borough update january 2014

8/13/2019 Borough Update January 2014

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www.maidstone.gov.uk

UpdateSouth, January 2014Borough

Maidstone Borough Council


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Maidstone Borough Council 3

New Year Recycling Resolutions!If you havent made a new years resolution for 2014 yet, why not make it yourmission to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Maidstone residents already recycleover 50% of the boroughs rubbish and we are aiming to increase this figureeven more over the coming years. Join us on Saturday 15 March for a recycling

extravaganza event in Jubilee Square in the town centre where you can find outmore about recycling and take part in fun activities. Keep an eye on thecouncils website and Facebook page for more information.

30-31 JanuaryFinancial Health Checks Help with

budgeting and how to deal with debt.

3 7 MarchChanges to benefits Find out whatbenefits youre entitled to, and getadvice on what to do if youre affectedby recent benefits changes.

Whats On in theGateway

Good air quality is vitally important for the health ofeveryone living and working in the borough. Poor air

quality can have a big impact on things like asthma andheart conditions.

Improving Air Quality inthe Borough

The weather affects the quality of the air at a regional level butlocal transport issues can make things worse. This is why wehave action plans in place for those areas in the boroughwhere air quality isnt meeting targets, and these help us todeliver the national air quality strategy.

What the council is doingWere working with lots of partners, including other localcouncils, private businesses and transport companies totackle the problem. Were doing this in a variety of ways, fromretro-fitting buses with new technology to reduce harmfulemissions, and working on Walk to School projects. Weve also

put in bids for a new Park and Ride site, and to improve thegyratory over the river.

How you can helpWe need residents to work with us to improve air quality, asone of the main factors is emissions from vehicles. The mainthing that you can do is walk, cycle or use public transportrather than take your car. If you do need to use your car, thereis advice at www.kentair.org.uk on low carbon technologies,for example hybrid vehicles and electric cars.

If you run a business, consider whether your employees couldbe using more sustainable forms of transport, and whether

your company vehicles are as green as they could be. Visitwww.kentair.org.uk for lots of information on where to getmore advice.

What to do if youre concernedThe Daily Air Quality Index at www.kentair.org.uk will let youknow what level air pollution is at each day, and gives adviceon what you should do if you think that youre likely to beaffected (for example, if you have asthma, respiratory or heartconditions).

Maidstone Borough Council is supporting the

Maidstone Churches Winter Shelter, whichwill provide overnight shelter for homelesspeople across Maidstone. The project will beopen between 30 December and 23 February.Partner agencies will provide advice andassistance to help homeless people find ahome of their own.

Winter Shelter

Letters are being sent to residents by aprivate company regarding possible CouncilTax reductions in the banding of theirproperties. The company will charge a fee for

any refund made to a resident if a successfulreduction is made. Residents should beaware they are able to challenge thevaluation band of their property free ofcharge if they feel it is wrong with theValuation Office Agency. Visit www.voa.gov.ukfor more information.

Council Tax Bands

Oakwood Park students are now enjoying the first outdoor classroom areain Kent, thanks to a 2000 grant from Maidstone council. They won the

coveted prize by entering the Love Where You Learn competition, whichencourages secondary schools to launch their own anti-littering initiatives.Entries are now invited from secondary schools for the 2013-14 fundinggrants the deadline for submissions is 31 January. For information and anapplication pack, please contact [email protected] or01622 602115

Love Where You Learn


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Mote Park UKs third favourite park!

Maidstone Market at Lockmeadowis now on Facebook search forMaidstone Market for news,offers and special events.

Mote Park WaterbirdsStudy DayMonday 3 February 2014, 9.30am -3.30pm, 28 per person. With a 30acre lake, and adjoining riversystems and wetlands, Mote Parkis a great spot to see different

waterbirds. This course isdesigned to help you learn aboutthe waterbirds that call Mote Parkhome, looking at ducks, rails,grebes, geese and more. The daywill begin with a short classroomsession before spending the day atthe waters edge, studyingbehaviour and discovering how somany species can inhabit thesame area. To book call the HazlittTheatre on 01622 758611

