Wednesday May 23 | 2018
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Times OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
INSIDE
Complex issue as grant cuts are set to be discussed
CRIME FIGURES UP
Rise in arrests but police admit less people charged Page 5
By Duncan Audsley GRANTS to community groups are set to be reduced with savings being used to fund the Civic Complex and theatre. This week Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is likely to take a step forward in their proposal, which would see its revenue grants cut by £53,750 over the next two years. The authority has stated that ‘savings have to be made’ as central government grants completely cease from the 2018/19 financial year. But it is likely they will decide to put some of the savings towards the £90million Complex, which has been highly contested.
Consequence A council document states: “As a consequence of the removal of central government grant support from 2018/19, and the additional savings needed to help fund the new civic offices and theatre development, ongoing reductions in community grant budgets will still be required.” Plans state the authority will completely stop its revenue grants to four good causes it currently supports from 2019/20. These include West Kent Mediation, which offers relationship advice, and Relate Mid and West Kent, a counselling service. Another seven organisations, including Shopmobility and IMAGO Community, could be hit by cuts as the authority looks to reduce its revenue grants from £251,750 [2017/18] to £198,000 [2019/20].
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WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH Litter collected from Tunbridge Wells Common after just 90 minutes has been put on display after being fashioned into a sculpture entitled ‘Disrespect’. It’s the work of local artists who want to protest at our ‘throwaway society’. See more on page 2
AWARDS SHORTLIST
Find out if your company has made it on the list Pages 8-9
Warning as number of indecent images shared by children triples By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk
PARENTS are being urged to be more vigilant when it comes to their children using mobile phones after a three-fold rise in child sexting cases. New figures show there were 59 reports of under-18s taking explicit photographs or videos in West Kent in 2017. This compares to 21 in 2016. The figures relate only to cases the police are aware of. The actual figure is likely to be much higher. It is technically illegal for a young person to take, share, download or possess an explicit image, although the force has stressed they do not wish to criminalise children. Kent Police Superintendent Susie
Harper said: “I would encourage parents and teachers not to be afraid to talk to children about their activities. “[It is important] to explain the value of privacy to prevent young people from becoming both the victims and perpetrators of crime.”
‘It is risky behaviour and has the potential to expose them to harm’ Kent Police She added: “If a child’s mobile phone contract is in his or her parent’s name, then the parent can be liable for any indecent material saved or sent from it.” In West Kent, which includes Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, there were 13 reports of child sexting in 2014 and 22
in 2015. So far there have been 13 in 2018. The area’s 2017 total of 59 cases is markedly smaller than the 83 reported in North Kent and 78 in East Kent. Supt Harper continued: “We have seen an increase in the number of reports of sexting over the past five years. “This could be attributed to more young people having mobile phones and the rise in social media. “Many young people think sexting relates to just sending flirty texts. “They may be unaware that taking and sending naked images of themselves or reshaping an image they have received is risky behaviour and has the potential to expose them to harm.” Child safeguarding charity NSPCC
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GREAT DAYS OUT
Special half term guide will keep children happy Page 25
TASTE OF SUMMER
Our favourite rosé wines for National BBQ week Page 57