Local News
Wednesday January 18 | 2017
NEWS IN BRIEF
Mental health takes a toll on police time A THIRD of Kent Police’s time is being taken up dealing with people with mental health issues, according to estimates by the county force. Both Chief Constable Alan Pughsley and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Scott have agreed that custody should be the ‘last resort’ as a place of safety for those with mental health problems. The latest figures show that last financial year 1,005 people were detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, commonly known as being ‘sectioned’. Within the first quarter of this financial year (16/17) the figure was 335. A report to the PCC’s Governance Board stated that police have ‘become the first point of contact for people in mental health crisis rather than the last’ and warns: “If this upward trend continues the 2016-2017 financial year will see the highest numbers since this area began to be monitored.”
The Victoria Hall saga PLANS to knock down the building adjacent to Victoria Hall in Southborough were approved by the borough council’s cabinet last week (January 12). The building, which currently houses Southborough Town Council [STC], was discussed due to the planned £130,000 demolition of Victoria Hall Theatre, a proposal that is awaiting confirmation from central government.
Fight to save toddler A FAMILY are in a race against time to raise to £250,000 to help fund treatment that may save the life of their two year old daughter. Florence Jackson, of Tunbridge Wells, has spent most of her life fighting a stage four neuroblastoma. The toddler endured major surgery to remove the rare tumour and looked to be recovering. But last week her family were told it had returned and was now too tangled in her blood vessels to safely remove. The family are now fundraising to get Florence to New York where a doctor had performed similar operations on children. So far £35,000 has been raised in two days. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/Flosfight
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Bedgebury gets the Elbow with Forest Live gig Elbow is the latest band to sign up for Forest Live, where acts perform in a spectacular woodland setting at Bedgebury Pinetum as part of the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission. The group’s rise over the past two decades has seen them become one of the most important bands in contemporary British music. Since debut album, 2001’s Asleep In The Back their stature has grown with subsequent releases such as The Seldom Seen Kid. Renowned for the intimacy of their live shows, stand-out gigs include Glastonbury Festival’s sunset slot with a trio of sets on the Pyramid Stage and taking part in the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands and increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over Forest Live’s 16 years history, money raised
ELBOW From beach to forest has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.
Elbow - plus guests. Saturday 17 June: Bedgebury Pinetum, near Tunbridge Wells, Tickets £41.50 (plus £4.65 booking fee) available from 9am Friday January 20 from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400, or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music
Purchase of Dowding House means ‘huge step forward’ for the homeless NEW HOME Council will save money
Union calls for strike
spent on providing emergency accomodation £40,000 over budget, as demand continues to grow. The move aims to ensure that Tunbridge Wells residents who become homeless are able to be kept within the borough. The council is required to provide accommodation to households considered to be ‘in priority need’. This applies to all homes that contain a pregnant woman or are responsible for dependent children, or someone who is considered ‘vulnerable’, due to physical or mental health problems. The council’s Housing Services Manager Jane Lang, said: “The increased demand for emergency accommodation has been evident for the last three years. This kind of housing is costly and lack of available accommodation means homeless households are often placed outside the borough.”
‘From a real estate point of view this is an excellent buy’
Continued from page 1 St. Gregory’s Catholic School and not be backed up with action elsewhere. However, the school played down the seriousness of the incident in question saying it was the result of pre-Christmas ‘high spirits’. A spokesman said: “An incident was reported on 16 December when some students were in high spirits looking forward to the Christmas holiday. “This has since been investigated and the school’s behaviour policy and exclusion procedures have been followed. We are mindful of our responsibility to continue to provide education for the student involved and we are considering a variety of options available that best supports the student and our staff.” There are five different unions representing staff at the school. Of these 24 staff members are associated with the NUT at the school, while a further 22 are affiliated with the NASUWT teacher’s union. There is no suggestion other unions will be taking part in any strike action.
NEWS
By Murray Jones
newsdesk@timesoftonbridge.co.uk AN UNUSED building in Paddock Wood will be transformed into temporary accommodation for the homeless of Tunbridge Wells, it was disclosed at the Borough Council’s cabinet meeting last week. Dowding House, on Commercial Road, will be
divided into 25 properties. The Borough Council have designated 16 for homeless families and seven for ‘affordable private rental’ homes. The purchase is projected to save taxpayers’ money as the council will no longer have to pay to shelter families in expensive bed and breakfasts. During the last financial year, 68 families and individuals were provided with temporary housing for priority households, at a cost of £93,000. This year, another £100,000 is expected to be
The cabinet voted to go ahead with the purchase of the former older people’s home, although the figure remains exempt from public knowledge, with Council Leader David Jukes concluding: “From a real estate point of view this is an excellent buy and good from a humanitarian point of view.” The emergency flats are a mix of mostly one to two bedrooms. The private rentals are six one bedroom with one three bedroom. The CEO of local homeless charity Bridge Trust, John Handley described the purchase as a ‘huge step forward’, adding: “Due to the affluence of West Kent, putting people in emergency accommodation is extremely expensive.” He confirmed that he knew of a ‘number of cases’ where families from Tunbridge Wells had to be housed in places such as Battle, Hastings and St. Leonards. “Moving this far is life-changing. It takes people out of their support networks. It makes jobs and schools inaccessible. So if we can house people in the centre of the borough that is a huge step forward,” he said.