Mote Park Fieldcraft:Natures Tracks and Signs

Saturday 22 March 2014, 10am -12pm Free. Learn the art of

fieldcraft and enjoy a guided walkdiscovering the tracks and trailsleft behind by the animals that livein Mote Park. To book [email protected]

News in brief

4 Maidstone Borough Council

Mote Park won the bronze award at this years Green Flag Peoples Choice Awards,recognising it as one of the nations favourite parks! The Awards, organised by KeepBritain Tidy, give the publicthe chance to vote for their

favourite park in the UK fromthose awarded Green Flagsover the year for theirexceptionally high standards,excellent facilities and strongcommunity involvement. Arecord breaking 1,448 parksand green spaces this yearreceived a Green Flag Awardthis year, making Mote Parksachievement even moreimpressive! Thank you toeveryone who voted, and toour wonderful volunteers whowork so hard with our Parks

team to make the park such afantastic asset to Maidstone.

Cobtree Park Sculpture Trail Blog SpotKent based sculptor Jason Mulligan iscurrently producing four stonesculptures for permanent display withinCobtree Manor Park. The public artcommission was an open submissioncompetition devised by MaidstoneBorough Council, working in partnershipwith the Cobtree Estate Committee. Thevision and concept is to create asculpture trail around the newlyregenerated park with an emphasis onencouraging visitors to explore theextent of the park while also celebratingits past history as Maidstone zoo. Youcan follow Jasons progress online atwww.thecobtreesculpture.blogspot.co.ukwhere there will be regular updatesdetailing the various stages fromfabrication and production to the finalinstallation.

Mote Park miniaturerailway Mike Chaplin

Photo: Baby Swan Marilyn Simpson

Photo: Jason Mulligan sculpture for Cobtree Park

MOTE PARK PHOTO COMPETITIONThank you to the hundreds ofMaidstone residents who entered thefirst Mote Park photo competition in2013 and who ensured anexceptionally high standard of entries.The winner, chosen by a panel ofjudges, was Marilyn Simpson whoreceived a 250 gift voucher kindlydonated by the Mall ChequersShopping Centre. We are pleased toannounce that the photo competitionwill return in 2014, so if you love MotePark and youre handy with a camerathen why not give it a go! For moreinformation, email us [email protected],follow us on Facebook atfacebook.com/motepark or call 01622602747.

News for Young PeopleFind out news, events and advicefor young people in Maidstone byfollowing twitter.com/inthestoneukand www.facebook.com/inthestonemaidstone.

Maidstone Market Offers


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2013 was a fantastic year at Maidstone Museum! We held a hugevariety of events to give everyone a chance to come and learnmore about our exhibitions. As well as talks and workshops byartists, we held lots of events to get children and familiesinvolved well be holding plenty more of these in 2014, so keepan eye on our website to find out more!

News from the MUSEUM

More information on all upcoming exhibitions and events can be found at www.museum.maidstone.gov.ukBookings via 01622 602838.

Ladybird Books have been part of family life since theylaunched in 1940 with their first title Bunnikins Picnic.

Affordable and offered in a diverse range of topics,generations of children have grown up reading LadybirdBooks. This exhibition draws upon the vintage archive

collection of original illustrations and will takeyou on a nostalgic journey to your own ladybird

childhood.To celebrate the exhibition, wellbe holding an Animals and BugsSleepover on 21 February. It will bean evening of exciting activities,hunting out the different animalsbehind the scenes and uncoveringwild stories about the Museum.

2013 at Maidstone Museum

A Ladybird Childhood11 January to 29 March 2014

Halloween EgyptianSleepover 20 guests

braved the first eversleepover at the Museum onHalloween, spending thenight taking part in Egyptian-themed crafts and games,including building a giant Sphynx! 20 brave guests spent thenight at the Museum with Egyptian themed crafts, and games including building a giant Sphynx.

Big Draw: Drawto be Wild Familiestook inspiration fromthe museums naturalhistory collection witha free activity tocelebrate the nationalBig Draw initiative.Feathers, fabric andlots of colours wereused to createfantastic customisedt-shirts to take home.

Manga As part ofthe Big Draw, and tocelebrate ourTreasures from Hirado

exhibition, we held a free Manga workshop. Inko, a professionalManga artist from Kyoto in Japan joined us to lead theworkshops for local schools and colleges. The workshop wasable to run as part of the Museums and Schools project with theArts Council, where we are working with schools to improve thequality and range of workshops on offer at the Museum.

