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FFRREEEE Kent on Sunday www.kentnews.co.uk January 29, 2017 North & West edition No 749 EDUCATION Could grammars ask parents to pay? Funding changes puts squeeze on our selectives BUSINESS Bank closures’ impact on our towns Communities pay high price SPECIAL REPORT for branch closures When four HEALTH become one Why missing smear test could be fatal ‘Super’ council plans accelerate - but Doctors’ concern at number what could it mean for you? missing out on key check-ups Visit Standard Quay, Faversham A Totally Unique Shopping & Leisure Experience! See traditional & historic ships, visit the Garden centre, Tea Room & Coffee House, Browse round Aladdin’s Loft indoor market… THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO STANDARD QUAY! Open 7 days a week with free on-site parking Faversham ME13 7BS • Tel 01795 597616 • www.standardquay.co.uk 2 Week ending January 29,2017 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk Kent on Sunday PAGE 12 » Sister title of www.kentnews.co.uk Will ‘super’ council see KCC into an early grave? PAGE A MERGER of four east Kent councils what could yet prove to be the 25 » is hugely significant. Not just for biggest single threat to its existence what it will mean in potentially just moves with remarkable pace two short years, but how it could through the process of consultation shape the future of our democratic and establishment. process and provision of services. Of course, it may just exist as the PAGE While Kent County Council has biggest component part of KCC, but 06 » made lots of supportive noises about with around a third of the county’s the merger proposals (see p14), there population under its wing, its clout must be at least a little uncomfort- will be considerable and KCC’s able shifting in the seats of power in decision-making process will have a County Hall. formidable foe should it decide to rule Because should it prove effective, and against it. It will surely have some should the ‘super’ council start to grow influence in that regard. in confidence, the prospect of it The decision by the four councils is a establishing itself as its own brave one and, sadly, a necessary one in unitary authority - similiar to an era of Whitehall funding become Medway’s breakaway in 1998 far more famine than feast. PAGE PAGE - will surely be too tempting for There is so much to discuss 20 » 11 » its constituent parts to ignore. and debate before it occurs, but In the past, KCC has got with each move its impact in 10 itself so hot under the collar or 20 years should never be over the thought of another overlooked or ignored. major fragmentation of its This could, just could, be the influence, leader Paul beginning of the end of Carter’s neck almost Kent’s two-tier local catches fire. But government now it is having structure once to watch on as Editor Chris Britcher and for all. (cid:2) Kent on Sunday and its journalists are committed to abiding by the Society of Editors Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which can’t be resolved by Kent on Sunday editor Chris Britcher ([email protected]) please contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG, or via complaints@ipso. co.uk. More information about IPSO and its regulations can be found at www.ipso.co.uk PAGE Contents 07 » News 11 Grammars 20 Fears over HOW TO CONTACT US… PAGE 06 Parkway is pay scheme 22 » smear tests Editor: Chris Britcher Email [email protected] Address: Kent House, 81 Station on the rails Funding could force Women are ignoring Road, Ashford TN23 1PP some to charge more vital health screening Editorial: News: 01233 653475 Will Thanet finally get Sport/Leisure: 01233 653479 12 Impact of 22 World War Email [email protected] new railway station? Advertising: 06 Bake Off set closing our One trails Jobs/Notices: 01233 653461 Business: 01233 653461 for return banks Plans for a serious of Email [email protected] Retail/Leisure/Motors: 01233 653461 Kent star will be on Communities pay the special walks in Kent EDmisatirli sbauletiso@nk: o0s1m23e3d 6ia5.c3o4.7u0k our screens this year price of closures The Arts FOLLOW US ONLINE @ 07 Derailment’s 14 Councils in 25 Monro Jr’s • kentnews.co.uk • kentnews.co.uk/mobile rail chaos merger plan tribute show • jobsforkent.co.uk • homes24.co.uk Commuters endured Special report on East We speak to the son of • drive24.co.uk • twitter@kosmedia another tough week Kent Council project the singing legend Published in Kent and printed by Archant Print, 09 Tackling the 19 Atkinson’s Le Plus d(Civoi sRioeng oNf oA 1rc9h3a0n0t) C. Roemgmistuenreitdy MOfefidciea: LPirmositpeedc t House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE homeless Pen pledge Letters ..................... Page 32 Images of Kent ...... Latest figures shed County ‘will be safer’ Page 33 light on scale of if far-right group win Motors .....................Page 35 homelessness power in France kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk North & West Week ending January 29, 2017 3 (cid:50)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:43)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:46)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:40)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:36)(cid:40)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:29)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:21)(cid:21)(cid:3)(cid:25)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:26)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:95)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:29)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:35)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:17)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:17)(cid:88)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:95)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:29)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:78)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:17)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:17)(cid:88)(cid:78) 4 Week ending January 29,2017 kent-life.co.uk www.kentnews.co.uk s k e Jailed for leaving teen ‘to e w y t s a drown’ after pier tumble p e h a t g By Emily King n i [email protected] r u d d A 21-year-old has been convicted of manslaughter after he left a k teenager to drown in the sea. u Michael Bowditch, of Prestedge . Avenue, Ramsgate, was sentenced o at Maidstone Crown Court on c Thursday to five-and-a-half-years . behind bars after pleading guilty to n s the manslaughter of 17-year-old w Becky Anne Morgan. He had left her to drown after e she fell from Ramsgate Pier after a n night out. He then continued his t night out before calling the police n hours later. e e Bowditch must serve half of his GUILTY: Michael Bowditch will serve five-and-a-half years after the death of 17-year-old Becky Anne Morgan k sentence in prison before being considered for licence. Her body was eventually recovered Bowditch had cocaine, alcohol and the rescue or emergency services. @ On May 1 last year, Bowditch off the coast of Broadstairs at cannabinoids in his bloodstream, “In other words, you left her to called police just after 5am to report around 7.45am. with alcohol said to have been at a drown.” v s that he had watched Miss Morgan An investigation found after “very high level”. Det Sgt Fiona Mattholie said: e drown in the sea near Ramsgate leaving Miss Morgan to drown, Sentencing Bowditch, Judge “Despite a comprehensive investiga- Pier two or three hours earlier. Bowditch was seen in a bar at Jeremy Carey said many people tion by officers, there is only one n The pair had met earlier that around 2.50am – more than two would find his inaction “repugnant”. person who will ever really know li night at a party and had left their hours before he called police – The judge told him: “You did not the full details of what happened d friends in a pub so they could walk when he appeared very drunk and try in any way to help a drowning that night to cause a 17-year-old a along and sit on the harbour arm. was trying to chat up girls. He was girl - not by throwing her a life girl to lose her life. Bowditch has e e Bowditch told police they had thrown out by door staff 20 buoy, not by going to her aid as now admitted he did play a part in h been ‘mucking about’ when Miss minutes later. some would have done, not by her death and was guilty of Morgan had fallen into the sea. Toxicology tests showed calling for help, not by contacting manslaughter by gross negligence.” e h t s e ‘Sexual predator’, 80, KCC begins consultation on d a m jailed for 30 years of smaller lorry park strategy h c preying on children A NUMBER of small lorry parks are authority said on Friday. i h being considered by highways Leader Paul Carter said: “These w chiefs at Kent County Council to illegally parked lorries are a blight help alleviate the blight of illegal on the county, anti-social and POLICE have described a pensioner Court, Humphreys denied two parking. dangerous. s from Tunbridge Wells who raped and charges of rape, five counts of The proposed parks would be “If we put these plans in place e abused young children over a period indecent assault and four counts of run as a private and public and drivers have somewhere safe i r spanning more than 30 years, as a indecency with a child. He also partnership and KCC says it will and secure to park overnight.” o “dangerous sexual predator” after he pleaded not guilty to two other work closely with the private sector It comes as KCC launches a t was sentenced to 18 years in jail. serious sex offences. to identify what funding options consultation into overnight lorry S Mark Humphreys, now 80, would After the case went to a trial, a jury exist to deliver the sites, the parking. give his victims biscuits or milk after later found him guilty on all counts abusing them, whilst warning them and he was this week sentenced to 18 not to tell anyone. years’ imprisonment. Doubts over garden village » Download your free Between 1965 and 1996, Hum- Detective constable Claire Bassett of phreys, of Cherry Tree Road, systemati- Kent Police’s child sexual exploitation Kent News iPhone cally abused victims as young as three team said: “Humphreys repeatedly