Update

East, October 2014

Borough
Maidstone Borough Council
Four Maidstone Parks
awarded Green Flags
see page 3
www.maidstone.gov.uk
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 1
2 Maidstone Borough Council
Bulky refuse
Maidstone will remember those
who have been killed in conflict
fighting for their country, on
Remembrance Day, Sunday 9
November.
The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr
Richard Thick, will join military
and civic dignitaries at this
years parade. It will be led by
the Band of the Salvation Army
with contingents from 36
Engineer Regiment and The
Queens Gurkha Engineers,
Royal Army Medical Corp
Association, the Maidstone
Branch of the Royal British
Legion, the British Army
Association, St John Ambulance,
and Sea and Army Cadets. More
than 500 people will take part.
The parade will step off at
10.30am from Week Street and march along the High Street,
past the Town Hall, across the Bridge Gyratory and to the
Memorial on The Broadway for the Service of Remembrance.
The Service will include the national two minute silence at
11am and the laying of wreaths in memory of those lost in
wars both past and present.
The Mayor will lay the first wreath on behalf of the council
and the people of Maidstone.
After the Service, the parade will march back into Maidstone
where the Mayor will take the salute outside the Town Hall at
11.25am.
Our paid for bulky collection service now includes
Saturday collections - book online or by calling 01622
602600.
If your items are still usable you could help one of the
many local charities which collect for free or a small
donation. Many residents are finding this a better solution
to get rid of items they no longer need.
You can also use the local household waste recycling
centre at Burial Ground Lane, Tovil which accepts many
items, from cooking oil to white goods, and recycles more
than 65% of the material taken there. It is open Monday to
Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm, and Sunday and Bank Holidays,
9am to 4pm.
The council also operates a Saturday freighter service,
but everything that you put into it ends up in landfill so
please only use it for items that cannot be re-used or
recycled.
Please use the household collection service to recycle
cardboard, small electrical items, textiles or garden
waste as we cant accept them in the freighter and they
help us improve on the current 50% recycling rate. The
freighter also doesnt accept large bulky items, building
rubble, commercial waste, electrical items or hazardous
material.
For more information about bulky rubbish services,
including paid for doorstep collections and the freighter,
visit maidstone.gov.uk or call 01622 602600.
Westley runs a large fruit and vegetable stall at
Maidstone Market every
Tuesday and Saturday
morning. Here he gives us
a snapshot of his work.
How did you first get into market work?
Ive been working at Maidstone Market for ten years
now but markets have been in my life since I was
small. From the age of about five I can remember
watching my dad working on his stall also at
Maidstone - so its in my family history.
What do you enjoy most about trading at
Maidstone Market?
Without a doubt the customers. Id say about eighty
percent of them are regulars and theyre really friendly
people who I can enjoy a good laugh with. We always
try and make new customers feel really welcome too.
What do you think the market offers
Maidstone residents?
Value for money and great products, plus our
knowledge of the job. Sometimes in supermarkets,
youre just paying a machine and dont even speak to a
human but we definitely provide a personal service to
our customers.
Where do you source
your products from?
Anything English, we try
and source as locally as
possible and direct from
farmers. Our products
change depending on the season so theres lots of
variety. For example at the moment were selling lots
of strawberries but come December, customers will
be able to get all the fresh fruit and veg they need for a
traditional Christmas meal!
What challenges do town Markets face in the
current climate?
Competition from big supermarkets that sell
everything in one place but in the end, its our
customer relations that people always appreciate.
Maidstone Market is open at Lockmeadow, Barker
Road, Maidstone every Tuesday and Saturday
morning from 7.30am to 1.30pm. Follow us on Twitter
@MaidstoneMarket for news and information.
Stallholder Profi le
Maidstone
remembers
Meet your traders
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 2
Maidstone Borough Council 3
Park Events
The History of Mote Park Talk
Find out how the landscape of
Mote Park has changed over the
centuries.
2 October, 7.30pm 9pm, 3
Mote Park Tree Walk
Our trained arboriculturist will
give you a guided walk around the
veteran and special interest trees.
4 October, 9.30am-12pm, 3
Small Mammal Surveying
Course
Kent Mammal Group will show
you how to survey our smallest
mammals. Course includes
handling and identification.
22 November, 9.30am - 4pm,
Adults only - 18
The Wildlife of Mote Park Talk
Mote Park has a wealth of wildlife.
