borough update april 2013

7/28/2019 Borough Update April 2013

1/12

www.maidstone.gov.uk

Celebrate Mote Park

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giftcard to spend at

UpdateEast, April 2013Borough

Maidstone Borough Council

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2/12

2 Maidstone Borough Council

Most weekend s Maidstone council refuse lorries collect bulkyhousehold rubbish from locations in your area. Take yourrefuse to the Saturday Freighter Service at the times show n:Saturday 6 April

07:45 - 08:30 Otham

08:45 - 09:45 Bearsted Village Green

Saturday 13 April

07:45 - 08:15 Walderslade. Impton Lane/Spendlow Drive

08:25 - 09:00 Walderslade. Impton Lane/Olivine Road

09:15 - 10:00 Bredhurst. Hurstwood Road

10:15 - 11:00 Stockbury Village Hall

12:00 - 12:45 Detling Village Hall

14:50 - 15:45 Sandling. Tyland Barn

Saturday 20 April12:00 - 12:55 Vinters Park. Marston Road

13:05 - 14:05 Vinters Park. Hampton Road

Saturday 4 May

12:15 - 13:00 Grove Green. Grovewood Drive South

13:10 - 14:00 Grove Green. Grovewood Drive North

14:10 - 15:10 Madginford. Merton Road

15:10 - 15:45 Bearsted. Ashford Road/Rosemary Road

Saturday 11 May

09:05 - 09:50 Senacre. Woolley Road

09:45 - 10:20 Senacre. Betsham Road

Saturday 1 June

07:45 - 08:30 Frinsted Church

08:40 - 09:20 Wormshill. The Street

09:30 - 10:10 Harrietsham. Church Lane

10:20 - 11:00 Harrietsham Primary School

12:00 - 12:40 Lenham. Douglas Road

12:50 - 13:30 Lenham. Ham Lane/Cherry Orchard

13:40 - 14:20 Lenham. Honeywood Road

14:30 - 15:10 Platts Heath. Green Lane

15:15 - 15:45 Grafty Green. Church Lane

Saturday 8 June07:45 - 08:30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead

08:45 - 09:15 Lenham. Lenham Heath Road

09:25 - 09:55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens

15:15 - 15:45 Leeds. Brogden Crescent

Saturday 15 June

07:45 - 08:30 Otham

08:45 - 09:45 Bearsted Village Green

We cannot accept garden waste, very large bulky items and

electrical or hazardous items. You can dispose of theseitems through our paid for bulky collection service or at the

household waste recycling centre at Burial Ground Lane, Tovil,Maidstone. It is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm, andSunday and Bank Holidays, 9am to 4pm. For more informationabout our bulky rubbish services, including paid for doorstepcollections, visit maidstone.gov.uk or call the cleansing hotlineon 01622 602162.

Free bulky rubbish service

Maidstone

BoroughCommercialWaste Solutionsis the councilsfirst major newcommercialenterprise, withthe councillooking to offsetreductions incentralgovernment funding by covering costs through commercialinitiatives. The service will support local businesses with ahigh quality service, tailored to individual needs. It includesa free paper and cardboard collection, flexible collectiontimes, no hidden charges and no lengthy contracts.

New commercialwaste collection

If you run abusiness inthe boroughand would like to find out more, please call 01622 602666,email [email protected] orsearch for commercial waste at www.maidstone.gov.uk.

More recycling soonThe countdown is on- less than six months to go untilMaidstone residents will be able to recycle more!

The new joint waste partnership with Biffa Municipal andAshford and Swale borough councils, comes into effect inMaidstone in August, giving exciting opportunities to recycle

more materials.Look out for information in July. In the meantime dontforget to keep on recycling all your tins, cans, paper,cardboard, plastic bottles, yoghurt pots and tubs and foodwaste. It really makes a difference - Maidstone is on targetto recycle 50% of our rubbish.

Download the free Recycle forMaidstone app from the AppStore or Google Play store forup-to-date information onyour waste & recyclingservices, or to report problemsfrom fly-tipping to abandonedcars.