plans after council debate and iPad App available years old at an address in Tunbridge subjected his victims to depraved and Wells and in Sleaford, Sussex. sickening abuse, causing incalculable at the Apple App Store Humphreys was arrested after one damage upon their young and later of his victims approached police in adult lives. He is a dangerous sexual Planning officials in Sevenoaks planning advisory committee March 2015. As well as the sexual predator who also lied about his crimes have decided not to recommend a unanimously recommendeded the abuse the victim alleged he would and forced his victims to endure a 3,000 home ‘garden village’. council throws out the proposal, beat her, leaving her with welt marks harrowing trial, but who thankfully In its master vision for Swanley over residents’ fears the develop- » Follow us on on her legs and backside. has now finally been punished. and Hextable’s development over ment could be built on green belt After an extensive investigation, “Thanks largely to the tremendous the next 20 years, the district land. Twitter @kosmedia or Humphreys was charged by Kent bravery of his victims, justice has council had put forward the Further consultations take place Facebook KOS Media Police with a number of offences, now been served and Humphreys development, which could include in the summer before a meeting of relating to three victims, who were will serve a long time in prison. I a new, smaller ‘halt’ train station, as Sevenoaks council’s cabinet in all under the age of 16 at the time. would like to personally thank them an alternative to town’s main station. February where the committee’s Appearing at Maidstone Crown all for having the courage.” But on Wednesday the council’s views will be taken into account. kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk North & West Week ending January 29, 2017 5 s k e e Petition gathers speed to reduce limit to 30mph w y st CAMPAIGNERS are backing a national movement to far, but the group are still some 7,800 signatures shy of a reduce the speed limit on rural roads to 30mph. the issue being the subject of a government response. p The Keep Chilmington Green campaign, opposed to A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Increased the large housing development in Ashford, are traffic using badly maintained single track rural lanes e throwing their weight behind a petition to slow down as alternative routes and for commercial purposes is h cars on country roads. putting unacceptable pressure on the infrastructure a More than 2,200 people have signed the pledge thus and rural population.” t g n i r Parkway station plan is RETURN: Paul Hollywood u d Bake Off set d k for return this u back on agenda to boost . o year after deal c . Thanet’s regeneration n s w PAUL Hollywood will return to our screens this year in his role as judge on e the Great British Bake Off, after it was n confirmed the BBC had waived a legal t By Tom Pyman feedback report is also available on clause preventing Channel 4 from n KCC’s website. creating a series until 2018. e [email protected] e KCC’s transport chief, Matthew The Kent baker, who lives near k Balfour, said: “We’re now looking to Canterbury, is the sole survivor of the A PLANNING application for a new consult on the outline design of the main stars of the show since it sensa- @ parkway train station in Thanet could station before submitting a planning tionally switched from the BBC to be submitted as early as this year, as application later in the year. Manston Channel 4 last year in a deal worth an v s council chiefs this week released pro- Business Park, EuroKent Business estimated £25m a year. e posals for public consultation. Park, Discovery Park Enterprise Zone The show has been the biggest TV Kent County Council says the sta- and developments around Westwood ratings hit in recent years, with Love n tion will provide access to more em- Cross will benefit from being around Productions, which creates the li ployment opportunities for local resi- an hour from London.” programme, signing a deal in Septem- d dents using high speed rail services to The consultation started on ber for it to move channels. a London and other parts of Kent. Wednesday and finishes on Sunday, That led to the departure of Mary e e It will also improve investment op- March 19. Berry and presenters Mel Gidroyc and h portunities at Discovery Park Enter- Road access is proposed from the Sue Perkins. prise Zone and surrounding busi- A299 Hengist Way with additional It had been thought only a celebrity e ness parks in Thanet, bringing jobs pedestrian and cycle access via Cliff- version would be aired in 2017. h and prosperity to east Kent, council send village and Cottington Road. The BBC quoted a source within the t chiefs say. The proposed parkway station is de- corporation as saying “we believe it s e exTishtien sgt artaioiln lwinoeu blde tbwe ebeuni ltM oinn sttheer PLANS: Parkway will look like this sfoigrmnesd atnod b he auvne sata vffaedri ewtyit hof tfwacoi liptliaets-, wseoruvilcde b ber uoanddciganstiefire idn t ao phoatveen otinael public d and Ramsgate, and