borough update july 2013

7/21/2019 Borough Update July 2013

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www.maidstone.gov.uk

UpdateEast, July 2013

Borough

Maidstone Borough Council

NEW COLLECTION DAYSand improvements to your

recycling and rubbishservice coming soon


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2 Maidstone Borough Council

Most Saturdays, Maidstone council refuse lorries collect bulkyhousehold rubbish from locations in your area. Take yourrefuse to the Saturday Freighter Service at the times shown:Saturday 13 July

12:15 13:00 Grove Green. Provender Way by School

13:10 14:00 Grove Green. Shepherds Gate Drive

14:10 15:10 Madginford. Merton Road

15:15 15:45 Bearsted. Ashford Road Rosemary Road

Saturday 20 July

09:05 09:45 Senacre. Woolley Road

09:50 10:20 Senacre. Betsham Road by garages

Saturday 24 August

07:45 08:30 Frinsted. At side of church08:40 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 OrchardEstate

13:40 14:20 Lenham. Honeywood Road

14:30 15:10 Platts Heath. Green Lane

15:15 15:45 Grafty Green. Church Lane

Saturday 31 August

07:45 08:30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead

08:45 09:15 Lenham. Warren Street09:25 09:55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens

Saturday 7 September

07:45 08:30 Otham. By council houses

08:45 09:45 Bearsted. Village Green


07:45 - 08:15 Walderslade. Impton Lane juncSpendlow Drive

08:25 09:00 Walderslade. Impton Lane junc OlivineRoad

09:15 10:00 Bredhurst. Hurstwood Road

10:15 11:00 Stockbury. Village Hall

12:00 12:45 Detling. Village Hall14:50 15:45 Sandling. Tyland Lane


12:00 12:55 Vinters Park. Marston Drive

13:05 14:05 Vinters Park. Hampton Road

Saturday 5 October

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

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, and Sunday and Bank Holidays, 9am to 4pm. For

more information about our bulky rubbish services, including

paid for doorstep collections, visit maidstone.gov.uk or call

the cleansing hotline on 01622 602600.

Free bulky rubbish service

in Mote Park

Mr Bloom & Friends Big Day Out is coming to MotePark. Produced by BBC Learning, this fun, freeevent will take place over the bank holiday weekendon 24, 25 and 26 August (10am 5pm each day).

As part of the Big Day Out, Mr Bloom and hisVeggies are bringing their special stage show'When Julian Lost his Wiggle' created for Tiddlerseverywhere. If you'd like to see the show, you'llneed to pre book your free tickets via the BBCwebsite athttp://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/eve

nts/mr_bloom_maidstone_2013 where you canalso find full details of the event. The BBC knowsthat the stage show is going to be popular amongstyoung fans so to make it fair, all names will bedrawn at random in advance. The deadline forapplying for tickets is Thursday 8 August at 4pm;please note that tickets are not available from MotePark or Maidstone Borough Council.

You won't need a ticket for general admission to theevent so don't worry if you're not successful in thedraw. All other activities are free to take part in,whether it's songs and storytelling withRastamouse and Da Easy Crew, playing giantgames, building dens or joining familiar CBeebiesfaces in fabulous fun.

All details are correct at the time of publication.Good luck with your application!


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Maidstone Borough Council 3

From Monday 5 August 2013, recyclingand rubbish collections in Maidstoneare changing. We are pleased toannounce that you will be able torecycle even more from your home inan easy and straightforward way.The changes are part of a new jointwaste collection contract with Ashfordand Swale Borough Councils and BiffaMunicipal Ltd. To provide this greatnew service, we have to change someof our current collection days and youwill receive a leaflet in the post in Julytelling you your new collection day foryour rubbish, recycling and food waste.Please read this leaflet carefully as itexplains what else you can start

Your recycling and rubbishcollections are changing

No housingtarget set

From Monday 5 August 2013, you will be able to put glass bottles and jars, foodand beverage cartons as well as plastic food trays and plastic punnets in yourgreen recycling bin to make it even easier for you to recycle. Look out for yourinformation leaflet in July.

