borough update october 2011

7/28/2019 Borough Update October 2011

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UpdateYour Maidstone Borough Council Newsletter

Town

Borough

Changing faces ofMaidstone High Street


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2 Maidstone Borough Council

Borough UpdateThis is your council newsletter, produced up to fourtimes a year in the Downs Mail newspaper. It iswritten, edited and designed by the council's

communications team, Maidstone House, King Street,Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ. Email:[email protected]. Your comments andsuggestions are always welcome. It is typeset by aw

design and printed by Newbury News.If you are visually impaired and would like the

newsletter text in large print, please call us on01622 602807, and we will be happy to send youa copy.

Most weekends Maidstone council refuse lorries collect bulkyhousehold rubbish from locations in your area. Take your refuseto the Saturday Freighter Service at the times shown:Saturday 29 October

13:00 - 13:45 Penenden Heath. Heathfield Road/Heathfield Close13:55 - 14:40 Penenden Heath. Woodcuts

Saturday 5 November

07:45 - 08:30 Ringlestone. Calder Road08:40 - 09:15 Ringlestone. Moncktons Avenue09:25 - 09:55 County Road10:10 - 11:00 Penenden Heath. Park Avenue/

Hatherall Road14:15 - 14:55 Lower Road15:05 - 15:45 South Park Road/York Road

Saturday 12 November

07:45 - 08:30 Fant. Hackney Road/Unicumes Lane08:40 - 09:30 Barming. Terminus Road09:40 - 10:20 Barming. Abingdon Road10:30 - 11:00 Barming. Springwood Road12:00 - 12:55 Barming. Green Way/Cherry Orchard13:05 - 13:55 Queens Road/Freshlands Road14:05 - 14:55 Bower Mount Road/Cornwallis Road15:05 - 15:45 Victoria Street allotments


07:45 - 09:15 Allington. Newbury Drive09:25 - 10:15 Allington. Trevor Drive10:25 - 11:15 Buckland Road allotments


07:45 - 08:25 Shepway. Westmorland Road08:30 - 09:00 Northumberland Road/Cumberland Green10:30 - 11:00 Park Wood. Bicknor Road car park12:00 - 12:50 Park Wood. Lockham Farm Avenue13:00 - 13:30 Park Wood. Bicknor Road/Wallis Avenue13:40 - 14:15 Park Wood. Queen Elizabeth Square14:25 - 15:05 Mangravet. Woodside Road15:15 - 15:45 Tovil. Forest Hill/Courtenay Road

Saturday 3 December

14:30 - 15:45 Loose. Anglesey Avenue

Saturday 21 January

10:00 - 11:00 Loose. Broadoak Avenue12:00 - 12:30 Loose. Old Loose Hill

Saturday 28 January

13:00 - 13:45 Penenden Heath. Heathfield Road13:55 - 14:40 Penenden Heath. Woodcuts

We do not a ccept garden waste, very large bulky items andelectrical or hazardous items. You can dispose of these itemsthrough our paid for bulky collection service or at the householdwaste recycling centre at Burial Ground Lane, Tovil, Maidstone.It is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm, and Sunda y andBank Holidays, 9am to 4pm. For more information about ourbulky rubbish services, including paid for doorstep collections,visit maidstone.gov.uk or call the cleansing hotline on 0162 2602162.

Free bulky rubbish service

www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Food wastethank you

Eighty per cent

of Maidstoneresidents areusing our foodwaste collectionservice, sendingmore than 100tonnes of food everyweek for composting. This has boosted Maidstonesrecycling rate to 45% and reduced the rubbish sent fordisposal by 37%. Thanks to everyone who is helping to makeit such a success.

Home composting forcertain types of kitchen andgarden waste is even better.

It reduces the amount oflorry movements neededand provides a nutritiousfertilizer for the garden.

At home you can compostfruit and vegetablepeelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and egg shells.You can also reduce the amount of food waste thrownaway by measuring portions and using up leftovers. It isimportant to check dates on food purchased - Best Beforedates are for quality so there is no need to throw out food onthe stated date (eggs being the exception). Food can alsobe eaten right up to the use-by date, or frozen.

For more hints and tips on reducing food waste visitwww.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Food waste facts! A third of the food we buy

in the UK is thrown away.

