MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COVID-19
Update MAY 2020
OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE LOCKDOWN

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR

KEY WORKERS - WE APPLAUD YOU
 e L i m i T
Sky’s th
LETTER FROM THE LEADER IN THIS ISSUE....
Dear residents of Maidstone
Councils up and down the country have been hard Community Support Hub 4
at work since the beginning of the outbreak, Business Grants 6
changing and adapting services. We wanted to
update you on the local situation and reassure Recycling through Lockdown 7
you that Maidstone Borough Council is doing Garden Bins Update 7
everything possible to provide support in every
way we can during the Coronavirus pandemic. Parking Responsibly 7

I am extremely proud of how quickly all our staff have reacted to Flytipping 7
maintain services and in some cases provide completely new ones, Maidstone Cares 8
in these challenging circumstances.
Housing/Homeless Teams 8
Our Waste Services team have continued to operate a full service –
Life in Lockdown 9
with Council staff usually employed in street cleansing and grounds
maintenance supporting the waste collection crews where there has Maidstone Closures 10
been absence due to sickness or self-isolation. Many of our front line Communities 11
E N TURE
services have seen an increased demand as we would expect, despite
A D V
A GREAT
the majority of our staff now working from home, or deployed to Customer Services 12

O U T F O R ALL unfamiliar areas of work, services are running well. None of this would Community Protection 12
DAY perhaps be possible if there were no resilience planning or robust IT
M ILY! POST Crematorium 13
T H E FA LOPENS
O C KDOWN
systems in place.
Virtual Committee Meetings 13
The Maidstone Community Hub is a fantastic example of this; we
FBOOK
REE
EASTER created it within a matter of days of the lockdown, providing support Letter from the Mayor 14
GNOW!
AME to those who are ‘shielded’ or currently the most vulnerable in the
borough. Since the Hub opened on 25 March it has received more than
Keeping People Updated on Social 14
1,300 requests for help. Compliment Corner 15
We have been overwhelmed by the care and incredible generosity Thank You Bin Men 15
of our amazing communities. Hundreds of individuals have offered Street Cleansing 15
to help others as too have Parish Councils, local community groups,
charities and Councillors. Thank you to Everyone who has offered help.
Our business community has also suffered immeasurably, so we are
doing all we can to support them. A total of £28 million of Government
grant (this support is non-repayable) is being distributed to over 2,200
businesses across the borough that qualify.
To continue as near to ‘normal’ as possible, within the guidelines
dino set out by central Government, we are endeavouring to progress
golf
Council business through the use of technology. The first ever virtual
committee meeting was held on Wednesday 29 April. Councillors were
able to conduct business, however it was not as efficient for the public
to contribute; this will be enhanced moving forward.
climbing
wall Can I please assure you that we are doing everything possible to keep
all residents informed using regular news updates on our website, Meet the MBC Communications Team
social media channels, local media and local radio stations including Editors:
segway sky
the community station – Maidstone Radio, to listen please go to their Julie Maddocks, Ella Watkins, Ella Martignetti
terrain trail
website: www.wearemaidstone.com
Design:
We realise that this is a very difficult time for you all and would like to Natalie Tye, Sue Fuller

FREE
*Terms and Conditions
- One Free Dino Golf BOOK ONLINE NOW to secure your place at re-assure you that the Maidstone Borough Council is here to help and Advertising Sales:
Session per paying
customer for Sky Trail, www.moteparkadventure.com support, so please, take care and stay safe. communications@maidstone.gov.uk
Climbing Wall and Segway

LF
DINO GO
Terrain. One coupon
per individual or group
participating in activities
or just turn up!
Martin Cox Thank you to Ian Tucker for the front cover photo
COUPON*
together. The paid for Mote Avenue, Maidstone, Kent ME15 7RN Cllr. Martin Cox - Leader of the Council and other pictures within this magazine
activity can be purchased
online or in person. The MoteParkAdventure
Bring
POST thisLOCKDOWN
coupon along free Dino Golf session will
be added for individual or
for a FREE
if you want to game
get of
out group when attending the Please review maidstonebc maidstoneboroughcouncil maidstonecouncil maidstonebc
12345600699

your adventure
paid for session. The free
Dino Golf for every
come and join us for paid Dino Golf offer can only
activity at GAME.
the park. be redeemed and used at
after your visit!
a FREE the time of your paid for
activity/activities. www.maidstone.gov.uk 3
 MBC COMMUNITY SUPPORT HUB The Council set-up a Community Support Hub to
provide a coordinated response to help provide and
deliver essentials to people across the borough who
Maidstone Borough Council
COVID-19 WORKING