The countdown to your improvedrecycling service has begun!

recycling in the green recycling bin from5 August. It will also include

information about the new recyclingcollections of textiles and smallelectrical items.From August, also keep an eye out forthe new modern vehicle fleet. The newvehicles will have two compartments sothey can collect rubbish or recycling inone and food waste in the other. Thiswill reduce the number of vehicles onthe road, saving fuel, reducingemissions and causing less disruptionto passing motorists.Garden waste collections have already

changed over the past few months, withthe introduction of a subscription-onlybased service. The garden wasteservice is now completely separate tothe rubbish and recycling collectionsand this means you may have a differentcollection day for your garden waste.If you subscribe to this service, you willreceive a separate calendar showingyour garden waste collection day andwhich week your collection will bemade.Thanks for what you have achievedalready: with your continued help wecan ensure that more than 50% of theboroughs rubbish is recycled by 2015.For more information about yourcollections please visitwww.recyclingtogether.co.uk ordownload the Recycle for MaidstoneApp.

IMPORTANT!

CHANGES TO

YOUR

COLLECTION

DAYFrom Monday 5 August 2013 yourrecycling and rubbish collectionday may be changing. Look out

for full details in your new

recycling and rubbish collectioncalendar which you will receive

through the post in July.

Although the government has notset a specific target, theDepartment for Communities andLocal Government has instructedthe council to provide housing tomeet population growth for theMaidstone Borough Local Planperiod 2011 to 2031.

So while no final target has beenset for the boroughs future housingneed, a working figure of 14,800dwellings was agreed by theCabinet in March based on apopulation forecast. This working

figure has been independentlyverified as a good starting point.

A lot more work needs to be donebefore it can be converted into adevelopment target. This includeslooking at what is possible in termsof housing land supply andassessment of environmentalconstraints. The Cabinet willdecide the figure in September.

Every site submitted during the callfor sites will be considered forsustainable location, policy

constraints, and physical andinfrastructure constraints such asecology, highways issues, access toservices, flood risk, landscape,heritage impacts, and adjacentuses.

Population forecastsThe working target is based on thelatest demographic forecasts,updated by Kent County Council,taking account of Department forCommunities and LocalGovernment household projections

released in November 2010. The10-year historic trend forMaidstone demonstrates a need for14,800 dwellings between 2011 and2031, which will increase theresident labour supply by 7,600workers.

ConsultationNo decisions have been made aboutany sites and council officers andexternal specialists are workingthrough the 150 plus housing sitesthat have been put forward to

ensure the robust process ofevaluation is completed bySeptember. The public will thenhave a minimum of 6 weeks tocomment on the sites in theautumn. The consultation will beadvertised in local papers and onthe councils website. We willcontact everyone who hasresponded to previousconsultations on the local plan.


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Staplehurst UprockinCome along to Staplehurst

Uprockin on 20 July for BMX,Scooter and Skateboardingsessions alongside a bootfair andother stalls. For moreinformation, call 01580 891761.

New WebsiteOur new website has launched,making it easier to do businesswith us and get in touch. VisitMaidstone.gov.uk to find outinformation, report problems andpay for things online at a time andplace that suits you.

Carriage MuseumThe Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum ofCarriages has re-opened for thesummer. The Museum, situated inthe Archbishops Palace complexon Mill Street, offers an intriguinginsight into the history oftransport and is home to a uniquecollection of horse-drawn vehiclesand transport curiosities. OpenWeds-Sun 12pm-4pm. 2 adults,1 concs.

SNAP DiscoThe popular SNAP disco for 11-17year olds is back on 20 Septemberat Maidstone Leisure Centre. Theevent is from 7pm-11pm andfeatures live music and a DJ.Tickets are 5 each and can bebought at the Leisure Centre oron the door. The event is run incollaboration with Kent Police andCrimestoppers as part of a say noto drugs campaign.

Love Where You LearnProud of your school? Love whereyou learn? Applications are invitedfrom local secondary schools tosubmit proposals for anti-litteringinitiatives. Several winners will beawarded grants of up to 2,000 toturn their proposals into reality.For more details phone 01622602115 or [email protected] The deadline for entries is22 November with the fundingawarded in December.

e-billingIts quick & easy to sign up toreceive your council tax bill byemail instead of through the post visit Maidstone.gov.uk andselect Council Tax andPaperless Billing

News in brief


Maidstones Executive Cabinet provides leadership at the top level of thecouncil and decides the councils priorities. It is responsible for the overallbusiness of the council and makes most decisions. All decisions must be inline with the overall policy and budget frameworks set by the council and

its decisions are subject to scrutiny by different groups of councillors.

