High praise for borough waste team ... and big savings on the way
LAST year’s mayor has heaped praise on the team behind the borough’s recycling success story. Since the council started collecting food
waste separately in January,Maidstone’s re- cycling rate has rocketed to 45%. Now, four out of five householders are
taking part, which is putting the borough on track to be among the greenest local author- ities in the country. “We should be shouting
East Kent has already produced savings of £900,000 a year for both Dover and Shep- way councils. Cllr Hotson is “very pleased” the
from the rooftops,” said Cllr Eric Hotson. “Resi- dents have really taken part in this scheme.” He was commenting as the cabinet de-
The council will also collect waste paper separately from 2013. Residents will be pro- vided with an insert in their recycling bin.
cided to enter into a ‘waste partnership’ with Swale and Ashford councils, starting in 2013. By then, the borough’s recycling rate should be nearing 50%. The 10-year contract should lead to “sig- nificant” savings. A similar partnership in
Lenham pupils
sock it to ’em LENHAM Primary School supported the SlideAway charity by participating in Silly Socks Day. Pupils donated £1 and
each sported stripy, spotty, fluorescent or loud socks to raise awareness of the charity, which sup- ports children in Kent by giving access to a be- reavement service follow- ingthe deathofaclose relative or friend.
local workforce is being retained under the new contract. He applauded their commit- ment: “They work a full day – that’s for sure.” He added: “We really do
have to congratulate our en- vironmental team.We have a really keen team, who are
egged on by the challenge of their targets.” Council leader Cllr Chris Garland said Maidstone’s recycling rate was only 18% six years ago, but is now 45%. Once the new contract is in place, it will be “one of the best examples of shared working be- tween local authorities”.
Pub saved from permanent closure MAIDSTONE Council has saved the only remaining pub in Ulcombe village from permanent closure. The Harrow Inn, in The Street, has been closed since De- cember 2005. Owners Philippe and Karen Debax-Latour, who have continued to live in the first floor of the Grade II- listed building, applied to convert the pub into permanent and complete living quarters. ButMaidstone Council’s planning department decided the
loss of the public house would have a “significant detrimen- tal impact on the vitality and viability of the village”. The applicants had sought professional advice by Christie
and Co, who claimed the pub was “inherently unable” to compete against pubs in nearby villages and hamlets, and that “efforts to raise finance and subsequently to sell the business have failed because of the viability concerns”.
The Harrow Inn at Ulcombe is to remain a pub,Maidstone Council has decided
10 East
Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56