Murder Mystery 7 February 2014Due to popular demand, the Maidstone Museum will behosting its first Murder Mystery evening in February. Theaudience will become detective for one evening touncover the secrets of our historic building! The eveningis 30 per person and includes film, a complimentaryglass of wine and an unusual evening of entertainment.Places are limited and must be booked in advance bycalling the Museum.

Paper Cutting Workshop 15 February 2014Join paper artist JessicaPalmer to create your ownbook cover designs,collecting inspiration fromaround the museum andusing creative papercutting techniques. Thisall day workshop must bepre-booked as spaces arelimited.

Price: 35.00


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Need some help with your new years resolutions?Every year, around 7 million of us will make a New Years resolution to improve an aspect of our healthand stopping smoking is one of the most common ones.

Break down your goal into smaller steps and reward yourself when you achieve one of these. Tell your

friends that you are stopping smoking, focus on the benefits financial and physical of success andkeep a diary of your progress.

Weight Management ProgrammesMaidstone Borough Council runs a range of weight loss courses to helpyou to achieve your weight loss goals and improve your health.

Adult Weight ManagementProgramme:A 12 week programme of weekly diet and nutrition seminars,and you can take advantage of the low cost gym, swim andexercise classes for just 1 per visit. Held atMaidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park.

Weight For It:Free 10 week weight loss programmefor adults - fun & friendly weeklyweigh-in with diet and nutritional

advice, delivered across Maidstoneborough.

Go For It:Free family and childrens weightmanagement programme, to ensure ahealthier lifestyle aimed at 5 17 yearolds. Held at Zeroth Active Zone,Boughton Lane, Maidstone.

Weight For Life:Free 10 week holistic lifestyleprogramme, including nutrition adviceand low cost exercise regime for just 1

per visit. Held at Zeroth Active Zone,Boughton Lane.

For more information on any of the programmes

email [email protected]

Want to quitsmoking?Stopping smoking is one ofthe most common newyears resolutions. To help you on yourway, break down your goal into smallersteps for example not smoking for aweek, or a month - and reward yourselfwhen you achieve one of these. Its also a

good idea to remind yourself of thebenefits both financial and physical of stopping smoking. Try putting themoney youd normally spend oncigarettes in a jar each week and watchhow quickly it adds up!

If youre trying to give up, weve gotplenty of information on where to gethelp on our website atmaidstone.gov.uk/ stopsmoking.

Sports for Young PeopleGive boxing a tryOlympia Boxing runs community amateur boxing sessions for young peoplewith events in Maidstone, including Shepway and Headcorn. All participantshave the opportunity to gain certificates and prizes in learning the basics ofOlympic style boxing. Olympia Boxing provides a great platform for youngpeople who would like to give boxing a try. Coaches will then encourage andsignpost participants to their local ABA clubs where they can advance theirskills and have the chance to compete.

For more information contact Lee Owen by email, [email protected],or phone, 07854 949370

Kick KentKick Kent is a sports charity that aims to help young people discover theirpotential by teaching life skills through sport. It is staffed by a friendly team ofUEFA football, ECB Cricket and RFU Rugby Coaches with a passion to helpyoung people develop socially and emotionally within a social framework thataims to benefit the community. If you would like to see a Kick Kent sportscommunity scheme running in your area, or would like more informationplease get in touch with Kier Wilson by email, [email protected], or phone,07815 039497.

The next two SNAP discos for young people aged 11 to 16will take place on 31 January and 4 April 2014.

The discos will be held at Maidstone Leisure Centre andrun from 7pm until 10:30pm.

The SNAP (Say No And Phone) discos are held incollaboration with Kent Police and Crimestoppers as part

of a say no to drugs campaign. The discos have beenrunning for over 15 years and have a trusted reputationwith police officers and partner agencies on handthroughout the event.

At SNAP dance nights, security is a top priority, so you andall your friends can listen to live music and meet new

people in a very safe environment.