An average family throwsaway 50 worth of foodshopping every month.

Compost Bin OfferMaidstone Borough Council, in partnership with Straightsand the Waste Improvement Network, is pleased to offercompost bins www.maidstone.getcomposting.com from15 (plus delivery).

Special offer - buy two and get the second half price(Offer applies to 220L & 330L compost converters).To order bins log ontowww.maidstone.getcomposting.com


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Subscribe to us on www.youtube.com/user/maidstonecouncil

Work has begun on MaidstoneHigh Streets Public RealmProject.

In January 2009 the councillaunched a design competitionwhich attracted both nationaland international entrants.Now, just over two years later

the vision is being realised.Cllr Malcolm Greer, CabinetMember for EconomicDevelopment and Transportsaid: Work started onSeptember 5 and by May nextyear we will have a new TownSquare to be proud of. Thisspace will used for musicaland cultural events.

There will be new pedestrianzones and new trees, togetherwith new street furniture. Im

delighted to be getting thisproject off the ground and cantwait to see the end product.

The project will improve how theHigh Street looks, feels andworks. The scheme, which is tolast 34 weeks, will see lessspace given over to vehicles anda new public space created infront of the Town Hall.

The project is in two phases.This first phase will haveimprovements to the surfaces

and layout of the street from MillStreet up to The Mall.

It will be business as usual forretailers throughout the work,

which will stop for two weeksover Christmas.

Cllr Greer added: We apologisein advance for any inconveniencethese works may cause and will,

of course, try to keep anydisruption to a minimum.We have had meetings withretailers and have discussedtheir individual requirementsfor delivery and access and haveensured pedestrian access totheir premises at all times.

Phase 1 is costing 2.2 million,of which KCC is contributing600,000. Phase 2, the lowerHigh Street, will be completedsubject to funding.

The project is expected tocreate 100 new jobs and bringmore than 4 million of newspending to the town.

High Street improvements vision to be reality

Artist impressions of whatthe work will look like. The workis due to be complete by May 2012.

Maidstone councillor Malcolm Greer withcouncil Leader Chris Garland, CharmaneWaggett, Public Liaison Officer fromEurovia, The Mayor of Maidstone, CllrBrian Mortimer and David Brazier fromKCC to mark the start of the work.


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Maidstone Borough Council 5

www.maidstonesdream.co.uk

The High Streetin the 1920s

Above - TheBottom of the Highstreet c.1920s

Right - The Topend of the HighStreet with thecarriages goneall to be replacedby motorcars.C.1920's

Get in touch

Whats happening, when?

Traffic changes

If you have any questionsor queries, or would likefurther informationplease contactthe Eurovia Public LiaisonOfficer, Charmane

Waggett, on 0845 408 2987(24hr automated contact number)or email [email protected]

You can visit the site office at 40 KingStreet, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1BS,http://highstreet.maidstone.gov.ukor you can view regular updates onwww.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Image courtesy of John Westhrop Kent Messenger

Public LiaisonMeetings

If you are a retailer or live inMaidstone and would like to be keptup-to-date with the High Streetworks then come along to thePublic Liaison Meetings organisedby Maidstone Town CentreManagement. Dates of meetingscan be found at

http://highstreet.maidstone.gov.uk

Mid-September to early

November 2011 - The lowerend of the High Street at MillStreet and one half of theHigh Street.

Throughout November 2011 -the High Street by PuddingLane.

Mid-October to lateNovember 2011 - The mainpart of theHigh Street.

Late November 2011 to

January 2012 - Bank Street

Two week break at Christmas Early January to late March

2012 - King Street

April/May 2012 - the top ofthe High Street by WeekStreet and Gabriels Hill andKing Street

Phase 2 - start date yet to beconfirmed, subject to fundingbeing available - Lower HighStreet and part of Mill Street


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Canoe to showcase in newEast Wing ExtensionA canoe, which has been on a restoration journey is setto make its debut in Maidstone Museums new East WingExtension.

In November, visitors will be able to see the new EastWing entrance and visitor information point, the newshop and the first of the new displays which focus on thevariety and quality of the collections.

The 9 metre Solomon Islands canoe will be displayed inthe museum for the first time since it was acquired in1863.