TO HELP THOSE IN NEED FOR OUR COMMUNITY

are most in need.
The Community Hub was created within days of the
Coronavirus lockdown and is made up of different
DELIVERED

650
teams working virtually and physically. They are
providing food and medicine for the shielded and
vulnerable people in our communities as well as
tackling social isolation.
We would like to thank all the community groups and
Parish Councils who have worked tirelessly to help
FOOD PARCELS
and support residents in need across the borough,
providing personal shopping, food parcels and medical
collections.
We are all in this together, as well as the support of
all our community groups and Parish Councils we
have had help from the Maidstone Rotary Clubs
FED
1,000
who have been assisting by collecting boxes of
food and medicines and delivering them to
people’s homes. Foodbanks have also been

PEOPLE
assisting with donations to the Hub. These
include Berry Farms Fruit Packaging,
Knightrider Day Centre, MADM and
Morrisons Supermarket.
Since the Hub opened on 25 March it has ASSISTED OVER
received more than 1,300 requests for help,
delivered over 650 food parcels and assisted 100
over 100 people with medicine deliveries. PEOPLE WITH MEDICINE
The MBC led Hub was established in response to DELIVERIES
the Government introduction of ‘shielding’ and the call
to create a network of hubs covering the whole
country for the most vulnerable. It is part of
the #KentTogether response to the crisis.
RESPONDED TO
Working with local volunteer and
1,300 CALLS
community groups the MBC Hub FOR HELP SO FAR
provides a service to anyone of any age
who is in need of additional support.
It has a specific focus on providing
access to food, medicines, essential
supplies and tackling social isolation.
Those who need help from the MBC
Community Support Hub should call
freephone: (Freephone 0300 303 1650)
or can contact us via our website at:
www.maidstone.gov.uk/covidsupport
A Freephone Kent County Council 24 hour helpline is
also available at: Freephone – 03000 419292 or visit
the website at: www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether

#KENTTOGETHER
4 5
 A
SAFE, CLEAN AND GREEN
PPLY Maidstone Borough Council Garden waste bin collection Please allow access
£28 NOW COVID-19 BUSINESS
The Council is working extremely hard to make sure
to refuse vehicles

£
all of the waste collections are running during the
million UPDATE
pandemic. The garden waste is no exception, with the
weather being so warm and the need for people to A number of streets in the town centre have had issues
with refuse collections due to the amount of parked cars
available stay home, the garden waste service is proving to be
blocking access.
MBC ENCOURAGING LOCAL even more popular than usual.
For anyone thinking about joining the scheme, it costs With the increased numbers of people working from
home and self-isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic,
BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR GRANTS just £40 a year to have your garden waste collected
and when you sign up for the service a brown wheelie there are more vehicles than normal around during the
bin is delivered to your home. day which is causing problems in some areas.
Following the introduction of Government support for businesses
affected by the Coronavirus, a total £28 million is due to be The garden waste scheme operates on a two weekly To help ease the parking demand, Maidstone Borough
awarded to 2,222 businesses across the borough of Maidstone. system for the collection of grass cuttings, flowers, Council agreed to allow residents displaying a valid
plants, hedge trimmings and pruning, leaves and small resident parking permit to park free of charge in any of
Whilst over 80% of eligible businesses have already applied the Council's pay and display car parks until 1 July 2020.
branches.
there are still around 300 who have been contacted and are yet
For more information on applying for a garden waste To maintain safe access to your road and to allow refuse
to apply.
vehicles to support your local community, please use the
£25K To check whether you are missing out visit:
https://my.maidstone.gov.uk/service/Contact_Us_Business_
bin please visit ‘Garden Bins’ on the Waste and Recyling
page on the Maidstone Borough Council website. Council's car parks wherever possible and please park
responsibly.
CASH GRANT Support Unfortunately, your rubbish collection may be
For businesses in the significantly delayed if the refuse vehicles cannot get
For further information on the range of support available to
retail, hospitality and leisure access to your road. Your support and cooperation is
businesses call the helpline on 03333 602 300.
sectors with a rateable appreciated. Please help us keep your community safe.
value over £15,000 HELP WITH BENEFITS:
and under £51,000
The MBC Benefits Team has been helping our residents. It saw
a 300% increase in new claims, processed a staggering 648 and
7,618 change in circumstances enquiries in April alone. The
changes in legislation due to Covid-19 to support low income
household have been welcomed and meant that the team has
£10K had many to reassess. This work could not be more critical to
our overall response as a Council and in many cases provides
CASH GRANT that much needed support and reassurance that low income
For businesses in the families will be able to maintain their home.
retail, hospitality and leisure LOCAL AUTHORITY DISCRETIONARY GRANT FUND:
sectors with a rateable
value of less than
£15,000
A Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund has recently been
introduced. Whilst guidance on how the scheme will work is Fly tippers beware
yet to be published by Government, small businesses in shared The Waste Crime team continue to monitor the borough
offices or other flexible workspaces, regular market traders and for all aspects of waste crime especially acts of fly
Bed & Breakfasts are amongst those expected to benefit. tipping and criminals are still being prosecuted.
To register an interest on this, or to receive information, We understand that residents want to have a tidy up

