Borough Update January 2012

7/28/2019 Borough Update January 2012

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UpdateYour Maidstone Borough Council Newsletter

East

Borough


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This years award ceremony will be on Friday, January 27at Maidstone Leisure Centre. Hugh Robertson, MP Ministerfor Sport and the Olympics will be the guest speaker.

2 MaidstoneBoroughCouncil

Borough UpdateThis is your council newsletter, produced up to fourtimes a year in the Downs Mail newspaper. It iswritten, edited and designed by the council'scommunications team, Maidstone House, King Street,Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ. Email:[email protected]. Your comments andsuggestions are always welcome. It is typeset byAWdesign and printed by Newbury News.If you are visually impaired and would like thenewsletter text in large print, please call us on01622 602807, and we will be happy to send youa copy.

Free bulky rubbish service

www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Silver Lining for KentConference BureauThe Kent Conference Bureau won a silver award at theBeautiful Souths Awards for ExSEllence 2011. The annualawards run by Tourism South East recognise businesses and

destinations across the tourist industry for their exceptionalstandards of customer service. The Kent Conference Bureau,based within Maidstone Borough Council, provides supportto Kent venues by attracting business to the county and bypromoting the facilities on industry websites and atexhibitions.

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:

January 14

07.45 - 08.30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead

08.45 - 09.15 Lenham. Warren Street

09.25 - 09.55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens

January 21

07.45 - 08.30 Otham by council houses

08.45 - 09.45 Bearsted Village Green

January 28

07.45 - 08.15 Walderslade Impton Lane/Spendlow Drive

08.25 - 09.00 Walderslade. Impton Lane

09.15 - 10.00 Bredhurst. Hurstwood Road

10.15 - 11.00 Stockbury Village Hall

12.00 - 12.45 Detling Village Hall14.50 - 15.45 Sandling. Tyland Lane

February 4

12.00 - 12.55 Vinters Park. Marston Drive

13.05 - 14.05 Vinters Park. Hampton Road

February 18

12.15 - 13.00 Grove Green. Grovewood Drive South

13.10 - 14.00 Grove Green. Grovewood Drive North

14.10 - 15.10 Madginford. Merton Road

15.15 - 15.45 Bearsted. Ashford Road/Rosemary Road

March 17

07.45 - 08.30 Frinsted Church08.40 - 09.20 Wormshill. The Street

09.30 - 10.10 Harrietsham. Church Lane

10.20 - 11.00 Harrietsham Primary School

12.00 - 12.40 Lenham. Douglas Road

12.50 - 13.30 Lenham. Ham Lane/Cherry Orchard

13.40 - 14.20 Lenham. Honeywood Road

14.30 - 15.10 Platts Heath. Green Lane

15.15 - 15.45 Grafty Green. Church Lane

March 24

07.45 - 08.30 Hollingbourne. Troys Mead

08.45 - 09.15 Lenham. Lenham Heath Road09.25 - 09.55 Ulcombe. Lodge Gardens

15.15 - 15.45 Leeds. Brogden Crescent

March 31

07.45 - 08.30 Otham by council houses

08.45 - 09.45 Bearsted Village Green

We cannot accept garden waste, very large bulky items and

electrical or hazardous items. You can dispose of these itemsthrough our paid for bulky collection service or at the householdwaste 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 our

bulky rubbish services, including paid for doorstep collections,visit maidstone.gov.uk or call the cleansing hotline on 01622602162.

36 Engineers festive shoebox giftsMaidstone council staff boxed up Christmas gifts to sendto the 36 Engineers serving in Afghanistan overChristmas. The gift boxes were handed over at theMaidstone Gateway to the army by the Deputy Mayor ofMaidstone, Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie, and the councilsChief Executive, Alison Broom.

Youth SportAchievement Awards


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Maidstone Borough Council 3

Follow us on www.twitter.com/maidstonebc

Did you know?

Social Media

GatewayInformation DaysFinancial Advice Tuesday, January 21

Digital Switchover Surgeries Ask at the Gateway or telephone01622 602000 for details.

Younger Persons Support Day Tuesday, April 10

National Volunteers Week Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 7

Older Persons Day Monday, October 1

National Customer Services Week Monday, October 1 to Friday,October 5.

