School Travel Pass at Risk, Says KCC Chief
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Four editions delivered to over 88,000 homes every month downsmail.co.uk MaidstoneMaidstone SouthSouth EditionEdition Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper FREE Maidstone Town | Maidstone East | Maidstone South | Malling December 2015 No. 224 News School travel pass at Air may take flight KENT Air Ambulance is looking to move away from its base in Mar- den, where it has been lo- risk, says KCC chief cated since 2000. 6 TEENAGERS in Maidstone could face costly trips to and from school if Kent Separate the shows County Council decides to withdraw its Young Person’s Travel Pass. MAIDSTONE Council is taking steps to avoid event KCC is looking to shave £22.5 He told the town’s Joint Trans- cost per pass is £588, leaving KCC clashes in 2016. 8 million off its £1.8 billion budget portation Board that if the Goven- to subsidise each pass purchased next year and the travel pass, which ment’s spending review was severe by £388. Families with more than costs the council £8.8 million, is one the young person’s travel pass two secondary school age children Energy proposal of the services under threat, ac- would be under threat. He said: get the remaining passes free. MP Helen Grant is hoping to cording to KCC leader Paul Carter. “The difference it would make to The county council has to save prevent a 25-acre solar Withdrawal of the pass would travel for students in Maidstone £209 million over the next three farm for Marden. 13 cause an outcry among Kent fami- would have a phenomenal impact.” years and faces yet another year of lies, as well as adding to the severe All schoolchildren from years 7 to central government funding cuts. congestion on Maidstone’s roads. 11 are entitled to apply for a pass, The travel passes have been is- Park wins honour With many parents opting to as well as 16- to 21-year-olds in care sued at the discretion of KCC for MOTE Park has been named in drive their children to school, or young carers aged up to 18. many years, despite the rising costs. UK’s top three parks for rather than paying the full cost of The annual pass costs parents The council has increased the cost the third year in a row. 14 public transport, the extra cars £250 (or £100 to those in receipt of of the pass to offset its losses, but would have a massive impact on free school meals) – a significant this is the first time Cllr Carter has traffic flows, according to Cllr saving on regular bus fares admitted that the benefit could be Ring road scheme Carter. throughout the year. The average at risk. DEVELOPERS are to help fund the long-awaited Leeds- Why Annette is a star Budget crisis Langley bypass. 23 Crime Reports 24 A WOMAN who set up a mediation serv- at museum ice to help residents settle disputes is to MAIDSTONE Museum is still strug- A SHOP sign, portable toilet and receive a lifetime achievement award. gling to make ends meet, in spite of moored boat were among items Annette Hinton has been chosen by its hugely successful summer exhibi- stolen in the local area. the Celebrate Maidstone team to tion. receive the 2016 award at the Stars of Brick City was a popular attrac- Obituaries 28 Maidstone award ceremony in March tion throughout the school holi- 2016. days, with people of all ages Comment 46-4730 For more than 25 years, Annette has getting involved in building and championed free access to mediation creating items out of Lego. Parish Councils 38-39 services for people in Maidstone, setting But even with an annual budget up Maidstone Mediation in 1989 to of almost £260,000, excluding staff THE pre-school was struggling in help settle disputes between residents, costs, Maidstone Council expects Broomfield and Kingswood; the and to facilitate restorative justice for the museum to have overspent by presence of police dogs had victims of crime. £9,208 at the end of the financial aided police engagement in Mar- Annette said: “There was no office, no year. den; poppy seeds were to be training manual, no template for doing In a normal year, this could be sown in Staplehurst; a school mediation and no money – just the closer to £65,000. The council says alarm was going off in Yalding. concept of using a neutral third party to the museum’s budget is under “sig- help people resolve conflicts. I nificant pressure”. had six volunteers and worked 4 Paul Riley, the council’s head of Service dips finance and resources, said: “The THE quality of ambulance serv- recent Lego event has negated ices continues to deteriorate, re- some of the overspend for this fi- ports West Kent Clinical nancial year only.” Commissioning Group. Within the culture, heritage and All performance indicators are leisure sector, the Vinter’s Park Cre- below standard, moving