanics and everyday peoplewho contributed to the war effort. Starting at the Kent History and


Library Centre in JamesWhatman Way, download your map at www. k e n tww1 . c om/ 1 0 0 - miles/maidstone-trail/


Domestic affray POLICEwere called to a domestic incident inMaidstone at lunchtime on Monday, March 12, following reports of a disturbance in Week Street. They attended the scene at 1pm


and calmed down the situation.No arrestsweremade.


Staff reassured THE immediate future of Prezzo restaurant in Earl Street, Maid- stone, appears safe, despite na- tional cutbacks. Members of staff at the popular


eaterie have received assurances and bookings are still being taken.


downsmail.co.uk


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