Opening HoursMonday 8.30am 5.30pm

Tuesday 8.30am 5.30pm

Wednesday 8.30am 5.30pm

Thursday 8.30am - 7pm

Friday 8.30am 5.30pm

Saturday 9am - 1pm

Sunday Closed

Follow us on Twitter @maidstonebc

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/user/maidstonecouncil

Know your GatewayThis month the Maidstone Gateway will be celebrating its third birthday.

Since opening in January 2009, 140,000 people have walked through the doors to

receive the services offered by MaidstoneBorough Council, Kent County Counciland other public service providers.

The average waiting time for customers is 13 minutes.

75% of customers are seen within 20 minutes. There are seven self help PCs where customers can access the internet for up to

one hour per day.

The Gateways community toilets have disabled access and are open to the public.There is a separate disabled toilet and a Changing Place facility.

There is a wellpoint machine, to check weight, hydration quota, BMI (body massindex), body fat content, heart rate and blood pressure.

There are three automated payment kiosks for easy, no queue payments by cashor debit card for all council services.


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4 Maidstone Borough Council

Subscribe to us on www.youtube.com/user/maidstonecouncil

Kent Savers offers customers an ethical approach to savingand borrowing money. It has a number of plans aimed attackling financial exclusion within low income families in

Kent.The recession, the increasing availability of payday loans,and unscrupulous loan shark lenders has meant that manypeople are exploited with sky high interest rates, intimidationand threat.

Kent Savers provides a safe, economic and viable alternativewhich encourages saving as well as offering low interest rateloans.

Regulated by the Financial Services Agency, Kent Saverscustomers know that all money they deposit is 100% safe,

protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Kent Savers offers a mix of deposit accounts, usually nolonger than 12-month bonds. Deposits are invested in ethicalorganisations such as Unity Trust Bank, the Co-op and anumber of building societies which fit Kent Savers ethos.

A payroll saving scheme where money is deducted at sourcehelps promote a culture of regular saving especially amongpeople who feel saving is beyond their financial capacity orbecause the discipline to save regularly has never beenadopted.

By linking loans to savings Kent Savers can help movepeoples finances onto a more secure footing as they beginto save at the same time they borrow. Kent Savers willappeal across the community with a return to the buildingsociety model of responsible lending and people focusedservices. It aims to support the alternative economy andbring benefits to all.

To find out more call 0300 456 9990.

In the StoneIn the Stone

In the Stone is a new information service aimed at young people and parents.

A website www.inthestone.co.uk has information on everything frombullying and homelessness to sexual health and money matters.

A launch took place in November. Pictured are three of the young people whohelped create the project.

If you or someone who lives with youneeds a room or an extra bathroomor kitchen, or extra space in your

property to meet special needsarising from a disability, you may beentitled to a reduced council tax bill.The bill may be reduced to that of aproperty in the council tax bandimmediately below the band shown inthe valuation list. If your property isin band A, you may still be entitled toa reduction even though there is nolower band on the valuation list.These reductions ensure thatdisabled people do not pay morecouncil tax in respect of a spaceneeded because of disability.

For more information visitwww.maidstone.gov.uk orcall 01622 602003.

Could you be entitledto lower Council Tax?

Call 101 to: report non-urgent crime

speak to your local officer

make an enquiry

101 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Calls will never cost more than 15p, even from mobiles.

Need immediate help?If life is in danger or crime is in progress call 999.

If deaf or speech impaired text Police and your message to 60066.For more information on 101 visit www.kent.police.uk/101

Non-emergencynumber for Police

The Maidstone Borough Council andTunbridge Wells Borough Counciljoint fraud partnership saved the twolocal authorities more than 500,000between April and November 2011.During that time it prosecuted eightoffenders, issued 13 AdministrativePenalties and eight formal cautions.

If you suspect someone iscommitting benefit fraud call

the hotline on 01622 602196.

Benefit Fraud


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www.maidstonesdream.co.uk

Museum meeting rooms for hire

Visitor Information

All ChangeMaidstonePast and Present inPhotography

MaidstoneMuseum& Bentlif ArtGallery

30November2011- 18March2012

A fascinating look into thechangesto Maidstoneseenthrough thephotographers lens. Images from theMuseumscollectionof historic images arecomparedwithmodernphotography of thesame view.