located to the including ticket vending machines and dispute with another and the associated a west of the village of Cliffsend. eight week public consultation on passenger help and information points costs for each party would ultimately m A parkway station primarily the initial high level design, impact offering remote assistance. There will come of programming budgets”. serves as a park and ride interchange and benefits of Thanet Parkway. also be a 300 space car park. A BBC spokesman said it wished the h and will be serviced by mainline and Feedback from that consultation To take part in the consultation, show “well for the future”. high speed services. has been used to help refine the sta- visit KCC’s website at www.kent.gov. Channel 4 confirmed the next series c In early 2015, KCC carried out an tion design and the full consultation uk/thanetparkway. would be broadcast this year. i h w Wi-fi could roll out on Professor Cox named Birdwatchers unite s e i trains within months uni’s vice-chancellor for RSPB’s Big survey r o t S FREE wi-fi could be rolled out across Southeast- THE University of Kent has confirmed Professor THOUSANDS across the county will be peering into ern trains within months after a deal was struck Karen Cox is to become the institution’s sixth their gardens this weekend as part of the RSPB’s with a supplier to install the technology. vice-chancellor and president this summer. annual survey. Passengers have long told rail bosses they want She replaces Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow who The Big Garden Birdwatch encourages everyone » Download your free free internet access when using the train service, announced last year she was to retire from her to make a note of the birds they spot in their own and now Southeastern have announced that wi-fi £265,000-a-year post. backyard. Kent News iPhone specialists, Icomera, will work with the franchise Prof Cox is currently deputy vice-chancellor at the That then feeds into a national picture of species and iPad App available to enable connectivity on all trains by 2018. University of Nottingham and will take over the reins numbers and where abouts they are in the country. And, as the work will be rolled out in stages in August from Dame Julia who has headed the Last year more than 519,000 people spotted at the Apple App Store across Southeastern’s entire fleet of 367 trains, university during a period of sustained growth and 8,262,662 birds, and this year the charity organisation some will be fitted with the relevant technology as challenges, since 2007. is hoping even more will be seen. early as this year. Sir David Warren, chair of the uni’s council, which A spokesperson from the RSPB said: “Each green The move is part of a major investment, which ratified the appointment, said she had “an exceptional space can make a difference, from a window box full includes millions being invested in station and track record” and was “an inspiring leader”. of pollen rich plants for bumblebees to a small pond » Follow us on train refurbishments, 300 more frontline staff and Prof Cox added: “I am very much looking forward hosting a whole range of different species.” more real time information about services. to getting to know staff and students, whether they are Those taking part need to monitor the birds in their Twitter @kosmedia or Rail minister Paul Maynard said: “We are at the Canterbury and Medway campuses, the garden or public space during a one-hour window. Facebook KOS Media investing nearly £50m to roll out free, fast and Tonbridge Centre, or at the academic centres in Count each species of bird seen and then let the reliable wi-fi on trains and I am delighted Brussels, Paris, Rome and Athens, and working with RSPB know. For full details of how to take part, visit the Southeastern passengers are set to be among them to ensure that Kent goes from strength to website rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. Results will be those to benefit.” strength. released later in the year. 6 Week ending January 29, 2017 North & West kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk Rail chaos after freight train Extension to wind farm plans on show derails outside busy station EARLY plans to extend the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm went on show to locals this weekend. Swedish operator Vattenfall wants to build a further 34 turbines to join the 100 already generat- By Tom Pyman ing power some 10-15km off Foreness Point. The sessions, which took place during the week [email protected] and concluded in Cliffsend on Saturday, are designed to gauge local opinion before the firm RAIL commuters across Kent faced a week of puts in any official application. major problems on the network after a freight train derailed just outside Lewisham Football thug gets a on Tuesday morning. It brought disruption to key routes in and out of London while engineers set about re- three year match ban moving the stricken train and repairing damaged track. Trains that usually run from Tunbridge A DRUNKEN football fan who left a steward with a Wells to Cannon Street were