Tickets cost 5. If you would likemore information or if youwould like to buy tickets, pleasecontact Maidstone LeisureCentre on 0845 155 22 77. If you are a parent looking for

reassurance and peace of mind before sending yourchildren to their first SNAP event then please contact PCPaul Hughes, Maidstones Safer Schools Officer on01622 604144.

Visit the Facebook page for Maidstone SNAP:www.facebook.com/maidstonesnap

SNAP Disco


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Maidstone Borough Council 7

If any residents are worried about paying

any of their bills from council tax to rent

and utilities there is lots of help and

advice available. You are welcome at the

Maidstone Gateway, where you can speak

to an advisor or the Citizens Advice Bureau,

or our Benefits Team can be contacted on

01622 602557.

Council Tax SupportCouncil tax support is given to those householdsthat need support to pay their council tax. In 2012,the Government reduced funding for this support,and has now reduced this support further.

Maidstone council needs to meet the shortfall,balancing the needs of those who need support andthe council tax payer who will have to make up thefunding gap if the cost is not passed on to thosereceiving council tax support.

We have altered other discounts and exemptions for example reducing the amount of time that emptyhomes are exempt, and removing the second homediscount - to fund the shortfall but more wasrequired to ensure the local scheme would workfrom 2014. The council considered two options toreduce awards by 18.5% or 13% - and agreed toreduce awards by 13% as this would provide greatersupport in 2014 and ease the pressure on thosereceiving the benefit. This was also the option thatwas favoured by respondents to our consultation.

Join theStruggling to pay your electricity or gas bills? You may be able to savemoney by switching your electricity and gas supplier or by getting onto theright tariff. Many of us never switch and dont know whether we are gettinga good deal.

Maidstone council is working with iChoosr to run a collective switchingservice. It is a simple five stage process.

1. You register your interest

2. iChoosr seeks out the low prices

3. You get a personal offer showingwhether you would save - and

how much you would save - if youswitched to the new offer

4. You decide whether to switch

5. iChoosr arranges the switch foryou

You do not have to accept the switchoffered, so the scheme really is nohassle, no cost and no obligation. Itis just an easy way to find outwhether you could save money. It isopen to everyone, whether you ownor rent your home, and pay your billsby direct debit, cash or pre-paymentmeter.

To find out whether you could saveon your energy bills register onlineat www.maidstone.gov.uk/bigmaidstoneswitch. If you do nothave access to the internet you cancall the council on 01622 602750 orvisit the Gateway on King Street,Maidstone. You will needinformation on your electricity andgas bills to register, so have themhandy. You can register until 17February 2014 and will receive youroffer around the beginning of March.

Maidstone council has nowrenovated three long-termempty homes for the benefit ofhomeless families thanks to asuccessful bid to the Homes andCommunities Agency forfunding. The homes werebrought up to a decent standardand in return, the owners areallowing the council to nominatefamilies from its housing register to rent the properties for five years.

We are keen to work with homeowners to bring empty properties back into

use, and have a variety of ways that we can help. Over 150 long term (over 6months) empty properties have been brought back into use in the last year.

If you would like to find out how we can help you, please call KatrinaHurton, Private Sector Housing Officer on 01622 602472 or [email protected]

Empty Homes

Homeless CareAfter almost 30 years ofdedication and hard work byvolunteers, staff and

supporters, Maidstone ChristianCare has joined forces withGoodsell House to becomeHomeless Care. The services ofboth organisations will continueto operate as before under thebanner of the new charity:

Maidstone Christian Carestarted in 1986 with a soup runthat has since developed as aleading service of care forhomeless and vulnerable menand women in the town.

Goodsell House is a ten

bedded hostel, donated by abenefactor in 1976 to givehomeless people respite whilstthey address their problems andprepare to move intoindependent living.

Maidstone Day Centre openedin a ground floor flat on AshfordRoad in 1995, moving in 2004 tothe charitys present home inKnightrider Street. The DayCentre is open weekdays and

Saturday mornings, providinghot showers, clean clothes andhome cooked meals to those in

need as well as help withreferrals for health problems,accessing benefits and findingaccommodation.

