News War onweeds


SEVENTEENvolunteers helped the Loose Amenities Association to cut paths and clear overgrown weeds and vegetation. The clear-up was held on July 15,


during the heatwave, and the pro- longed dry conditions made bram- bles “tough to dealwith”. A spokesman told volunteers:


“The temperature was not exactly exertion-friendly. Well done – you all deserve amedal!”


Local art show


THEAugust exhibition at the River- side gallery inYalding featureswork fromthe local artistic community. It showcasespieces by theYalding


Art Group, Hadlow Pottery, Ken- ward Trust and SarahAbercrombie Jones. The gallery is open from 2- 5pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays untilAugust 27.


Club barbecue


THEYalding SupperClub enjoyeda barbecue at the home of Janet and Gordon Till on July 16. Rachel Curley cooked for 20


guests in the garden at LyngsClose. The clubmeets again at the village


hall at 5pm on August 20. Call Sue Gerrish on 01622 814159.


downsmail.co.uk


Council is accused of ‘blowing underspend’


THE leadership ofMaidstone Bor- ough Council (MBC) has been ac- cused of blowing a budget underspend “like punters who have had a good day at the races”. Conservative opposition leader


John Perry (pictured) claims a pro- portion of the £185,000 left overwill be diverted to “pet projects” like MaidstoneMuseum. Cllr Perry,who represents Staple-


hurst, said Liberal Democrat-led MBC should take a “more consid- ered approach” to spending tax- payers’ money in financially constrained times. He added: “I just think it is irre-


sponsible ... they’re charging around like punterswho’ve had a good day at the races looking for somewhere to spend it. “We have been through some


hard times, like all local authorities, but that is all the more reason to demonstrate prudence. “We are disappointed that all Lib-


eralDemocrat,Labour andsome in- dependent councillors chose to


pursue their own pet projects with- out any detailed justification for these. “Conservative councillors have


many good ideas to pursue, butwe will not put at risk the financial sta- bility of the council and the provi- sion of its core services. “The council has taken a decision, which we believe is not in the best


interests of taxpayers.” Leader ofMBC, CllrMartin Cox,


said: “It is important to state that the council remains in a stable financial position – to suggest otherwise is misleading. We have successfully managedtoproducebalancedbudg- ets for capital and revenue expendi- ture for 2018/19, and it is predicted that our financial situation will be broadly comparable for 2019-2020. “Our unallocated reserves are


considered to be adequate. As of 2017/18 these amounted to £7 mil- lion – theminimal agreed level is £2 million. “We are confident that £80,000 of


the £185,000 underspend can be di- rected to other areas to deliver the council’s strategic objectives, with- out any significant risk to the coun- cil’s


financial position. The


remaining £105,000 is being trans- ferred to reserves.Wewill continue to act in the interest of all taxpayers andprotect the core services thatwe knowmatter to every resident of the borough.”


RYA training locally in First Aid, One day Health & Safety at work course, Essential Navigation and Safety, CEVNI, Days Skipper Theory Courses or Yachtmaster Theory Courses


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Maidstone Weald August 2018


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