This talk takes you on a virtual
tour of Mote Park through the
seasons, showing you the
highlights of what to look out for.
5 December 2014, 7.30pm -
9pm, 3
COBTREE MANOR PARK
Fungi Walk
With local experts.
12 October, 10am and 1pm, 3
Advance booking is required
for all events. To book your
place please call Maidstone
Leisure Centre on 01622
220232/220233
MOTE PARK
Four Green Flags for Maidstone!
Four parks in the borough have now been awarded the prestigious Green Flag, with
Cobtree Manor Park receiving the award for the first time this year! The award
recognises the best parks in the country, with the highest standards and excellent
facilities. Mote Park, Whatman Park and Clare Park all kept their flags.
This was an important year
for Cobtree, with the
opening of the brand new
play area and sculpture trail
giving even more great
reasons to visit the park.
All four parks were
automatically entered into
the national Green Flag
Peoples Choice Award
which looks for the nations
favourite park. Mote Park
came third last year, so
were hoping that well
make it high in the rankings
again! The winner will be
announced in the middle of
October.
One million pound
play areas investment
Maidstone Borough Council is investing more than one
million pounds to improve the most important play
areas across Maidstone Borough.
Some of the least used and poorly equipped play
areas will be closing but most people will be within a
12 minute walk of the best areas and they will get even
better.
The council is investing in its own play areas
and giving grants to improve parish council
ones as well.
Twenty four parks will get a
makeover during the next
12 months.
Maidstones High Street
improvements have been
shortlisted for the Civils
and Infrastructure category
of the Kent Design and
Development Awards 2014.
This category recognises
construction projects for
a particular physical
achievement, functionally
and design, and/or
innovation and ingenuity in
promoting engineering
excellence.
Dover Esplanade
won the award last
time in 2012.
High Street
Kent Conference Bureau has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Meetings
Industry Marketing Awards 2014. The bureau, operated by Maidstone council,
provides a free venue finding service for the events industry including
conferences, meetings, training courses, team building, Christmas parties,
weddings and private functions.
Best brochure
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 3
4 Maidstone Borough Council
What you should do in an
emergency
No matter how careful you are, there are some
things you cant control. And any one of them
could hit you and your family hard, damage your
home severely, or seriously harm your business.
Yet its not hard to make sure that youre properly
prepared for an emergency. Thinking about what
youd need to do in an emergency will mean that
youre ready should they ever happen.
Emergencies can include floods, fire, extreme
weather, infectious diseases, security incidents or
loss of power and water.
You can find lots more information in the What Should I Do in
an Emergency? handbook, which you can pick up from
Maidstone Gateway or download from our website by searching
for Emergency Planning.
Emergency Grab Bag
Warm clothes
Torch (check batteries), radio
(wind up or battery powered)
and spare batteries
Food and water
Supplies for babies and small
children
Toiletries
Mobile phone and charger
Contact list
Prescription
medicines/details of any
medicines you take
Identity documents, insurance
details
First aid kit
Remember, this bag should be
waterproof!
No one thinks it will happen
to them until it does!
Make a Household Emergency Plan
To compose your plan, work with your family to ask
yourself some key questions, and record the answers.
These could include:
z Where will we meet if we cant get into, or
stay in, our home?
z Wholl collect the children from school if we
cant get there?
z Who can be an Emergency Friend, ready to
collect supplies if we cant get out, or feed
pets if we cant get back to the house?
z Which neighbours should we check on?
z How do we turn off the gas, water and
electricity?
z Who can we stay with if were evacuated?
z What items would we not want to lose and
how can we protect them? E.g. documents,
photographs, a favourite toy.
Remember: No item of property is worth
risking your life for.
Tips and hints for all emergencies
z Keep calm. Reassure others. Think before acting.
z Help yourself before helping others.
z Check for injuries.
z If people are injured or in danger:
z Dial 999, report the situation, follow the advice youre given.
z Stay informed via local radio and TV.
z If youre not directly involved but think you could be at risk,
remove yourself and others from danger.
z GO IN to a building not threatened by the emergency.
z STAY IN until youre advised to do otherwise.
z TUNE IN to local TV or radio for more information.
In an emergency, you may need to move quickly, so its important
to have necessities to hand. If you cant make up a bag ready, its
at least worth having a list of things youd need to pack quickly.
