Borough Update January 2013

7/28/2019 Borough Update January 2013

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UpdateEast, January 2013Borough

Maidstone Borough Council

www.maidstone.gov.uk


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2 MaidstoneBoroughCouncil

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

12 January

07:45 - 08:30 Frinsted Church08:40 - 09:20 Wormshill. The Street09:30 - 10:10 Harrietsham. Church Lane10:20 - 11:00 Harrietsham Primary 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

19 January

07:45 - 08:30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead08:45 - 09:15 Lenham. Lenham Heath Road09:25 - 09:55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens15:15 - 15:45 Leeds. Brogden Crescent

26 January

07:45 - 08:30 Otham08:45 - 09:45 Bearsted Village Green

2 February

07:45 - 08:15 Walderslade. Impton Lane/Spendlow Drive08:25 - 09:00 Walderslade. Impton Lane/Olivine Road09:15 - 10:00 Bredhurst. Hurstwood Road10:15 - 11:00 Stockbury Village Hall12:00 - 12:45 Detling Village Hall14:50 - 15:45 Sandling. Tyland Lane

9 February

12:00 - 12:55 Vinters Park. Snowden Parade

13:05 - 14:05 Vinters Park. Hampton Road23 February

12:15 - 13:00 Grove Green. Provender Way13:10 - 14:00 Grove Green. Shepherds Gate Drive14:10 - 15:10 Madginford. Merton Road15:15 - 15:45 Bearsted. Ashford Road/Rosemary Road

2 March

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

23 March

07:45 - 08:30 Frinsted Church08:40 - 09:20 Wormshill. The Street09:30 - 10:10 Harrietsham. Church Lane

10:20 - 11:00 Harrietsham Primary 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

30 March

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

We cannot accept garden waste, very large bulky items andelectrical or hazardous items. You can dispose of these itemsthrough our paid for bulky collection service or at thehousehold waste recycling centre at Burial Ground Lane, Tovil,

Maidstone.It is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm, and Sunday andBank Holidays, 9am to 4pm. For more information about ourbulky rubbish services, including paid for doorstep collections,visit maidstone.gov.uk or call the cleansing hotline on 01622602162.

Free bulky rubbish service

Residents in Maidstonewill have a new, improvedwaste collection andrecycling service laterthis year.

The improvements will come about as a result of the council

joining forces with Ashford and Swale councils for a jointwaste and street cleansing contract with Biffa Municipal Ltd.

The new collection system will be rolled out across theborough from August 2013. It will improve the quality ofwaste collection services and will enable more items to berecycled.

Collection days may change for some households andresidents will be informed before any changes are made.

Recyclable waste will continue to be collected on alternateweeks under the new system, but residents will be able toadd an increased number of items to their green binincluding all types of plastics and glass. The currentcollection doesnt take all types of plastic or glass andresidents should ensure they dont add the additional items

to the recyclable waste until August.The new 10 year contract willsave Maidstone taxpayersmore than 1 million a yearand will not affect thefrequency of the collections.

Councils join forcesto improve wasteand recyclingservices


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Maidstone Borough Council 3

Last year the CCTV monitoring operationwas moved to a control hub in Medwayfrom its Maidstone Town Hall base in ajoint working partnership with MedwayCouncil. The monitoring staff fromMaidstone moved to Medway and havebeen key in ensuring the CCTV monitoringsuccess.

Cllr John Wilson, Cabinet Member forCommunity and Leisure Services, said:Were really pleased that the switchoverhappened so seamlessly.

Staff are happier in their new workingenvironment and were retaining the localknowledge of Maidstone which helps with

the monitoring. Were also seeingevidence that CCTV is doing its job tostamp out crime in the area.

In Maidstone, arrests have gone up in thetown centre as crime has fallen, and theCCTV monitoring system is being praisedfor being part of that. Overall crime isdown 15.6 per cent according to figures byKent Police but arrests resulting fromCCTV intervention increased from 69 inApril to 117 in September.

CCTV helps toreduce crime

A new food hygiene scheme has been launched in Maidstone. The FoodHygiene Rating Scheme has been welcomed by switched-on pubs, clubsand food businesses as a way they can attract new business byhighlighting their high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

The scheme covers all food businesses that have a direct link withthe public. This includes restaurants, pubs, cafes and take aways,but also schools, care homes, nurseries, corner shops, supermarketsand home caterers.

