Borough Update September 2012

7/28/2019 Borough Update September 2012

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UpdateEast, September 2012

Borough

www.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone Mela is betterthan ever see page 2


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2 MaidstoneBoroughCouncil

Most weekends Maidstone council refuse lorries

collect bulky household rubbish from locations

in your area. Take your refuse to the SaturdayFreighter Service at the times shown:

13th October

07:45 - 08:30 Frinsted Church08:40 - 09:20 Wormshill. The Street09:30 - 10:10 Harrietsham. Church Lane10:20 - 11:00 Harrietsham School12:00 - 12:40 Lenham. Douglas Road12:50 - 13:30 Lenham.. Ham Lane/Cherry Orchard13:40 - 14:20 Lenham. Honeywood Road14:30 - 15:10 Platts Heath. Green Lane15:15 - 15:45 Grafty Green. Church Lane

20th October

07:45 - 08:30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead08:45 - 09:15 Lenham. Warren Street09:25 - 09:55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens

3rd November

07:45 - 08:15 Walderslade. Impton Lane/SpenlowDrive

08:25 - 09:00 Walderslade. Impton Lane/OlivineRoad

09:15 - 10:00 Bredhurst. Hurstwood Road10:15 - 11:00 Stockbury Village Hall12:00 - 12:45 Detling Village Hall

14:50 - 15:45 Sandling. Tyland Lane10th November

12:00 - 12:55 Vinters Park. Marston Drive13:05 - 14:05 Vinters Park. Hampton Road

24th November

12:15 - 13:00 Grove Green. Grovewood DriveSouth13:10 - 14:00 Grove Green. Grovewood DriveNorth14:10 - 15:10 Madginford. Merton Road15:10 - 15:45 Bearsted. Ashford Road/RosemaryRoad

1st December

09:05 - 09:50 Senacre. Woolley Road09:45 - 10:20 Senacre. Betsham Road -

by garages

We cannot accept garden waste, very large

bulky items and electrical or hazardous items.

You can dispose of these items 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 602162.

Free bulky rubbishservice

Mela is ten times betterMaidstones tenth anniversary Mela was the biggest yet.

Artists included the Maidstone Nepalese Dance Group, the awardwinning Mandy Ellen School of Dance, the colourful Four by FourBhangra, the Winners of the Maidstone Got Talent Competition, SteelAmbition, Harmony and the Square Pegs Drama Group.

The Mela was headlined by leading tribute act Jessie Jay, bhangrafusion star PBN (Panjabi by Nature) and the ever popular MagnificentMotown Band.

Gurvinder Sandher, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus, said: We arevery proud to have been working in partnership with MaidstoneBorough Council on the Mela for ten years now. Each year we havetried to develop upon the success of previous years and this year is noexception.

Maidstone Mela celebrates the diversity of Maidstone through music,food and dance. It is organised in partnership by Maidstone BoroughCouncil, Cohesion Plus Kent and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

Pupils from Maidstone schools have been awarded prizes forbecoming better citizens and improving their safety skills.

More than 1,000 junior school pupils from across the borough tookpart in the Safety in Action day at the 36 Engineers barracks inMaidstone to learn about environmental hazards, stranger danger,fire and water hazards, road safety, drugs and first aid.

Maidstone Mayor Cllr Rodd Nelson-Grace made a whistle stop tourof five of the boroughs schools to present certificates and a cup, andover 100 medals were awarded to pupils who had got the highestmarks in a competition to judge what pupils learnt from the day.

Safety in Action


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Maidstone Borough Council 3

New garden waste service

Maidstones gardeners are being asked toconvert to garden waste bins and the councilis offering two sizes to suit most properties a 240 litre wheelie bin costing 30 a year

or a 140 litre wheelie bin costing 27 a year.The move spells the end of compostablebags for most people, with residents beingasked to use up their stocks of compostablebags by the end of June 2013. The bags willsoon disappear from general sale.

The council will only supply bags toproperties which are not suitable for wheeliebins. They will cost 30 for up to 52 bags ayear, which is less than it would currentlycost for a similar number of bags at 3.50for five.

The council introduced compostable bags,made from potato starch, in 2010 to replaceplastic sacks because they dont have to bethrown away and can be recycled intocompost. Unfortunately some residentshave found them difficult to get along withbecause they have started to compost tooquickly.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, CllrMarion Ring said: It is important that weoffer a reliable, convenient service for our

residents. We have looked at servicesacross the country and wheeled bins are byfar the best method for collecting gardenwaste.