The bag could include:
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 4
Maidstone Borough Council 5
Flooding
Sandbags
Sandbags provide some protection but are unlikely to prevent water entering
property during severe flooding.
We keep a stock of sandbags, but these are limited in number. We use them
to help protect key infrastructure identified by the emergency services, or as
a barrier to divert water away from numbers of properties at a time. We will
always help wherever we can, but there is no duty on the council to provide
sandbags to communities, individual homes or businesses.
You are responsible for your own flood protection equipment, including
sandbags. If you think sandbags will be useful for your home, you can buy
them from builders merchants to store at home ready to react quickly if
theres a problem.
Theres a leaflet about sandbags, what theyre useful for and how to use
them on our website at www.maidstone.gov.uk/winter, under Flood Advice.
Local Radio Stations
BBC Radio Kent 96.7FM
Heart 103.1FM
KMFM 105.6FM
Be prepared
z Find out if youre at risk from river
flooding by visiting www.environment-
agency.gov.uk or calling the Agencys
Floodline on 0845 9881188.
z If youre at risk, register by phone or
online for the Agencys free flood
warning service.
z Check your insurance to confirm
youre covered, and for the right
amount.
z Know how to turn off your gas,
electricity and water. If in doubt,
consult your supplier.
z Prepare a household flood plan so
that you know how to protect pets,
cars, furniture and electrical
equipment you can download a
template at www.environment-
agency.gov.uk
z Prepare an emergency grab bag
to carry basic essentials with you.
z If youre at risk, buy flood protection
equipment in advance. Find out what
options are available at
www.floodforum.org.uk.
One in six UK properties is at risk from flooding, and residents and
business owners will remember the impact of the prolonged
flooding in the borough over Christmas and New Year 2013-14.
There are things that you can do to help protect yourself and your
property.
If flooding happens
z Tune into your local radio station or
call Floodline for updates.
z Report property flooding or river
blockages to the Environment Agency
on 0800 80 70 60.
z If its safe to do so, turn off the gas,
electricity and water mains before
water enters your home.
z Move your family and pets to a higher
position with a means of escape.
Remember to take your emergency
grab bag.
z Dont touch sources of electricity
when standing in water.
z If theres raw sewage in your
property, keep out. See if you can stay
elsewhere until its been properly
cleaned.
z Never drive through flood water.
Eighty percent of flood deaths
occur in vehicles.
z Avoid walking in flood water. Fast
moving water is dangerous and you
will be unable to see hazards such
as missing manhole covers.
After a flood
z Find out if its safe to return to your
property by checking the media and
with Maidstone council.
z Check falling river levels via Floodline
and the Environment Agency website.
z Contact your insurance company as
soon as possible and follow their
advice.
z If you can get into your property, take
photographs for evidence.
z Protect against contamination
always wear waterproof outerwear,
wellingtons and gloves.
z Have your electricity supply checked
before switching back on.
z Have your gas or oil central heating
checked by a qualified person.
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 5
6 Maidstone Borough Council
The Big Maidstone Switch is a new way to save money on your gas and electricity bills, by giving you a helping hand
to switch to a better offer.
Anyone can do this, whether you rent or own a home or pay by direct debit, cash or pre-payment meter.
All you need to do is register at www.maidstone.gov.uk/bigmaidstoneswitch with details from your last bill or
annual statement and our partner ichoosr will do all the hard work for you. ichoosr will look for a better price and let
you know how much you could save on another tariff. Its then up to you to decide if you want to take up the offer. If you
do, ichoosr will arrange the switch.
You can register up to 5 households on the same email address, so you can help friends and family.
Register by 13 October 2014 with no cost or obligation at www.maidstone.gov.uk/bigmaidstoneswitch, by calling
01622 602750, or visit the Maidstone Gateway, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ.
The Big Maidstone Switch
Christmas and New Year
Recycling and Rubbish
Collections 2014-15
200th customer for
commercial waste service
Janine and Paul Cox
of Avenue Boarding
Cattery, Plains Avenue,
Maidstone
Maidstone councils new commercial waste service has
signed up its 200th customer. Janine and Paul Cox say their
business would not be financially viable without Maidstone
Borough Commercial Waste Solutions, other companies
were too expensive!