Maidstones cabinet 2013-14

Chris Garland (Conservative) is the Leader ofMaidstone Borough Council.Since the borough council elections in May 2012, the council hashad 30 Conservative, 19 Liberal Democrat, 5 independent and 1Labour councillor. Fran Wilson (Liberal Democrat) is the Leader ofthe Opposition. As the Leader of the Council, Chris Garland isresponsible for the sustainable community strategy, strategic planand medium term financial strategy. He is an ambassador for the council andrepresents it on national and regional bodies such as the Kent forum. His prioritiesfor the year include the local plan and communication with residents, and keepingcouncil tax as low as possible, whilst maintaining front line services.

Cllr Malcolm Greer (Conservative) Cabinet Member for Economic and CommercialDevelopment (Deputy Leader)Responsible for economic development, the visitor economy, HazlittArts Centre, Maidstone museums, regeneration, commercialservices, sustainable construction and Maidstone market.

Brian Moss (Conservative) Cabinet Member for Corporate ServicesResponsible for people strategy, customer service, corporate finance,legal advice, information technology, property and procurement,council tax and housing benefit, and democratic services.

Cllr Marion Ring (Conservative) Cabinet Member for the EnvironmentResponsible for waste minimisation and recycling, air qualitymanagement, climate change and carbon management, cleansingservices, environmental health, licensing, Maidstone crematorium andcemetery, local biodiversity action planning and Cobtree Golf Course.

Cllr John A. Wilson (Conservative) Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure ServicesResponsible for strategic housing management, community safety,community development, parks, open spaces and allotments, leisureactivities, community engagement, and allocation and monitoring ofgrants.

Stephen Paine (Conservative) Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport andDevelopmentResponsible for the Local Development Framework, Development PlanDocuments, Development Management policies and developmentbriefs, Integrated Transport Strategy, planning enforcement, landcharges, building control, parking, park and ride, and public transportinitiatives.

Overview and scrutinyMaidstones overview and scrutiny committees challenge andinform the cabinet to ensure that the council is run in an effectiveand efficient way and in the best interests of residents.

Get involvedOverview and Scrutiny Committees look at services and issues that are importantto local people. Councillors can refer any matter affecting their ward to overviewand scrutiny, and we welcome input and views from residents. If you think thecouncil could be doing something better or in a different way, and youd likecouncillors to investigate, please contact [email protected], call 01622 602491or tweet us @maidstonesvoice.


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Worn to be WildA vibrant exhibition of fashion throughthe ages inspired by the wildlife of Britain,Worn to be Wild was created by dress

designer and textile artist Kate Plumtree.The collection is inspired by British birdsand mammals combined with the evolutionof period dress from medieval times to

the present.

From a medieval deer to a contemporaryhedgehog, each costume represents a

different species and a specific era offashion. Adults and children can even tryon some of the outfits in the dressing uparea!

News from the MUSEUM

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

Home Front Bus and World War II Fun Day

2 & 3 August, 10:00-17:00Get on board the Home Front Bus and stepback in time! There will also be a childrensWorld War II workshop with excitingchildrens activities. On 3 August, join in thefamily picnic in Brenchley Gardens with

1940s entertainment and a Cake Bakecompetition.

Creepy crawlies, bugs and beasties

9 August, 11:00-16:00Fun activities - handle the bugs andbeasties.

Summer Holiday Activities

Treasuresfrom Hirado

Teddy Bear Workshop

16 August, 10:30 and 14:00Make your own teddy bear and dressit with Worn to be Wild creator KatePlumtree.

Childrens Craft Activities

sessions at 10:30, 11:30,

12:30, 13:30 and 14:30

Designer Dinosaurs 25 July, 14 August

Fun with Phones 26 July, 15 & 30 August

World War II Activities

29 July 2 AugustPut On A Puppet Show 5 & 23 August

Marvellous Mummies 6 & 22 August

Super Power 7 & 19 August

Roman Soldiers 8 & 20 August

Take Flight 12 & 28 August

Masks 13 & 29 August

Wonderful Worms 16 & 27 August

Making Music 21 & 28 August

Japanese Culture Day 26 August, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30

Some activities include a charge please see our website or call 01622 602838 for details.

20 July 2 NovemberAdmission: 3 or 2 for 5, under 16s free

20 July 2 November

Treasures from Hiradomarks the 400th

anniversary of theopening of trade and

cultural ties betweenBritain and Japan. It

features artefacts neverbefore seen outside

Japan. In particular theexhibition focuses onWilliam Adams, from

Gillingham, who was thefirst Englishman to reach

Japan. Adam became aconfidant of Japans rulerand was buried in Hirado.