OpenMonday Saturday 10am5pm (closed24-28December,1&2January)Maidstone MuseumSt.FaithsStreet,Maidstone ME14 1LHTel 01622602838

www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk.muwww eum.maids .ukvone.go

Maidstone Museuma new East Wing eraMaidstone Museuma new East Wing era

Fund-raising

boostFund-raising efforts for themuseums east wing havebeen given a huge boost.

The Maidstone MuseumsFoundation received a pledgeof 75,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, which camewith the condition that it had to be match funded withanother 75,000.

Two months later and the pledge was matched with another75,000 from The Monument Trust, which is one of theSainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

The grants, totalling 150,000, make a significant

contribution towards the project, but there is still some wayto go to reach the fundraising target and the public can getinvolved in two simple and easy ways to donate to theMaidstone Museums Foundation (MMF). You can:

Make a donation by texting MUSE14 followed by either 2,5 or 10 to 70070.

Donate online using the Virgin Money Giving website whichcan be accessed viahttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/museum-3 or byvisiting the Museum website atwww.museum.maidstone.gov.uk where there is a donatebutton linking you to the site.

If youre looking for aplace to hold a meetingMaidstone Museumsnew East Wing could bejust the place for you.Maidstone newestconference and meetingrooms can hold up to120 people for meetings,training or other events.For a conference packemail [email protected] orcall 01622 602847/602838.

Half-term at the MuseumMonday, February 13 - S.W.A.L.K Valentines Pop Up

Card & Gift

Tuesday, February 14 - Embroidered with love keyrings

Wednesday, February 15 - Flower Garden Peg frames

Thursday, February 16 - Jewellery Making

Friday, February 18 - Fabric Corsages

All activities run from 10.30am to 12.30pmand 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Maidstone Visitor Information has settled in well in the new

museum reception. An extended service also has a new shopwith a great range of gifts and souvenirs. Visitor servicesinclude - coach tours and holidays bookings, accommodationbookings, attraction and event information, and local advice.


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Mote Park restorationin picturesWork to restore the grandeur of the former country park is now wellunderway and visitors will have noticed the many improvementstaking shape.

The Mote Park restoration is funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund(HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) under their Parks for Peoplescheme. Improvements made or underway include:

T New formal inner and outer paths.

T Removing some non-parkland trees and scrub to restore theparkland.

T Planting 100 new trees.

T Upgrading the main car park including marked bays, shrub andtree planting.

T Improving the Boat House and installing a hard surface promenadewith new seating, tree planting, and sculptural play elements.

T Relocating the model boat platform.

T Refurbishing the refreshment kiosk.

T Restoring the 1840s waterfall.

T Restoring the neoclassical Volunteers Pavilion dating from the1800s.

T Replacing the existing ramp and small bridge across the lake witha 20m span timber and steel bridge.

T Two additional visitor information hubs. An area accessed from Willington Street will include car parking

and a natural play area for teenagers.

At School Lane there will be better parking with a separatepedestrian access and the play area will be relocated.

All the work is expected to be complete by June.

The new lakeside footpath

Construction of the viewing platform behind thecaf.

The project isfunded jointly byMBC and the

Heritage LotteryParks for PeopleScheme.Work starts on the lakeside promenade.

The new maincar parkwhich willreopen byChristmas.


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Stockbury wins transport award

Maidstone CCTV: The Facts

Digital TV switchover

Maidstones CCTV cameras will continue to catch criminals and look after visitors. Pictures like these led tothe immediate capture of jewel thieves.

The robbers strike. The chase is on and thepolice stop the getaway van.

The game is up as officers close in onthe thieves along the riverbank.

Television in Kent and Medway is going digital!

The digital TV switchover is starting in Maidstone from

June 13 2012. Analogue TV signals will be turned off andFreeview services boosted to reach all areas. Afterswitchover, virtually all homes will be able to receivedigital TV free via an aerial, including those served by localrelay transmitters. When you switch depends on whichtransmitter your TV gets its signal from.

To find out when you switch and what your digital optionsare use the postcode checker on the Digital UK website atwww.digitaluk.co.uk or call Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50.

What do you need to do?

T If you have Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision, you willneed to retune your digital TV or box at switchover or youwill lose channels. Switchover is a two-stage process andyou need to retune at both stages.

T If you have a satellite or cable service on all your sets,you will not need to retune as these are not affected byswitchover.

