News


downsmail.co.uk 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.” Abreakdown of council tax shows that 70% goes directly to KCC to


A SYCAMORE could be removed at 21 Church Lane, Bearsted. A conservation area application


says the tree is “self-sown”. It added: “It offers nothing to the local setting aesthetically but does however cause a safety hazard to both the public and our property at Caterways.” Caterways “has a history of structural damage caused by


fund services, 10%to the KentPolice and Crime Commissioner’s office, 5% to Kent Fire and Rescue, leaving just 15% for Maidstone Council. Of this, 56% is spent on revenues


– the cost of collecting council tax and non-domestic rates – and hous- ing benefit and council tax support. Five per cent is spent on culture


and tourism, 4% on planning and building control, 5% on waste col- lection,3%on each of housing, parks and car parking and public trans- port, and 8% on other corporate services. Sixty-six per cent of people said


they trusted the council and 29% agreed that they could influence decisions affecting their area, but 27% would like to become more in- volved in that decision-making.


Sycamore ‘is dangerous’


ground conditions and trees. This lane is frequently used by mothers and young children together with disabled residents and their carers from the home at 21 Church Lane who are forced towalk in the mid- dle of the lane blindly due to this tree obscuring the sight of oncom- ing vehicles.” Maidstone Council will decide on the proposal.


Of the over-16s, 19% smoke, 8%


claim unemployment benefit and 4%of those aged 16-18 are not in ed- ucation, 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


MAIDSTONE Council is to put stickers on recycling bins because residents are confused about what can go in their green bin. Stickers and recycling


calendars will be distributed during the next few weeks as part of a drive to recycle


will be working on town centre im- provements including cycle routes and access to the river. It is also aiming to fund a £1.5m


unit for vulnerable veterans and service leavers, enable the delivery of a further 250 affordable homes, support the vulnerable and elderly and continue its outreachwork with rough sleepers.


BWT anniversary


IN page 13 of last month’s Downs Mailwe ran a story about Bearsted Woodland Trust’s 10-year anniver- sary stating that one of the prize winners was Zane Smith from Bearsted. Zane’s surname is, in fact, Spence and he lives in Snodland.


Sticking to recycling rules


60% of the borough’s rubbish by 2019. The council’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Marion Ring (left) said: “Sometimes recycling can be confusing. The new stickers will help us to recycle even more.”


Right rent


Right tenant


Right now


Martin & Co Maidstone provides unrivalled service to landlords, tenants, sellers, buyers and property investors alike.


Established in 2005, we are among the top agents in the area, with expert knowledge of the local market.


Martin & Co Maidstone 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent • ME14 1PA


The right agent. Right on your doorstep.


Call now for a free market appraisal. 8 Maidstone East October 2014 01622 690290


www.maidstone-martinco.co.uk maidstone@martinco.com


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  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64