£10K advice and help please go to the website:

www.maidstone.gov.uk
whilst they are indoors, but they need to ensure they
have the ability to store any waste until things get back
CASH GRANT to normal. Your waste is your responsibility.
For all businesses
regardless of sector in
2,222 Are You One If someone is offering to get rid of your waste or you
arrange for a waste collection, you must check if they
receipt of small business
rates relief or rural
BUSINESSES QUALIFY
IN MAIDSTONE of Them? are a legitimate company and are a registered waste
carrier. You also need to make sure you get a waste
rate relief transfer note/receipt otherwise you may be prosecuted
Cash Grant for your business Not a Loan or issued with a £300 fixed penalty notice. If it sounds
CUT ABOVE too good (and cheap) to be true it probably is, and may
£22,430,000 PAID end up fly tipped in a country lane.
If you have witnessed a fly tip, report it online at
www.maidstone.gov.uk and click the ‘report it’ button.
OFFICES
6 www.maidstone.gov.uk 7

Maidstone CARES
crowdfunding appeal
Maidstone Borough Council launched
a crowdfunding appeal – ‘Maidstone
CARES’ (Community Assistance
Reaching Everyone Safely) to support
local charities and help communities
across the borough most affected
by Covid-19.
Maidstone CARES aims to raise £10,000 for
organisations helping those most vulnerable in the
borough and asked everyone who could to donate
money to the campaign.
The Mayor – Cllr Marion Ring, pledged £1,000 to the
appeal from her Mayoral Community Chest for the local
charities and said: “I’m delighted to be able to support
this fantastic initiative which is helping those who are
helping others. I have been overwhelmed and humbled
by the work these charities (and many others), have
been doing across the borough to assist the people
most in need at this incredibly difficult time.
“Maidstone CARES is giving something back to the
community – I know that now more than ever every
penny counts, but if you can donate please do.”
To donate to Maidstone CARES and find out more information go to the website:
https://www.spacehive.com/maidstonecares
8 www.maidstone.gov.uk
Food for the Homeless
Not only have we been providing food for the
‘shielded’ vulnerable people directly affected by the
Coronavirus pandemic, our homeless teams have
also been busy making sure any homeless people
in the borough are cared for.
They have been receiving regular food donations
from Premier Foods in Ashford, local Aldi and Lidl
stores and the Maidstone Day Centre. The food
was then passed on to more than 100 people in
Maidstone, some of which were sleeping rough
or have been found accommodation as they were
unable to cope in the current situation.
The charity crowdfunding appeal is raising
money for organisations including:
• Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM) –
supporting the homeless, those in addiction, your feelings of lockdown
socially isolated, disadvantaged and in crisis
in the Maidstone area
• Maidstone Family Food Bank – providing food
supplies across the borough
• FareShare Kent – Maidstone branch of the by 1 June 2020.
charity ensuring quality surplus food doesn't
go to waste and goes to the local community
• Involve Kent – supporting the isolated with
phone calls, help with shopping and prescription
collections
• Heart of Kent Hospice – caring for 1,500 patients
and their families each year
• Salvation Army - transforming the lives of people
in our community
MaidstoneMuseum
Maidstone Museum
lockdown snapshot
exhibition
Maidstone Museum launched a virtual exhibition project
to capture and preserve images and videos as a snapshot
of how people in the borough have been affected by and
coped during lockdown.
Called ‘Maidstone Apart Together,’ the Museum is asking
people to send in pictures of how they have been affected
and looking at the way they have adapted their lifestyles.
The exhibition includes themes of social distancing,
isolation, homeworking, boredom busters, home-
schooling and communicating with friends and family.
The Museum would like to capture as many photos
and images it can to create a ‘snapshot’ of this time so
that future generations will be able to look back, reflect
and understand what we’ve all been through during
lockdown.
Contributions will be used to create a series of videos
covering each theme and will be available to view on
Maidstone Museum’s website and YouTube channel
from 15 June 2020.
Anyone who would like to provide pieces for the
exhibition are asked to include:
• The theme covered
• First name
• Age
• Brief description of how the piece reflects
The project is looking for photos,
videos or artwork to be sent to
exhibitions@maidstone.gov.uk
01622 602838 museuminfo@maidstone.gov.uk museum.maidstone.gov.uk
www.maidstone.gov.uk 9
 KEEP FIT HOME
THANK YOU
FOR KEEPING
EXERCISING
STAY IN, WORK OUT ADVICE:
Maidstone Market
Love your Local with Maidstone Market offers FREE stalls
MAIDSTONE SAFE Despite being closed since 20
March, the team from the Gym at the Lockdown has given us all the chance The Market will be supporting this
Following government guidance and Maidstone Leisure Centre have been to create and reignite relationships too (post-lockdown) by offering small