T If you have 5 channels or fewer (i.e. analogue TV) on anyof your sets, you will need to convert them to digital.

If youre 75 and over, or eligible disabled, call the

Switchover Help Scheme - they can provide everything youneed to keep watching your TV.

For older and disabled viewers who may find making theswitch difficult, the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme isat hand to provide everything you need to switch one TVset to digital.

Most eligible people will be asked to pay 40 towards thestandard option of help. For eligible people on income-related benefits, its free. This includes easy to useequipment, an approved installer to supply and install theequipment, and a 12 month aftercare service including afree helpline.

If youre 75 and over or eligible disabled, the Help Scheme

will write to you directly and in plenty of time to ask if youwant help.

For further information on the Switchover Help Schemevisit helpscheme.co.uk or call free on 0800 40 85 900.Textphone users can call 0800 40 85 936.

T All the cameras are staying.

T They will be monitored 24/7.

T The operators will look at real time images

T The operators will continue to have direct linksto Maidstone police, shops and nightclubs.

Maidstones CCTV monitoring service is getting a major overhaul with new and up to date equipment. The council has awardedthe contract to Medway Council Control Centre because it offers the best value for money in terms of price and quality.

Maidstone CCTV, providing a safe and secure environment for Maidstone borough.

T The new Maidstone CCTV service will have the latesttechnology with dedicated monitors and operators.

T Maidstone CCTV will continue to build on its strongworking relationships with the police, Maidsafe andall other partners.

Rural Kent has given Stockbury top marks in the transport category of the Kent village of the year awards

Stockbury won the category for its excellent all inclusive mini-bus service. Following the loss of their post-bus the localcommunity, with support from the Parish Council and Maidstone Borough Council, they brought a mini-bus. The bus hasspace for two wheelchair users and it runs regular trips three days a week to different local shopping centres. It tailorspick-ups to reduce fuel waste and save both money and the environment. It has 197 regular users, free to those with a

bus pass and just 4 return for those without. It has nine registered clubs, with a further four clubs making use of theminibus. The bus also supports the neighbouring Villages of Hartlip, South Street and Yelsted.


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A new visitor guideDiscovering Mid Kenthas been produced byMaidstone and TunbridgeWells borough councils.It is available fromMaidstone VisitorInformation based atMaidstone Museum andprovides detailedaccommodation andvisitor attractioninformation across thetwo boroughs. The guideis a great way to helpvisitors and residents plan

great days out at fabulousattractions. From castlesand gardens to craftactivities, river trips,vineyards and guidedtours, there are ideas thatwill appeal to everyone.


Tel: 01622 602000 email: [email protected] www.maidstone.gov.uk

New town squareIt is full steam ahead for MaidstonesHigh Street regeneration project withcontractors, Eurovia, set to finish theproject by May. The project is expectedto stimulate extra spending in Maidstonetotalling 4,500,000 a year and about 100new jobs. The figures are contained inan independent economic impact

assessment by leading transport planning,planning, urban design and economicsconsultancy, Colin Buchanan and

Partners.For up to date information about theprogress of the project visithttp://highstreet.maidstone.gov.uk

Planning what to do in the event of a major emergency is difficult. It could beflooding, a major fire, a train crash, an unexploded bomb, pandemic, heavy snow ora hurricane. Some of those may seem far-fetched but they have occurred in theborough over the last 10 years or so.

In these times, youll need to know how to help yourself and those around you.

Advice on what you can do to prepare for emergencies is available on the DirectGovwebsite. It includes:

Know how to tune in to your local radio (you may want to get a wind-up radiobecause it wouldnt need new batteries during a power cut)

Plan how your family will stay in contact in an emergency and write down theircontact details

Consider where your household might meet in an emergency, especially as yourphone might not be working

Be prepared to turn off electrical appliances if there is a power cut and severalappliances restart at once when the power is back on, they may overload thesystem

Gather essential items which you might need in an emergency

Find out about emergency arrangements in your community, workplace, orchildrens school

Speak to your neighbours and friends and see if you can help them prepare foremergencies

