8 Maidstone Borough Council


Maidstone Mela in pictures The sun shone on thousands of people at Maidstone’s ninth multi cultural Mela.


The Mela weekend in Mote Park, delighted crowds with music, stalls, food and all things cultural.


On the Saturday night Sukshinder Shinda and the Counterfeit Beatles took to the stage to entertain the crowds. A fireworks display rounded off the evening.


On the Sunday there was a full line-up of stage events, stalls and food from all over the World. Over the last three years the attendance for the free event has been in excess of 10,000 people.


The Mela was organised in partnership by Maidstone Borough Council, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus Kent. It was part funded by Arts Council England.


Crackdown on litter louts proving successful


Maidstone Borough Council is committed to keeping the borough clean.


Figures from the litter enforcement team show that between July 2010 and July 2011 more than four thousand people were handed fines for littering.


The money from each penalty notice is put back into the service and has bought extra bins and helps campaigns to combat litter and other environmental issues.


Thousands came out during September to celebrate all things cultural at this year’s Maidstone Mela.


Cllr Marion Ring, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We have been tackling the issue head on. Every year millions of pounds are spent on street cleansing and clearing our roads of rubbish such as cigarette butts, chewing gum, sweet wrappers and fast food containers. That’s a lot of money to keep our borough clean and looking great. My message is – please don’t drop litter but if you do, you are likely to get a fixed penalty notice.”


Maidstone council was the first in Kent to take such an approach to littering.


People caught flouting the law will be offered the chance to pay a £75 fine within 14 days. If they fail to pay up they will be taken to court and risk a fine of up to £2,500, costs, and a criminal record. The council has successfully prosecuted many people who have refused to pay.


Pictures: Courtesy of Cohesion Plus.


Maidstone has four dedicated litter enforcement officers working in the borough. They have all recently been


Maidstone keeps hold of prestigious Green Flag Awards


Green flags will be flying high for another year after two of Maidstone’s parks were voted among some of the best in the country.


Clare Park and Whatman Park have retained the prestigious Green Flag Awards for another year.


Whatman Park, which is part of the Millennium River Park, has been awarded the green flag for the second time and Clare Park on Tonbridge Road is keeping its green flag status for a fourth year.


Both parks will have the flags hoisted high for a year before being re-assessed.


Tel: 01622 602000 email: customercare@maidstone.gov.uk www.maidstone.gov.uk


The enforcement activity is not only about punishing those in the wrong. It’s about rewarding those using the town’s bins through ‘bin it to win it’.


People who use litter bins can be in with a chance of winning shopping vouchers through a monthly prize draw. The competition is organised by Maidstone council, The Mall, Chequers and Maidstone Town Centre Management.


Council enforcement officers carry the reward cards and issue them to members of the public seen using bins in the borough. If you get given a postcard make sure you post it in the box provided at the Gateway in King Street to be entered in the monthly draw.


If you are aware of a litter hotspot please call 01622 602162. If you see it, report it.


equipped with body worn video cameras. Cllr Ring said: “This was a bold but important approach to the work because it allows us to monitor the service to ensure safety and fairness for all concerned. The camera equipment will record the conversations between the patrollers and the people who they talk to about dropping litter.”


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