Two upper floor galleries will open in late November.These will feature a new display of the museumscollection of oil paintings and a display of our historicphotographic collection in the Bentlif 2 gallery.

The two remaining upper floor galleries will be ready byMarch 2012.

When the East Wing is fully open it will be able to host

the best touring exhibitions.

36 Statue Appeal nearsfundraising total

Money has beenflooding in for the

36 Engineer StatueAppeal.

The donations will payfor a life-size bronze

statue, to be mountedin Ragstone, in

Brenchley Gardens.The statue, which will

commemorate the close

links Maidstone has withthe 36 Royal EngineerRegiment, will be of a

6ft engineer in his battlefatigues returning to

base after discoveringan improvised bomb.

The statue will be

unveiled on Tuesday,November 1, in time for

Remembrance Day.

Tankies come to townSoldiers from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment paradedthrough Maidstone on September 1 to mark their returnfrom active duty in Afghanistan.

The march in the town centre was a homecoming for manyof the Tankies, who come from the town and nearbyAshford. More than 300 soldiers took part.

A time forrememberingOn Sunday, November 13we will remember those whogave their lives for peaceand freedom in the FirstWorld War and all conflicts since. TheRemembrance Sunday Service and Parade

will be held from 10.30am with the servicetaking place at the Cenotaph at 10.50am.

Road closures will take place between9.45am 12pm.

Love Where You Live

Maidstone Borough Council and McDonalds got a

Mcflurry of volunteers to litter pick rubbish during thenational Keep Britain Tidy campaign - Love where youLive.

The volunteers cleared up from Maidstone East Station,which is just a short walk from one of the McDonaldsoutlets in the town, to Buckland Hill. Cabinet Member forthe Environment, Cllr Marion Ring, said: We're proud ofwhere we live and want to see it looking its best. The LoveWhere You Live campaign is all about finding positiveways to improve the environment.

Love Where You Live is a new campaign with the aim ofinspiring everyone to think about their communities andtake action to reduce litter in the locations where theylive, the places they visit and the spaces that they use.

Steven Pageand his oneyear old sonTyler joinedCabinetMemberMarion Ringon the LoveWhere YouLive litterpick.


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Mote ParkImprovement Project

Local firm wins contract

Volunteering at Mote Park is a great way to get some exercise and feel part

of the next phase in the parks history. Many people have already helped

out. Here Maidstone councils, Karen Jeal, describes her experience.

I signed up for half a days work in September. Itwas a sunny, but slightly crisp morning. But thiswasnt to last once the hard work started.

I donned my wellies and had a spade, rake and wheel-barrow at the ready. I wanted to do my bit to restore

the park and give something back to the community.There were about eight of us altogether.

We met outside the caf, then as a group headedto the natural play area by the Willington Streetentrance. Along the way, Alan Frith, who heads upthe volunteers, gave us all the information we could possibly want to knowabout the improvement works, how we can get involved in the future and whatwe were going to be helping with on the day.

When we arrived at the newly-built play area there were piles and piles ofwoodchip. Our job was to rake this out around the play equipment. We alsohelped create woodchip pathways.

It was not an easy job, but nonetheless felt really worthwhile, working as a teamto get the job done. Once finished it was a great feeling to stand back and takein the difference we had made to the park. I will definitely be helping out again.

Helping out in the parkVolunteers can help with all aspectsof the Mote Park improvement project.There are lots of opportunities,including helping at communityevents, as park wardens, stewardingundertaking habitat surveys andrunning an arts and crafts stall.

If you would like to join thevolunteering team or if you would like

information on any activities in Mote

Park, please contact Alan Frith on01622 602119 or email

[email protected]

Further details can also be found on

the Mote Park Improvement Projectwebsite

http://motepark.maidstone.gov.uk

Gallagher, one of Kents best knownbuilding contractors, is the main contractorfor the Mote Park Regeneration Project.

The park is one of the largest in the SouthEast of England, with the scale andcharacter of a country park.

Its proximity to the centre of Maidstonemakes it a very popular place for localpeople as well as others from muchfurther away. The regeneration project haswon funding from the Heritage LotteryFund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG)under their Parks for People scheme.Improvementshave or willinclude:

Formalisinginner and outer path circuits. Main car park improvements - markingand planting shrubs and trees.