Consider making arrangements for your pets in an emergency

Useful contactnumbersMaidstone Borough Council -01622 602000

Ambulance - 01622 747010 -www.secamb.nhs.uk

NHS Direct - 0845 4647

Maidstone Hospital -01622 729000

Medway Maritime Hospital -01634 830000

Emergency - 999

Kent Police - 101

Crime Stoppers - 0800 555 111

Anti Terrorism Hotline -0800 789 321

Electricity faults - 0800 668877Gas leaks - 0800 111999

Environment Agency Floodline -0845 9881188

Kent Benefits Agency -01892 507300

Kent Emergency Planning Unit -08458 247 247

Kent Fire and Rescue Service -01622 774160

South East Water -0333 000 0002,

Emergencies 0333 00 00 365,Minicom/Text Phone -0333 000 0004

Southern Water - 0845 278 0845

GovernmentwebsitesPreparing for emergencies -www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk

Kent Power Station EmergencyPlanning information -www.british-energy.com

Radio StationsBBC Radio - 96.7fm

Heart FM - 103.1fm

KMFM (Maidstone) 105.6fm

Make a note of your ownimportant numbers

Family

Friends

Doctor

Hospital

Police

Fire

Discover Mid Kent

Prepare for emergencies


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Maidstone Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ

The Odeon cinema is offering our readers the chance of a free night out.Weve got ten pairs of tickets to a film of your choice at the Odeon, Lockmeadow, Maidstone.

To be in with a chance of winning a night out at the movies, all you have to do is to tell us what you think aboutBorough Update magazine. Please complete and return the form below by Friday February 17.

Name ..............................................................

Address ..........................................................

..........................................................................

..........................................................................

Tel ....................................................................

Please send your entry to:FREEPOST RRXT-HRHX-LKASCommunications, Maidstone BoroughCouncil, Maidstone House, King Street,Kent ME15 6JQ

Or if you prefer complete the survey online atwww.surveymonkey.com/s/BoroughUpdate

One entry per Maidstone Borough resident not open to Maidstone councillors or councilemployees.

Do you like the overall look ofBorough Update magazine? YES/NO

short newsstories? YES/NO

in-depthstories? YES/NO

Is it easy to read? YES/NO Is it interesting? YES/NO

On a scale of 1-5, with 1 Not Satisfied and 5 Very Satisfied,

how satisfied are you with Borough Update? 1 2 3 4 - 5

Would you like more:

Other comments, including what you like most and least aboutBorough Update and what youd like to see in future issues:

Win a night at the movies

Maidstone Borough Council publishes Borough Update in Downs Mail to keep Maidstone residents up-to-datewith information about council services and general public information.

In 2010 the borough councilasked residents whichdiscretionary servicesmattered most to them.What you said helped thecouncil to find the savings itneeded to balance its

budget in the year 2011-12.Towards the end of 2011 thecouncil asked residentswhich statutory servicesmattered most to them, tohelp it decide on savings forthe year 2012-13.Residents were asked topick up to four of sevenservices. The results inorder of importance were:

Food Hygiene

Monitoring andenforcement of food safety Food inspections andcomplaints.

Community Safety

Safer Maidstone Partnershipand other community safetyinitiatives to combat anti-social behaviour, domesticabuse, substance misuse.

Pollution Control

Monitoring and enforcementof pollution Air quality andcontaminated land.

Building Control

Inspections and compliancewith building regulations.

Noise Control

Monitoring and enforcementof noise pollution Noisyneighbours and noisecomplaints.

Social Inclusion

Positive action to support

disadvantaged groups including neighbourhoodplanning, youth activities,community halls.

Licensing

Issuing of statutory and locallicenses such as licensedpremises and street trading.

We also asked residentsabout the levels of customerservice provided by thecouncil.

67% of respondents said -Dont open the MaidstoneGateway on Saturdaymornings.

81% said - Dont open theMaidstone Gateway onThursday evenings.

50% said yes and 50% said noto an automated telephone

switchboard.60% of respondents said weshould not take longer toanswer letters.

55% said we could takelonger to answer emails

The results and othercomments will help thecouncil set its budgets for2012-13 savings of1.8million are needed. 1.1million has already beenfound as a result of the 2010consultation but a further

700,000 still has to be found.The Council will set itsbudget on 29 February 2012.

Street signclutter clean up

Maidstone is set for anotherclear out of street clutter.Last year MaidstoneBorough Council and KentCounty Council removedmore than 1,100 barriers,posts and other items ofstreet clutter fromMaidstones streets.