If you would like to order a garden wastebin or subscribe to garden sack collectionsplease call 01622 602600 or visitwww.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone council has teamed up with Getcomposting.comto provide compost bins with a recommended retail priceof 39 for just 16 plus delivery. And if you buyone you can get another one half price.

Every gardener should considerinvesting in a water butt too. Onaverage 85,000 litres of rainwaterfalls on the average house roof.Collect it in a water butt for use inthe garden and if you are on a watermeter it will save you money. Waterbutt kits are available from 28.95and come complete with a stand,tap and rain diverter kit. The buy-one-get-one- half-price offer isalso available on water butts.

To order or for more informationon compost bins and water butts,

call 0844 571 4444 or visitwww.maidstone.getcomposting.com.

Maidstone council has adoptedthe Kent Code of Conduct whichaims to introduce commonstandards across all tiers of localgovernment in the county.

Cllr Eric Hotson, Cabinet Memberfor Corporate Services, said: "Itsets out comprehensive and

transparent standards ofbehaviour for all councillors, andnew procedures for dealing withany complaints about breaches ofthe code.

The Kent code was establishedafter the Government abolishedthe national Standards Boardregime and the model code ofconduct for all council members

in England.

In its drive for localism, thegovernment has established anew policy on codes of conductwhich gives responsibility forestablishing a new code and theprocedure for monitoringcompliance with it, to each local

authority.The Kent code has been adoptedby most councils in Kent,including some parish councils inMaidstone Borough.

As the code and its associatedprocedures settle in, they will bereviewed regularly and, asappropriate, improved anddeveloped; said Cllr Hotson.

New code of conduct for councillors

COMPOST BIN OFFER


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4 Maidstone Borough Council

Dannysdash

A frantic dash across town summed upthe remarkable impact that the arrival ofthe Olympic Torch had on the people ofMaidstone.

Danny Wright made the dash from LeedsCastle to Mote Park on the evening thetorch arrived, but his efforts were

inspired not by dreams of athletic glorybut by artistic ambitions.

Danny was one of the cast members whowowed the audience with the globalpremier of A River Runs Through tocelebrate the arrival of the torch atLeeds Castle, and his sprint to Mote Parkwas so that he could then take part in thefinal of Maidstones Got Talent, held aspart of a successful community concertthat same evening.

The dash was well worth it, as he andOliver Burrows, who stood in for Dannys

usual partner, emerged as the winnersof the over-16s category with theircomedy dance act.

His effort summed up the way MaidstoneBorough Council used the visit of thetorch relay not just to inspire dreams ofsporting glory but also to create a muchwider cultural legacy.

I had just 45 minutes to get off stage,drive to Mote Park through the traffic,get changed, find Oliver and dash to thestage just in time for our performance,said Danny.

It was worth the effort, though, and I amreally impressed with the way Maidstonetook the opportunity to broaden theappeal of the Olympics to focus on artand culture as well.

Earlier in the evening the 8,000-pluscrowd at Leeds Castle had greeted theperformance of A River Runs Through which told the history of the town inmusic and song - with huge applause.

The work, by established composerEdmund Jolliffe, covered key events suchas the Battle of Maidstone, the discoveryof the Iguanodon fossil and the growth of

industries such as paper making andbrewing.

Police and Crime

Commissioner elections

Danny Wright (right) and Oliver Burrows at thefinals of the Maidstones got talent competition2012 at Mote Park Picture by Howard Marsh

Registering to voteThis year the Governmenthas instructed that the newElectoral Register has to bepublished on 16 October2012. This is to make surethat the register used for thePolice and CrimeCommissioners elections is

as up to date as possible.The annual canvass startedearlier and every property inthe Borough received a VoterRegistration Form 2012 inJune. There was a goodresponse with manyresidents helping us to savemoney by returning the first

form. Reminders have goneout to everyone else.

If you have not registered todate you must return acompleted form by 8 October2012 to be included on thenew Electoral Register. If youfail to register you will not be

entitled to vote and you willhave trouble obtaining amortgage, opening a bankaccount or getting credit.

If, for some reason, you havenot registered by 8 October2012 you must contactRegistration Services as soonas possible on 01622 602007.

Cold calling zonesMaidstone and District Neighbourhood Watch Association,Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards are looking to setup Maidstone boroughs first cold calling control zone inAllington.