The new system allows the public to check the ratings of the places wherethey are planning to eat.By going on the national Food Hygiene Rating System website -www.food.gov.uk/ratings - which is run by the Food Standards Agency,people will be able to see what score has been awarded to food businessesin Maidstone and across the country.

Maidstones Vinters ParkCrematorium celebrated its 50th

anniversary with the opening of anew Book of Remembrance Hall.The hall was opened by MaidstoneBorough Council Cabinet MemberCllr Marion Ring at an event forfuneral directors in the area tomark the crematoriums birthday.The crematorium is owned andmanaged by Maidstone BoroughCouncil and opened in autumn 1962.Almost 84,000 cremations havetaken place at the site since then.

The chapel and site remain largelythe same as they were 50 years ago

but modernisations and alterationshave taken place both behind thescenes and within the grounds,including the extension to createthe Book of Remembrance Hallwhich will house three books ofremembrance.Mourners can now choose from avariety of memorials and there areeight different areas where ashescan be strewn, as well as burialsites for ashes at the crematoriumand the Sutton Road cemetery.The crematorium now has acomputer controlled sound systemas well as an organ, meaningfamilies get a greater choice ofmusic at funeral services. Anonline booking service has beenintroduced for funeral directors,meaning families can be givenpeace of mind with a funeralbooking made out of office hours.Cllr Marion Ring said: Thememorial areas and the new Bookof Remembrance Hall are tranquilareas for remembrance and

reflection. We are very proud of thestaff at the crematorium and thefacilities we provide.

A new place forremembrance

Boughton Monchelsea, Broomfield and Kingswood, Coxheath, Harrietsham andLenham parish councils and North Loose residents association are preparingneighbourhood plans for their areas.

Maidstone council declared the parishes as neighbourhood areas following jointconsultation exercises with the parish councils.

The draft neighbourhood plans - planning policy documents will set out policiesfor the development and the use of land.

The draft plans will be assessed by an independent examiner and, if assessed assound, will be subject to a referendum when local people will decide whether theplan should be adopted by Maidstone council.

Neighbourhood plans allow local communities to plan for issues that are locallyimportant, such as community facilities and green spaces.

New food hygiene scheme

Neighbourhood plans


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If you have a meeting or event coming up, Maidstone Museum and BentlifArt Gallery has spaces in both the new extension and the original

museum, catering for everything from meetings and training sessions tobirthday parties and wedding receptions.

For more information or to book a tour of the facilities, please contact ourmeetings and events team on 01622 602847 or [email protected].

The MatsuraMuseum inHirado housesone of Japansbest regionalcollections.

Highlightsinclude materialrelating to WillAdams, theGillingham-born sailor who was thefirst Englishman to set foot in Japanand is still the first and only officiallyrecognised foreign samurai. Knownby the Japanese as Anjin-sama,Adams became a key figure in thedevelopment of Anglo-Japaneserelations. He died in 1620 and wasburied in Hirado. 2013 marks the400th anniversary of Anglo-Japanese

relations when the first English ship

Treasures from theMatsura Museum,Japan

Kids in Museums New ConferenceFacilities at

Maidstone Museum

News from the MUSEUM

Youngervisitors will soonbe able to enjoy

many moreexcitingactivities atthe museum.Spike, themuseums friendlyIguanodon dinosaur,will be on hand tolead new activities for children andfamilies. Wherever you see Spikeyoull find a great new activity -exciting additions will include a greatnew interactive display using a digitalmicroscope to examine the museums

natural history collections.

arrived with presents for theShogun from King James, andthen returned to London withreciprocal presents. To markthe anniversary, a selection offabulous exhibits from theMatsura Museum will bedisplayed at Maidstone

Museum this summer.

Come and be inspired by the excitingartwork produced by talented artistsfrom Maidstone, Kent and the SouthEast. With many of the works availableto purchase, you have the opportunity tosupport local artists and buy an original

piece to grace your home.

52 artists submitted worksto the exhibition, and localartists Mike Chaplin RWSand Graham Clarke joinedrepresentatives from theBentlif Trust and

Maidstone Museum in judging thewinning entry. They chose a painting byMaidstone artist Rob Andrews, whoreceived a cash prize of 500, kindlyfunded by the H R Pratt BoormanFamily Foundation.

All of the entries are on display until 9February, and visitors can vote for thePeoples Prize in a public vote. Thewinning artist will receive theopportunity to have a solo show in thecommunity exhibition space at themuseum.

The competition is run in associationwith the Bentlif Trust and MaidstoneMuseum & Bentlif Art Gallery, andprovides artists aged 16 years and overwith a platform to exhibit and sell theiroriginal art work.

Bentlif Open Art Prize Exhibition

2012 - until 9 February

Half term at the MuseumRag Rugging Mon 18 FebLearn how to rag rug and make yourvery own sample piece to hang athome.

Pattern & Mosaics Tue 19 Feb

Create a geometric patterned pictureto rival historical designs.

QORWK Soldier Puppet Wed 20 Feb

Choose from two designs and make asoldier puppet.

Customise your Clothes Thur 21 Feb

Bring in an item of clothing to revampvintage style!

World War II Toys Fri 22 February

Make your very own WWII style toy

using new and recycled materials.Sessions start at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30,1:30 and 2:30pm

Suitable for 4+, 2.50 per child


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Benefits are changingBenefits are changing in 2013, and a new Universal

Credit will replace many benefits such as

Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit.Some people will receive less financial helpfrom the state than they have had previously.

In this edition of Borough Update, we look at some of thechanges and how they may affect you. We also examine the help

and support on offer if you need it.

The welfare reform

changes do not affectpensioners. The changes

only affect people who are

between 18 and 65 years

of age receiving state

benefits such as child tax

credits and working tax

credits

The changes to the welfare system will include a benefit cap.

This means the amount that a family can receive in welfarebenefits will be limited to 500 per week. A single personwill be limited to 350.

There are some exceptions, for example people receivingDisability Living Allowance or Working Tax Credit.

The government has written to everyone who they believewill be affected.

If you are over the limit and claim Housing Benefit, you may

find your benefit will be reduced.

The council has written to all those it knows to be affectedand social housing landlords might contact their tenants.

If you have received a letter and are concerned, please

contact your landlord to discuss it further. The council or the

Citizens Advice Bureau can also offer advice. See page 7.

Benefit cap


Benefit changes and howthey might affect youThe Welfare Reform Act 2012 willchange the benefits system, startingin April 2013.

The government is making changes toother benefits:

T Disability Living Allowance will bereplaced by Personal IndependencePayment from 2013.

T Council Tax Benefit will be abolishedin April 2013 and replaced by asystem of localised support.

T Pension Credit will be amended fromOctober 2014 to include help witheligible rent and dependent children.

T The Social Fund is being reformedand new local assistance will beprovided by Kent County Council.

There will be a cap on benefits to eachhousehold to ensure people are betteroff when in employment.

Child benefit is also changing, andfrom January 2013 families where oneor more parents earns between50,000 and 60,000 will have theirbenefit reduced on a sliding scale, andwill lose the benefit entirely when

earning over 60,000.One of the biggest changes is theintroduction of Universal Credit in theautumn of 2013.

Universal Credit will replace:

T income-based JobseekersAllowance

T income-related Employment andSupport Allowance

T Income Support

T Child Tax Credits

T Working Tax Credits

T Housing Benefit

Those already claiming these benefitswill be contacted directly about thechanges.

Universal Credit will not replace:

T Pension Credits

T Contributory Job Seekers Allowance

T Contributory ESA

T Disability Living Allowance

T Child Benefit

T Bereavement, sick and maternitybenefits/payments

T Council Tax Benefit

But some of these benefits will changeand some people will receive less helpfrom the state than they have hadpreviously.

The changes to the benefits systemare being phased in over the next fewyears.

The government is introducing thechanges to:

T create the right incentives to getmore people into work

T protect the most vulnerable in oursociety

T deliver fairness to those claimingbenefit and to the tax payer.

Key changes

Those affected by changes in benefit willbe notified in writing by the relevantauthorities.

Anyone concerned about changes shouldsee page 7 for details of where to go foradvice.


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6 Maidstone Borough Council

Help with Council Tax

Changes to housingsupport

The Welfare Reform Act introduces new rules for the size ofaccommodation that Housing Benefit, and then Universal Credit, willcover for working age tenants renting in the social sector. This willbring them in line with the private rented sector. These changes will notaffect pensioners.

From April 2013 all current and future working age tenants renting from acouncil, housing association or other registered social landlord will receivehousing support based on the need of their household.

The size criteria allows one bedroom for each person or couple living as partof the household with the following exceptions:

This means those tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need willreceive less Housing Benefit. Those with one spare bedroom will lose 14 percent of their Housing Benefit and those with two or more spare bedrooms willlose 25 per cent.

The tenant will have to pay the portion of rent not covered by the HousingBenefit, and later the Universal Credit, or move to smaller accommodation.

The council will write to tenants likely to be affected by these changes andanyone with concerns should contact the council, their landlord, or the CitizensAdvice Bureau as soon as possible.

Existing claimants will move from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit betweenOctober 2013 and October 2017.

New claims for Housing Benefit from customers who are out of work will moveto Universal Credit from October 2013 and new claims for Housing Benefit fromcustomers who are working will move to Universal Credit from April 2014.

Social landlords such as Golding Homes and Moat Homes are able to offeradvice. See page 7 for contact details of social landlords in the Maidstone area.

T children under 16 of the samegender are expected to share

T children under 10 are expected toshare regardless of gender

T a disabled tenant or partner whoneeds a non-resident overnightcarer will be allowed an extraroom.

Social Fund

Council Tax Benefit will be abolished in April 2013, and it will be down to localcouncils to provide localised support.Some people who have not paid Council Tax may now have to pay. However,the changes will not affect pensioners.The council will write to those affected by the changes.

Under the new system, customersover the qualifying age for PensionCredit will get help with theireligible rent through a new elementof Pension Credit called HousingCredit.

This means:

T new customers over PensionCredit qualifying age will have toclaim Pension Credit to access

help with eligible rent fromOctober 2014.

T existing Housing Benefitcustomers over Pension Creditqualifying age (with or withoutPension Credit) will be transferredto modified Pension Credit,including Housing Credit, betweenOctober 2014 and October 2017.

T new claims for Housing Benefitfrom people over Pension Creditqualifying age received up toOctober 2014 will be dealt with asnow.

The Pensions, Disability and Carersservice will write to everyoneaffected by the changes. Anyoneconcerned about the changes shouldcontact the council or the CitizensAdvice Bureau, see page 7.

Help forpensioners

The Social Fund is currently lookedafter by the Department for Work andPensions and is used to make paymentsto individuals in extreme need. It

includes Community Care Grants, CrisisLoans for general living expenses, andBudgeting Loans. Kent County Councilwill take over the management of thefund for people living in Maidstone andother areas of Kent.


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Where to go for help and advicePeople living in private rented property and

social housing can get advice and help atMaidstone Gateway and from the Citizens

Advice Bureau.

GatewayMaidstone Gateway in KingStreet is able to offer help andadvice to people who areconcerned about the impact ofthe welfare reforms on their

household budget.By visiting the Gateway, you canget advice from Maidstonecouncil, Kent County Counciland voluntary agencies such asThe Citizens Advice Bureau tohelp you understand how thewelfare reforms will affect youand what support is available.The Gateway is open from8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays, with late opening until

7pm on Thursdays. It is alsoopen on Saturday morningsfrom 9am to 1pm.On arrival in the Gateway youwill be welcomed by staff on the

meet and greet reception desk.They will establish yourrequirements, issue you with aticket for the service yourequire and ask you to take aseat in one of our waiting areasuntil your ticket is called by anadviser who is fully trained todeal with your enquiry.Maidstone Borough Council canalso be contacted by phone on01622 602557.

Accent Peerlesswww.accentgroup.org 01276 852900

Downland Housing Association(Affinity Sutton)

www.affinitysutton.com 0300 100 0303English Rural Housing Associationwww.englishrural.org.uk 020 7820 7930

Golding Homeswww.goldinghomes.org.uk 0800 923 2700

Home Groupwww.homegroup.org.uk 0345 141 4663

Hyde Housing Association Limitedwww.hyde-housing.co.uk 0800 085 4195

Moat Homes Limited

www.moat.co.uk 0845 600 1006Orbit South Housing Associationwww.orbitsouth.org.uk 0800 678 1221

Places For Peoplewww.placesforpeople.co.uk 0800 432 0002

Russet Homeswww.circle.co.uk 01732 780 999

Sanctuary Housingwww.sanctuary-group.co.uk 0800 781 4755

The Co-operative Development Society Ltdwww.cds.coop 03333 21 30 30

Town and Country Housing Groupwww.tchg.org.uk 0845 873 1 321

West Kent Housing Associationwww.westkent.org 01732 749400

Social housing supportResidents who live in social housing and who areaffected by or worried about the changes canreceive advice and support from their landlord.

Landlords who provide social housing inMaidstone include:

Citizens Advice Bureau

You can access advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau in thefollowing ways:Drop-in advice: Available at Maidstones Gateway from Mondayto Friday between 9.30am and 4pm and at 2 Bower Terrace,Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8RY from Monday toFriday between 10am and 4pm.Telephone advice: Call 01622 752420 and 01622 757882, linesare open Monday to Friday 10am to 4 pm.Maidstone residents can also book an appointment by phonefor the next working dayusing the advice line

numbers above. For moreinformation seewww.maidstonecab.org.uk

Whether youre losing benefitsor not, a review of yourfinances is a good idea to helpbudget for now and the future.

The Money Advice Service offersfree, unbiased and independentadvice on all money matters. Seewww.moneyadviceservice.org.ukor call 0300 500 5000.

The website includes a money

health check tool and a budgetplanner.

Many social landlords also havemoney advice officers who canoffer advice with budgeting, aswell as the Citizens AdviceBureau.

Money advice

Financial health checkThe Citizens Advice Bureauis holding a Financial HealthCheck day at MaidstonesGateway on 31st January.Advisers will also be able tooffer advice on the changesto benefits.

BenefitscalculatorTo find out moreinformation aboutbenefits and to use a benefits calculator to see whatyou may be entitled to, visit www.gov.uk


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

Sing- a-long-a JosephHazlitt Theatre - 4pm, Sunday 14 April

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

(must have at least 1 child) 37.50

From the producers of the smash hitsSing-a-Long-a Sound of Music and Sing-

a- Long-a Grease. A fully interactivescreening of the 1999 film of the original stage version starring Donny Osmond,

Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins with on-screen subtitles.

The evening begins with your host leading a vocal warm up, judging the fancy dresscompetition, teaching some groovy moves and showing you how to use your freegoody bag. Burst into song and dance in the aisles at the most colourful event in

years. It couldnt be easier or more fun! Fancy dress strongly encouraged and fullaudience participation essential.

Solid Gold Country LegendsHazlitt Theatre 7.30pm,Thursday 24 JanuaryTickets 17 Concessions 15

The new Solid Gold CountryLegends show celebrates the bestin country music led by countrystars Jeanne Jordan & B J Thomas,together with Luke Thomas and theOutlaw Country Band.New for 2013 are the Dolly MixtureDancers who add more than a touchof glamour to the show.

Solid Gold Country Legends is theperfect mix of old and new countryhits from the classics of PatsyCline, Willie Nelson and TammyWynette to Dolly Parton, KennyRogers and Shania Twain.Songs featured are TammyWynettes Stand By Your Man, BillieJo Spears Blanket On The Ground,Johnny Cashs Folsom Prison, DollyPartons 9 to 5 and Kenny RogersLucille & The Gambler. amongmany others.This show is up there with thebest. Up Country Magazinewww.countrylegends.us

New YearHighlights

Hazlitt Comedy NightsExchange Studio - 8pm every First Wednesdayof the Month, Tickets 10

6 Feb - Charlie Baker, Adam Bloom & Julian Deane

6 Mar - Ben Norris, Paul Chowdry & Marlon Davis3 Apr - Ian D Montfort, James Acaster &Daniel Simonsen

Jackson Live In Concert

Hazlitt Theatre 8pm, Saturday 23 FebruaryTickets 18.50, Concessions 17

Bens portrayal of Michael Jackson in his prime has to be the mostvocally and visually accurate tribute to the King of Pop to have ever

toured UK theatres. Ben is joined on the stage by his incredibleband and dancers who work their way through all the hits.