Available oniPhone and

Androiddevices.

Recycle for

MaidstoneApp


3/12

Maidstone Borough Council 3

Maidstone Borough Council is asking residents

to pay about an extra 8p a week for its services,such as planning, waste andrecycling collections, andstreet cleaning for the yearApril 2013 to March 2014.The borough council froze itscouncil tax for each of the lasttwo years but agreed anincrease of 1.9% in order toprotect services in futurefinancial years. The councildecided not to accept acouncil tax freeze grantbecause it was equivalent to a

1% increase for two yearsonly. After two years thecouncil would have to makebigger savings when the grantwas withdrawn. The increaseis within the governmentsthreshold for council taxincreases.As a result the full cost of theborough councils services forthe year will rise by 4.23 ayear for a Band D taxpayer to226.62.

Kent County Council has frozen its council tax and thecharge for its services will remain at 1,047.78.The Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority hasfrozen its council tax and the charge for its serviceswill remain at 67.95.The bill for the Police and Crime Commissioner forKent will rise by 2% from 138.68 to 141.47 for BandD taxpayers.

That means that the total bill for a band D taxpayer,excluding parish council precepts, will rise by 0.48%from 1,476.80 to 1,483.82.

Parish preceptsCouncil Tax bills for most rural areas include anadditional parish council precept. These range from23.56 for Boughton Malherbe to 73.02 for Leeds.Maidstone councils budget includes support forparishes of 110,631 in 2013-14 to compensate themfor the loss of income due to council tax benefitchanges which will reduce the amount they collect intax from their residents.

Out of every council tax pound - 71pgoes to Kent County Council, 15p goes

to Maidstone Borough Council, 9p to KentPolice and Crime Commissioner, and 5p to

Kent Fire and Rescue (excluding parishcouncil precepts).

Consultation on this years budget asked people for theirviews on the cabinets proposals for savings, specificallywhether the council should provide services directly itself orthrough voluntary, business and charity organisations, andwhether the council should provide profitmakingcommercial services and borrow money to cover the start upcosts of them. Residents were asked how they wanted tocontact the council. 476 people completed the councilsconsultation exercise by telephone, online and at theMaidstone Gateway.

There were good levels of support for the cabinetsproposals to provide more services through voluntary,business and charitable organisations (53% in favour), andto provide commercial profit making services such as a newcommercial waste collection for shops and offices (60% in

favour). There was less support for the councils proposalsto borrow money to cover the start up costs of commercialprofit making services (30% in favour) and the cabinetagreed to write to consultees and publish the safeguards thecouncil has put in place for borrowing.

The safeguards which have been agreed by the Cabinet,Audit Committee and the Full Council include:

T All commercial activity will be considered on a scheme byscheme basis by councillors;

T The return on investment must cover the full cost ofborrowing;

T Borrowing will be by the most economically advantageousand secure method;

T Borrowing will be in accordance with statutory guidelines

Budget consultation

Council tax facts

The total charge for KentCounty Council, MaidstoneBorough Council, Policeand Crime Commissioner,and Kent and Medway Fireand Rescue Services forevery band is:

A 998.21B 1,154.08C 1,318.95D 1,483.82E 1,813.56F 2,143.30G 2,473.03H 2,967.64

All figures exclude parishcouncil precepts.

Council taxbands

How your council tax

pounds are spent

Kent CountyCouncil 71p

Maidstone Borough Council 15p

Police and Crime

Commissioner forKent 9p

Kent and MedwayFire and Rescue 5p


4/12

Get compostingMore than a third of householdwaste can be composted. Visit

www.getcomposting.com or call0844 571 4444 for great valuecompost bins.

Uprockin save the date!The Uprockin BMX andskateboarding competition will takeplace on Saturday 6 July, 12pm to6pm, at the Skates and Bruisesskate park in South Park,Armstrong Road, Maidstone.For more information call01622 602222.

Spring market

A mini farm, creepy crawlyroadshow and birds of prey aresome of the attractions on offer atthis years Spring Market, BarkerRoad, Maidstone, on Tuesday 9April from 7:30am-1:30pm.