Food for Thought, Maidstonescommunity food share schemelaunched in 2005, collectssurplus food items from localtraders and redistributes topeople who would otherwise gohungry. Schools and churchesdonate Harvest offerings and2013 saw the Kent Messengerstenth Christmas food collection

campaign, You can Help.Homeless Care relies onsupport from the community tohelp people at a low point intheir lives and is grateful foreven the smallest donation.For details about how to help,contact Chairman MikeFitzGerald on 01622 743270.To read Homeless Caresnewsletter, go towww.maidstonedaycentre.org.uk


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Maidstones objectively assessed housing needMaidstone borough council has been working towards afigure of 14,080 homes up until now but a recentindependent study by consultants G L Hearnhas found that the boroughs objectively

assessed need is 19,600 new dwellings upto 2031.

The objective assessment is based on thelatest projections of the boroughspopulation growth over the next 20 years,and the need to support economicgrowth, and to provide suitable housing fora range of ages, tastes and incomes.Maidstone will need a sustainable mix ofhousing for an ageing population, youngpeople and families looking to remain in thearea where they grew up.

The Soho Square based consultants, one of theUKs leading practices, conclude that affordable

homes will remain a priority with a need for 345affordable homes each year over the period up to2031. Currently 43% of households do not have anincome to enable them to purchase a home. Homeswill be needed for rent and shared ownership - partrent part buy which allow people to get on the housingladder.

Meeting the needs of older people will be a matter ofconsiderable scale in the borough due to the projectedgrowth in the over 65 population who will need specialistand extra care housing. There will also be a need forsmaller properties as older households downsize.

The borough council is now working to assess whetherthe need can be met before setting a housing target up

to 2031. The target will include homes already built orin the planning system. Since 2011, 3,706 homes havealready been built, have planning permission to be builtor are awaiting Section 106 agreements to completetheir planning permission.

Housing sitesOf the 190 sites submitted for potential housing use duringa call for sites in 2013, currently only 60 are being recommendedfor development due to strict criteria around suitability.

Each site has been rigorously judged against a range of nationaland local planning criteria, regulations and policy, includingsustainable location, ecology, highways, access to services, floodrisk, landscape, heritage impacts, and adjacent uses.

Further potential areas for housing that did not come forward inthe call for sites have also been identified by the council andhave been subject to the same strict assessment criteria.

As a result the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessmenthas identified possible sites for 8,241 dwellings. All of thesesites will be consulted upon and everyone will have the chance tohave their say in spring 2014.

This consultation will be accompanied by a further call for sitesto try to meet the gap between the boroughs objectivelyassessed housing need and the currently identified supply.

Protecting thecountrysideWhen adopted, the MaidstoneBorough Local Plan will give thecouncil power to refuse

development in unsuitableareas, protecting vital greenspace and countryside andensuring that development issustainable and appropriate forthe borough.

The councils priority will be to use

previously developed sites first. In the fiveyears 2007 to 2012, 87% of housing in theborough was on brownfield sites. It alsoproposes to focus development at existingsettlements rather than creating newvillages, focussing on those areas withthe infrastructure to sustain development.Resources for additional infrastructurewill be drawn from a range of sourcesincluding Section 106 agreements, and inthe future Community Infrastructure Levypayments and the New Homes Bonus.

Sites for the remaining dwellings are stillto be found and the National Planning

Policy Framework allows for a number tobe identified in the form of broadlocations, rather than specific sites. Thecouncil is currently considering optionsfor these broad locations, includingdevelopment in the town centre.

Brownfield priority


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Box Office 01622 758611 www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

New Year, New Experiences,New Hazlitt Theatre!

Re-Take ThatSaturday 8 February

Hazlitt Theatre 7.30pm

Tickets 18 Concession 16

This is the northern hemispheres biggestand most authentic tribute to one of popsgreatest bands so get ready for superbsound, dramatic lighting and dynamicdance routines. The show is wall to wallwith breathtaking versions of all thegreatest hits including: Pray, Million Love

Songs, How Deep Is Your Love, Could It BeMagic, Back For Good, The Flood andmany more.

Circus of Horrors30 January 7.30pmHazlitt Theatre

Tickets18 Concs 15

The show that stormed into the finalsof Britains Got Talent is back flyinglike a bat out of hell to celebrate anastounding 18 years of shocknroll!