This year the target will beon unnecessary street signs.Unnecessary, duplicated,outdated and untidy streetsigns will be targeted in asurvey in February followedby a spring clean to removeall of the signs whichunnecessary.


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www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

HazlittArts

Centre

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

An evening with Jack The Ripper -hosted by Trevor Marriott -Thursday, January 26 - Hazlitt-7.30pm - Tickets-12 concs 10Since 2002, retired Murder SquadDetective Trevor Marriott has beeninvestigating the infamousWhitechapel murders of 1888.The identity of the killer known as Jackthe Ripper has long remained amystery, but now Trevor's 21st century

investigation, recently featured in aworldwide National Geographic TVdocumentary, has uncovered newevidence pointing to a little knownsuspect challenging all other previoustheories.After 123 years can the identity of Jackthe Ripper finally be revealed?*Warning- original crime scene andpost mortem pictures of a graphicnature will be shown which somepeople may find disturbing*

Cwake - Createdand performed byAcrojou, directedby Flick Ferdinando- Tuesday, January31 - ExchangeStudio - 7.30pm -

Tickets 12 concs10 -HYT members5

Wake is a dark,humorous anduplifting study ofone man's life

journey. In an hourof visceralstorytelling Wakefeatures German and Cyr wheels,strikingly choreographed acrobatics, andabsorbing visuals.

Dive into one man's DIY relationship withexistence.

www.acrojou.com

Hazlitt Writers' GroupProse session with Danny Rhodes startsMonday 9 January 7.30pm- 9.30pm (firstMonday of the month from Februaryonwards)

Poetry session - led by Lyn White-starts 16 January

(First Monday of the month fromFebruary onwards).

5 each session- placesare limited so book earlyto avoid disappointment.for further informationcontact: [email protected]

Hazlitt ChoirMeets most Wednesdaysbetween 7pm and 9pm -30 per term, payable inadvance. for furtherinformation contact:[email protected]

The Bon Jovi experience -Friday 3 February -Hazlitt - time 7.30pm -

Tickets 16 concs 15An evening ofmediumship with TonyStockwell (hire) -Wednesday 8 February -Hazlitt - Time 8pm -Tickets 15

An Instinct For KindnessSaturday 11 February -Exchange Studio - Time8pm - Tickets 12 concs10

Rock 'N' Roll Paradise -Saturday 11 February -

Hazlitt - Time 7.30pm -Tickets 17.50

ComedyComedy Night - Tom Wrigglesworth,

Damian Clark, & Andrew O'Neill -Wednesday 1 February - ExchangeStudio - 8pm - Tickets 10 (line-upsubject to change)

Spend an evening with an exciting anddiverse mix of talented comics,guaranteed to make you laugh! DamianClark recently supported Jack Dee atthe Hazlitt Arts Centre in November2011.

With comedians Tom Wrigglesworth,hailed as one of the most original andtalented comedians on the circuit today,complimented by the energetic DamianClark described as ''hilariously daft'and deliciously stirred by the madcap,vegan, metal-head Andrew O'Neill-you're in for a great evening!

*SPECIAL OFFER Pre-book your ticketand get 1 promotional drink FREE!*

To find out whats on in Maidstone Borough

visit www.tour-maidstone.com

Whats On!Horse + Bambootheatre Companypresent Red Riding Hood - Sunday 12February - Hazlitt - Time 2.30pm -Tickets 8.50 concs 6.50


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Maidstone Borough Council is working to fight the effects of the recession andbring prosperity to the borough. We help residents with housing and council tax

benefits, heating and insulation grants, home improvement grants, free bus travel

and by support for organisations which offer money advice.

Useful numbersCitizens Advice Bureau 01622 752420 or 01622 757882

Council tax 01622 602003

Housing benefit and generalhousing advice 01622 602557

National debtline freephone 0808 808 4000

Heating and insulation grants -01622 602470

First time buyers grants -01622 602470

Energy Saving Trust -

0800 512 012Concessionary Travel -08458 247802

Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700

Eighteen months after receiving planningpermission to extend its Caring Laneoffices, Maidstone based international webmanagement company, GForces, hasmany reasons to celebrate, including:

T 142 employed (92 jobs created betweenJuly 2009 and July 2011).

T GForces Training Academy set up toprovide work experience and opportunitiesfor students to train in an industryenvironment.

