After months of mounting criticism from Parish Councils, Community groups and Liberal Democrat and Independent Councillors the Conservative Cabinet Member for Community Services John A Wilson has abruptly changed tack and announced that he is proposing to recommend to the Cabinet that it cancels the controversial 30 per cent cut in the Concurrent Functions funding for Parish Councils for the year 2012-2013..
Liberal Democrat Councillors in Maidstone have welcomed the announcement of a £764,000 pupil premium for schools in Maidstone and the Weald.
News of the extra money comes after, Liberal Democrat Children's Minister, Sarah Teather recently announced that the total Pupil Premium funding for next year will rise to £1.25bn, double the amount in 2011-12. Thanks to Liberal Democrats, it will rise again each year until 2014-15 when it will be worth £2.5bn.
Planning appeal in relation to the SBS site, The Old Quarry, Straw Mill Hill, Tovil, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6XD - Proposed Materials Recycling Facility. Application Reference MA/10/167
Residents of Tovil and South Maidstone received excellent news on the 10th October when the Planning Inspector dismissed an appeal by Pinden Ltd against the decision by Kent County Council to refuse planning permission for a materials recycling centre on the Old Quarry at Straw Mill Hill in Tovil.
In early spring, the Tourist Information Centre, which for a number of years had been based in the lower entrance vestibule of Town Hall in the centre of town, was relocated to the Maidstone Museum.
Officers and Councillors are now considering how the vacated area could be put to best use.
David Picket, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Corporate Services has written to Eric Hotson Cabinet Member for Corp[orate services outlining the recommendations from the Liberal Democrat Group.
In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."
In only 4 years over two thousand (2066) trees have been removed along our tree lined roads and only a quarter (27%) replanted. Many trees have been lost as a result of strimming, which cuts and remove the bark from the main trunks resulting in disease and a slow death, in particular on verges and green areas adjacent to our roads and footpaths.
Question by Mr I Chittenden to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste
"In recent years hundreds of trees on County Council land, in particular on verges and green areas adjacent to roads and footpaths have been cut down, with very few replaced. Many become diseased and die due to grass cutting around the base of trees with strimming tools which cut and removed the bark from the main trunks, resulting in disease and a slow death.
Question by Mr D S Daley to the Cabinet Member for Customer & Communities
"The Cabinet Member for Customer & Communities is reported as having said that the Youth Service proposals "... are intended to transform the way we deliver services to young people so that we can continue to provide a first-class service...". As I understand it you are expecting volunteers and Kent's voluntary sector to rush to the challenge.
On Monday 25th July, County Hall Maidstone is opening its doors to everyone with an interest in the future of Kent's Youth Services.
From 11:00 - 13:00 County Hall will be open for young people, parents, youth workers, volunteers and others to give their view on whether the Kent Youth Service Transformation Plan should be launched for 90days consultation on August 1st.
Under the plan approved by Cabinet on Monday this week, each Borough will have only one "hub" youth centre. All other youth centres will be offered to private or voluntary organisations to run youth services but with a reduced budget. Any centres for which no alternative provider comes forward may be sold off.
The centres which are proposed to remain open as "hubs" are:
