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Borough report looking ahead
MORE than a quarter of adults in Maidstone are thought to be obese, according to a report by Maidstone Council. Sixty per cent of adults are physi-
cally active and 73% “economically active” – atwork or self-employed– but 26% of them are obese. Two thirds of people are satisfied
with the way the council runs the borough, but only 43% think the council provides value for money. The council’s annual report for 2013/14 highlights past successes – and its plans for the next year. Council leader Annabelle Black-
more said: “We will continue to work with partners to make the best use of public service budgets.” She also pledged the council
would look to become more com- mercial, providingnewservices and investing in commercial ventures. A breakdown of council tax
shows that 70% goes directly to KCC to fund services, 10% to the Kent Police and Crime Commis- sioner’s office, 5% goes towards Kent Fire and Rescue, leaving just 15% for Maidstone Council. Of this, 56% is spent on revenues
– the cost of collecting council tax and national non-domestic rates – and housing benefit and council tax support. Five per cent goes on culture and tourism,4%on planning and build- ing control, 5% on waste collection, 3% on each of housing, parks and
car parking and public transport, and 8% on other corporate services. Sixty-six per cent of people said
they trusted the council and 29% agreed that they could influence de- cisions affecting their area, but 27% would like to become more in- volved in that decision-making. Of the over-16s, 19% smoke, 8%
claim unemployment benefit and 4% of those aged 16-18 are NEETs – not in education, employment or training. The council will raise £12.4m this
year from council tax – a quarter of the £47m spent on revenues and benefits. But as well as the income from council tax, Maidstone re- ceived £55.6m from government grants, £13.3m from fees and £2.8m from business rates. Performance highlights for the
year included processing almost 1,500 planning applications – 83% within the statutory time – and de- livering 189 new affordable homes, while improving 295 private sector homes. Staff also answered almost 175,000 calls to its contact centre. In the coming year, the council
will beworking on town centre im- provements including cycle routes and access to the river. It is also aim- ing to fund a £1.5m unit for vulner- able veterans and service leavers, enable the delivery of a further 250 affordable homes, support the vul- nerable and elderly and continue its outreachwork with rough sleepers.
Manager Andrew retires aer 46 years with Boots
ANDREW Simms may have mem- ories of holding a duster on his first day at Boots, but his love of retail- ing saw him rise to area manager for the company that was his boss for 46 years.
Speaking from
his home inWood- lands, Maidstone, Andrew said he joined the phar- macy in Harlow in Essex in 1968, when hewas 16. He said: “ I re-
member spending the day dusting things. That stayed with me and I always made a point of ensuring new staff got a warm welcome on their first day.” These management skills were
soon recognised and after the com- pany dropped its policy of only making qualified pharmacists store managers, his career pathwas set. Andrew managed Boots in The Mall for 12 years from 2002, while
working as a group manager, with responsibility for stores in Week Street, Tenterden and Ashford. Six years ago he took on the role of West Kent area manager, with 12 large stores in his care. Only for the past 12 months did he return to Maidstone, ahead of his retirement. He said: “Boots has been a great company to work for. Even to this day, retailing is one of the few in- dustries able to reward people on merit, on what they achieve, rather than what they did at school.” He now intends to devote more
time to the Town Team, which is partnered with the borough coun- cil, and the Town Centre Manage- ment team, of which he is company secretary. He is also looking forward to spending more time with his fam- ily: his daughter Rebecca, grandson Henry, son Matthew who gets mar- ried this month – and, of course, his wife Julia, who stillworks for Boots in Rainham.
in the air... exciting and varied flying programme illustrating the full range of model flying
Grave Tending Services
Caring for the final resting places of people and pets.
General gardening of graves Floral tributes and arrangements. Planting of seasonal bulbs. Grave sitting and prayers. Poppy placement.
Stone masonry, restoration and smoothing.
Please tell us if you have any special requirements. Additional services can also be seen on our website. Please quote SDM
01622 772507
hello@cherishmymemory.co.uk www.cherishmymemory.co.uk
outhern model show back at Headcorn a great day out for all the family!
This year will offer lots of opportunities for beginners to have-a-go, plus on the ground… spectators can enjoy the sight and sound of remote controlled car racing whilst being stalked by tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles. on the high seas… or rather in the water tank, epic sea battles will be recreated. plenty to eat, drink and buy as well as activities for the less model-minded members of the family.
ticket prices pow
child (5 to 16 years), adult (+17 years), family ticket consists of 2 adults & 2 children
Camping is available – for more information visit:
www.headcornevents.co.uk
T: 0845 652 62 63 @southmodelshow /SouthernModelShow Maidstone South September 2014 5
gate price
£10.00 Child
£12.00 adult
£35.00 family
advance tickets
£8.00 child
£10.00 adult
£30.00 family
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