Hes got the look, the moonwalk and the voice! His renditions ofThriller, Beat It and Billie Jean are truly sensational.

Jackson Live in Concert features all-live vocals and music,fabulous costumes and of course all the signature dance movesassociated so fondly with the undisputed King of Pop. Pure MJ!


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Six local community groups, charitiesand voluntary organisations have beensuccessful in securing funding fromMaidstone Borough Councils 70,000Pride in Maidstone Fund.

Communitech and Food for Thoughtwere two of the projects which wonfunding.

CommunitechCommunitech is a social enterprisebeing developed by young people whowere out of work. They offerapprenticeships, training and workexperience opportunities to youngpeople in their business whichrefurbishes donated computers to thensupply at a low cost or even for free tolocal community and charityorganisations.

Communitech can offer networking,technical support, upgrade and repairsto private customers and localbusinesses. The group has been

awarded 9,280 to help them to becomecertified as Microsoft Engineers,develop volunteering opportunities, andpurchase computing and officeequipment.

Maidstone Borough Council has also

helped with advice on funding and linksto local businesses and work experienceopportunities.

For more information aboutCommunitech visit www.communitech.org.uk.

Food For ThoughtRun by Maidstone Christian Care, Food

for Thought is a community food projectwhich has been running successfullysince 2005.

Food for Thought volunteers redistributefood that would otherwise end up aswaste to the most needy groups andindividuals indeprivedareas inMaidstone.

The charityapplied tothe Pride inMaidstone

Fund for10,000towards thepurchase of anew vehicle.

For more

information about Food for Thought visitwww.maidstonedaycentre.org.uk

For more information about the Pride inMaidstone Fund contact Julia Fraser on01622 602513 or [email protected]

Pride in Maidstone funding


Priority for housing for Maidstone people

Shepway Green is to get anew play area and localpeople are helping todecide whats put in place.

The current play area willget a makeover and some of the funding will be used to create a place for olderchildren and teenagers to enjoy.

The views of children, young people, parents and residents in the local area weresought as part of a consultation exercise to ensure the new play area and youthfacilities are what the local community need.

The council is now considering the responses to the consultation and the projectshould be completed for the school summer holidays in 2013.

A betterplace to play

for Shepway

Empty homes can have a negativeimpact on the community in whichthey are found whether bybringing down surrounding houseprices, attracting anti-socialbehaviour or reducing the supply

and choice of housing in theborough so Maidstone council isstepping up its efforts to work withowners on bringing them back intouse.

Focussing on those properties thathave the most impact on thesurrounding community typicallythose that have been empty formore than six months and are in apoor state of repair the councilnegotiates with the owners ofempty properties to bring themback into use. This can be throughproviding advice, grants or leasing

schemes. If this fails, the councilcan look at direct intervention,including Empty DwellingManagement Orders, compulsorypurchase of the property andserving notices to tidy up theproperty or land.

If you would like to discuss anempty home that you own, or wouldlike to report an empty property,please contact the Private SectorHousing Team on 01622 602470.

The council is changing the way itprioritises the waiting list for socialhousing.

The changes are being introduced inApril, because the council believesthe current points-based systemencourages deprivation by givingpriority to those on benefits.Applicants also told the council thatthe current system was confusing.

Under the new scheme only peopleliving in the borough will go on thewaiting list for accommodation.

Maidstone council's Cabinet Memberfor Community and Leisure Services,John A Wilson says the new systemwill be much simpler.

"The first principle is that everyonewill have to have a housing needfirst." he said.

"If people are in work or doingsomething in their local communitythen that can be taken as acharacteristic that gives themgreater opportunity for access tosocial housing."

Bringing emptyhomes back into use


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A New Year A New YouKick start your New Year and join one of Maidstone Borough Councils

weight management programmes. There is a range of courses with somethingto suit everyones needs and to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

T For better healthT For more moneyT For more energyT To prevent premature ageingT For whiter teethT For lower stress levelsT For an improved sense of taste and smellT For the sake of your family and friends

Start 2013 Smoke free

Quit smoking with the NHS - Contact Smoke Free West Kent - 01266 723836,[email protected] to book, www.smokefree.nhs.uk

Contact the Community Development Team for more information and to

book onto one of these programmes.

