Wednesday July 11 | 2018
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OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
INSIDE
Hospitals battle to balance the books in bid for a £12m bonus
EXTRA POWERS?
New pilot rate scheme to be trialled in county Page 10
By Duncan Audsley THE hard pressed NHS Trust which manages Tunbridge Wells Hospital is in line for a £12million bonus if it can bring its finances out of the red. Data released recently shows that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [MTW] recorded an in-year deficit of £10.9million at the end of the last 12 month financial period. This was despite the fact that the Trust’s management was expecting to see a £6.7million surplus.
Bonus Balancing the books represents another challenge for managers of the hospital in Pembury, which was most recently rated as ‘requires improvement,’ by the Care and Quality Commission. MTW, which also manages Maidstone Hospital, has confirmed no staff cuts or reduction in patient treatment will happen as a result of the deficit. The figures were released by the NHS shortly after the Government announced a funding boost of £20.5billion a year for the health service. Miles Scott, Chief Executive of MTW, took over the post in January and said a plan is in place to balance the books. But getting the trust in good financial shape this year is key, with a £12million bonus from the NHS at stake.
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GEORGE COHEN MBE Tunbridge Wells’ most famous footballer Page 3
DEEP END: Frant Road was one of several areas flooded in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday [July 5]. A video showing a lorry driving through deep water was watched more than 440,000 times on the Times of Tunbridge Wells Facebook page. Watch the video at theknow.guide
Flash floods cause more grief to stricken businesses in town By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk BUSINESSES sustained thousands of pounds worth of damage last week as Tunbridge Wells drainage again failed to cope with a downpour. Rain equating to three buckets of water per square-metre fell in one hour on Thursday afternoon [July 5] causing businesses in the southern end of town to temporarily close. The Pantiles and Mount Pleasant were flooded for the second time in 12 months, to the anger of business owners who had been told by Southern Water that last year’s bad weather was a ‘once in 50 year event’. Clive Everton, Manager of Choice Carpets in Nevill Street, said: “This is the
fourth time we have flooded in four years, but this time we have to replace more than ever.” Louise Clark, Managing Director of One Warwick Park Hotel, said: “Despite our
‘The flash flood was a bitter blow… The street turned into a river’ Greg Clark MP precautions, the flood caused major damage at one of the busiest times of year. “This area has been flooded since the turn of the century and it’s time for a council to take responsibility.” And after two previous floods had cost his business in the region of £30,000, John Hoare of Cassidy’s Sports Bar in
Castle Street said £5,000 worth of stock had been lost. Flooding in The Pantiles area has been long associated with The Pantiles area, with seven incidents having been recorded in county council logs since 2000. Incidents in 2015 and again in 2017 prompted Kent County Council to produce two reports to investigate. The latter states: “Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has a general responsibility to oversee all matters relating to drainage within the district. “Southern Water are responsible for the maintenance of foul and surface water public sewers. “Kent County Council is the lead local flood authority and has a duty to: Under-
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