The council service offers waste and recycling solutions
across the borough tailored to business needs, regardless of
size or industry. The service
includes free bin loan, free paper
and card recycling collections and a
free waste survey.
Prices start from as little as 1.80 a
sack. All paper and card is recycled
locally and all waste is incinerated
to generate electricity.
If your collection It will be collected on
is due on
Thursday 25 December Saturday 27 December
Friday 26 December Monday 29 December
Monday 29 December Tuesday 30 December
Tuesday 30 December Wednesday 31 December
Wednesday 31 December Friday 2 January
Thursday 1 January Saturday 3 January
Friday 2 January Monday 5 January
Monday 5 January Tuesday 6 January
Tuesday 6 January Wednesday 7 January
Wednesday 7 January Thursday 8 January
Thursday 8 January Friday 9 January
Friday 9 January Saturday 10 January
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:36 Page 6
Maidstone Borough Council 7
Getting our
priorities right
z Respecting Maidstone
Borough
Including - listening to our
communities, a local plan
and neighbourhood plans,
and maintaining the
character of the borough.
z Enhancing Maidstone
town centre
Including - new homes
from empty offices, more
regeneration schemes like
the High Street.
z Encouraging good health
Including support for
dementia friendly
communities, food safety
inspections, and working
with partners to tackle food
and fuel poverty.
z A clean and safe
environment
Including - waste and
recycling services,
improving air quality and
work with partners to
reduce domestic violence
and anti-social behaviour.
z Promoting employment
and skills
Including help for people
Not in Employment,
Education or Training, and
support for businesses
through employment sites
and a business advice
centre.
z Good leisure and
cultural attractions
Including parks and open
spaces, new festivals,
events and attractions and
encouraging tourism.
z Planning for sufficient
homes to meet the
boroughs needs
Including a local plan,
providing affordable
homes, and helping
homeless people.
z Transport improvements
Including Maidstone town
centre bridge improve-
ments, new cycle paths and
work with Kent County
Council on an integrated
transport strategy.
The final decisions on the
councils strategic plan and
next years budget will be
made in March 2015. If you
would like to take part in
these consultations look out
for the councils road shows
throughout October, visit our
website or write to
FREEPOST RRXT-HRHX-
LKAS, Communications,
Maidstone Borough Council,
Maidstone House, King
Street, Kent, ME15 6JQ.
Listening to communities
More than 2,000 people took part in the consultation
on the draft Maidstone Local Plan. All of the
comments will be considered carefully before the
council publishes the next draft of the local plan next
summer.
David Burton, Cabinet Member for Planning,
Transport and Development says the council is in
listening mode in the meantime: We really
appreciate the time and energy people, parish
councils, Kent County Council, residents groups,
and the political groups on Maidstone Borough
Council, have invested in giving us their responses
and the valuable insight this provides. We have
heard what people have said about the draft plan
and will be talking to parish councils and
communities throughout the borough to see what
we can do to ease some of their concerns about
their areas.
Further call for sites
Before the council publishes its next draft local plan
it will consult on the results of a further call for sites
held earlier this year. More than 100 housing sites
and one gypsy and traveller site were submitted by
landowners for inclusion in the plan.
Not all of them will end up in the revised local plan.
The council is talking to its partners, including Kent
County Council and other infrastructure providers.
Each site will be rigorously judged against a range of
national and local planning criteria, including factors
such as landscape, flooding and ecology.
Housing numbers
Based on the latest population figures for the
borough Maidstones objectively assessed housing
need is 18,600 homes. Its the number of new homes
the borough should aim to provide in the local plan
in the twenty years up to 2031. Of this number,
around 2,000 are already built, and planning
permission has been granted for over 3,000. The
focus is now on seeing whether suitable locations
can be found for the remaining 13,000 homes.
It is important to remember that the objectively
assessed need figure is not a housing target. No
target has been set - that will take account of site
availability and roads and other infrastructure said
Cllr Burton.
Care homes spaces
New figures have also been calculated for the
number of care beds needed during the local plan
period. The borough will need some 960 additional
care/nursing bed spaces by 2031.
Maidstones
local plan
Maidstone Borough Council is planning its budgets and
priorities for the next five years. The cabinet is reviewing
the councils strategic plan to make sure that Maidstone
remains an attractive place with a successful economy. It is
considering a number of priority actions and wants to know
which ones matter most to local people.