Behind the ScenesTours2.50, booking essentialSee behind the scenes atMaidstone Museum andfind out about some of theitems that are not currentlyon display.Japanese Collection 31 JulyFashion Collection 11 September

Sex, Drugs & Music Hall

12, 19 & 27 September,14:00Free of charge but bookingessentialOne Book, Two Actors,Three Generations, FourTrue Life Stories. Thephenomenal Brem-Wilsondynasty through spokenword, drama, music &performance. Adaptationsfrom Clive-Parker Sharpsbook The Box and author

book signing in the KentishDeli-Caf.

Tea, Talk & Walk -

Discover MaidstonesHistoric Past

Tuesdays from 27 Augustto 15 October 11:30amAdults 5 Concessions 3

Meet at the museums Bentliflibrary for refreshment and anengaging talk, followed by atown walk led by a qualifiedguide. Talks cover everythingfrom art and architecture tocrime and punishment.

Booking is advisable.

Heritage Open Days Sleepover19:00 on 13 September to 08:30 on 14 September, 30 per person, booking essential

Ever fancied spending a night at the museum? Will Ta-kesh the Egyptian mummy cometo life when the lights go out? Do the dinosaurs roar at sunrise? Find out at our childrenssleepover! Children must be accompanied by an adult (maximum of 3 children per adult).


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Schools across Maidstone willbe stepping up to takeadvantage of green travelschemes.The council has provided 3,000 sponsorship for schoolssigning up for the Kent Messenger Walk on Wednesday(WOW) and Active Bug walking to school schemes.Councillor Marion Ring, the councils cabinet member forthe environment, said: They reduce the number of cars onthe road during the school run, which is great news for theenvironment, and they give children the chance to keep

active and learn vital road safety skills.To find out how your childs school could benefit from thefunding contact Louise Rogerson from the KM Walk toSchool team on 08442 640291 or go towww.kmwalktoschool.co.uk

Maidstone Borough Council andTown Centre Management arelaunching a hard-hitting campaignwhich aims to tackle begging in thetown by urging shoppers to donatetheir spare change to homelesscharities rather than giving it tobeggars.

Your kindness could kill aims toinform the public that the moneythey give to beggars is often used tobuy alcohol or drugs which could

ultimately kill them. The posters -displaying an image of a body madeup of coins form part of a widercampaign aiming to supporthomeless people to get off thestreets.

Councillor John A Wilson, CabinetMember for Community andLeisure services, says Members ofthe public give their money to streetbeggars in good faith, oftenpresuming that they are homeless.

Unfortunately, giving money topeople begging does not alwayshelp them. There are manyorganisations, often charities,offering support with addiction orproviding help withaccommodation and support. Theywould benefit immensely frompeoples donations and we wouldrather people make donations tothem, however small they mightbe.

Head of Housing and CommunitySafety, John Littlemore said Wework very closely with bothPorchlight and Maidstone DayCentre to support people who arehomeless. Many of these peopleare hidden and do not get supportfrom the public as they are not onour streets begging. By givingmoney to local charities, you knowyour money is going to help thosepeople who need it most.

If you are living in housing association accommodation, havebeen affected by the recent benefits changes and are lookingto move into a smaller home, the Kent Homechoice websitecan help. If you are on the housing register (you can apply atMaidstone.gov.uk), you can search for available housing

association properties on the Homechoice website and bidfor up the three properties a fortnight. To find out more, visitwww.kenthomechoice.org.uk. The website also hasinformation on the Mutual Exchange process, whereby thoselooking for a smaller home can exchange with someonelooking for a bigger property.

If you are concerned in the meantime about paying your rentfollowing the changes to benefits, please talk to yourlandlord, who may also be able to help you to find a newproperty.

Home Choice

Could you be killingwith kindness?

If you would like to donate to ourlocal homeless charities please goto www.porchlight.org.uk orwww.homelessinmaidstone.org.uk.Please remember to gift aid yourdonation to increase the amountreceived by these charities.

Walking BusesMaidstone Mela bringing cultures togetherThis years Maidstone Mela will be anothercelebration of music, food and dance. It will featuregroups representing cultures from across the World.

All of the groups represent people from the boroughsuch as the Nepalese community group, which hasstrong links with the Ghurkha regiment in the town.