Facebook and TwitterDid you know that the council hasits own Facebook and Twitterpages? Like us atfacebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil and follow us on Twitter@maidstonebc for news, photosand service updates.

Captain NolanA new statue is soon to be unveiledoutside Trinity Foyer in Maidstonecommemorating Captain Nolan, acavalry officer of the 15th KingsRoyal Hussars and riding master atMaidstone Cavalry Depot from 1841to 1854. He is famous for his rolein the Charge of the Light Brigade.

If U need trainingThe U has launched in Maidstone,offering residents free trainingsessions in practical areas like firstaid and defusing conflict. Visitwww.the-u.org.uk/maidstone formore information.

Garden WasteThe councils new garden binsubscription service has provedvery popular. More than 2,500residents have signed up in thepast few months since the changeswere introduced. Thank you toeveryone who has joined theservice.

Dont forget if you still have someold compostable garden sacks you

need to use them by 28 June 2013.The garden bin subscription servicecosts 30 per year for a standardsize bin or 27 per year for a smallbin. To order a bin phone 01622602600.

News in brief


Weve got a new website.Tell us what you think!

Planningadviceservice

Were launching a new website soon and we need your help with testinghow it works and checking that it does what you want it to do.

We want to make sure that our website is easy to use and provides all ofthe informationour customersneed. The newhomepagefeatures themain tasksthat peoplecome to ourwebsite for, sothat you can dowhat you want

to do quicklyand easily, andall of thecontent hasbeen rewrittento make sure its jargon free and understandable by all of our customers.

You can try out the new website at http://www.beta.maidstone.gov.uk

Take a look around the site and let us know how you find your experience,if theres anything we need to tweak, or if there are any problems youencounter along the way.

You can use the Site Feedback form which youll see on the right handside of each content page or you can [email protected]

Maidstone councilspre application adviceservice will helpanyone thinking of

applying for planningpermission.

Householders can find out the issues and sort out any problems beforean application is submitted.

Developers canobtain planningadvice and makesure they have allthe relevantstudies andassessmentsbeforesubmitting

schemes.Written advicestarts at 36 for

householders and 120 for developers. For more information visit theplanning pages www.maidstone.gov.uk email [email protected] call 01622 602736.


5/12

Civic Trust award

News from the MUSEUM

Maidstone Museums East Wing extension hasreceived a prestigious commendation from theCivic Trust. The awards recognise the best in thebuilt environment, looking for projects that are

not simply architecturally advanced, exciting,innovative or striking, but also of benefit to theirlocal community.

The assessors said that the East Wing extensionrepresents excellent value for money,transforming a local museum through newadditions and alterations to the existing Grade IIbuilding, part of a phased redevelopment of thesite acting as the catalyst for regeneration of thispart of Maidstone.

If you havent had a look round yet, why not take advantage of our summeropening hours? Were now open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday and12pm-4pm on Sundays, with free entrance!

More information on all upcoming exhibition and events can be found atwww.museum.maidstone.gov.uk. Bookings via 01622 602838.

Bank holiday Monday 27 May, 12-4pm -Activity Trails and QuizzesActivities at 10:30am, 11:30am,12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm on thefollowing days are suitable forchildren aged 4 and over.Drop-in or book on the day.All 2.50 per child except RomanNotebooks, 1 per child.

Tuesday 28 May - Flower Garden Peg

FramesGet sticky and have fun creating aflower garden picture frame.

Wednesday 29 May - EthnographicCloth PrintingInspired by the Tapa cloths in thecollection, create your own decorativewall hanging.

Thursday 30 May - Bouncing Bug andBird MobilesChoose bugs and birds to make adecorative mobile for your room athome.

Friday 31 May - Roman NotebooksMake your own notebook and decorateit with Roman motifs and symbols.