Inspired by the long lost movieLondon after Midnight, the show is

packed with murderous twists andturns through 1665 plague-ridden

London, intermingled with the

most daring, bizarre andbeautiful circus acts.

Demon dwarfs, dare devils,sword swallowers and hairhangers- join the almighty

cast and devil drivenrocknroll music of Dr Haze

and The Interceptors fromHell for a hair-raising night

out!

Like The Rocky Horror Showon acid - Amanda Holden

Freaking Awesome- The Sun

Completely wowed the audience- The

Daily Mail

Moses is a cantankerous 2 foot high puppet, with a cardboardhead, who lives on a table. And he's got a problem. He is fedup of performing fairy tales and childrens parties- he's anartist! He's a serious puppet! So tonight, for one show only,the table is his and he is going to perform an epic story.Unique and very funny, this is improvised puppetry like you

have never seen before. Our table-top philosopher explainsthe nature of puppetry, has disagreements with hispuppeteers, shows off his dancing skills, examines the bibleand has an unfortunate mishap with aninvisible running machine. Alongthe way he gains a theatre full offans who then watch his painfulattempts to rescue his showfrom chaos.

Beckett meets Tommy Cooper...Brilliantly Funny- Time Out****

Blind Summit once again provethat when youre working in

miniature you dont have to thinksmall The Guardian****

The TableFriday 14 February -Exchange Studio 8pmTickets 12 Concs 10


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make it prosperous

MAKE IT MAIDSTONE

Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects ofthe recession and bring prosperity to the borough. We help

residents with housing and council tax benefits, heating and

insulation grants, home improvement grants, and by support

for organisations which offer money advice.

The second phase of theMaidstone High StreetRegeneration project was

officially opened on 16November, completing3.7 million of investmentin the High Street since2012. The entire area hasbeen paved in granite andnew street furniture andlighting has beeninstalled. The introductionof Jubilee Square outsidethe Town Hall has been afantastic success, with thetown centre regularly treated to dancing, music and community events.

The completed scheme is expected to generate 4.5 million of additional visitor

expenditure in the town and create nearly 100 new jobs in both the day and night-time economy.

Lower High Street

Inspiringthe futureInspiring the Future is a freeservice which sees people fromall sectors and professionsvolunteering to go into stateschools and colleges to helpyoung people understand theworking world and the jobs it hasto offer.An hour of your time, talkingabout the job you do and the routeyou took into it, can make alifetimes differenceto a young person.From Apprentices to CEOs,

whatever your job, there is a rolefor you in helping pupils to betterunderstand the jobs and careersopen to them, help broaden theiraspirations and let them knowwhat they need to do to get intoyour organisation or sector.Inspiring the Future is the simple,quick and free way for volunteersto work with schools. Demandfrom teachers is huge. Youngpeople want to hear fromyou. Volunteers and schools/colleges are connected securely

online and volunteering can takeplace near home or work as youchoose the locationsthat suit you.A teacher will be present at alltimes so no CRB checks arerequiredEveryone from architects tozoologists can volunteer forInspiring the Future. Register totake part in our free service andhelp young people in yourcommunity:www.inspiringthefuture.org

For more information, call EllieKershaw on 01622 602262

Maidstone Visitor InformationService has won Gold in theTourism Information Providercategory at the 2013 BeautifulSouth Tourism Awards. Theawards are organised by TourismSouth East and judged by anindependent panel sponsored by

Shepherd Neame.In May 2011 the Visitor InformationService moved to MaidstoneMuseum, and at the end of March2012, a new combined Museumand Visitor Information receptionand shop opened in the East WingExtension.

The service will now be consideredto represent the South East at theVisit England Awards forExcellence in 2013.

The Beautiful South Awards, whichhave been running for over twentyyears, celebrate the very best theSouth East has to offer for all typesof tourism businesses, recognisingthose businesses that have gonethe extra mile.

Maidstone council investedin new, environmentally-friendly Christmas lightsthis year, giving the towncentre a beautiful festivesparkle. We also workedhard to bring more visitorsinto the town for the season,

with a traditional Christmasmarket on Jubilee Square,extra Park and Ride busesfor late-night shopping, andfree parking after 3pm inLockmeadow Car Park.

Maidstone Visitor Information Wins Gold!