Call: 01622 602222 Email: [email protected]

Tips to success

T Get help from the StopSmoking Service

T Set a quit date

T Dispose of all cigarettes,lighters and ashtrays

T Get support from familyand friends

T Use a Nicotine replacementtherapy.

Reaction Recovery

T 20 Minutes: Blood pressureand pulse return to normal.

T 8 Hours: Your blood oxygenlevels return to normal.

T 24 Hours: Carbon monoxideleaves your body.

T 48 Hours: Body is nownicotine free.

T 3-9 Months: Lung efficiencyis up by 5-10% Breathingproblems are fading away.

T 5 Years: You now only havehalf the chance of having aheart attack compared to asmoker.

T 10 Years: The chance ofgetting lung cancer is nowhalf that of a smoker (the

same as someone whosnever smoked).


Everybody has their own personal reason for wantingto give up smoking. Some people give up as part of a

larger lifestyle change:

There is a method to give up smoking that suitseveryone and the NHS Stop Smoking Service can helpwith finding the method that is right for you.

Nicotine replacement therapy can be given onprescription or bought at pharmacies andsupermarkets.

Weight For ItFree 10 week weight loss programme set in a fun & friendlyenvironment, with a weekly weigh-in and nutritional advice to helpyou make small changes to get big results. Book now to attendone of the following groups:

T Langley Village Hall - Monday 21 January 10.30-11.30T Yalding Village Hall Monday 21 January 17.00-18.00T Bearsted WI Hall Wednesday 23 January 13.30-14.30

Go For ItFree family and childrens weight management programme, to ensure a healthierlifestyle aimed at 5 17 year olds. Held at Zeroth Active Zone, Boughton Lane,Maidstone.

Weight For Life:10 week holistic lifestyle programme, including nutrition advice and low costexercise regime for just 1 per visit. Held at Zeroth Active Zone, Boughton Lane,Maidstone.

Adult Weight Management Programme:A 12 week programme consisting of weekly diet and nutrition seminars, also takeadvantage of the low cost gym, swim and exercise classes for just 1 per visit.Held at Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park Maidstone.

Did you know?T Obesity in children increased by 353% between

2000 and 2011T 6.1% of cancers in men and 6.5% of cancers in

women are caused by not eating enough fruitand vegetables.

T You could gain 10lbs a year by overeating by100kcal, just 2 Jaffa Cakes, a day.

T It takes approximately 20 minutes for yourbrain to know that your stomach is full.

T More than 300,000 deaths a year are caused bypoor nutrition and a lack of physical activity.

Boxing

Supported by Maidstone Youth ActionPartnership, the Contender Boxingprogramme runs 3 nights a weekaiming to increase youth activitiesand to inspire a nation. The sessionsare a huge success with current

attendees! Non contact boxing:Monday 4.30-6.30pm, HeadcornScout Hut (All ages welcome)

Tuesday 7-8pm, Howard de Walden(16-24 yrs)

Thursday 4-5pm, Heather House(under 11 yrs)


11/12

MAKE IT PROSPEROUS

Cash injection to makeMaidstone even better

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 -01622 602334

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 through support fororganisations which offer money advice.

Maidstones Town Team has set out itspriorities for making the town an evenbetter place. The team was awarded10,000 from the government, after asuccessful bid to become a Town TeamPartner by Maidstone MP Helen Grant.The money will help deliver these priorities:

T promoting Maidstone as a greatplace to visit

T organising eventsT regenerating the town centreT improving the cultural offer.Maidstone council Cabinet Member forEconomic and Commercial Development

Cllr Malcolm Greer said: Maidstone isalready a good place to do business, toshop and to visit. Its a great place, withgreat people.

The Town Team will make it an even betterplace and its fantastic to see so manypeople who are passionate about the townworking together.

The Town Team was set up following

government recommendations from theMary Portas High Street Review andwelcomes suggestions and support frompeople passionate about the town centre.

It is run by the council in conjunction withMaidstone Town Centre Management, andinvolves the Chamber of Commerce,Federation of Small Businesses, KentCounty Council, the Environment Agency,The Mall and Fremlin Walk, and a numberof local groups with an interest in the towncentre. Small businesses, voluntarygroups, independent traders and residentsare also involved.

