Fant Ward

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey electionmap service (www.election-maps.co.uk). Image reproduced with permission of Ordnance Survey (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk) and Land and Property Services (www.lpsni.gov.uk).

Fant ward borders the Medway Valley.

News from Fant and your local councillors

The Fant Lib Dem Councillors

Fran Smith

Stephen Beerling

Fran Smith

14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA

01622 720623

07791 650955

fransmith@maidstone.gov.uk

Fant is Fran Smith's patch. She was born and raised in Upper Fant Road. She attended St.Michael's Infant and Junior Schools and then Maidstone Girls' Grammar. Fran has worked as a bus escort with Age Concern, giving her insight into the needs of the elderly. She has also worked with a team which helps the bereaved and divorced.

She is currently employed as Regional Administrator for the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent. In this role she has come to understand the problems of being self-employed.

Fran says: 'Over the years I have seen many changes in Fant. My hopes are that it will continue to be a place where people choose to live; a good place for families to grow up in. I want for you what I ask for myself: a safe, pleasant environment that retains its sense of community. If elected, I will take up the concerns of residents and do my best to see that Fant has safe roads, as little redevelopment as possible, reliable public transport, clean streets and good policing. I am particularly pleased tobe standing for election in 2008 - the 90th anniversary of women over 30 being given theright to vote!'

Stephen Beerling

8 Ragstone Lodge, Peel Street, Maidstone ME14 2WE

News from Fant and your local Councillors

Sun 24th Jan 2010:

Commuter services slashed

Peter Carroll has reacted with anger to the recent loss of some direct commuter services to London.

Mon 7th Dec 2009:

Rail Cuts are "Ill-Judged and outrageous"

Malcolm Robertson, KCC Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokesperson on Transport matters and Maidstone Borough Council Railways Champion is outraged by the Government's decision to axe Maidstone and West Malling's vital direct commuter rail service to London Canon Street and Charing Cross via London Bridge.

Mon 30th Nov 2009:

Clarification on Maidstone Downs Mail December 2009 Story: Parkway Rail Station Would Cut Journey Times

Malcolm Robertson, Lib Dem County Councillor for Maidstone Central, wishes to clarify the following points raised in this newspaper article:

Mon 5th Oct 2009:

Lib Dems Campaign to "Save our Swifts"

In light of the recorded rapid decline in the UK swift population (a recent RSPB survey showed a decline of more than a quarter since 2004, which is put down to to renovation and modernisation of Victorian and Edwardian properties). Maidstone Lib Dem Councillors have called for the adoption of a policy whereby all new developments and extensions within recorded swift hotspots across Maidstone Borough incorporate "swift brick" nesting facilities. Such a progressive policy could perhaps arrest the local decline in populations of this enigmatic bird of "conservation concern".

Fri 2nd Oct 2009:

FANT-astic win for Lib Dems in Fant By-election

The Lib Dems in Maidstone held on to their seat in Fant ward last night but watched a huge drop in both the Conservative and Labour votes.

Wed 30th Sep 2009:

A message from the Leader of Maidstone Liberal Democrats.

When I became Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Spring 2007, I publicly pledged myself, and my councillor group, to maintaining a high level of integrity when fighting elections. Our residents should, and do, expect no less.

Fri 5th Jun 2009:

Lib Dem victory in Maidstone Central

The Liberal Democrats have taken the second seat at the Maidstone Central County Division from the Conservatives. Lib Dem candidate Malcolm Robertson beat sitting councillor Jeff Curwood by a handsome margin of 1242 votes.

Tue 21st Apr 2009:

More rail misery for Maidstone commuters

Southeastern trains has decided to stop the off-peak fast service between London Cannon Street and West Malling and Maidstone.

Mon 24th Nov 2008:

Maidstone Conservatives drop parking bombshell equivalent to 12% on council tax

Liberal Democrats in Maidstone have reacted with astonishment and anger to the shock announcement that Conservative controlled Maidstone Borough Council is to charge people to park in their own road and to introduce charges for Sunday Parking in the Town Centre.

Thu 16th Oct 2008:

Success at 'Dangerous' Fant / Gatland Lane Junction

Lib Dem County Councillor Dan Daley and Lib Dem Campaigner Peter Carroll have received news that substantial works are planned for the junction of Fant Lane and Gatland Lane next year to make the area safer. This announcement follows a well attended demonstration organised by Peter Carroll which featured extensively on the local media and years of lobbying by Cllr Daley and his Lib Dem colleagues on Maidstone Borough Council.