requests to ‘Stay at Home – Protect the encouraging everyone to keep fit in the with our communities including local producers of food or crafts a free-of-
NHS – Save Lives’ it was encouraging – if not confines of their own home. producers of food and products who charge ‘pitch’ for eight sessions during
somewhat eerie to see some of the busiest roads delivered when big brands couldn’t. one month when it re-opens.
Head of health and
in Maidstone deserted. Here are a few photographs taken on a weekday It’s also allowed some smaller This will provide the perfect platform to
fitness at the
morning when these routes would normally see traffic queuing. producers to shine and show off the great re-connect our community and benefit
Centre is Paul quality that buying local can provide, not social distancing measures with fresh
Thank you for your help and listening to the advice during lockdown. Street who only in the product itself, but the customer air and space.
Take care and stay safe. advises that service and care that comes with it. If you would like to register for a FREE
everyone should
As part of the national ‘Love your Maidstone Market stall by calling
keep as active as
Local’ campaign MBC is offering small 01622 602529 or email:
they can: “Staying
MAIDSTONE HOT SITE active will help
businesses the chance to try out
Maidstone Market – encouraging people
AlexaKerstingWoods@Maidstone.gov.uk
Maidstone Market is normally open
your physical health, to shop local and keep those community
A primary care treatment centre was set up at the of course, but also help you mentally Tuesday and Saturday between
Maidstone Leisure Centre - Mote Park to support connections going. 7am and 1pm.
cope with the challenges we’re all
communities during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. facing due to the virus. Whatever you
Primary Care Treatment Centres were one of the can do to keep on the move in some MBC working with TOURISM AND EVENTS TEAM
changes local GP practices made to ensure the safety
of patients and staff during the pandemic.
way is going to help.”
Maidstone Radio STAY HOME, VISIT LATER
The team at the Leisure Centre are
The centre enabled the local Primary Care Networks also following the guidance from Sport Lockdown for the tourism and events industry has
(PCN), which are groups of GP surgeries in the Maidstone area England – Stay in, work out campaign, been catastrophic with the visitor economy being
working together, to split patient care across different sites. (#StayInWorkOut), which provides top hit by social distancing forcing venues to close and
The centre was one of two set-up in the borough of Maidstone (the second being tips and lots of creative ideas on how events to be cancelled. The message became stay
at Headcorn Aerodrome), and was created with the help of Serco Leisure, the to get active at home along with the home and visit later.
Maidstone Leisure Trust and the Council. Mike Evans, MBC Leisure Manager latest advice around getting outside, Events are vital to Maidstone’s economy, supporting
said: “We were pleased to work with Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco with tools to help you make the most jobs, local contractors as well as the hospitality sector
Leisure to be able to support the NHS in the delivery of local health care to out of the fresh air during your daily bringing in millions of pounds each year.
our community during the pandemic. Together we did everything we could to walk, run or cycle. Find out more on Keeping in touch with the people across the borough is vital to MBC’s tourism and events team has worked closely
accommodate their needs.” The hot site at the Leisure Centre is now closed. the website - just go to: the Council and the opportunity to communicate regularly with with partners to ensure businesses are kept informed
www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout communities in the borough could never be more important than about any information announced such as the Retail,
A20 WORKS ALMOST COMPLETE It goes without saying, that if you are
during lockdown. Hospitality & Leisure Business Grant Fund, the Small
Works to improve one of the main entry routes feeling unwell in any way, please think Thanks to the help of Maidstone Radio, MBC has been doing just that Business Grant Fund, the Business Loan Scheme and
into Maidstone along the A20 at Bearsted are now carefully before exerting yourself. by taking part in regular broadcasts letting people know what the the job retention scheme amongst others.
almost complete. Council is doing and where they can get help if they need it. During lockdown the team compiled a directory
Taking advantage of the quieter roads, our Grounds Julie Maddocks, MBC Communications Manager said: “Maidstone of businesses offering home deliveries across the
Maintenance Teams and a local chainsaw sculptor Radio is a great project and the Council is delighted to be able to borough including pubs offering takeaways and a
have been hard at work. support it. They’re providing a vital link to the people of Maidstone marquee company that changed its way of working
who need to know now – more than ever, what is happening in their to deliver fresh food essentials. The page created
