by Alan Smith
A conflict over cash has seen a councillor told he can no longer speak for Maidstone’s ­parish councils.

Cllr John Wilson has long been involved in the ­Association of Local Councils, which represents parish and town councils.

But he is also a Maidstone councillor, where his cabinet responsibility has put him in charge of slashing money given to parish councils.

This has led some to believe Cllr ­Wilson is not the man to stand up for their interests.

At an association meeting, Cllr Geraldine Brown, the chairman of Yalding Parish Council, ­proposed a motion of no confidence in Cllr Wilson’s role as one of Maidstone’s two ­representatives on the ­executive committee of the Kent ­Association of Local Councils.

The motion was carried in a secret ballot.
Cllr Brown said after the meeting: “It has not that John has done anything wrong.
“He has always declared an interest each time our grants have been on the agenda.
“We just don’t see how he can fulfil his role of cabinet member and his role of representing the parishes at the same time.”

Tensions have been rising as spending cuts to local councils are dictating parish councils take on more functions.

Cllr Wilson said he had no intention of resigning from the association and said he had not done anything wrong at all.