May Half-Term Activities

The Kent CountyPhotographic Associationannual exhibition returns,bringing together the bestnew photographs frommembers of the regionalKent photographicassociations. The printsare drawn from thepictorial, monochrome,pictorial colour, record,portrait and nature

categories until 18 May

The best of Kent

The best in theWorld

Talk -Better Plant and GardenPhotographySaturday 25 May, 10:30amAdults 5 Concessions 3Join renowned garden photographerand Director of the International GardenPhotographer of the Year, Philip Smith,for a talk on Better Plant and GardenPhotography. Booking required.

Tea, Talk & Walk - Come and Discover

Maidstones Historic Past.

Tuesdays, 11:30am

Adults 5 Concessions 3Meet at the museums Bentlif libraryfor refreshment and an engaging talk,followed by a town walk led by aqualified guide. Talks cover everythingfrom art and architecture to crime andpunishment. Booking is advisable.

Events for familiesand childrenTiny Talk TimeFirst Wednesday of the month, 10:30am50p per childStorytelling and colouring activity for theunder 5s in the museum cafe.

1 May - Stomp, Chomp, Big Roars, HereCome the Dinosaurs

5 June - Jack and the Flum Flum Tree

3 July - Mad about Minibeasts

Wiggle & JiggleThird Wednesday of the month, 10:30am50p per childPlay instruments and sing along topopular nursery rhymes - for the under5s.

Events for adults

The most prestigious flower andgarden photography competition andexhibition in the world will be atMaidstone Museum from 25 May to 14July.

The International Garden Photographerof the Year is run in association withthe Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It isopen to amateurs and professionalsalike, attracting over 18,000 entrieseach year. This stunning exhibition willshowcase specially selectedphotographs from winners andfinalists.

Confused GrasshopperBy Matt Cole. FromInternational GardenPhotographer of the YearCompetition 5, 2012

Dewy Glanville Fritillary by John Bogle)


6/12


Benefitschanges adviceIf you have been affected by therecent benefits changes, help andadvice is available in MaidstoneGateway, where advisors from arange of organisations, includingthe council and the Citizens AdviceBureau, can let you know whatsupport is available.You can also call the council on01622 602557, or the Citizens AdviceBureau on 01622 752420. If you areaffected by the changes to housingbenefit and are in social housing,your landlord will be able to offeryou advice in the first instance.

Maidstone people will have the chance to support the county townstroops, many of whom will have seen action in Afghanistan, at thisyears Civic and Freedom Parade on Sunday, 19 May.

The parade will mark the start of the new Mayors year. Troops from36 Engineer Regiment (Search), will exercise their right as Freemen

of the Borough to march with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drumsbeating. The Band of the Corp of Royal Engineers will be playing inJubilee Square from 10am prior to joining up with the 36 Engineers(Search) in front of County Hall.

The troops will assemble in front of County Hall and then march alongWeek Street to meet with civilian contingents at the junction with EarlStreet in time for the parade to step off at 11am. It will march alongWeek Street, High Street, where the Mayor will take the salute at11.02am, and Mill Street before finishing at All Saints Church wherethere will be a civic service.

Once the parade has passed the Town Hall, the Mayor will board SirTyrwhitt Drakes carriage and lead a procession of military and civicdignitaries and Maidstone Borough Councillors down the High Street,into Mill Street and on to All Saints Church

The council will be handing out Union Jack flags for people to waveduring the parade.

Baroness Helen Newlove has visitedMaidstone to find out about theDont Abuse the Booze projectbeing delivered in the borough totackle problem drinking. BaronessNewlove watched a Dont Abuse theBooze lesson at Maplesden NoakesSchool before visiting the SwitchYouth Caf to meet youth workers.

She also visited the Urban Blue Buswhich provides assistance to visitorsto the town centre on Friday andSaturday nights.

The project aims to ensurethat all young peoplereceive regular, effectivealcohol education, and tokeep people safe inMaidstone town centre onFriday and Saturdaynights. It is one of tenacross the country thathas been funded by theBaroness Newlove AlcoholFund and is delivered byMaidstone council with partners

including Kent County Council, theSafer Maidstone Partnership and theKenward Trust.