If residents want to proceed with the scheme they will begiven information on how to deal with bogus callers androgue traders, along with a door/window sticker and road

signs.Cold calling control zones have proved to be a great successin other areas around the country. Residents are moreaware of how to tackle unknown callers at the door, andutility companies recognise a need for good practice whenoperating in the area.

For more information about Neighbourhood Watch, pleasecontact Suzanne Daniell on 01622 604 395 for aninformation pack.

On Thursday 15 November 2012 newelections are taking place in Englandand Wales (excluding London).

On this date you will be asked to votefor a Police and Crime Commissioner.

The police and crime commissioner isa new role that will replace your localpolice authority. Police and crimecommissioners will not run the police,but will be responsible for holding thepolice to account for the public. They

will be able to: Produce a police and crime plan

setting out local policing priorities.

Set the local policing budget anddecide how money will be spent.

Appoint chief constables and removethem where needed.

Information booklet

In late October, every household inEngland and Wales (excluding London)will receive a booklet explaining moreabout these elections and how to fill

in your ballot paper. Look out for thebooklet coming through your door.


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Matisse at Maidstone museum

News from the MUSEUM

The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century's most influential artists. Hisvibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and

luminosity of colour.Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, features 35 lithographic prints ofthe famous cut-outs, produced in the last four years of his life,when the artist was confined to his bed, and includes many of hisiconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

The Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre,London on behalf of Arts Council England will be at the museumfrom October 20 - November 18.

Maidstone Museum has won ArtsCouncil funding to help more childrenlearn about history.

The museum, which houses impressivecollections of Roman, Greek, Egyptianand Japanese artefacts, is one of just 10museums across the country to beoffered the funding and will be teamingup with the British Museum to delivermore education packages for children.

As well as school visits, which make useof an education room within the 3.6mnew wing of the St Faiths Streetbuilding, the museum already organisesactivities for children and encourages families to visit.

Simon Lace, Museums and Heritage Manager at Maidstone Borough Council,said: This funding will allow us to developfabulous new activities for children and youngpeople, increasing audiences for our amazingcollections and using the fantastic new spacescreated in the museums new East Wingextensions.

The museum is thrilled at the prospect ofworking with the British Museum and

Artswork, the youth arts development agency,to engage thousands of children from acrossthe county.

Year 5 children from East Borough PrimarySchool in Vinters Road visited the museum asthe Arts Council announced the funding lastmonth.

Museum fundingto help children

Maidstone Art SocietyexhibitionTraditional and contemporaryworks by 45 local artists. Ondisplay until Thursday, October 11.Free.

Tea, Talk and WalkWriters Who Inspired Tuesday,October 9, Commerce andAgriculture Tuesday, October 16and Maidstone and Art Tuesday,October 23.

Meet at the Bentlif library at11:30am for refreshments and talk,followed by a town walk led by aqualified guide. Adults 5,concessions 3.

Author Talk and BookSigningSaturday 20 October, 10.30am-12.30pm.Historian, broadcaster and formerMaidstone schoolboy, Dr MarcMorris, will give an illustrated talkabout his new book, The Norman

Conquest. Discover why theinvasion of 1066 was the singlemost important event in Englishhistory. Free.

Big Draw event: drawingwith line and scissorsSaturday, October 27. 10am-5pmBe inspired by the museumsMatisse exhibition. For all ages -Free.

Museums Christmas fairSaturday, November 3. 10am-4pmLocal crafts, cards, handmadedecorations, homewares, jewelleryand gifts will be on sale in themuseum. Free entry.

Regimental RoadshowSaturday, November 3. 10am-4pmAn opportunity to get hands on withreal artefacts, dress up and getyour medals assessed.

Mini Gifts - badges, mirrors& keyrings

Saturday, November 3.Make badges, mirrors or keyringfor Christmas gifts. 50p to 1.50per item. For all ages.

Tiny Talk TimeThe Knight Who Took All Day Wednesday, November 7.

Mogs Christmas Wednesday,December 5.

News in brief

Batty about Bats

Mon, Oct 29Join us to make spookybat wings, suitable for anyaspiring Batman orBatgirl.

Witches and Warlock Hats Tue, Oct 30Make a Halloween hat anddecorate it with magicalaccessories.

Halloween Puppets

Wed, Oct 31Create a dancing skeletonpuppet to entertain yourfriends and family.

Matisse Silhouettes Thur, Nov 1Inspired by our Matisseexhibition, make your ownpaper collage to hang athome.

Christmas Tree

Decorations Fri, Nov 2Make traditionalChristmas decorations.

Sessions start at 10:30,11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and2:30pm, Suitable for 4+.All events 2.50 perchild, except MatisseSilhouettes which is 1per child.

Half term at the Museum


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Shoppers in Maidstone were treated to a spectacle as the Shishi Odoridancers from Japan entertained crowds in Jubilee Square on 7September.

The dancers were in the UK for the Thames Festival in London but madea detour to Maidstone, where the towns museum hosts an impressivecollection of artefacts from Japanese history.

Maidstone Borough Council iscarrying out a Council Tax review tomake sure everyone who is entitledto receive the single personsdiscount is doing so.

Council Tax bills are calculated onthe assumption that two or moreadults (people over the age of 18) areresident in the property. If only oneadult occupies a property, then they

are entitled to a 25% single persondiscount on their Council Tax.

The council, with the help of CapitaLocal Government Services, will bereviewing households from Octoberonwards to make sure people arepaying the right amount. Thereview will be carried out by post,telephone interviews and bymatching data against credit

reference agencies.

The review is being undertaken toensure that customers receivediscounts they are entitled to, andbecause the council is committedto maintaining as low a Council Taxas possible for all its residents.Anyone in receipt of a discountshould call 01622 602003 if theircircumstances change.

Council Tax discount review

Lets dance

Young people who were inspired byboxing in the recent 2012 Olympics,can try it for themselves at ContenderBoxing lessons.

The sessions are held across theborough as part of a Maidstone YouthAction Partnerships initiative to

increase youth activities and to inspirea nation, building on the sportinglegacy from 2012. Sessions currentlytake place for 16 to 24 year olds atHeadcorn Scout Hut in Ulcombe Road,Headcorn on Tuesdays, from 4.30pmto 6.30pm, at Howard de WaldenChildrens Centre in Bluett Street,Maidstone on Tuesdays from 7pm to

8pm for young people aged 16 to 21,and at Heather House, Bicknor Road,Park Wood on Thursdays from 4pm to5pm for 11 to 16 year olds.

Young people can simply turn up atthe sessions to have a go. For moreinformation contact James Cullenon 07872 456033.

Changing placeA large toilet and wetroom withspecialised changing facilities ishelping disabled people in Maidstonekeep clean.

The Changing Place toilet atMaidstone Gateway includes a hoistand a height adjustable changingbench to enable people with mobilityproblems to shower and change, withthe help of a carer.

As well as being available to disabledpeople, it can be used by people who

have problems accessing their ownshower or bath facilities.

The facility has room for the personand up to two carers.

For more information, visit theChanging Place website:

http://www.changing-places.org/the_campaign/what_are_changing_places_toilets_.aspx

Free footballtrainingYoung people can improve theirfootball skills with free training

sessions run by Kick Kent.Sessions are currently held onWednesdays at Park Wood, HeatherHouse, Bicknor Road, Park Wood(5pm to 7pm) and Shepway Green,Cumberland Avenue, Maidstone from7.30pm to 9pm, and on Thursdays atSouth Park, Armstrong Road, Tovilfrom 5.30pm to 7pm.

For more information contact IanSummers on 07939 470581.

The Youth Sport Achievement Awards celebrate sport and Maidstone is now on thehunt for the stars of 2012.

The awards showcase local talent, dedication and achievement in sport from theprevious year and recognise the achievements of young people aged 21 and under,as well as adult volunteers and coaches.

Last years event saw 100 nominations.

The event is now in its 22nd year. To find out how to nominate someone, contact theMaidstone Borough Council community development team on 01622 602222 oremail [email protected]

Search for sports stars

Boxing lessons


7/12


Consultation thanks

The Heart of Kent Hospice shop which recently opened

in King Street, Maidstone, is selling secondhandwedding dresses, with the quality of a boutique salesexperience.

The shop also sells clothes, furniture and bric a bracand has a music department and coffee shop.

The bridal area provides brides with somewhere specialto buy a dress, with comfortable areas for the bridalparty to wait.

The shop welcomes donations phone 01622 609143 forinformation, and 01622 791142 for furniture donation.

Maidstone council is thanking local people who took part inits recent consultation on the boroughs Core Strategy andIntegrated Transport Strategy.

The documents set out the planning and transport

framework for the area until 2026 and in developing thestrategies the council has sought to address local needs,especially for housing and economic development, with anemphasis on achieving continuing and higher levels ofeconomic prosperity whilst at the same time protecting theenvironment and landscape that helps to continue to makethe borough of Maidstone a special place to live and work in.