These improvements will help to promote the huge
community. on the Visit Maidstone website has proved to be one
importance Maidstone’s farming heritage plays in the
borough as well as illustrating how we are supporting “We are really grateful to the team at the radio station who have of the most popular for visitors and MBC is inviting
biodiversity through the Council’s Go Green Go Wild scheme. helped us get our messages out to our residents and businesses businesses that would like to be included on the list
and look forward to working with them more in the future.” to upload their details on to the website: https://www.
A new wooden bus shelter, new flowerbeds with pretty spring
Maidstone Radio relies entirely on donations and is looking for visitmaidstone.com/eating-and-drinking/home-
flowers have already been installed for the ongoing works, which will
volunteers to become involved – including presenters, journalists deliveries-and-takeaways/how-to-register-your-
enhance the junction of New Cut Road and the A20.
and fund-raisers. Station co-founder Stuart Baker said: “You don’t business.
Two beautiful tree carvings are now finished and a new ‘Welcome to
need experience – skills can be taught – all we need is people who As lockdown lifts, the Council’s team will be working
Maidstone’ sign has been installed along with improved road markings.
have bags of enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.” with hotels, visitor attractions and the hospitality
There are also plans for an Iguanodon sculpture, bicycle silhouettes, sector to help restore the visitor economy to
a bug hotel, as well as a cast-iron Mote Park entrance archway. Find out more about Maidstone Radio from the website:
www.wearemaidstone.com Maidstone.
10 www.maidstone.gov.uk www.maidstone.gov.uk 11
 Whoever you are, social isolation is Claim the benefits you Changes to funeral First ever remote
not an excuse for domestic abuse are entitled to services in Maidstone committee meeting
This is a crime and it If you have been financially affected by the Coronavirus Maidstone Borough Council held its’ first ever remote
The Vinters Park Crematorium, owned and run by the
can affect anyone. and are finding it difficult to make your Council Tax council committee meeting on Wednesday 29 April.
Council, has sadly had to introduce changes to the
During this COVID-19 pandemic, limited payments, check to see what help is available. way it works during lockdown in line with government Following new legislation introduced as a result of
contact with the outside world may make
you or someone you know feel unsafe but
our specialist teams are still here to help Everyone needs some help from time to time, particularly guidance around social distancing which aims to the Coronavirus outbreak the Policy and Resources
24/7, in the same way we always do.
at this incredibly difficult time. It is better to ask for reduce the number of people attending funerals. committee was the first meeting to be held in this way.
Kent Police will respond to your call
and can arrest anyone committing help before it becomes a bigger problem. We have Therefore, the Crematorium has asked that only close
offences against you.
created a ‘Help with Council Tax and benefits’ page on family members attend during this time. The new legislation means local authority committee
In an emergency dial 999 or 101
our Maidstone.gov.uk website with more information meetings can be held electronically, digitally or in
for non-emergencies. You can
However, the Crematorium can offer webcasting of virtual locations rather than only with councillors
also speak to someone online at
on Council Tax Support and Universal Credit.
www.kent.police.uk services on request and record and provide families physically present in a room.
There are other agencies working with Kent
Police to support you:
If you have fallen behind and would like to talk to us about with a copy.
making a payment, please contact our Council Tax team on The first meeting consisted of a conference call
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline:
0808 2000 247 01622 602003 or email counciltax@maidstone.gov.uk. Sharon Smith, Bereavement Services Manager at with all Councillors listening in and participating.
• Kent and Medway Domestic Maidstone Borough Council said: The new arrangements ensure that the public can
Abuse Helpline: www.domestic
abuseservices.org.uk/ participate in the meetings in the usual way and can
• Victim support: 08 08 16 89 111
“We appreciate how difficult it is to not come to be given remote access.
www.victimsupport.org.uk a funeral of a close friend or family member, but
• Broken Rainbow: personal safety must be paramount during this The Council is also looking to stream
www.brokenrainbow.org.uk
• Childline: 0800 1111 time.” future meetings live on its YouTube
Channel to enable the press and
“We are pleased that mourners do appear to have public who would like to observe
followed government guidance as the numbers without having to dial into the
Protecting and serving attending services have certainly dropped.” meeting.
the people of Kent
Customer Services Similar arrangements are now in place for mourners It is the Council’s intention to