Improving the Boat House Area -installing a hard surface promenade areawith new seating, tree planting and a newmodel boat platform. Refurbishing the refreshment kiosk. Restoring the 1840s waterfall. Restoring the neoclassical VolunteersPavilion dating from the 1800s. Replacing the ramp and small bridge

across the lake with a new 20m spantimber and steel bridge. Improving access from Willington Streetwith car parking and a naturalplay area for teenagers, and from SchoolLane with improved parking, a separatepedestrian accessand relocating the play area.

Mote Park has a new water sports centre for sailing, canoeingand rowing.

It offers one-off days out, courses, taster sessions, one-to-onetuition, birthday parties and youth and school group bookings.

All the activities are suitable for eight year olds and over.

Water sports enthusiasts can hire or use their own equipment.

There is an extensive youth programme for ages 8 to 16,including school holiday programs and youth nights.

Water Sports Centre

Timeline of events

Opening timesApril - September,7 days a weekfrom 9am to 7pm.

October March 7days a week from9am 5pm.

2007-

HeritageLottery

Fundgivesa

grantof

50

,000forthecouncilto

preparethefirststageof

thelotterybid

.

September2008-

Stage

oneoftheap

plication

submittedto

theHeritage

LotteryFund

Parksfor

PeopleScheme.

July2009

Agrantof

124

,900awarded

.

July2010

Asecond

stageapplica

tion

submittedfo

llowing

consultation

withparks

usersandpo

tentialusers.

September2010

Agrant

of1

,897

,680

awardedby

theHeritage

LotteryFund

.

Thetotalpro

jectcostis

setat2

,672

,331including

a25%

contributionfrom

thecouncil.

October2010-

Tender

documentsp

roducedfor

forestryand

main

contracts.

November2

010

Alan

Frith

,Audien

ce

DevelopmentManager,

appointed

.

Autumn2011-

Work

beginsinMo

tePark,

includingconstructionof

pathsandthecauseway

overthelake

.

Winter2011

Maincar

parkconstru

ction,

VolunteersP

avilion,

kiosk

refurbishment,lake

overflowrem

odeling,

boat

houseboulevard

improvements,

improvementtocafarea

andnewSch

oolLaneand

WillingtonStreetvisitor

centres.

Spring2012

Restoration

ofhistoricwaterfall

,

installationo

fnewbins,

benches,

signageand

cyclestands

,andtree

planting

Summer201

2

Workdue

tobecomple

ted

.


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Tel: 01622 602000 email: [email protected] www.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone Borough Council iscommitted to keeping the boroughclean.

Figures from the litter enforcementteam show that between July 2010 andJuly 2011 more than four thousandpeople were handed fines for littering.

The money from each penalty noticeis put back into the service and hasbought extra bins and helpscampaigns to combat litter and otherenvironmental issues.

Cllr Marion Ring, Cabinet Member forthe Environment, said: We have beentackling the issue head on. Every yearmillions of pounds are spent on streetcleansing and clearing our roads of

rubbish such as cigarette butts,chewing gum, sweet wrappers andfast food containers. Thats a lot ofmoney to keep our borough clean andlooking great. My message is pleasedont drop litter but if you do, you arelikely to get a fixed penalty notice.

Maidstone council was the first in Kentto take such an approach to littering.

People caught flouting the law will beoffered the chance to pay a 75 finewithin 14 days. If they fail to pay upthey will be taken to court and risk afine of up to 2,500, costs, and a

criminal record. The council hassuccessfully prosecuted many peoplewho have refused to pay.

Maidstone has four dedicated litterenforcement officers working in theborough. They have all recently been

equipped with body worn videocameras. Cllr Ring said: This wasa bold but important approach to thework because it allows us to monitorthe service to ensure safety andfairness for all concerned. Thecamera equipment will record theconversations between the patrollersand the people who they talk to aboutdropping litter.

The enforcement activity is not onlyabout punishing those in the wrong.

Its about rewarding those using thetowns bins through bin it to win it.

People who use litter bins can be inwith a chance of winning shoppingvouchers through a monthly prizedraw. The competition is organisedby Maidstone council, The Mall,Chequers and Maidstone TownCentre Management.