T GForces wins 2010 and 2011outstanding employer contribution awardfor work experience students from KentEducational Business Partnership

T In 2011 GForces Training Academy takeson twenty local students and twoUniversity internships from the Universityof Kent

T GForces has already committed to take afurther six internships from ChristchurchUniversity and the University of Kent and a

further 30 student work placements.T 95% of revenue generated comes fromoutside the County.

T Estimated that 25% of revenuegenerated within the next three years willcome from outside of the UK

GForces works with the countrys top autodealers to turn their websites into keysales and lead generating platforms.

01622 602000 [email protected] ov.uk www.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ

T be a two stage application process,to be launched on the 1st Decemberand EOIs to be submitted by the end

of January

T provide up to 50% of project costs

T require 50% private sector matchfunding e.g. infrastructure supplier

contributions.

Rural broadband

Rural business success

Maidstone hastourism app-ealThe latest update for the VisitMaidstone app is now available andcontains even more information oneating and drinking and shopping inthe borough.

The app, which was launched inSeptember 2011, is continuing toimprove its information and anybusiness looking to be includedshould contact the Visitor EconomyBusiness Unit by [email protected] or calling01622 602748.

A new DEFRA Rural Community Broadband Grant scheme has been launchedas part of the Rural Economy Growth Review. The 20 million fund is part of thewider Rural Development Programme for England and is targeted at providingsuperfast broadband solutions in the most hard to reach parts of England (i.e.the final 10% of premises not eligible for superfast broadband solutions underthe Government's current BDUK funding plans). The fund will:

For more information, contact Keith Grimley, Economic Development Officer.Tel: 01622 602393 or email: [email protected]

Force for success

Bearsted stationimprovements

A 1 million investment inBearsted station will renew the

footbridge and provide new lifts tomake life easier for rail travelers.

Construction is due to start this monthon the Kent Institute of Medicine andSurgery at Bearsted Road, Maidstone.

When construction work is complete inSeptember 2013 the new clinic isexpected to create up to six hundred new

jobs, with an average salary of 40,000.

It will provide advanced and highlyspecialised procedures and care incardiology and neurology for private andNHS patients.

Work starts on Kent Clinic

A groundbreaking new business network,bringing together rural businesses acrossthe UK, is being rolled out in MaidstoneBorough. Maidstones Network of Rural

Business Forums has celebrated its firstsuccessful year. The Yalding, Nettlestead,Laddingford and Collier Street Forum,formed in December 2010, followed fouryears after the Marden Business Forum.

Together they have almost 250 membersand tens of thousands of pounds-worth ofbusiness has been done betweenmembers in just a few months.

Tradesmen and contractors have foundthe forum particularly useful fornetworking and establishing qualitybusiness leads, said Forum ChairmanElaine Collins.

With monthly breakfast meetings,networking events and socials, the forumhas brought together sole traders, SMEsand larger companies.

The principal aim is to support the localbusiness economy and offer members araft of benefits, all within an affordableannual membership of just 50. Thisincludes free inclusion into a local

directory which goes to all householdsand businesses in the area. For furtherinformation visit www.nrbf.co.uk


12/12

Follow us on www.twitter.com/maidstonebc

Thank you for recyclingIf you havent done soalready real Christmastrees can be recycled byleaving them out forcollection on the boundaryof your property, on agarden waste collection day.

Christmas cards can berecycled in your green binor black box.If you have any unwanted

Christmas gifts or goodquality used items suchas clothes, toys and books,why not visit our GreenSanta Sleigh in the Mall,Maidstone from January 9to 13.

Gift donations will beaccepted on behalf of AgeUK and sold in theirMaidstone shop.

One Stop Shop to stop domestic abuse

A new Maidstone One Stop Shop will offer advice to help victims of

domestic abuse. Services will include - legal advice and represen-tation, housing information, and police support. Tuesdays, 9.30am11.30am, from 17 January. Maidstone Community Support Centre,Marsham Street. No prior appointments will be necessary.

Snow - During the winter, there is a risk of snow affecting ourservices. If we get bad weather we will try our best to maintainnormal services, but please leave your bins out and we will emptythem as soon as possible. Regular updates will be available on ourwebsite www.maidstone.gov.uk, Twitter @maidstonebc andfacebook www.facebook.com/maidstoneboroughcouncil

Documents

Borough Update January 2012