If youd like to play apart in how the towncentre develops,contact Jennifer Huntat Maidstone BoroughCouncil on 01622602471 or email

[email protected]

King Street bus stop

Maidstones King Street bus stop has been resurfaced to highlightthe kerb and the different heights of the footpath and carriageway.

The bus stop outside Colman House is part of the High Streetregeneration area. The work follows earlier measures to increasevisibility of the difference in levels in the High Street and King Street.

Business owners in SouthMaidstone and Lenham Valleyhave the opportunity to boosttheir businesses, make contact

with potential customers andseek out advice through twolocal forums offering regularnetworking events.

The events, which take place ona monthly basis, bring

businesses together to hearfrom speakers, discuss relevantissues and work together forthe benefit of each business andthe local area.

For more information on theseBusiness Associations, pleasecontact Alan Reading on 01622820841.

Invest in successMaidstone: OurInvestment Success Storypromotes the town andsurrounding area as a placeto invest and do business,as well as a popular placein which to live and work.

The publication showcasesa range of residential,leisure and retailinvestments which arehelping the boroughbecome a better place to

live and do business.

If youd like a copy of thebrochure, which looks attown centre regeneration,commercial success,sustainable growth, 21stcentury learning, theboroughs cultural offer andthe changing landscape ofthe riverside area, visitwww.locateinmaidstone.co.uk

Business networking a natural solution


12/12

Eva Girling has arguably the best office locationof all Maidstone council staff.Eva is Park Ranger at Cobtree Manor Park and isthe first point of contact for visitors. She oversees

the day-to-day operation of the park and is therenext to the popular cafe.Some facts about Cobtree Manor Park:

- There is free parking, acafeteria, and nine brandnew pieces of childrensplay equipment.

- The park will see a majorrevamp this year, with amassive zoo themed playarea.

- The park is part of theCobtree Estate owned byCobtree Charity Trust Ltdand managed under along-term lease byMaidstone BoroughCouncil.

- It is 54 acres (21.5hectares) and includesthe site of the formerMaidstone zoo.

- Designed in the late

1970s by the Hilliers ofWinchester (of the HillierArboretum fame), Cobtree

was to become aparkland garden oranother Kew Gardens.

- Most of the park is nowan arboretum in its ownright with about 120species of trees andanother 120 species of

shrubs.- Next to the arboretum,

there is lovely area ofwoodland which has abeautiful display ofbluebells in spring.

- In May the mysteriousGhost Tree appears for afew weeks.

- The park is full of history,from ancient fieldboundaries to the 19thcentury sheep wash and1930s elephant house.


Follow us on Twitter@maidstonebc

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Watch us on YouTube

www.youtube.com/user/maidstonecouncil

Borough UpdateThis is your council newsletter,produced up to four times a yearin the Downs Mail newspaper. Itis written, edited and designedby the council's communicationsteam, Maidstone House, KingStreet, Maidstone, Kent ME15

6JQ. 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 newslettertext in large print, please callus on 01622 602807, and wewill be happy to send you acopy.

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

Workingforyou

Evas job includes- Maintenance work - pruning trees and

shrubs, strimming long grass and nettles.- Working with volunteers who lend a

helping hand in exchange for some healthyexercise and a dose of job satisfaction.

- Organising guided walks and nature-related events for adults and children asthe park has a lot to offer to those whoenjoy learning new things.

- Advising the council on the best ways toenhance the park and make it a well-known family destination.

How did you get into your job?

Three years ago I replied to an ad in a trade magazineand went through the usual selection process. I hadworked for Maidstone council before; it was a three and ahalf year long contract to help upgrade several parks inMaidstone. I got to know Cobtree then and fell in lovewith it!

What do you like about your job?

I love being outdoors and plants have been my passion

since I was a child. At Cobtree I am surroundedby wonderful trees, shrubs and wild nature,which it is my job to control but within reason.After all, even a patch of humble nettles can bebeautiful! And it keeps a lot of insects happy. Inmy job, the best reward is hearing praise fromthose who appreciate my efforts.

What does good customer service mean to you?

I am here to help create an environment whereour visitors can relax safely and spend anenjoyable hour or two playing, chatting, learning and experiencing the beauty of the natural

world first hand!

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Borough Update January 2013

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