Dont abuse the booze

Maidstones big parade

Kent Savers is a credit union with anethical approach to saving andborrowing money - member-ownedand member-controlled. It providesfinancial services to its members,including affordable loans, ethicalsavings and services for those whomight have difficulty accessingnormal financial services. For moreinformation, call 0333 321 9050 orvisit www.kentsavers.co.uk

Progress to workPeople looking to get back into workcan get help, coaching and supportby signing up to the Progressprogramme. Visitwww.progressprogramme.com,call 0808 168 9230 or text PROGRESSto 60002 for more information.

Affordable

lending and safesaving

Image: The Royal Engineers will be marching through Maidstone on

Sunday 19 May


7/12

Maidstone Borough Council 7

Meeting the boroughs housing need

Maidstones growing population

means that the borough willhave to provide for up to 14,800

houses between 2011 and 2031.

It is likely that we will need to

find additional land for about

4,500 homes to meet a target of

14,800 dwellings. No decisions

have been made. Everyone will

have a chance to get involved.

The council will want residentsand others to get involved in the

debate about where new growth

should take place and the future

shape of our borough.

Call for sitesTo find out if the demand placed

on our borough can be met the

council was required to carry out a

Strategic Housing Land

Availability Assessment. At the

same time the council looked for

employment sites and gypsy and

traveller sites.The first stage in the process was

a public call for sites during

December 2012 and January 2013.

The council advertised that it was

looking for sites through adverts on its

website and in local papers. It

contacted everyone on its planning

database, including developers, agents,planning consultants and the public.

Equalconsideration160 housing sites and 15 mixed

schemes of varying sizes were

suggested throughout

the borough.

The council must give

equal consideration to

every site or risk

judicial review and

financial penalties.

Every site will be

considered for

sustainable location,

policy constraints,

physical and

infrastructure

constraints ecology, highways

issues, access to services, flood risk,

landscape, heritage impacts, and

adjacent uses, etc. No decisions have

been made about any sites. Thecouncil will consult on its preferred

housing and employment sites and

gypsy and traveller sites in the Autumn.

Populationforecasts

The housing target is

based on the latest

demographic forecasts,

updated by Kent County

Council, taking account of

Department for

Communities and Local

Government household

projections released in

November 2010.

The 10-year historic

trend for Maidstone

demonstrates a need for 14,800

dwellings between 2011 and 2031,

which will increase the resident labour

supply by 7,600 workers.

PublicconsultationThe public will have a minimum of 6

weeks to comment on the sites. The

consultation will be advertised in local

papers and the councils website. We

will contact everyone who has

responded to previous consultations on

the local plan. Look out for more

information in future issues of Borough

Update.


8/12

New volunteers are needed to jointhe Mote Park Fellowship. It is agroup of volunteers who give uptheir time to help restore andenhance the park.

Volunteers can work in the parkto create wildlife habitats, deliverevents or improve facilities.Theres no shortage of work forhands on volunteers in the parkbut we also need others withexpertise to help set up a

charitable trust to secure newfunding for the park.

If youre interested, come along tothe open day at Maidstone LeisureCentre on 27 April. There will be a

presentation at 10am followed bytea and cakes and then a guidedwalk around Mote Park finishingat 1:30pm. Visitwww.facebook.com/motepark formore details, or [email protected]

Mote Park events

Monday 29 April,9:30am-3:30pmIntroduction to Birdwatching28Classroom and field activities.

Saturday 4 May, 9:30am-12pmMote Park Spring WildlifeWatchA seasonal wildlife walk aroundMote Park.

Friday 10 May, 9:30am-3:30pmBird Song Study Day 28Classroom and field activities.

Saturday 11 May, 10:30am-12:30pmWild Foods Walk with Carol2.50Foraging for wild foods with ourlocal bushcraft expert.

Saturday 11 May, 2pm til lateBat Walk Leaders Training 40

- adults only.An introduction to bats and theirconservation, followed by a batwalk.

Monday 27 May,9:30am-12:30pmRiver Len Safari 6Guided walk along theriverbank and guided rowaround the lake courtesy of theMote Park water sports centre.