Now the consultation is over, the council will be progress tothe next stage of adopting the plans, taking intoconsideration views raised in the consultation period.

Hospice shop with a

difference

A new food hygiene scheme is helping dinersin Maidstone make informed choices aboutwhere they eat.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a nationalinitiative which allows people to check howclean their local restaurants, cafes, hotels,pubs and takeaways are.

Premises are marked from zero to five, with azero rating meaning urgent improvements areneeded, and a score of five showing thebusiness has very good hygiene standards.

The rating is not a guide to food quality. It isworked out after the councils food officer

from the environmental health departmenthas inspected the premises and looked at:

how hygienically the food is handled how itis prepared, cooked, cooled and stored

the condition of the structure of thebuildings, including cleanliness, equipmentand other facilities

how the business manages and records whatit does to make sure the food is safe.

The first certificates andwindow stickers have nowbeen issued to food premisesin the borough and althoughthe business does not haveto display them, it islikely that the bestones will choose todo so. This meansnow is the time tostart to look outfor the strikinggreen and blackcertificates and

window stickers.The ratings can be foundon the Food StandardsAgency website:food.gov.uk/ratings fromOctober onwards.

So far certificates and stickershave been sent to about 700 ofthe 910 food premises across the borough.

Help for diners

A historic agreement has been signed between theArmed Forces and Maidstone Borough Council.The Armed Forces Community Covenant is a newinitiative in which members of the Armed Forcesand representatives of the local communities inwhich they live formally cement relationships andpledge to work together to ensure harmoniousrelations and greater cooperation.Lieutenant Colonel Ed Robinson, CommandingOfficer 36 Engineer Regiment (Search), who signedon behalf of the Armed Forces, said: "We havealways enjoyed very good relations with thecommunity here in Maidstone and are extremelygrateful for the support we receive. This covenantrepresents our commitment to maintaining andstrengthening that relationship in the future."

The signing came a week before a large contingentfrom 36 Engineer Regiment (Search) deployed toAfghanistan where they played a key role indeveloping the Afghan National Security Forcesand keeping the deployed force safe from thethreat posed by improvised explosive devices.

Maidstone signsarmy covenant

The Mayor, Rodd Nelson-Gracie and Lt ColEd Robinson signed the covenant on behalfof the council and the armed forces.


8/12

The Kent Waste Partnership of Kentcouncils and Alupro, the AluminiumPackaging Recycling Organisation,will be launching a Kent wide campaignto promote metal packaging recycling.

Our residents can recycle metalpackaging in their green recyclingbin or black recycling box.

There is plenty for us to recycle.The average UK household uses anestimated 600 food cans and 380 drinkcans every year. We also use 27aerosols, for everything from furniturepolish to shaving foam, around 182 foil

trays for pies and ready meals, andget through a staggering 144 metresof household foil for wrapping andstoring food. All are made of metals,aluminium and steel, and 100%recyclable. The recycling process isvery efficient.

In the UK aluminium drink cans andaerosols can be recycled in a closedloop so used cans are made back intometal which is used to make moredrink cans. At the recycling plant thecans are shredded and hot air is blownthrough them to remove the decoration.

The shreds are then melted in a furnaceand cast into ingots. These ingots arethen rolled into thin aluminium sheetwhich is used to make more cans usingonly 5% of the energy needed to makealuminium from raw materials.

Nine items of childrens play equipment, costing 65,000, have beeninstalled at Cobtree Manor Park, Forstal Road, Maidstone.

The new equipment includes - a double cableway, basket swing,spinning dish, see-saw, climbing frame, rockers, an agility trail and

a giant rope swing.

The new equipment is the first part of a majorinvestment by the Cobtree Charity Committee in thepark.

Cllr John Wilson, Chairman of the Committee said:Maidstones parks and open spaces keep gettingbetter. We have just finished our 2.6m HeritageLottery funded restoration of Mote Park and work hasalready started on a 1m investment by the Cobtreecharity in new facilities at Cobtree Manor Park.

Cobtree is going to be one of the best family days outin the area. Other improvements will include paths, anew caf and a visitor centre, and next Easter we areadding a magnificent new walled play area.

The new custom built play area will have seven metrehigh towers, large slides, lookout towers and wobblywalkways.It will have a Zoo theme because the park was home toMaidstone Zoo for a number of years.

Clare Park and Whatman Park haveboth won Green Flag awards for thenext 12 months to show that they areamongst the best in the country.