Council enforcement officers carrythe reward cards and issue them tomembers of the public seen usingbins in the borough. If you get given apostcard make sure you post it in the

box provided at the Gateway in KingStreet to be entered in the monthlydraw.

If you are aware of a litter hotspotplease call 01622 602162. If you seeit, report it.

Maidstone keeps hold of prestigious Green Flag AwardsGreen flags will be flying high for another year after two of Maidstonesparks were voted among some of the best in the country.

Clare Park and Whatman Park have retained the prestigious Green FlagAwards for another year.

Whatman Park, which is part of the Millennium River Park, has been

awarded the green flag for the second time and Clare Park on TonbridgeRoad is keeping its green flag status for a fourth year.

Both parks will have the flags hoisted high for a year before beingre-assessed.

Maidstone Mela in picturesThe sun shone on thousands of people at Maidstones ninth multicultural Mela.

The Mela weekend in Mote Park, delighted crowds with music,stalls, food and all things cultural.

On the Saturday night Sukshinder Shinda and the CounterfeitBeatles took to the stage to entertain the crowds. A fireworks

display rounded off the evening.On the Sunday there was a full line-up of stage events, stalls andfood from all over the World. Over the last three years theattendance for the free event has been in excess of 10,000 people.

The Mela was organised in partnership by Maidstone BoroughCouncil, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus Kent.It was part funded by Arts Council England.

Pictures:Courtesy of Cohesion Plus.

Thousands came out during

September to celebrate all things

cultural at this years Maidstone Mela.

Crackdown on litterlouts proving successful


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Maidstone council has put thebrakes on three private hire driversafter they were caught illegally plyingfor trade.

All three were given strong warningsabout their future conduct and two

were suspended - one for six weeksand one for four weeks.

Private hire vehicles can only pick up

passengers who have pre-booked byphone or at an office. Hackneycarriages - black cab taxis - can pick

up off the street in the area for whichthey are licensed.

The council carries out regular checks

to ensure that the taxi trade operate tothe rules which protect the trade andthe passengers.


Maidstone Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ

A new activity club, called Youngsters to Youths, is startingin the Shepway area for 8 to 12 year olds.

The club, which is run by The Groundwork Trust on behalf ofMaidstone council with funding from NHS West Kent to supportchildren through the transition to secondary school and to help

them build self-esteem, confidence and team working. It is apilot project with numbers restricted to approximately fivechildren per school in the Shepway area. If the club issuccessful and further funding found, it may be extended.

If you have a child that would be interested in attending pleasecontact your school or Maidstone Councils CommunityDevelopment Team on 01622 602222.

Time to get activeDo you want to get in shape but youre findingit hard to stay motivated? Well, Maidstonecouncil, might be able to help.

We are providing a number of programmes tohelp people obtain that healthy weight theyvealways wanted in a way that best suits them.That might be exercising as a family, receivingweekly weigh-ins with diet and nutritionaladvice or attending a gym or swimmingsessions. For more information call 01622602222.

More memorials for CrematoriumVinters Park Crematorium has introduced several new styles ofmemorials including granite plaques, illustrated inscriptions andphoto plaques.

A granite planter, for inscribed plaques, has been added to the centreof the chapel burial lawn, and several new roses have been planted.

Near to the newly refurbished woodside walk, a striking granite bookhas been added with a choice of plaques spread across its open pages,

along with several granite mushrooms which can be inscribed.Information and prices are available on request from BereavementServices on 01622 602656, [email protected] www.maidstone.gov.uk

Youngsters to Youths

If you live in Park Wood or thesurrounding areas whatimprovements would you like tosee?

Projects already beingconsidered include:

CCTV at the parade of shops. Improving areas next to theparade. A mini-ball park to the rear ofthe shops. A dog-free picnic area at

Heather House CommunityCentre.

Motorcycle barriers to thepark.

In November 2010 a Park Woodaction plan was put into place todevelop the area resulting in:

Improved estate cleaning. Streamlined measures totackle noisy neighbours. A job shop and trainingprogramme for young people.

Additional activities forchildren and young people.Further work has been carriedout to explore some of theunderlying issues in the areawith workshops on health,teenage pregnancy,unemployment, education and

skills. New actions have beendeveloped. Now, thanks to50,000 funding which has beensecured by the council, moreimprovements can be made.