towards matorium also failed to achieve its red ratings, and the downward income target in 2014/15. spiral since April continues. A The council has been asked plan is now aimed at bringing per- to find savings of £1.63m in formance under control with 2016/17, of which the culture 5 emergency responses a priority. NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN 01622 686732 / 692217 1a Brunswick Street East Maidstone ME15 7UX www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk British upholstery brand arrives at Clarkes The leading brand of quality upholstery is renowned for the unmistakable English style of YRHIVWXEXIQIRXWYFXPIX]ERH½RITVSTSVXMSRXLEXMWMRXVMRWMGMRMXWWSJEWERHGLEMVW ○ -RXIVREXMSREPP]WSYVGIHJEFVMG ○ ,ERHGYXGSZIVWI\TIVXP] ○ British made in Long Eaton, XSIRWYVI[MHIWXGLSMGISJ WI[R[MXLQIXMGYPSYWGEVIXS XLIGIRXVISJYTLSPWXIV] GSPSYVWERHWX]PIW WXMXGLMRKERHTEXXIVRQEXGLMRK QERYJEGXYVMRKI\GIPPIRGI Southsea 1IHMYQ7SJE6ERKI*EFVMGRRP £2361 NOW £2009 www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk 01622 753073 Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2RF 2 Maidstone South December 2015 downsmail.co.uk News Rewards for long service TWO Maidstone employees of Now a distribution technician, South East Water who started Mick said: “Things are much more working for the company 25 years customer-focused, with new tech- ago have been recognised for their nology converting our vans into mo- long service. bile offices.” Mick Bryant and Mike Masters Mike’s career with Mid Kent were among 17 staff presented with Water started 32 years ago, when he certificates and gift vouchers after became an apprentice plumber. He clocking up either 25 or 40 years left in 1989 to become self-em- working in the water industry. ployed, but work dried up as the re- Mick’s first job was an apprentice- cession hit so he returned. Victoria Harris (left) and Hayley Long sold cupcakes for Children in Need ship as a garage mechanic before he Now a leakage technician, Mike moved to a farm at East Farleigh. He has seen some spectacular burst then got a labourer’s post at Mid water pipe sights. In 1991 he got a Pupils boost charity total Kent Water and has since worked in call to Seven Mile Lane near East STUDENTS and staff at New Line including a popcorn stand, a bake a number of roles, including water Peckham where the Roydon Hall Learning Academy, in Boughton sale and game to guess how many meter installations. Bends were being straightened by Lane, Loose helped to collect hun- sweets in a jar. Kent County Council. dreds of pounds for Children in Need Principal David Elliott said: "It’s al- He said: “It was a cartoon-like with a range of fundraising activities. ways great to see the students sup- scene of a column of water 100 feet Pupils started the fun on Friday, port charity events such as Children high flooding the entire site.” November 13 by donating £1 to in Need. They're really enthusiastic Paul Butler, managing director of wear something spotty to class. about running the activities and rais- South East Water, congratulated the At lunchtime, there were various ing as much money as they can for a men, saying: “Both Mick and Mike initiatives to help boost the amount, fantastic cause." have shown, and continue to show, dedication to their job, their team and to the company. The water in- dustry has seen many changes but Read all the latest editions of the Downs Mail Mike Masters (left) and Mick Bryant they both have taken it all in their at www.downsmail.co.uk with Paul Butler stride.” Indian Restaurant & Takeaway Tuesday Night Special Choose 1 Starter, 1 Main & 1 side dish, plus rice or nan from over 155 dishes only £10 pp Authentic Indian Dishes • Set menu’s available (dine in only) House Specialities • Parties Catered For Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year New Years Eve Live Music with dinner Open 7 days a week inc. Bank Holidays Closed Christmas & Boxing Day 12 noon - 2.30 pm & 6pm - 11pm £30 Church Green, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 9HS (near Marden Train Station) per person 01622 833339 or 01622 833393 www.tajofkent.co.uk Maidstone South December 2015 3 News downsmail.co.uk Achievement is rewarded How volunteering gave Continued from page one with each of them on their cases. Together we learned what worked me a new drive for life and what didn't work. Within two A MAIDSTONE man has de- Throughout my working life, most you are compelled to help. years I was a leader in a newly-de- scribed how volunteering for In- of what I’d done had been on my “If I didn’t have the volunteering veloped national networking or- volve’s community transport own and I’d always been self-re- there’s a fair chance I’d just be at ganisation for mediation and service helped him to recover from liant.