Cabinet Member for Community and

Leisure Services, Cllr John A. Wilson,said: I am absolutely delighted; theflags give a clear message to visitorsand residents that we take pride in ourparks. The awards are a nationalrecognition for the achievements of allthose whose hard work has createdthese fantastic places for all to enjoy.

Parks have a huge positive impact onpeoples lives, providing places to playand relax as well as bringinggenerations together.

Whatman Park, which is part of theMaidstone Millennium River Park, hasbeen awarded the green flag for thethird year running. Half a mile from the

town centreit has a largeadventureplay area, aseparate

JollyRodger areafor children,modernsculpture,wildlife andpond dippingareas. The River Stage, open airperformance area plays host to manyevents throughout the year.

Clare Park has won the award for a fifthyear running. Facilities include tenniscourts, a play area, a multi-use gamesarea, a bowls green and a wildlife area,

all within an historic parkland setting.Cllr Wilson added: The Green Flagaward scheme is the benchmark.

Green Flags flying


Invest in success

A new publication launched byMaidstone council showcases arange of residential, leisure andretail investments which arehelping the borough become a

better place to live and do business.Maidstone: Our Investment SuccessStory promotes the town andsurrounding area as a place toinvest and do business, as well asa popular place in which to live andwork.

If youd like a copy of the brochure,which looks at town centreregeneration, commercial success,sustainable growth, 21st centurylearning, the boroughs culturaloffer and the changing landscape

of the riverside, visitwww.locateinmaidstone.co.uk

Cobtree Park isopen for play

Metal matters

Above: An artists impression of the new play area.


9/12

Healthy weighthelp at handAchieving and maintaining a healthyweight is good for the mind and bodywhatever your age.

There are a number of weightmanagement programmes run across

the borough, and many of them are freeor available at very small cost.

Weight for It is a free 10 weekweight loss programme for adults witha fun and friendly weekly weigh-in with

diet and nutritional advice. Call thecommunity development team 01622 602222

to book on the sessions which start on Tuesday 9October at Loose Pavilion from 3.30pm to 4.30pm,and on Thursday 11 October at Sutton Valence Village Hallfrom 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Go for It is a free family and childrens weight managementand healthy lifestyle programme for those aged 5 to 17years. For further information call Jill Maynard at Zeroth on01622 749564.

Weight for Life is a 10 week adult weight managementprogramme witha holistic lifestyle approach. Sessions are just 1 per visit.For further information call Jill Maynard at Zeroth on 01622749564.

Adult Weight Management Programme offers gym,

swimming and exercise class sessions which are just 1 pervisit, with free weekly diet and nutrition seminars andweigh-in. For further information call Maidstone LeisureCentre 0845 155 2277.

For more information on any of theprogrammes [email protected]


Keeping fit and healthy eating can have a positive effect onhealth and wellbeing.

Maidstone Borough Council offers support to people living inMaidstone to help them meet their weight and fitness goals and stayhealthy, working with funding from the NHS .Here we look at tips for good mental health, support available to

reach and maintain a healthy weight, and facts about alcohol.

T Drinking regularly increases yourrisk of developing breast cancer.

T Women can drink up to 2-3 units of

alcohol per day and should not drinkmore than 14 units of alcohol per week.

T Men can drink up to 3-4 units of alcoholper day and should notdrink more than 21 units of alcohol perweek.

ConnectEvidence suggests that feeling close toand valued by other people is afundamental human need.

So why not:

T talk to someone rather than emailingor texting

T put aside five minutes to ask someonehow they are and listen fully.

Be activeRegular exercise is associated withreducing depression and anxiety.So why not:

T go for a walk at lunchtime

T contact the community developmentteam at Maidstone Borough Council or

look at the councils website for localsports clubs and sign up for a newactivity seewww.maidstone.gov.uk/sports

Take noticeBeing aware of whats happeningaround you and your environment andreliving the moment enhances yourwellbeing.

So why not:

T write a list of happy memories and put

it on your fridgeT have a clear the clutter day.

LearnContinued learning helps your selfesteem and encourages a more active life.

So why not:

T learn a new wordthrough reading a book or newspaper

T sign up to learn something new atwww.kentadulteducation.co.uk

GiveEvidence shows 87% of people agreethey feel good when they carry out anact of kindness for someone.

So why not :

T help an elderly neighbour carry theirshopping

T volunteer in your spare time ratherthan sitting on sofa in front of the TV -see www.vam-online.org.uk

Wellbeing isnt all about eating the right things and exercising...although theres no doubt theyre both important.