Sun 20th Apr 2008:

Big needle find in Fant Ward

This shocking picture shows Councillor Nick Schnell and Lib Dem Environment Chief Tony Harwood with just a few of the hundreds of used hypodermic syringes discovered on the River Medway tow-path in Fant ward during a Spring Clean led by local Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Sun 9th Mar 2008:

New Archbishops Courtenay School

There have been concerns about the slow progress on the school. Liberal Democrat leader of the Borough council, Fran Wilson, and County Councillor Dan Daley have requested a meeting and have now met with KCC leader Paul Carter.

Mon 1st Oct 2007:

Weekly refuse collections

From February the first 20,000 properties will receive weekly rubbish collections and an improved fortnightly recycling collection.

Wed 22nd Aug 2007:

'Pivotal' River Medway Planning Inquiry Looms

Our beautiful River Medway is under threat from a major planning application (MA/06/0788). This seeks to build a marina with extensive decking, moorings and other infra-structure which, if allowed, would damage fundamentally a wildlife-rich 900-metre stretch of the river bank to the West of Maidstone town centre.

Mon 30th Jul 2007:

Call for a crack down on reckless licence holders

In the debate on the Future of Public Health in Kent at County Hall, Dan Daley, Member for Maidstone Central called on Authorities to be tougher on those found guilty of supplying alcohol to under-age teens. He reported the recent withdrawal of an alcohol licence at his local Tesco Express.

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site

Simon Hughes, MP supports the Lib Dems in Fant

Your Lib Dem Councillors know we need to preserve the beautiful Medway Valley for future generations. Recently Fran Smith welcomed Simon Hughes MP, President of the Liberal Democrats, to Fant Ward. She took him to see our beautiful Medway Valley and told him how hard the Lib Dems on Maidstone Borough Council are working to give it 'skyline protection' and to resist inappropriate development such as the Riverside Marina scheme.The amount of local interest generated by this issue has prompted the Liberal Democrats to take positive action.

Sign our petition to protect the Medway Valley skyline

No.8 Bus

A regular bus user, Fran is proud of her low carbon footprint but in recent years she has been dismayed by the deterioration in local bus services. Since making contact with Arriva some years ago, she has monitored the situation closely and is pleased to report that there does seem to be some improvement. If you do experience any problems, make a note of the date and time and please get in touch with Fran.

Litter pick in Fant

A group of Lib Dems carried out a 'litter pick' at the bottom of Bower Lane on 29th March. This was part of their Spring 'Clean Sweep' programme. Fran Smith was horrified to find such a large collection of discarded syringes. The police have been informed.

Gatland Lane Pedestrian Refuge

Fran's petition for a pedestrian refuge in Gatland Lane created a MASSIVE response. As a result your County

Councillor, Dan Daley, has yet again made contact with KCC Highways. They have promised to have another look at the problem. However, Dan warns residents that any proposal would have to be 'scored' and compared with other traffic schemes across the County. The 'validation' process will begin in April but it will be some months before any decision is made and there can be no guarantee that any particular scheme will score sufficiently highly to attract funding. Fran will keep in touch with Dan and let you know what is happening.

'Pivotal' River Medway Planning Inquiry Looms

Our beautiful River Medway is under threat from a major planning application (MA/06/0788). This seeks to build a marina with extensive decking, moorings and other infra-structure which, if allowed, would damage fundamentally a wildlife-rich 900-metre stretch of the river bank to the West of Maidstone town centre.The original planning application was refused on environmental grounds by Maidstone Council but the applicants are determined to progress their scheme and have now submitted a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate at Bristol. Liberal Democrat Councillors Steve Beerling, Nick Schnell and Tony Harwood, representing wards strongly influenced by the River Medway, say that Maidstone Council's chances of upholding the refusal at appeal will be given a big boost if large numbers of local people stand up and be counted in the defence of our river-side heritage and wildlife. They are urging residents who are worried about the continuing loss of our precious natural areas to take a few minutes to write to the Planning Inspectorate prior to 17th September at the following address: Planning Inspectorate, Room 315, Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting reference APP/U2235/A/07/2050921/NWF and including three copies of their submission.

Roseholme

As you know, this playground has been closed for some months after being damaged by vandals. A lot of work is going on - and a lot of money being spent - in order to create a new safe enviornment for our children.

Steve Beerling reports, "All the old equipment is being removed and replaced, a new surface prepared and a sports wall installed. The trees and hedges which blocked the view from the road are being removed and the area will be replanted. Nick and I have agreed to make donations from our devolved budgets to put in a block seat."

The new playgound should be open by the early autumn.

Bower Grove School

Steve Beerling believes in actively working in the community and encouraging our younger members to expand their interests. He recently took 12 children (and stafs) from Bower Grove School on a fishing expedition in Mote Park. A good time was had by all and skills were learnt as all the children caught some fish.