News Dementia talk


THE Alzheimer’s Society’s Liz Taylor will speak at a dementia information session at Headcorn Surgery on Saturday,March 9. The event will guide visitors


through aspects of the condition, give advice on becoming a De- mentia Friend, and provide an opportunity for those affected to share their experiences. The session runs from 10am to


noon. Ramble at Rye


HEADCORN'S Footpaths Group has a six-mile hike planned around the ancient harbour of Rye. Ramblers shouldmeet at the WarMemorial in Headcorn High Street on Sunday, April 7, 10am, for transport by car. Walkers shouldensure they have


adequate footwear.CallChrisDut- ton on 01622 890142 for details.


Craft show


THE Weald of Kent Rotary Club holds an art and craft exhibition and sale at Sutton Valence School on April 13 and 14. Details from wealdofkentrotary.org.uk


downsmail.co.uk


Former council leader Chris quits theTories


A FORMER Conservative bor- ough council leader has resigned the party whip to become an in- dependent. Chris Garland, pictured, who


represents ShepwayNorth,was in charge from 2008 until 2014 when the Tories held aworkingmajority at the authority. He did not see eye to eye group


leader, John Perry, overMaidstone BoroughCouncil’sdecision to take Kent County Council to the High Court over the spending of devel- oper contributions (or S106 cash). Cllr Perry said: “I have huge re-


spect for Chris but he has decided to join the independents. He does not like my stance on the judicial review, in that Iwant itput on hold and for the leaderships of both au- thorities to speak to each other. “I owe Chris a great deal as he


persuaded me to become a bor- ough councillor a fewyears back.” But no matter who wins the ar- gument at theHighCourt, the tax-


fromA274 housing developments which KCC wanted to spend on surveys for a relief road. MBCis adamant themoney goes


towards accommodating road amendments. Leader Martin Cox and his chief executive Alison Broom claim they have taken the action to provide “clarity” on the issue of S106money disposal. The Liberal Democrat-led coun-


payer picks up the tab, he said. CllrPerry added: “We have got a


pretty solid group at the moment. There are somewhomay have had difficult dealings with KCC in the past and that has shaped their thinking. But I have come pretty fresh from the outside with virtu- ally no baggage and I have taken the viewthat I have taken.” MBC challenged KCC over £200,000 in S106 contributions


cil is nowweddedto the concept of “modal shift” to mitigate against the tens of thousands of extra cars expected on the roads because of MBC’s 17,600 newhome allocation in the Local Plan. This is likely to increase to 25,000 houseswhen the plan is reviewed. MBC’s management hopes


modal shift will persuade mo- torists towalk, cycle anduse buses. Cllr Cox admitted to Downs Mail last year that he was not “100% sure” thatmodal shiftwillwork. CllrGarlandwas approachedfor a comment.He did not respond.


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20 Maidstone Weald March 2019


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