The cabinet is also developing its budget for 2015-16, and
planning for the five years up to 2019-20. The resources
that Maidstone can expect from the government in these
years will reduce significantly so the council has a strategy
to increase its income sources by 1m by 2019-20.
If council tax levels continue to increase by 2% a year the
council will need to save 3.4m over the next five years to
maintain current spending on statutory and important
services.
The cabinet is seeking views from residents about its
strategic plan and the budget. It wants to know which of
these areas are most important to local people:
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 7
Teddy Bear Story, an exhibition from the V&A
Museum of Childhood, runs until 1 November and
looks at the development of
the worlds most famous toy.
This is a heart-warming
exhibition featuring nearly
100 teddy bears,
including many rare
examples, as well as
teddies from books,
films and television
programmes. See
if you can spot the
newest member
of the museum
team, Brenchley Bear, while youre there!
Tuesday Tours
First Tuesday of every month. Learn more about the
history of the building that houses the museums
collection with this guided tour.
Museum Lates
Last Thursday of every month. Join us after hours when
we will be showcasing artists, musicians, historians and
more!
Collections in Focus
Last Wednesday of every month. Find out more about the
items held at the museum.
Visit our website for more information.
Learn more at
Maidstone Museum
Whats On
Jazz at the Museum
16 October, 7:30pm-10pm.
20 (includes two course
dinner)
Kentish Folksingers and
Folksongs
18 October, 1pm-2pm.
7/5 concessions
Gillingham Treasure
Join Dr Marit Gaimster for
an informative talk on an
exciting discovery in
Gillingham.
23 October, 6pm-7pm. 10
The Big Draw
25 October, 10am-5pm. FREE
Africa Collections in
Focus.
Please note that due to the
nature of some stores,
disabled access may be
limited.
29 October, 11am-12pm.
7/5 concessions
For information on lots of
activities for children visit our
website. You can book events
using the details at the foot of
this page.
Teddy Bear Story
News from the MUSEUM 8
For more information and to see our full list of events at Maidstone Museum please visit
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk, email museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk, call 01622 602 838,
tweet us @MaidstoneMuseum or pop in and pick up a Whats On Guide.
Ralph Steadman
Exhibition
Maidstone Museum has the
priviledge of hosting an
exhibition by the world
renowned artist and illustrator,
Ralph Steadman, from
6 December to 28 February.
This retrospective exhibition
looks at the varied works
and career of Steadman,
from political cartoons to
book illustrations.
October
Half Term Activities
27 October
Fossils - create your own prehistoric
landscape.
28 October
Tools & Technology find out what
life might have been like from the
Stone Age to the Bronze Age and
create your own hunting tools!
Neolithic and prehistoric handling.
29 October
Travelling Through Time object based
literacy workshop. Explore the change
in landscape and building technologies
and create your own dream landscape.
30 October
Victorian Invention take a look at the
different areas and materials used
within the museum and create your
own pick & mix building!
31 October
Toys Through Time Frankenbear!
Create a mismatch bear ready to come
alive in the evening, and have your face
painted for Halloween!
27 October 31 October
11am-12pm, drop in session. Join us
throughout the family arts festival to
discover the changing face of Britains
landscape through history.
Craft sessions start at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30,
13.30 and 14.30. These are bookable in
person on the day. Suitable for ages 4+.
3.50 per child unless otherwise stated.
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 8
Maidstone Borough Council 9
Traffic
improvements
Maidstone has been awarded 16.4m
from the Governments Local Growth
Fund to help ease traffic congestion.
The grant was secured through the
South East Local Enterprise
Partnership, and includes:
z 4.56m to create two northbound
lanes along the A229, enabling
northbound traffic heading towards
Chatham to bypass the existing
gyratory system, reducing journey
times and congestion.
z 2m to create cycle paths from
residential development sites on the
outskirts of Maidstone into the town.
This dedicated cycle and pedestrian
route will encourage a modal shift to
walking and cycling, reducing vehicle
trips along the main access route into
Maidstone. This will reduce congestion
and improve journey time reliability.
z 1m towards improvements to
Maidstone East Rail Station, as part of a
larger regeneration scheme around the
station.
z 8.9m for a series of junction, public
transport and highways improvements
across the town put forward in the
Integrated Transport Strategy.
The projects could start as early as
next year and be in place by 2017.
Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, Leader of
Maidstone Borough Council, welcomed
the news: These schemes will provide
a much needed boost for our economy.
The bridge gyratory system is a major
source of irritation for many drivers on
a daily basis. These improvements will
bring significant reductions in travel
times for our residents and
businesses.
Cllr David Burton, Cabinet Member for
Planning and Transport, added: We are
working really closely with KCC to get
an Integrated Transport Strategy ready
to support our emerging Local Plan. It
is a challenging task but with KCC
support we are confident that we will be
addressing many of the concerns that
were expressed during the recent
public consultation.
HAVE
YOUR
SAY
Every decision the council takes
on a new policy, spending or services
affects our residents, businesses
and visitors. You can have your say on
those decisions, or bring an issue to
the councils attention, in several
ways:
z Take part in a consultation
z Ask the Leader or a Cabinet Member
a question at Full Council
z Ask questions at Joint
Transportation Board
z Speak to your ward councillor
z Ask Overview and Scrutiny to
consider an issue
z Speak at Planning Committee about
a planning application
z Submit a petition
To find out more visit
www.maidstone.gov.uk and click
Have Your Say. Contact details for
all councillors and information about
council committees can be found on
the council pages of our website.
Overview and Scrutiny
The council has four overview and scrutiny committees which aim to improve the
services that you use by monitoring the work of the council. The committees make
recommendations on the way services are provided. They play a vital role in the
decision-making and policy development processes at the council.
Every June, they consider issues that matter to residents and set their work
programmes for the year. More than 80 topics were suggested this year by
members of the public, community representatives, partners, staff and the local
press. After a lot of discussion, the following topics have been agreed for review:
Agendas, minutes and webcasts for every meeting are online at
www.maidstone.gov.uk/council - click on Meetings, Minutes and Agendas.
If youd like to find out more about Overview and Scrutiny, email osc@maidstone.gov.uk
z Shared services
z The councils budget
z Loneliness and Isolation
z The Twilight Economy
z Alternatives to using the car
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 9
10 Maidstone Borough Council
Best Foot
Forward
Kent Health Business Awards
According to research, UK employers pay an
annual bill of 9 billion for sick pay and
associated costs. Workplace health and
wellbeing programmes can increase
employee job satisfaction and turnover
between 10 and 25%.
Businesses in Kent can register FREE for
the Kent Healthy Business Award scheme,
which aims to improve economic performance through
people and the environment. The scheme gives you access
to a Kent Award linked to a nationally recognised award
scheme, a local health at work advisor, expertise in health
and wellbeing programmes, and free resources for a
healthier business.
Themes covered by the scheme include attendance
management, mental health and wellbeing, physical
activity and environment.
Show your commitment as a healthy
business employer by registering for
the Kent Healthy Business Award
Scheme. Search Kent Healthy
Business Award or email
kenthealthybusiness@kent.gov.uk
for more information.
Mote Park Image courtesy of Denise Tate
DMAX is a sports club for children and young people
aged 6 to 19 with any disability. It allows them to have
fun, make new friends and experience new activities that
stimulate the neural, motor and sensory movements.
There are structured sporting and swimming sessions,
with different sports rotating every six weeks. There is
also a chance for play time and quiet times if a child
doesnt wish to take part in a sport. Siblings are also
welcome to join in the fun!
To find out more and to get an application form, email
communitydevelopment@maidstone.gov.uk or call 01622
602222.
Monday,
5.15pm-6.45pm,
Maidstone
Leisure Centre
3 per session
Funding for High Street Projects
Four community groups have been awarded a total of 3,950
to help deliver projects to benefit residents in High Street
Ward. The money will support Switch Youth Caf, Maidstone
Mind, Maidstone Sea Cadets and the parent and baby group,
Toybox, at the United Reformed Church.
The funding is from a national government initiative called
Community First that helps communities come together to
plan for their future. These latest presentations take the
total amount of Community First funding in High Street Ward
to nearly 28,000 over the last three years.

Maidstone has some great park, countryside and river
walks to enjoy. There is probably no better way to
recover from an illness or get fit.
Maidstone Borough Council has teamed up with
Macmillan Cancer Support and the Ramblers to provide
some easy and short walks which people can do at their
own pace. They are open to all ages and abilities and
friendly, safe and free. Just turn up on the day:
z Tuesdays - Mote Park, 10.30am. Meet outside the Cafe
in the Park.
z Wednesdays - Cherry Orchard, 12.30pm. Meet at the
roundabout near Tesco Express, just off Hermitage
Lane.
z Thursdays - Maidstone Town Centre, 11.00am. Meet
outside the Town Hall, Bank Street.
