News
Drop-in help for the young
MENTAL health charity Maid- stone and Mid-Kent Mind (MMKM) is launching a new young people’s support service. The YouthWellbeing Café will
provide young peoplewith a safe and welcoming drop-in service on Wednesday evenings, from 5pmuntil 7pm. The Youth Wellbeing Café, at
23 College Road, Maidstone, is suitable for young people aged between 12 and 17.
New vicar
AN OPEN house and coffee morning on May 18 celebrated the arrival of the new vicar of Leeds, Langley, Broomfield and Otham, RevMark Pavey,who has taken over the parish from the late Rev Steve Hughes.
Dance class
LINE dancing for beginners has started on Monday afternoons at Headcorn village hall’s Green Room at 3pm. For more call Brenda on 01622 628542 or come along on the day.
downsmail.co.uk
‘Modal shift’planmay hit frontline services
FRONTLINE council services would lose more than £1.75m if aspirations to drivemotorists off Maidstone’s congested streets ever became a reality. The Liberal Democrat-led bor-
ough council’s policy of “modal shift”, which would see drivers ditch their vehicles in favour of al- ternative transport, is regularly cited as an answer toMaidstone’s traffic problems. But new Freedom of Informa-
tion (FOI) figures showmotorists bankrolled the local authority to the tune of nearly £4m last year. Drivers forked out more than £2.6mon parking, nearly £400,000 on permits, and in excess of £770,000 in penalty charges. Much of that income, the council
says, is ring-fenced under law, and has to be reinvested in parking provision such as ticket machines and trafficwardens. But the council admitted: “In- come relating to off-street parking
“We’re building ourselves into
oblivion, with much-needed homes but nomatching infrastruc- ture. “Andwe’re charging shoppers to
park in the town when competi- tors, like Bluewater, are free.” The borough relies primarily on
council tax to fill its coffers. In April, it hikedthe levy by threeper cent – themaximumallowedwith- out a
referendum.Despite cars be- coming a considerable source of additional income, MBC insists it will forge ahead with its policy of modal shift, which it now calls “modal choice”. Aspokesman said: “We are pro-
charges is not covered by this leg- islation. For 2018/19 this was £1,751,495. This income is used to support frontline council services.” Former borough councillor John
Barned (pictured), who obtained the FOI figures, told Downs Mail: “It’s a mess. The council needs to stop, step back and take stock.
SKIP HIRE
Commercial & Domestic Recycling Services
motingmodal choice by offering a range of services such as town cen- tre parking, both on-street and off- street, whilst supporting Park and Ride and other transport services through the Quality Bus Partner- ship. Budgets are considered and revised accordingly as demand for services change over time.”
www.gboxkent.com 01233 660 099
Book Online
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Skip Hire Roll On/Offs Road Permits Arranged Waste Recycling Facility
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