Additional funding is expectednext year from nearby housingdevelopments for a new skateand BMX park.

All the projects will providetraining and volunteeringopportunities for local residentsand young people. Residentsare being asked to list their toppriorities. Please contact theCommunity Development Teamon 01622 602222.

Prioritise projects for Park Wood Improving our online servicesWere trying to improve our website and what youare able to do online.

Tell us what you want to do on the councilswebsite, how you found the information and howeasy or difficult it was to find.

Your views matter to us, because it will helpshape our website for the future. Please help usby completing the questionnaire online at

www.maidstone.gov.uk/onlinesurveyor complete the following survey:

What do you want to do online?

How did you find what you were looking for?

Google Direct.gov

Maidstone.gov.uk homepage

How easy was it to find the followingon our website?

Rate the service from 1 to 5 (1-Very easy, 2-fairly easy,3-neither, 4- fairly difficult, 5-very difficult)

A planning application ( )Your rubbish collection dates for Christmas ( )To order a new bin ( )How much your Council Tax is ( )How busy the car parks in Maidstone are ( )

Thank you!Please return it to us Freepostto the address below:

Communications

FREEPOST RRXT-HRHX-LKAS

Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone HouseKing Street, Maidstone Kent ME15 6JQ

Or email [email protected]

(please tick box)

Illegal taxi trading leads to suspensions


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www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Putting footballat the heart ofthe community

Christmas at thecouncil

Work on Maidstone Uniteds new

ground at James Whatman Way willstart this autumn but ahead of thereturn to the county town in August2012, the club has been building oneof most impressive community set-ups in the country.

Men, women, boys and girls aredonning the clubs famous amber andblack kit to take part in fun orcompetitive football.

It all starts with children aged betweenfour and seven who head up to the AstorSports Centre at Oakwood Park everySaturday morning for The Pebbles Club.

The club has youth teams starting fromunder 7s up to under 18s. There are

mixed teams in the lower age groupsand separate boys and girls teams fromthe time children reach the age of 10.Teams play in the Kent or Maidstoneyouth leagues.

At under 18 level, the club competes inthe Ryman Youth League, an elitestandard of youth football. From thereplayers move into the reserve team,with some making it into the first team.

Club chiefexecutive BillWilliams said:Maidstone

United has afantasticcommunitysection. Weare blessedwith talentedplayers anddevotedvolunteercoaching staff.Our aim is to bring locally-basedplayers through from the age of sevenand hopefully see the pick of the bunchgoing on to play in the first team.

Its all about nurturing and supportingyoung players to enjoy sport and be thebest they can be.

In recent years the club has invested a

lot of time and effort in developingfootball for girls and ladies, and peoplewith a disability.

Maidstone United Ladies play in theSouth East League and there are teams

at under 10 and under 16 level.More girls teams will be added inthe coming seasons.

The clubs award-winningdisability section makes thebeautiful game accessible tochildren and adults with physicalor learning disabilities. The sixdisability teams take part in avariety of tournamentsthroughout the season. There arealso two teams for deaf players one for juniors and another for

adults. Maidstone United is recognisedas one of the leading deaf-friendlyfootball clubs in England.

In addition to the many teams, the clubprovides after-school coaching, adevelopment centre for children in thelast year of primary school before theymove on to 11-a-side football, and thisSeptember the Maidstone UnitedFootball Academy opened their doorsfor the first time. The academy providesan exciting opportunity for footballers tocontinue in full-time education, aftercompleting their GCSEs, and combine itwith the sport they love.

Bill Williamsadded:Everyone at theclub is lookingforward toreturning toMaidstone andplaying an activerole in the localcommunity. Thenew ground willbe used by theclubs RymanLeague team,our 30+

community teams, as well as otherlocal clubs, businesses, communitygroups and schools. Its a facility wewant the whole borough to be part of

and proud of.For more information about MaidstoneUnited Football Club, log on towww.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone Borough Council will beopen as usual until noon on Friday,December 23. The offices will then beclosed for Christmas, opening againat 8.30am on Thursday, December 29.

The offices will also be closed onBank Holiday Monday, January 2.

Council information is available 24/7365 days a year on our website www.maidstone.gov.uk.