Thursday 30 May, 7-9pmThe Ecology of Mote ParkDiscover how every plant, treeand animal plays its part in theday to day life of Mote Park.

Saturday 15 June, 12-4pmTeddy Bears PicnicFamily fun for the little ones(free but some activities may becharged) No booking necessary.

Thursday 20 June,6.30pm-9pmThe History of Mote ParkGuided walk explores the

hidden history of Mote Park.Tuesday 9 JulyLakeside theatre - Richard III9.50 Adults, 6 concessions.

All events are free unless stated. For chargeableevents, please book through the Hazlitt Theatre on01622 758611. For other bookable events pleaseemail [email protected].

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/moteparkor email [email protected].

Pictureyour lovefor Mote ParkDo you love Mote Park? Do you enjoy taking photos?If this sounds like you, then wed love to see your images!Enter the Mote Park Photography Contest 2013.

Your photo could

giftcard to spend at

WIN A

250

The competition is free toenter, open to everyone*.Images can depict any aspectof life in Mote Park fromscenic views, dramaticlandscapes and strikingwildlife to family days out, funactivities and everything inbetween. The competition willrun on a monthly basis andentries will be available toview on the Mote ParkFacebook page. Two heat winners each monthwill go on to compete in the Grand Final of thecompetition, with one photographer being named

overall winner for 2013.

How to enterSimply send your entries via email [email protected] with yourname and contact telephone number; eachmonths heat closes on the last day of the month,with the final deadline Saturday 31 August.Entries are limited to two photos per person permonth and any photos received after the deadline

will be entered intothe followingmonthscompetition.

Entries will beavailable to view at

www.facebook.com/ motepark. Submission is byemail only any works uploaded directly on tothe Facebook page will not be valid. Good luck!

Terms and ConditionsAll images must be taken in Mote Park and must be yourown work. By emailing your photos, you give permissionfor Maidstone Borough Council to reproduce your imagesin publicity and promotional material and to be displayedon the Mote Park Facebook page. Maidstone BoroughCouncil will assume that any persons shown in photoshave given their full permission for their image to beincluded in such material. Heat winners will be chosenby a peoples vote on the Mote Park Facebook page andby an invited Guest Judge or representative of MaidstoneBorough Council. The decision of the judging panel isfinal and discussion will not be entered into.

* The competition is not open to employees of MaidstoneBorough Council

Join the fellowship


9/12

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

Sing- a-long-a JosephHazlitt Theatre - 4pm,

Sunday 14 April

Tickets 15, concessions 13, family of 4(2 adults & 2 children) 50, family of 3

(must have at least 1 child) 37.50

A fully interactive screening of the 1999 film ofthe original stage version starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard

Attenborough and Joan Collins with on-screen subtitles.

The evening begins with your host leading a vocal warm up, judging the fancydress competition, teaching some groovy moves and showing you how to use your

free goody bag. Burst into song and dance in the aisles at the most colourfulevent in years. It couldnt be easier or more fun!

Fancy dress strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential.

Four Farces

Exchange Studio 8pm,Saturday 6 April

Tickets 12, concessions 10

Resident Hazlitt company,European Arts Co. returns with adelicious evening of one-act Farcesfrom the Victorian stage. Theresmore than a hint of The Goons and

Monty Python in these four playsentitled Wanted, A Young Lady, Boxand Cox, An UnwarrantableIntrusion and Duel in the Dark.Involving duelling pistols, crossdressing, thwarted lovers, double-crossing, romance and intoxication,these colourful comic caperspromise a sublime evening ofmayhem and merriment.'European Arts Company reallytakes the audience by storm. Asurreal performance, witty and

hilarious, full of energy, talent andcreativity.' - Culture Guide

Easter Treats at theHazlitt Arts Centre

Russian CossacksHazlitt Theatre 7.30pm, Thursday 18 AprilTickets 18.50, concessions 16.50

The Cossacks fiery dances and songs are as true and honest asthe souls of their country folk. Particular attention has been paidto the detail of the Cossacks wonderfully traditional and elaboratecostumes. The highlight of this spectacular show is the GreatCossack Dance for which special sabres have been made oftitanium, ensuring sparks really do fly.