Sunday 8September Mote Park,Maidstone12.30pm 5.30pm

Friday 6 September- Jubilee Square,Maidstone

2.30pm - 6.15pm

Madness Tributeband Badness areSundays headlineact. Formed in 1994, Badnesshave been a market leader in the tribute and Skascene and have recently won the 2013 National TributeAwards for being one of best tribute bands in the UK.

Fridays entertainment includesleading African singer andpercussion player Lucky Moyo.


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Maidstone Borough Council 7

Get to Know Mote ParkWalk (Love Parks Week)27 July, 9:30-12:30,free

Bat Evening30 July, 6 & 30 August,6 & 20 September,2.50

Mote Park NatureDetectivesWoodlands - 5 August,10-12:30,freeMeadows 19 August,10-12:30,free

Treasure Island Theatre& Workshop18 August, 15:309.50 adult, 6 concs,5 workshop

Woodland BushcraftWorkshop24 August, 9:30-15:30,35

Tales of Peter Rabbit andBenjamin Bunny -Theatre31 August, 17:009.50 adult, 6 concs

Twelfth Night1 September, 17:009.50 adult, 6 concs

Wild Foods Walk28 September,10:30-12:30,2.50

For more information, please visit

www.facebook.com/motepark. To book free

events, email [email protected].

Paid for events can be booked by calling the Hazlitt

Theatre on 01622 758611.

For more information, visitwww.facebook.com/motepark

or email [email protected].

Heather HouseCommunity GardenResidents in Park Wood can now enjoy a wonderful

community garden thanks to a project between localresidents, the council and local businesses. Local residentsgroup, Parents is the Word, worked with community gardendesign company Fleurs de Filles to design the space, andvolunteers transformed the area, introducing a sensorygarden, a play area for toddlers and a vegetable patch. Thegarden will be used to hold events and activities for localresidents, schools and community groups, as well as beinga space for residents to relax and enjoy.

Local businesses including VINCI ConstructionUK Ltd, Gallaghers and NG Bailey generouslyprovided materials for the project.

Cobtree Manor Parks new Maidstone Zoo playarea is officially open.

Unveiled by Helen Grant MP and Councillor John A.Wilson, Chairman of the Cobtree Manor EstateCharity Committee and Maidstone councilsCabinet Member for Community and LeisureServices, it includes towers, tunnel slides and

wobbly bridges. New circular footpaths, aresurfaced woodland walk, new benches, bins andinformation boards have also been installed.

A new sculpture trail by local artist JasonMulligan, and a new visitor centre and caf arealso planned.

For more information visitwww.maidstone.gov.uk/cobtree.

The garden wasopened by (left toright) Cllr MarionRing, Jade Websterof Parents is theWord and CllrMalcolm Greer.

Cobtree Manor Park

Mote Park events


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Residents are being encouraged to rediscover

their local market as part of a Love Your Local

Market campaign. Maidstone council is

supporting the national campaign,

which is led by the National

Association of British Market

Authorities (NABMA). The campaign

highlights the importance of markets

in the local community, both for retail

and as valuable community assets.

People from all over Kent have been

coming to the county town Market

since 1548. Once a central meeting

place for local produce and wares, the

market has adapted itself over the

years from being a cattle market to

the buzzing place it is today. Themarket boasts a diverse selection of

stalls including groceries, clothing,

plants, books, magazines, toys, pet

accessories and seasonal gifts as well

as several special events throughout the year.

Robert Holmes, Market Manager says:

Maidstone Market offers a wide range of quality

goods including fresh local produce, which is

particularly popular in light of recent food scares.

The market has a vibrant and lively shopping

atmosphere, and provides shoppers with great

value for money.The Market is held every Tuesday and Saturday

from 7.30am 1.30pm at Barker Road in

Lockmeadow, just a few minutes walk from

Maidstone High Street. There is also a free

shuttle bus operating from The Mall Chequers

bus station (number 505).

Diary Date! Come along to Maidstones Summer Marketat Lockmeadow on Tuesday 13 August from 7.30am 1.30pm. Featuring a mini farm, creepy crawly roadshow,birds of prey and childrens rides.

Maidstones Summer Market

Maidstone Market in 1947

Maidstone Market in 2013



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Ages 6-10 years:

The Witches by Roald DahlThis Roald Dahl classic tells thescary, funny and imaginative tale of

a seven-year-old boy who has arun-in with some real-life witches!