Be aware - be alert
Criminals, or scammers are using the Coronavirus
outbreak as an opportunity to make money. Kent
County Council Public Protection team have put
together a useful list of the key scams to be aware of,
find it on www.kent.gov.uk under ‘Coronavirus scams
and guidance’, you can also sign up to receive email
alerts which will tell you about the most recent scams
to look out for.
Sadly scammers will find lots of ways to target people,
face to face, online and by email, on the phone and text
as well as letter scams. Always be vigilant.
If you have received an email which you’re not quite
sure about, you can forward it to the Suspicious
Email Reporting Service at the National Cyber
Security Centre at: report@phishing.gov.uk. They
will investigate it for you and it will help them to act
quickly and help more people.
- here to help: visiting the Maidstone Cemetery at Sutton Road,
although both sites are currently allowing public
hold all Committee meetings
this way during lockdown and it
With the closure of The Link, the Council’s Customer access at weekends and bank holidays. is proposing to hold a Planning
Service team has had to introduce a new way of Committee before the end of May.
working, adapting to changes whilst managing to For the latest information regarding Burials and
maintain the same service level so that the residents Cremations please visit: www.maidstone.gov.uk
and businesses across the borough are supported. Maidstone Cemetery
One area that they have seen a huge 300% increase
in demand for is Business Rates which received over
2,078 telephone calls in April 2020, compared to 393 in
the same month last year. In total the team answered
over 10,000 enquiries in just one month.
The 20 members of the team have adjusted well to the
new working environment at home and continued to
deliver an excellent service to our customers.
Louise Goodsell – Customer Services Manager said:
“We have seen a huge increase in contact from
the public across all channels, especially for
Business Rates and Council Tax and the team has
worked really hard to ensure we answer as many
enquiries that we can.”