terminated at bloody nose during a Gillingham match against Tonbridge, or diverted to London Victoria Rochdale on November has been given a three while trains starting at Sevenoaks and Orp- year football banning order. ington to Cannon Street were suspended. Martin Cork, 48, of Davenport Avenue, Gilling- There was no service from Crayford and ham, who pleaded guilty will not be able to attend Sidcup to Charing Cross or Cannon Street, CARNAGE: The freight train after it derailed, spilling its load over the track any games for the length of the order. although a limited service ran between Dartford and Sidcup. A 50-metre stretch of railway is being “This is a significant job but we’ll be Peak evening services from Cannon Street “completely rebuilt” by Network Rail. working round-the-clock until the work is Port’s £200m loan to Medway and on to Broadstairs of Dover Andy Derbyshire, chief operating officer for done and trains are back up and running were revised to start instead from London Network Rail’s south east route, said: “We for passengers.” Blackfriars. know that this incident disrupted many peo- Passengers delayed by at least 30 min- A MULTI-million project to revive Dover’s The freight train derailed at around ples’ journeys. We have been doing everything utes are urged to claim Delay Repay com- Western Docks has received £200m in loans from 5.30am on the approach to Lewisham, in we can to get the site clear and our repairs un- pensation, which is being doubled by a number of British and European banks. south east London. der way as quickly and safely as possible. Southeastern. Richard Dean, train servic- The project will create a purpose built cargo The train, whose rear two wagons derailed, “We need to completely rebuild more than es director at Southeastern, said: “We and logistics facility at the port. was moved from the scene after being re- 50 metres of railway from the foundations would also ask our passengers to please Allianz Global Investors pumped in £55m RBS turned to the track using cranes, but “exten- up, just a few metres from one of the busiest continue checking before you travelling and Lloyds each £35m and the European sive damage” to the railway was uncovered. railway lines in the south east. and to allow more time for your journeys.” Investment Bank £75m. kentnews.co.uk kent-life.co.uk North & West Week ending January 29, 2017 7 Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Dozens of schools to be built Lille Loophole still letting to fit in 23,000 more pupils people arrive unchecked THE home secretary has been checks are performed on the urged to help put an end to a route into Kent. DOZENS of new schools will need to loophole which allows people to Responding to Dover MP be built in Kent over the next five arrive in Kent from Europe Charlie Elphicke, Amber Rudd years to meet a population boom unchecked on Eurostar said: “We will be having that requires an additional 23,000 services. conversations both with Border primary and secondary places, The ‘Lille Loophole’ allows Force and Eurostar to ensure education chiefs have warned. passengers to miss key border certainty going forward.” While the majority of the places checks by buying a ticket from Eurostar bosses claim will be absorbed by the expansion Brussels to Lille but then passengers travelling from of existing schools, KCC admits staying on the train until it Brussels to Lille do so in a some 47 new schools are needed reaches Ashford International separate coach controlled by across the county by 2022 due to and Ebbsfleet International. security guards, who then an increase in the number of babies Passengers can travel freely ensure that all of these born and more families moving to between Brussels and Lille as passengers disembark at Lille the county. both Belgium and France are in before the train goes on to the The council’s cabinet member for the Schengen agreement, UK. However, there have since education, Roger Gough, said: allowing them to cross borders been reports of passengers “Demand for school places has been Kent is working hard to make the Of these, 15,700 are secondary without passport checks. easily arriving in the UK growing for the last five years. places available for more than school places and 8,000 are for UK border controls have unchecked. “More than 10,000 primary 23,000 primary and secondary primary schools while there will historically only been operated The Home Office says action places have already been provided extra children who will need school need to be 37 new primary schools in the country of departure, has been taken this week to by the county council. places over the next five years in and 10 secondaries, Cllr Gough therefore by staying on the introduce additional checks at “As demand continues to grow Kent.” added. train from Lille, no passport Ashford and Ebbsfleet. Morrisons fuel row over Archdeacon in place Dealer’s £500k demand Young girl chased home A DISPUTE which could have seen pumps THE Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore was officially A CONVICTED drug dealer who was part of AN 11-year-old girl says she was