Christmas in Maidstone

Cabinet Member for Commercial andEconomic Development, CouncillorMalcolm Greer, joins the Mayor ofMaidstone, Councillor Clive English, toformally open the Lower High Street

Members of Maidstone councils VisitorInformation Service team are presentedwith their Beautiful South award


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USEFUL NUMBERSCitizens Advice Bureau 01622 752420 or01622 757882

Council tax advice 01622 602003

Housing benefit andgeneral housing advice 01622 602557

National debtline freephone 0808 808 4000

Energy Saving Trust -0800 512 012

Concessionary Travel -01622 602334

Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700

Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery

The state of the art Kent Institute of Medicine andSurgery (KIMS) is set to open in April, providing specialisttreatment and boosting jobs in the area. The 85 millionhospital will offer advanced care in cardiology, cardiacsurgery, neurosurgery, complex orthopaedics andsurgical oncology. Maidstone councils Cabinet Member

for Economic and Commercial Development, CouncillorMalcolm Greer, said: KIMS will offer specialisttreatments, many of which are currently only available inLondon, saving local people from making long anddifficult journeys for treatment. It will bring new jobs,

including high-salaried posts, to the area, and establishtraining and apprenticeship opportunities for localpeople. Local suppliers of goods will be used wherepossible, and we hope to capitalise on the KIMSinvestment to attract other businesses to the borough.

Plans for Phase 2 of the KIMS project are currently beingconsidered by Maidstone council. The proposals include amedical schools, university campus, a womens andchildrens hospital and a neuro-rehabilitation village,which could create an additional 3,000 jobs over the nextten years.

We have joined forces with VoluntaryAction Maidstone to launch an innovativewebsite to link businesses andcommunity groups in Maidstone.

The Big Exchange website - the first ofits kind in Kent - allows charities orcommunity groups to find help andsupport from local businesses and todevelop relationships together. Businessescan post information about what they can offer local groups from accounting ormarketing advice to staff support at fundraisers whilst community groups canpost requests for help.

This is a great opportunity for businesses to make a difference in their

communities, raise their profile and boost staff morale. We hope to have 50businesses and 50 community groups sign up within two years if youd like to beone of them, please visit thebigexchange.org.uk


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Sharon Brown is Bereavement ServicesDevelopment Manager for Maidstone BoroughCouncil, responsible for Vinters ParkCrematorium and the Sutton Road MaidstoneCemetery.

What does your job involve?

My job touches on all parts of BereavementServices, from cremations to burials, todevelopment of the service.

What attracted you to the job?

I have worked in both Public and Privatesector through my career, but having triedboth, I know I am a Public Servant. I striveto do all I can to give the best service to allthat I meet, to try and help and support thosewho visit us and try to accommodate peoplesrequirements so they can have the funeral oftheir choice. I feel very privileged to be ableto work in this environment and hope that theservices we provide are helpful to those wemeet.

What do you like most about your job?I like all of my job there isnt a bit I wouldchange it is varied and rewarding. It can beemotionally draining at times, but that isoutweighed by the lovely people I get to meetevery day.

What does customer service mean to you?

I like to treat people the way I would like to betreated. Customer Service is about giving thatcustomer your full attention, listening andhopefully coming to a successful conclusionand ultimately that customer leaves in apositive frame of mind.


Follow us on Twitter@maidstonebc

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Watch us on YouTube

www.youtube.com/user/maidstonecouncil

Borough UpdateThis is your council newsletter,produced up to four times a yearin the Downs Mail newspaper. Itis written, edited and designedby the council's communicationsteam, Maidstone House, KingStreet, Maidstone, Kent ME15

6JQ. Email:[email protected]. Yourcomments and suggestions are

always welcome. It is typeset by

AW design and printed by

Newbury News.

If you are visually impairedand would like the newslettertext in large print, please callus on 01622 602807, and wewill be happy to send you acopy.

To find out whats on in Maidstone Borough visit www.visitmaidstone.comWhats On!

Workingforyou

Above: Sutton

Road Cemetery

Right: Book of

Remembrance

Hall at Vinters

Park

Crematorium

Below: Roses in

the grounds of

Vinters Park

Crematorium

borough update january 2014

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