Come and witness the glowing vitality and immense warmthto live a Russian Cossack's life, if only for a night.For more information please visit www.BookBallet.co.uk

The NightingaleExchange Studio 2.30pm, Sunday 7 AprilTickets 8, concessions 6. For ages 4+

Imagine you could have anything youwanted...the best that money can buy.Unfortunately for the little King, healready has that, and he still feelssomethings missing. That is, until heis enchanted by the most beautiful

sound in the world and finds friendshipin the most unexpected place.

A sweet, funny and beautiful show forfamilies.

Horse + Bamboo make theatre that isfantastically visual. This age old storyfrom Hans Christian Andersen is toldthrough a mesmerising blend of

masks, puppetry, animation, vividperformance and original music.


10/12

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

Time to Change


Weight For ItFree 10 week weight loss programme for adults - fun &friendly weekly weigh-in with diet and nutritional advice,delivered across the Maidstone borough.

Book now to attend one of the following groups, startingweek commencing 22 April.

T Lenham Community Centre,Mondays, 10.30-11.30

T YMCA Loose, Mondays14.00-15.00

T Fusion Healthy LivingCentre, Thursdays10.30-11.30

Go For ItFree 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:10 week holistic lifestyle programme,including nutrition advice and low costexercise regime for just 1 per visit.Held at Zeroth Active Zone, BoughtonLane, Maidstone.

Adult Weight ManagementProgramme:

A 12 week programme consisting of weekly diet andnutrition seminars, also take advantage of the low costgym, swim and exercise classes for just 1 per visit.Held at Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone.

For more information on any

of the programmes email

[email protected]

Why not join the 34,500 people who have pledged to tackle stigma and raiseawareness of mental health. It could be as simple as I pledge to talk aboutmental health or pledge to get your organisation involved in raisingawareness of mental health. Visit www.time-to-change.org.uk

Connect:Connect with the people around you. This can be at home,work, school or within a community setting. Building theseconnections will support and enrich you every day.

Be active:Go for a run or a walk. Step outside. Play a game. Be inthe garden. Exercising makes you feel good. Discover aphysical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level ofmobility and fitness.

Take notice:Be curious. Savour the moment. Notice yoursurroundings. Be aware of the world around you andwhat you are feeling. Reflecting on your experienceswill help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep learning:Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Take on adifferent responsibility at work. Set a challenge you willenjoy achieving- learning can make you more confident aswell as being fun.

Give:Do something nice for a friend or stranger. Thanksomeone. Smile. Volunteer your time.

Follow our 5 steps to look after your mental health

Useful websites and Informationwww.mind.org.uk

www.time-to-change.org.uk

www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealthwww.tipsondealingwithdepression.orgwww.kent.gov.uk/community_and_living/volunteering.aspx

Information about self-help support groups0845 123 2320

Maidstone Mind: 01622 692383

Look after your mental healthWe all have mental health, like we havephysical health, and its important to takecare of both to promote our overall wellbeing.

One in four people will experience a mentalhealth problem in any one year, so it is likelythat one day you or someone close to you willexperience poor mental health. Mental

illness is still surrounded by prejudice,and attitudes towards those sufferingmental health problems means it is harder

for them to make friends, work and live anormal life - many people say that thediscrimination is a bigger burden than theillness itself.


11/12

make it prosperous

COUNCIL CONTACTS

Corporate Property - 01622 [email protected]

Economic Development - 01622 [email protected]

Planning Applications Helpline - 01622 [email protected]

Tourism/Visitor Economy Team - 01622 [email protected]

Steve Goulette, Business Champion01622 602134

[email protected]

For business support and local business contacts:Maidstone Business Directory - 01622 [email protected]

MAKE IT MAIDSTONE

Maidstone is the first choice location for business in Kent, withinternational as well as local influence. Maidstone is committed tohelping its 7,000 businesses flourish and grow. It is a highlyattractive proposition for investors with competitive housing costs,a ready supply of skilled people and availability of qualitycommercial properties all set within a regionally significant retailcentre, rich in culture and heritage we have so much to be proud of.