In fairy tales witches always wearsilly black hats and black cloaks

but this is no a fairy tale

Ages 11-16 years:

The West End Needs You!Join us at the Hazlitt, as we give our own unique twist to many of thegreat West End Hits.

This summer the Hazlitt Arts Centre opens its doors to anyone aged

6 - 16yrs to take part in two exciting workshop opportunities. Both

week-long workshops will run from 12 - 16 August and culminate

in live performances on the Friday.

Hazlitt Youth TheatresSummer Festival Workshops

Workshoptickets 75

(includes 2 FREEtickets for the

performance onFriday; extraperformance

tickets 5)

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

Summer Treats at theHazlitt Arts Centre

This summer Changeling Theatre will be bringingtheir unique version of Shakespeares epic playRichard III to stunning locations across Kent.

Shakespeares Richard III is famous for itsMachiavellian and deformed protagonist whoeveryone loves to hate. It is a dark, witty andentertaining tale of ruthless ambition, whichcentres around the rise and fall of the jealous andambitious Richard, from his beginnings as the

hated younger brother of Edward IV to hiscrowning as King of England, sharply followed byhis ultimate demise on the battlefield ofBosworth.

Set in a gothic world of murder, plots and

intrigue, ChangelingTheatres Richard III will beplaying across Kent from 5July to 11 August thisSummer, in venues asdiverse as Maidstone Unitedsfootball ground andBoughton Monchelsea Place.

Changeling Theatres production will feature a

brilliant ensemble cast, original music and thecompanys renowned directorial twist. It promisesto be an experience not to be forgotten!

For full venue listings visit:www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk

Richard IIIChangeling Theatre Company

4 July 11 August Tickets from 8.50

For more information please contact the Youth Theatre office on:01622 686958 or [email protected]


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.

Want to quitsmoking?


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:.

T The Old School Hall, East Farleigh,Mondays, 16.30-17.30

T The Manor Youth andCommunity Centre, Shepway,Maidstone

T Boughton MonchelseaVillage Hall, Thursdays,17.00-18.00

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]

British Cycling and Sky havecome together to get amillion more people ridingtheir bikes regularly andeveryone's invited. Whateveryour age or ability, andwhatever kind of bike youride, there is a whole rangeof ways to get involved. Frombig traffic-free events intowns and cities, to localneighbourhood rides; fromwomen-only bike rides andsupport, to routes and workshops;there's something for everyone.

So if you want to get on your bikeand breathe in some fresh air this

Aspire Summer of SportsMaidstones Youth Action Partnership has secured an impressive 22,000 from the Kent Policeand Crime Commissioners Safer Communities Fund, Golding Homes and Maidstone BoroughCouncil to deliver borough wide community sporting activities.

There will be a range of activities including weekly football and boxing, as well as a newsummer sports programme of activities for young people across the borough and opportunitiesto gain coaching qualifications.

For more information about the activities on offervisit www.maidstone.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-events/young-peoples-activities, contact thecommunity development team by telephone -01622 602222 or email [email protected].

The Maidstone and Malling Netball League alsoreceived funding to develop skills andqualifications - the league will work with localschools to promote sporting events and toencourage children and young people to getinvolved in a sports club.

Everyone has adifferent reason forwanting to quitsmoking. Whateveryour motivation, you dont have togo it alone. The Kent StopSmoking Service has alreadyhelped more than 44,000 people

to quit, and we can help you. Nolectures, just straightforwardadvice and support. Call 0800 8494444 or text QUIT to 87023.Twitter @KentQuit

summer visit www.goskyride.comand find a ride near you or book aplace on the River Beult Beauty ride,13 miles from Marden Station - 2pm,Sunday 14 July and 18 August.

Get on your bike!


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MAKE IT PROSPEROUS

Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of therecession and bring prosperity to the borough. We help residentswith housing and council tax benefits, heating and insulation grants,home improvement grants, and through support for organisationswhich offer money advice.

High Street regeneration

complete this Autumn

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

Heating and insulationgrants - 01622 602470

First time buyers grants -01622 602470

Energy Saving Trust -0800 512 012

Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700

Work is underway on the final phase of

Maidstones High Street regenerationproject. The lower High Street will berepaved, new trees will be planted, andseating and lighting will be installed.

The cannon will be relocated to takepride of place at the centre of the newspace whilst a large, granite pavedarea will be created for people to sitoutside restaurants and cafes.

