downsmail.co.uk Spirited night


VICTORIA’S cabaret club near Maidstone throws its doors open to the spiritworld inMarch. International


clairvoyants


Pauline Mason and Tracy Fance will give an evening of readings at the club on the A20 on Friday, March 1 until 11pm. One-to-one readings will also


be available to book on the night, with the girls’ teamof readers for £20. Doors open at 7pm. The per-


formance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10. Call 01622 859331 to book.


SisterAct date


BRINGsome halleluiah into your lifewith theGospel TouchChoir’s tribute to the movie Sister Act at Maidstone Leisure Centre. The MOBO award-winning


choir will be giving powerful solos and energetic performances of hits including Joyful, Joyful and Dancing In The Street, from 6.30-9pm, on Saturday, April 6. Special guests will include Jer- main Jackman, fromThe Voice. Doors open at 6pm. Call the leisure centre on 01622 220232.


News


Empty homes penalty could hit sellers hard


HOMEOWNERS whose proper- ties standempty andunfurnished will have a hefty “penalty tax” levied against them, Maidstone Borough Council has ruled. The authority, which already


charges a 50%premiumfor build- ings unoccupied for two years or more,will hike up bills fromApril. Owners should expect to be hit


with a 100% premium after two years, 200% after five and 300% after 10. Council officials believe the


move will tackle pressures on housing stocks aswell as local gov- ernment finance. But, crucially, councillors chose


not to exempt people struggling to sell their homes. StephenMcGinnes, the council’s


director ofMidKent Services, said: “This optionwould require inves- tigation as to how long properties have been on the market and a judgement as to whether the sale


price and steps taken to sell the property were reasonable. This would be complex and adminis- tratively onerous.” The council’s latest move has


been prompted by the Govern- ment’s introduction of regulations that grant local authorities the dis- cretion to increase penalties. Historically, empty properties enjoyed council tax discounts on


the assumption that absent owners used fewer public services than residents. But Mr McGinnes said offering


discounts meant other taxpayers had to pick up the bill. Councillor Patrik Garten (pic-


tured) said there are currently 143 properties in the borough paying a 50% premium. But he was adamant that, far fromgenerating extra income, the councilwouldbe “shooting ourselves in the foot by raising thepenalty tax any higher”. He feared that legal wording


around properties being “substan- tially unfurnished” would see “people running off to IKEAtoput a bit of furniture in”, as a ruse to dodge a council tax hike. Despite his reservations, council-


lors voted12 to one in favour of the increase. The current standard council tax


charge for aBandDproperty inthe borough is £1,735.24.


You are invited to join us for:


LAST NIGHT AT THE PROMS


on Saturday 9th March 2019 at 7.30pm at Te Salvation Army 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone (ME14 1ED).


Te evening will feature:


Medway Singers (Conductor: Neil Jones) Eva Stout (Vocal Soloist) Neil Atkinson (French horn)


Maidstone Salvation Army band (Bandmaster: Stuart Atkinson)


Maidstone March 2019


15


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