Maidstone: Our Investment Success Story is a publication promoting the town and

surrounding area as a place to invest and do business, as well as a popular place inwhich to live and work.

If youd like a copy of thebrochure, which looks at towncentre regeneration,commercial success,sustainable growth, 21st centurylearning, the boroughs culturaloffer and the changinglandscape of the riverside area,visitwww.locateinmaidstone.co.uk.

How we can helpIf you are looking to start up inbusiness, searching foravailable commercial property,relocating or interested inapprenticeships or helpingsomeone to gain workexperience, please contact theEconomic DevelopmentServices on 01622 602394 andwe can help.

Case Study:KIMSThe new Kent Institute ofMedicine and Surgery will be anew state-of-the-art hospitalcampus open to both NHS andprivate patients. It will havehighly specialised areas ofexpertise within cardiology andneurology.

Invest in success

SustainabilityMaidstone has embraced sustainabledevelopment, from regeneratedhistoric landmarks to energy efficientnew homes. Our working target of14,800 new homes by 2031 will applythe principles of sustainabledevelopment to preserve ourenvironment whilst providing thehousing, jobs and facilities that ourgrowing population needs.

Case Study: Old Ophthalmic Hospital

The Old Hospital is a stunningconversion development involving theregeneration of the once beautifulbut disused Grade II-listed hospitalinto highly desirable new homes.

Capital connectionsMaidstone is in a great location andits excellent communications linksare highly significant in helping toshape a businesss decision to locatein the area. High speed rail servicesmean that the journey to London nowtakes just 47 minutes, and the M20provides direct access to the M25and the Channel Tunnel.

RegenerationMaidstones 2.2 million re-modelling of its HighStreet is the product of an international design

competition. The scheme enhances Maidstonesattractiveness to investors, visitors and shoppersby creating a new public space to support thetown centres role as a 21st century urbanentertainment centre as envisaged by MaryPortas in her recent review of high streets.

Image courtesy of Lee Elliott AlternativeLEE


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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

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

Mote Park has been transformed with a2.6million package of improvements. Alan Frithis audience development officer and its his job toget more people into the park.

Some facts about Mote Park

- Mote Park covers an area of 460 acres

- Maidstone Borough Council paid 50,000 topurchase Mote Park from the 2nd ViscountBearsted in 1929.

- A survey in 2012 found six species of smallmammals wood mice, yellow neck mice, bankvoles, field voles, common shrew and pygmy shrew.

- The park is home to 128 species of birds.

- More than one million people visited the park in2012.

VolunteersOver the past two yearsvolunteers havecompleted 4,500 hourswork, valued at 56,000.

Last year the park staged 47 events for 14,000 people.

The Mote Park restoration project was awarded 1.8million from the The Heritage Lottery Fund and the BigLottery Fund under their Parks for People scheme.

Improvements have included new paths, restorationof parkland, 100 new trees, car park improvements,new bridges, restoring the 1840s waterfall, visitor hubsat Willington Street and School Lane with car parksand play areas, and restoring the neoclassicalVolunteers Pavilion dating from the 1800s.

Workingforyou

Alans job includes- Co-ordinating the work of the volunteers

who help with conservation work around thepark.

- Planning and staging events such as teddybears picnics, tree planting parties,stargazing live, outdoor theatre, and kitefestivals.

What attracted you to the job?

Alan has worked in the entertainmentbusiness as a former DJ and was a Head ParkRanger at Tower Hamlets, working across 72sites. He says the opportunity to organiseevents coupled with the chance to work in

Kents premier park was an irresistiblecombination.

What do you like most about your job?

I like working with the volunteers becausethey share my passion for the park and I liketo think that the different events we put onencourage new people to fall in love with it.But the thing I like most is working close towildlife and the work we do to protect it.

What does good customer care mean to you?

Its taking the time to understand peoplespoints of view and their needs, and thenhelping them.

Image courtesy of Greg Mantanle

borough update april 2013

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