Junk Mail and Telemarketing Calls

Junk mail and uninvited telemarketing calls (usually received as you are about to sit down for dinner) are an increasingly unwelcome intrusion into our daily lives.

Many residents we have spoken to are not aware they can "opt out" of receiving junk mail and sales orientated phone calls by registering with the Mail Preference Service (MPS) or the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). There is even a Fax Preference Service (FPS) if you suffer from Junk Fax transmissions.

The "opt out" lists are maintained centrally under licence from Ofcom (The Office of Communications) who will fine or even prosecute companies who continually fail to respect the wishes of those who have chosen to register.

Registration on any of the lists is free of charge and can be done simply over the internet.

For further information (or to register) please click on the following links:

Telephone Preference Service (TPS): click HERE

Mail Preference Service (MPS): click HERE

Fax Preference Service (FPS): click HERE

Petition to support A&E Facilities at Maidstone Hospital

The Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Chatham & Aylesford, Tracey Crouch, is promoting a petition to Gordon Brown calling on him to support the retention of Accident and Emergency facilities at Maidstone Hospital.

For further information about the petition, and to add your own name, follow this link: http://traceycrouch.blogspot.com/2007/07/sign-petition-to-save-maidstone.html

2007 Election Results in Aylesford Ward

Dave SMITH - Conservative 865

John BALCOMBE - Conservative 862

Geoff Rowe - Liberal Democrat 747

Chris Ridsdill-Smith - Liberal Democrat 717

Marion Mountford - Labour 84

Richard Barron - Labour - 75

Thank you for your support.

Don't forget to vote TODAY !

Be sure to place your X where you know you can place your trust.

JOHN BALCOMBE & DAVE SMITH

For a lift to vote please call

01622 718175

Barratt's Development - IMPORTANT NEWS

There has been a sudden and somewhat unexpected development from Barratt Kent in connection with their building plans on Station Road.

We are in possession of an email, sent to a senior member of Tonbridge & Malling Council, from Steve Lancashire at Four-Communications (Barratt's Public Relations people).

The email confirms that Barratt Kent will be submitting a formal planning application within the next two or three weeks, but goes on to say...

"I think it responds to needs and concerns (traffic, density, design) that some local residents have expressed during the consultation activity we have undertaken."

The full text of the email as follows:

Subject: Somerfield depot

From: "Steve Lancashire"

To: xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx (deleted to protect identity of our informant)

Dear xxxxxxxxxxx

You will recall we met a few months ago and had a general discussion about Barratt Kent's plans to develop the above site on the edge of Aylesford. I appreciate this is a very busy time for you and there may be some changes in positions next month but I thought I would just give you a brief progress report.

Since we met there has been a steady flow of meetings with planning and other relevant officers and the scheme has been developed and amended in response to points both they (Council Officers) and local resident have made.

I anticipate a detailed planning application will be submitted in the next 2-3 weeks. I think it responds to needs and the concerns (ie, traffic, density, design) that local residents have expressed during the consultation activity we have undertaken.

Yours sincerely

Steve Lancashire

Four Communications Group plc

Clearly Barratt are hoping the local elections would act as a smokescreen and they would be able to submit their application without us noticing. Fortunatley we were on the ball.

Whilst we are pleased to read that they have changed the scheme to take local concerns into consideration, it is impossible to make a proper judgement until the full plans have been examined. As they say "the devil is in the detail."

John Balcombe and Dave Smith have asked for a full copy of the proposals and will share this information with local residents at the earliest opportunity.

However, please rest assured, John Balcombe and Dave Smith will continue to lead local opposition to the plans unless the concerns expressed by Aylesford residents at the public meeting are fully addressed.

John Balcombe and Dave Smith

Putting Aylesford First

Aylesford Scouts

The future of Aylesford Scouts has been uncertain for quite some time due to a question mark hanging over the long-term viability of the present Scout Hut. Now a solution is in site thanks to action and hard work by John Balcombe and Dave Smith.

Firstly, following a suggestion from Aylesford Conservative Candidate, John Balcombe, the Parish Council agreed to lease a plot of land on Forstal Road to the Scouts at a peppercorn rent. John has since held a number of meetings with the Scouts and T&MBC to negotiate a way through planning issues affecting the development.

Dave Smith was the next to spring into action – using his planning experience, Dave drew-up a full set of building plans and technical drawings for the proposed new Scout Hut – and has donated these to the group saving them thousands of pounds in architect’s design fees.

Finally, another member of the Aylesford Conservative Team, who has strong connections with a local building company, has offered to assist with the building and construction once planning consent has finally been given.

A good example of your local Conservative team working hard for the benefit of the community.

Competition Winner

In our March IN TOUCH newsletter we ran a "WORDSEARCH" competition.

Participants had to solve ten clues relating to "New Labour Sleaze" then find the answers to those clues hidden in a word-search grid.

Over 150 correct entries were received and the winning entry, chosen at random, belonged to:

Mrs C Cogdell
Ditton

who has been sent £25 worth of gift vouchers.

CONGRATULATIONS to our lucky winner and thank you to everyone who participated.

Litter, Litter, Litter

One of the biggest issues raised in our recent constituency-wide survey was the problem of litter.

Not only is it an eye-sore but it also attracts rats and other vermin.

On Saturday 10th March, as part of a nationwide initiative by the Conservatives, local Conservative Councillors joined Tracey Crouch and an army of Conservative volunteers on a huge constituency-wide litter pick.

We all accept, however, that our litter pick is not the long-term solution - people need to take personal responsibility for their own litter (and not expect the Council, or the Council tax payers, to clean up the mess and pick-up the bill) - but we hope we made your area a bit cleaner and healthier.

Warmer Weather Need Not Mean Smelly Bins !

Several residents have contacted us about the green recycling bins and new refuse collection guidelines. People are concerned with the warmer Spring and Summer weather approaching and have asked for advice about how to avoid last year's problems with rotting food that not only smells foul but also attracts flies and maggots.

We have been speaking to environmental health officials about the problem, and we hope the following information will assist in future:

The most important thing to remember is food waste can be placed in either bin.

Many people seem to think that food waste has to go in the traditional black bin and will only be emptied once a fortnight. This is not so. You can dispose of food in whichever bin is next to be emptied. However, if you are placing food waste in the green bin, please wrap it in paper not plastic.

We have also been informed that a larger black bin can be supplied to households of 6 or more people. In such cases a baby, or child in nappies, counts as two people.

Some households have commented that they compost their green waste and take their glass and newspaper to local recycling points, and they therefore have no use for a green bin. If this applies to you, simply contact the council and they will take the green bin away. You will still be able to dispose of green waste in a traditional sack - but leave the sack open so the collection teams can see what it contains.

Further information on safe disposal of rubbish and prevention of bad smells and maggots can be obtained from the T&MBC website (CLICK HERE) or from the waste disposal helpline on 01732 876146 or by email: waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk. Thank you.