Mental health also plays an important part in our wellbeing and with World Mental Health Dayon 10 October, weve come up with some simple tips to help you stay happy, fit and well.

Ways to wellbeing

Alcohol Awareness Week runs from 19 to 25 November and since a recent survey revealedmany people are unaware of the serious health risks associated with drinking regularly,weve produced this alcohol fact file.

Alcohol facts

For information on services available to help you drink sensibly, please visitwww.maidstone.gov.uk/community_and_living/ substance_misuse.aspx

T Problem drinking and dependencecan cause a range of problems suchas family conflict and disruption, job

loss and financial problems that arelikely in themselves to result inincreased levels of anxiety anddepression.

T Alcohol dependence is one of themain risk factors for suicide.

T You should spread your units evenlyacross the week and avoid bingedrinking.

T Drinking too much alcohol cancause many health problemsincluding cirrhosis of the liver,stomach ulcers, malnutrition , highblood pressure, stroke and mentalhealth problems.


10/12

Whats On

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

The Hazlitt Youth Theatrepresent Honk!

Tuesday, October 30 Saturday November 3.

Hazlitt Theatre, 7.45pm.Tickets 9 (Tue, Oct, 30 - paywhat you can preview night).

Spring has come to the duckyard.Drake, the mallard duck, and his

long suffering partner Ida, awaitthe birth of a new brood, but

the nest seems to contain oneinordinately large egg this year.Sure enough, it cracks open to

reveal an ugly chick nothing like his siblings,who makes a strange honk sound instead of the

expected quack!Based on Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale, The

Ugly Duckling, HONK! is an enchanting comicmusical packed with sparkling wit, a memorable

score and sends the message that it is ok to bedifferent!

By arrangement with Josef Weinburger Ltd.Music by George Stiles

Book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe

Wind in the WillowsFriday, November 2.

Exchange Studio, 11am & 2pm.

Tickets 8 concs 6

Riverbank Productions presents a lively and faithfulmusical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind

In The Willows, a timeless tale of life, sunshine,running water, woodlands, dusty roads and winter

firesides. This production features a fantasticmusical score with catchy original sing-a-long songs,four talented actors, some cute and cuddly animal

puppets, a caravan, a car, a barge, a train and horse!Come along and meet Ratty, Badger, Mole and of

course the reckless Mr Toad!

Michael Morpurgos - Farm Boy

Monday, October 15, Hazlitt Theatre, 6pm.Tickets 12 concs 8

Presented by NewPerspectives TheatreCompany and adapted anddirected by DanielBuckroyd.The compelling sequel tothe award-winning WarHorse is a moving accountof the changing face of theEnglish countryside and abeautifully-craftedreminder that stories reallycan reach out across the

generations.Following critically-acclaimed runs at both the2010 Edinburgh FestivalFringe and the 2011 Brits

Off Broadway Festival inNew York, plus a hugelysuccessful UK tour, thismagical tale of the bondslinking grandfather tograndson and ultimatelyboth to the land has oncemore been brought to life byNew Perspectives TheatreCompany in their delightfultouring show combiningdrama, storytelling andoriginal music.

Morpurgo is nothing if not amaster story-teller ****Daily TelegraphRunning Time: 65 mins (nointerval). Age 7+ Years


11/12

MAKE IT PROSPEROUS

Maidstone is championing business

USEFUL NUMBERSCitizens Advice Bureau 01622 752420 or01622 757882

Council Tax 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

Concessionary travel -08458 247802

Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700

MAKE IT MAIDSTONE

Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of therecession and bring prosperity to the borough. We help residents withhousing and council tax benefits, heating and insulation grants, homeimprovement grants, free bus travel and by support for organisationswhich offer money advice.

Maidstone has a new business championwho will be supporting cabinet memberCllr Malcolm Greer to improve the local

economy.Maidstone Borough Council AssistantDirector Steve Goulette will help CllrGreer, the cabinet member for EconomicDevelopment and Commercial Services, todeliver the councils top priority ofimproving the local economy, with hopes ofrising employment, catering for a range ofskill sets to meet local demands.

The councils Economic DevelopmentStrategy is designed to support thispriority, and other work planned includesgiving a boost to the local economy byencouraging visitors to the town, HazlittArts Centre, Maidstone Museums, tourism,the Kent Conference Bureau andMaidstone Market.