The team has been working on a rota-basis covering

different hours to help cover additional demand
including outside the standard normal Council opening
hours.
If you need information about MBC services,
please go to the website: www.maidstone.gov.uk.

12 www.maidstone.gov.uk 13
 NEWS
The Council's Communication Team is doing everything
possible to keep all residents informed using regular news
updates on our website, extensively using social media
channels, local media and local radio stations including the
community station – Maidstone Radio, to listen please go
to their website: www.wearemaidstone.com
Ways to stay updated
MBC’s website was quickly adapted with a Covid-19
section full of information on council services and where
community support is in place across the Borough:
www.maidstone.gov.uk/covidsupport
The news website contains all of our latest press
releases, you can find these here: news.maidstone.gov.uk
Facebook: Maidstone Borough Council
Twitter: @maidstonebc
Instagram: maidstonebc
Letter from
THE MAYOR
The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Marion Ring wrote a
letter to the residents of the borough expressing her
concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic and sharing
her thanks and reassurance that Maidstone Borough
Council is supporting them in getting through the
difficult time of lockdown:
Dear Resident,
We have all been living through one of the most
difficult times together and I know that you may be
anxious about your own health and that of vulnerable
friends and relatives, your livelihood, and what it may
bring us.
Thank you bin men!
Families from all across the borough of Maidstone
have been paying tribute to the Refuse Teams
for the fantastic work they are doing in difficult
circumstances.
Lots of people are leaving notes and pictures on
their bins to show their appreciation.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to
create lovely pictures and written such kind words.
They are so appreciated and really lifting everyone’s
spirits.
It is so wonderful to see these messages of thanks
for our essential workers who are doing an amazing
job. They are being pinned to noticeboards for all
the workers to see. This is happening all over the
borough, with reports of them from streets and
villages everywhere, people are so thoughtful.
In such difficult times, it is great to see the
warmest side of human nature.
Streets cleaned
Our Street Cleansing Teams have been
out cleaning the pavements and street
furniture while we have all been in
lockdown.
All part of the normal rota for cleaning
grease and stains from pavements
around the town centre so that when
we return to our daily routines again

1,721
NEW FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
With that in mind, I wanted to contact everyone to let
them know that Maidstone Borough Council is here
the pavements and street furniture will
be looking cleaner.
AND 398 NEW LIKES to support you and all our residents, and our thoughts

106 NEW TWITTER are with you. Th

a
Compliment Corner YO nk
FOLLOWERS
I also wanted to thank you for the amazing kindness,
52 NEW INSTAGRAM
FOLLOWERS patience and understanding that you have shown
MBC staff and to each other along with the vast Maidstone Borough Council has been inundated with
Thank you sincerely for remembering me during
this time. I will say a prayer for all of you every U
day and I will constantly think of you.
amount of generosity and community spirit I have wonderful messages of thanks from its residents from
Best wishes!
heard about in our communities. I am sure you will across the borough for food, medical supplies and
join me to thank all our front-line people who are assistance that have been provided during the Covid-19
Dear Sirs,
keeping Maidstone running. lockdown.
Contact Customer Services Please remember, for however long this goes on Emails and letters have been pouring in for the MBC
May you please pass on my utmost gratitude to all the MBC
team and volunteers who coordinated delivery of a package
to take good care of yourselves, ask for help if you staff and volunteers who are working at the Maidstone of food to my doorstep yesterday. Being assessed as high
To speak directly with a Customer Service Community Hub, preparing or delivering food and risk by the NHS and having to self-isolate for the 12 week
need it and keep following the NHS and government
advisor, contact 01622 602000. guidelines. medicines to the most vulnerable in the area. period, the food package was most welcomed and ensures
my well-being and anxiety is not compromised by my husband
Benefits 01622 602557 Here are just a few examples of the emails the Council (aka carer) having to source food from supermarkets.
You are very much in my thoughts, please take care
Council Tax 01622 602003 has received:
of yourself and stay safe. Thank you once again.
Housing 01622 602440
Waste 01622 602600 Kind Regards, Dear Sir, Thank you for your email. At the moment we are fine
You just dropped off to me a food parcel. I get nervous but it’s very emotional receiving this email and we are
Phone line opening hours: Cllr Marion Ring - Maidstone Mayor
around people but just wanted to say… thank you very very grateful for the support and wanted to thank you
Monday - Thursday: 9am – 5pm
much for the food parcel. I am so grateful you will never and the rest of the team for your efforts it really does
Friday: 9am – 4.30pm Follow the Mayor on Twitter: mean so much
www.twitter.com/maidstonemayor know. Like I said thanks very much and I wish u and your
Saturday & Sunday: Closed family well and stay safe, all the best and many thanks.... Kindest Regards.

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