followed run dry at petrol stations at Morrisons installed as the new Archdeacon of Canter- a criminal gang responsible for supplying and then chased by a man as she walked supermarkets has been resolved. bury and canon residentiary of Canterbury large volumes of cocaine throughout Kent past Gillingham railway station at around The row between the firm and DHL Cathedral last Sunday, in a special service at has been ordered to pay back almost half a 3.15pm on Monday. delivery drivers serving Kent, London and the cathedral. million pounds under the Proceeds of Crime The girl returned home safely. The man is East Anglia had threatened strike action but Until December, she was Dean of Act. Tony Kolicaj, 36, was jailed for ten years described as between 5ft 7in and 5ft 9in and on Friday was resolved “satisfactorily”. Auckland, in New Zealand. in December 2015. wearing a dark jacket with the hood up. 8 Week ending January 29, 2017 North & West kent-life.co.uk kentnews.co.uk Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Kentnews.co.uk... Rising number of rough sleepers By Adele Couchman built over the next 15 years”. [email protected] Thanet council’s cabinet member for community services Lin Fairbrass said the council is providing £45,000 C ANTERBURY, Thanet and towards the Thanet Winter Shelter Maidstone have been Scheme and Aspire Homeless Project. named in the top 20 for The two schemes aim to provide im- the highest number of mediate respite during harsh winter rough sleepers in Eng- months and year-round support. land, according to recent figures. Stuart Jeffrey of the Maidstone Statistics released on Wednesday Green Party also criticised Maid- from the Department for Communi- stone council for not building enough ties and Local Government show that affordable homes. rough sleeping has increased 16 per “The council’s local plan is focused on last year, with more than half of on executive houses built around the councils in England recording a rise periphery, when really our focus in rough sleeping compared to the should be on affordable housing and year before. bedsits. Out of 326 local authorities, Can- “Only 25-30 per cent of housing terbury ranks eighth for the highest CRISIS: Canterbury, Maidstone and Thanet are among the worst areas nationwide for rough sleeping numbers the council is looking to build is af- number of rough sleepers per 1,000 fordable, and 70 to 75 per cent focus- households, with 50 people estimat- ing to rise. It’s getting harder and been able to afford as much as they saddened” by the massive rise in the es on those big executive homes. That ed to be sleeping rough on the streets harder to get people off the streets be- could before due to austerity meas- number of rough sleepers in Thanet. is the complete wrong way round.” in 2016 compared to just three in cause of rising rents and housing al- ures.” He said: “Thanet council’s draft lo- Marion Ring, who chairs Maid- 2010. lowance not being able to keep up. Canterbury City Council said high cal plan which was open to public stone council’s communities, hous- The latest figures for 2016 relate to “In Canterbury there is not one levels of seasonal workers coming to consultation last week totally fails to ing and environment committee, rough sleeping counts and estimates landlord or letting agent who will the district and supported accommo- address the need to tackle the desper- said more social housing is to be built carried out by local authorities be- take those on housing benefit. dation attracting people to the area ate shortage of social rented housing over the years. tween October 1 and November 30. They’re surviving happily from the meant the figures were high. in the district, concentrating instead She said: “We work with every Thanet has the 18th highest rate of student population. It also said it has secured £600,000 on the home ownership sector in- charity going that supports homeless rough sleepers in England, with “Every year the council has to cut of national government funding to stead. people. I would like to have a home Maidstone 19th. Figures show that more from their budgets and central tackle rough sleeping, and has this “If Thanet council is serious about for every homeless person, but that Thanet had just one rough sleeper in government simply aren’t doing year doubled the number of emergen- tackling the rapidly growing home- can’t happen overnight.” 2010 compared to 33 last year. Terry enough to tackle housing issues. cy night shelter spaces available dur- lessness and rough sleeping crisis The government said it was deter- Gore, the manager of Canterbury- “The council does fund our winter ing periods of cold weather. then the local plan should be revised mined to help the most vulnerable based homeless charity Catching shelter, but its only about 10 per cent Former Thanet Green councillor to include a significantly larger and was investing £550m to tackle Lives, said: “The problem is only go- of our running costs as they haven’t Ian Driver said he was “appalled and number of social rented homes being the problem. 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