A 24-hour payment hotline isavailable on 01622 602544. For anyMaidstone council emergencies overChristmas and the New Year, pleasetelephone 01622 602000.

Christmas Waste

CollectionsPlease look out for your new recyclingcalendar, including details of yourChristmas refuse and recyclingcollections, being sent out soon.

Visit www.maidstone.gov.uk for moreinformation about your refuse,recycling and food waste services

Snow

As we approach the winter season,there is a risk of snow affecting thewaste and recycling services. If weget bad weather, we will try our bestto maintain normal services so pleaseleave your bins out and we will emptythem as soon as possible. Regularupdates will be available online -

www.maidstone.gov.uk@maidstonebc on our twitter site orwww.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil.


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Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of the recession and

bring prosperity to the borough. We help residents with housing and council taxbenefits, heating and insulation grants, home improvement grants, free bus travel

and by support for organisations which offer money advice.

Useful numbersCitizens Advice Bureau 01622 752420 or 01622 757882

Council tax 01622 602003

Housing benefit and generalhousing advice 01622 602557

National debtline freephone 0808 808 4000

Heating and insulation grants -01622 602470

First time buyers grants -01622 602470

Energy Saving Trust -0800 512 012

Concessionary Travel -08458 247802

Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700

Maidstone hasbecome moreapp-ealling to

visitors after thetowns firsttourism app waslaunched.

Maidstone is thefirst destination inthe south east tohave its own visitorguide app.

The Maidstone app, which is the officialvisitor guide to the town, is available forthe iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The appprovides an interactive guide to the townand its surrounding areas.

The free app is suitable for visitors andresidents and provides lots ofinformation on whats on, where to eatand drink, what to see and do, where tostay, and where to shop.

The app is frequently updated with onlyquality assured accommodation.It is available from iTunes or the AppStore by searching for Maidstone.

To find out more, or to get your businessan enhanced profile on the app and thewebsite, contact the Visitor EconomyBusiness Unit on 01622 602748 or [email protected]

01622 602000 [email protected] www.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ

Find out what home-basedbusinesses in Maidstone Borough aredoing, their value to present/futureeconomy and what they need.

Set up low cost work hubs withinexisting organisations buildings.

Get the right planning policies topromote effective homeworking and

genuine live/work property.

Link work hubs with public sector

staff working from home.

Link to a lower carbon economy and

fast broadband.

Support tenants starting businesses

from home.

Create sustainable live/work business

clusters.

Work Hubs

The council asa businessTurning thetown hall intoa weddingvenue, hot airballoon ridesin Mote Park,generating electricity to sell to thegrid or having a text service to payfor parking tickets these are justsome of the ideas being looked atby one of the councils scrutinycommittees.

The Corporate Services committeeis asking the people of Maidstoneto think out of the box and send inmoney-saving and income-generating ideas.

It is part of its latest review thecouncil as a business? Thecommittee is looking for ideas thatwill help the council make money,which will reduce the need forsavings and it will help keep moneyin taxpayers pockets. Thecommittee will look at every idea tosee if it is possible to make them areality.

More than 50 responses havealready come in. Please sendyour ideas to -

www.maidstone.gov.uk/scrutiny,email [email protected] orOrla Sweeney on 01622 602524.

Maidstone Borough Council has worked with Kent County Council to host a

knowledge sharing event on homeworking, live/work and work hubs.The seminar, which was led by Tim Dwelly, director of Live/Work Network andleading work hub specialist, was assisted by a team of experts.

The event enabled people to understand how to:

For more information visit www.locateinmaidstone.com

Tourism app launchedin Maidstone


12/12

To book tickets go online at www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk or ring the Box Office 01622 758611.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/maidstonebc


Whilst Christmas should be a happy time for everyone

it so often brings difficulties too especially financial

problems according to Kent Savers. Chief Officer, John

Fowler explains: It is very much a time when folks get

into debt and that causes real difficulties and distress

for ages afterwards."

Kent Savers is a credit union a not-for-profit

organisation providing financial services for the people

of Kent.

Mr Fowler says: We are owned by our members, we

deliver genuinely safe and reasonable services and weare not trying to make a profit - because we are not

allowed to!

Visit www.kentsavers.co.uk

or call 0333 321 9050 to findout more about how to save or borrow.

Christmas is coming!

borough update october 2011

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