Cllr Greer explains: Steve is anexperienced and highly capable seniorofficer. I am delighted that he will besupporting my portfolio by working withexisting local businesses to support theirexisting operation and helping theirdevelopment ambitions. I have also askedhim to be our link with inward

investment companies.

Steve Goulette is looking forward to thenew role, which he will undertakealongside his existing responsibilities asAssistant Director for Environment andRegulatory Services.

Maidstone is the County Town of Kent anda great place to do business. We wantsuccess for all our existing businesses butwe recognise we need to continue toattract new ones, particularly in thesechallenging times, he said.

Maidstone borough has the highestemployment rate in the county at over80%.

Town Team readyfor action

High Streetregeneration

Maidstones High Street regeneration project will be completed with the lastphase of works in the Lower High Street. Work on the 1.7 million schemecould start later on in the year and be completed early in 2013. The finaldesign is yet to be agreed.

Maidstone has its own Town Team and itsready to make the town centre an evenbetter place.

The Town Team has been set up followinggovernment recommendations from theMary Portas High Street Review andwelcomes suggestions and support from

people passionate about the town centre.Maidstone Borough Council applied forgovernment funding to be one of the firstpilot towns to run a town team butalthough it was unsuccessful with the bid,the enthusiasm of groups across the townwas so great that the council has decidedto set it up anyway.

The Town Team is to be run by the councilin conjunction with Maidstone Town

Centre Management, and involves theChamber of Commerce, Federation of

Small Businesses, Kent County Council,the Environment Agency, landlords ofThe Mall and Fremlin Walk, and anumber of local groups with an interestin the town centre. Small businesses,voluntary groups, independent tradersand residents are also involved.

The Town Team is currently looking atwhat it would like Maidstone to look like

in the future, with the aim of it becominga main destination town. Its also

identifying the key priorities for the town.The next Town Team meeting will be heldon 22 October from 6.30pm at the TownHall. If youd like to play a part in how thetown centre develops, contact JenniferHunt at Maidstone Borough Council on01622 602471 [email protected] to book aplace or share ideas.


12/12

If youve ever lost your dog in Maidstone, thechances are Jeff Pedrick has helped you find it.Jeff joined Maidstone Borough Council in 1998 asdog warden after a career in the army as a dogtrainer. His current role as Senior Warden andAnimal Welfare Officer still involves working with

dogs, as well as many other animals...including azebra! Jeff is a dad of three and has twograndchildren who also keep him busy. BoroughUpdate spent some time on the road with him tofind out about his role.

Some facts about Jeffs work:

- The council deals with around 1,000 complaintsabout animals each year.

- Over 40 licenses are issued annually to animalestablishments such as kennels, catteries and pet

shops.- Failing to clear up after your dog could land you

with a fine of upto 1000.

- Maidstone has 350 dog bins and lots more litterbins for disposal of dog waste.

- Around 120 tonnes of dog mess is disposed offrom the bins each year.

- Licences are issued to six riding schools acrossthe borough.

- If stray dogs are pickedup, they are dealt with

by Viking Oak Kennelsin Seven Mile Lane,Borough Green, onbehalf of the council.


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Borough UpdateThis is your council newsletter,produced up to four times a yearin the Downs Mail newspaper. Itis written, edited and designedby the council's communications

team, Maidstone House, KingStreet, Maidstone, Kent ME156JQ. Email:[email protected]. Yourcomments and suggestions are

always welcome. It is typeset by

AW design and printed by

Newbury News.

If you are visually impairedand would like the newsletter

text 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.tour-maidstone.comWhats On!

Workingforyou

Jeffs job includes- Reuniting owners with their dogs after

theyve been picked up as strays.

- Licensing pet shops, kennels and catteries,stables and dangerous wild animals(including the pet zebra).

- Dealing with complaints of barking dogs,

dog fouling, cruelty, dangerous dogs.- Giving advice to residents if wild animals

such as foxes or pigeons are a nuisance.

- Issuing fixed penalty tickets for dog fouling.

- Managing a 24 hour stray dog contract.

How did you get intoworking withour customers as a dog warden?

When I came out of the army I knew I wanted towork with people and animals and being a dogwarden seemed the perfect job.

What do you like about your job?I love working with animals, and people of course,

and I like the fact I get out and about in the boroughand can help people with advice on looking afteranimals.

What does good customer service mean to you?

It means understanding the customer and makingsure that the work I do benefits the customer andthe council.

Borough Update September 2012

Documents

Transcript of Borough Update September 2012