Call 01622 602222 or email
healthy.living@maidstone.gov.uk for more information.
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 10
MAKE IT PROSPEROUS
Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects
of the recession and bring prosperity to the borough.
T Developing your business idea
T Understanding your market
T Business planning
T Money and banking
Have you got a great idea but dont know how to get it off the ground?
Maidstone Get-Started is a free service provided by Maidstone Borough Council for
anyone thinking of starting their own business or becoming self-employed in Maidstone.
It provides advice and face to face help and support on a wide range of issues including:
Starting a Business in Maidstone
MAKE IT MAIDSTONE
Call 01622 695544 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday) to speak with an advisor who will
help you decide whats best and how to go forward.
You will then be offered a range of support depending on your needs and the stage of
your business idea, from our Self Employment Workshop through to our new Business
Start-Up Modular Course.
Whichever route you take you will be supported all the way.
Maidstone Town Team works
hard to deliver projects,
initiatives and events to improve
the town centre for everyone who
uses it.
Were always looking for
volunteers from the town centre
community for our Events,
Marketing and Regeneration
groups. If you have any ideas or
want to help deliver the work of
the team, get in touch at
hello@maidstonetownteam.co.uk
Flood advice for businesses
Maidstone council is working with Pricewaterhouse Coopers on a new toolkit
and seminars to help businesses prepare for unexpected events such as
flooding. Previously flooded businesses will be offered one to one support to
increase their business resilience.
T Financing your business
T Tax implications
T IT and e-commerce
T Working from home or using business premises
Maidstone Town Team has
entered Maidstone into the
Town Centre category at
the Great British High Street
Awards which celebrate the
incredible diversity and
services that British high
streets provide.
The team is hoping that the
innovative
way in which
volunteers
and the
community
work together
to improve the
town centre
will capture
the judges
imagination,
but they could
use your
support too!
Tweet @GBHighStAwards or
use the hashtag
#gbhighstreet to support the
Town Team and let the
judges know what you love
about Maidstones High
Street!
The Great British High Street Awards
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 11
Follow us on Twitter
@maidstonebc
Like us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/
maidstoneboroughcouncil
Watch us on YouTube
www.youtube.com/
user/maidstonecouncil
Borough Update
This is your council newsletter,
produced up to four times a
year in the Downs Mail
newspaper. It is written, edited
and designed by the council's
communications team,
Maidstone House, King Street,
Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ.
Email: pr@maidstone.gov.uk.
Your comments and
suggestions 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 on
01622 602807, and we will be
happy to send you a copy.
To find out whats on in Maidstone Borough visit www.visitmaidstone.com Whats On!
12 Maidstone Borough Council
W
o
r
k
in
g
for you
Matt Cotton joined the council when he was 17
in the then-new contact centre. He was one of
our first Senior Customer Services Advisors
before joining our Parking Services team as
Service and Transport Coordinator in 2012. He
is also part of our Emergency Planning team,
helping to coordinate the councils flood
response last winter.
Parking Services forms a joint service with
Swale Borough Council looking after council
car parks, permit administration and the civil
parking enforcement operation. Matt is the
main point of contact for customers and
partners, making sure that any questions are
answered and complaints thoroughly
investigated. Matt also manages the Park &
Ride operation in Maidstone and he makes
sure people are kept informed about the
services and looks for ways to make them
better.
What attracted you to the job?
Ive always been keen to progress my career
within the council, and this job gave me lots
of opportunities to develop the knowledge Id
built up working with customers in the
contact centre, while also improving my
skills. Parking and transport are big issues
for our residents, businesses and visitors
alike, and I like the challenge of finding the
best solutions that we can, while taking
everyones needs into account.
What do you like most about your job?
Im trusted to work on my own initiative,
which is really important to deal with
problems quickly, or to come up with new
ideas that can really make a difference.
What does good customer service mean
to you?
Good? Excellent customer service
listening to our customers and making sure
that we treat everyone fairly - is paramount
at all times and key to our business in
Parking Services.
BU East OCT14_Layout 1 24/09/2014 12:37 Page 12