Local businesses, the police, bus and taxicompanies, the disability focus group andother interested parties were consultedand adjustments were made to the 1.7million scheme as a result of feedbackreceived.

The works complement the successfulcompletion of Phase One, which saw theupper High Street transformed to includeJubilee Square, a space that has alreadyseen a wide variety of performances,

markets and events.The completed High Street Regenerationscheme is expected to generate 4.5million of additional visitor expenditure inthe town and create nearly 100 new jobs inboth the day and night-time economy.

F M Conway is the contractor for theworks. Construction will be phased tominimise disruption, and the project isexpected to be completed in October 2013.

Start Up BritainJump aboard StartUp Britains national StartUpTour at Jubilee Square, Maidstone during theafternoon of Wednesday 17 July.

If you have ever thought about running your ownbusiness or growing one get on board thecampaigns double decker bus. It will be filled with start-up experts andbusiness champions ready to deliver free advice and support.

Maidstones Cabinet Member for Economic and Commercial Development,Malcolm Greer, said: This is a great opportunity for Maidstones buddingentrepreneurs. The advisors will be able to tell them how to get a Start-Up loan,or how to find out about mentoring. I hope it will give them the confidence theyneed to start up their own business and provide a boost to our local economy.

The StartUp Britain campaign is supported by top firms, including Intuit, PayPaland BT, and it has the support of the Department for Business, Industry andSkills.

For more information, and to register your attendance on the bus, visitwww.startupbritain.org/tour.

Progress is aprogrammedesigned toinspire andcoach you totackle problems and make positive changesthat will benefit you and your family. Allcourses are free of charge and aim tosupport and lead you closer to employment.Sessions include - House & Home, Using aComputer, Health & Wellbeing andEmployment Skills. For more information,contact Sophie Wardle or Husna Khanam atProgress in Maidstone on 01634 580266 orvisit www.progressprogramme.com

Progress Programme

Working with Job Centre Plus,Maidstone council is helping youngpeople find work. Since Novemberlast year it has offered workexperience placements to 19 youngpeople aged 18-24 and seven havegone on to find paid employment.Any businesses that would like tojoin the scheme should contactJennifer Sibley, Employability and

Skills Project Officer - 01622 602328/ [email protected].

Employment foryoung people

MAKE IT MAIDSTONE


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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 designed

by the council's communicationsteam, Maidstone House, KingStreet, Maidstone, Kent ME156JQ. Email:[email protected]. Yourcomments and suggestions are

always welcome. It is typeset by

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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!

Sarah started working at the council in 2006as an apprentice, moving departments everythree months to gain experience and skillswhilst working towards an NVQ in Businessand Administration. She settled in the

Community Development department,working her way up from an administrationassistant to her current role as CommunityDevelopment Officer.

CommunityDevelopmentThere are fivemembers of theCommunity

Development Teamwho work across awide range of issuesincluding communitysafety, health, arts,sports, play, youth andneighbourhoods. Theteam is responsible for many importantcommunity projects including:

- DMAX a weekly sports club for disabledchildren and young people living or going toschool in the borough.

- Safety in Action a two week programme forYear 6 pupils to help aid their transition fromprimary to secondary school.

- Uprockin an annual skateboarding, BMX,scooter and in-line skates competition in SouthPark on 6 July.

- Pride in Maidstone a fund to supportcommunity initiatives across the borough.

- Aspire Summer of Sports Programme delivering sports sessions in the communityover the summer months.

- Weight Management Classes classes acrossthe borough to help people to make changes intheir day to day lives to have healthier lifestyles.

Workingforyou

Sarahs job includes- Working with families and other organisations

to promote healthy lifestyles and improvecommunity safety, and running projects foryoung people.

What attracted you to the job?

Ive always known Ive wanted to work in thetheatre or with children - I was a voluntary youthworker at school, started dancing at the age ofeight and studied performing arts at A-Level. Myapprenticeship at the council gave me the chanceto try both options, and I loved the variety in theCommunity Development Team.

What do you like most about your job?No day is ever the same today Im the sitemanager at Safety in Action helping primaryschool children with safety messages, whilst nextweek Ill be working with armed forces leavers toaid their resettlement into the community. I alsolike that the work our team does helps to make adifference in peoples lives.

What does customer services mean to you?

Being friendly, helpful and not closing the dooron people. By listening to customers andresponding to their needs, we can work with

them to resolve any issues.