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Latest news from Maidstone Borough Council - February 2024 |
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Prepare to vote in May Local Elections
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) will be holding its next local elections on Thursday 2 May 2024. This year’s elections will be the first on the Council’s new whole council election cycle, so all 49 Borough Councillors and Parish Councils will be up for election at the same time. The elections will also include voting for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.
Everyone is encouraged to vote and is being reminded to bring a form of photo ID with them to vote in a polling station. For those people who do not have a valid form of ID they need to apply for a voter authority certificate now.
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Extension at Maidstone Leisure Centre means upgrades and improvements
An extension to the contract for Maidstone Leisure Centre will include upgrades and improvements to the value of £2.5m.
Approved in January by the MBC Cabinet, the contract will be extended with Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco continuing to provide facilities at the Leisure Centre, Fitness Centre, Sports Hall, Cafe and Adventure Zone for local residents.
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Maidstone Museum - fun for all the
family this spring
Maidstone Museum has reopened after its winter maintenance and offers so much to entertain people of all ages including two exciting new temporary exhibitions: Graham Clarke: ‘A Retrospective – 65 years as a printmaker’ and another which showcases the Maidstone Young Artist Award 2024 finalists’ artwork.
February half term means family-friendly ‘Make It!’ craft sessions between Tuesday 13 - Thursday 15 February with Maidstone Museum’s Learning Team. The theme this year is all about the Egyptian collection, plus the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Friday craft activities on 16 February. Visitors can also take part in an Egyptian themed trail with Makaton signs around the building.
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A stitch in time at Maidstone Museum
A tiny bone needle, which was last used around 8,000 years ago during the middle stone age, will be featured in the new archaeology gallery ‘Lives in our landscape’ at Maidstone Museum when it opens early summer 2024.
Work has started on the exciting new family-friendly gallery which will tell the story of how people have lived in the area over a vast span of time. 600,000 years of objects made and used will be on show, from the earliest type of humans hunting animals with stone tools in a forested landscape, up to the medieval period, when Maidstone became a bustling market town.
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People of Maidstone celebrate Lunar New Year
Maidstone came to life on Saturday 3 February, as hundreds of people flocked to the town and celebrated Lunar New Year 2024.
Working with Cohesion Plus and Maidstone Cultural Group, MBC supported the event which saw a fantastic colourful and energetic display which included dazzling Chinese Lions prowling around the town centre and Lockmeadow.
Audiences heard authentic sounds from the SOAS musical ensemble playing traditional silk and bamboo music of the Shanghai tea houses along with beautiful music from the Chinese Opera. The stunning Sichuan changing face and ribbon dance puppets also entertained the crowds, all completely free of charge.
Photos courtesy of Cohesion Plus, taken by Andy Barnes
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MBC encouraging residents to apply for energy efficiency and heating upgrades
MBC is encouraging as many eligible residents as possible to apply now for energy efficiency and heating upgrades via the Home Upgrade Grant – Phase 2 (HUG2).
Households struggling with rising energy bills and vulnerable residents facing impossible choices to try and keep warm may be worrying during these winter months and the government led grant could help them.
Open for applications until the end of 2024 (or until funding runs out), the HUG2 scheme helps fund energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating systems, targeting some of the most inefficiently heated homes (i.e. an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G) and which are not heated by mains gas heating systems.
Homeowners and private tenants on low incomes can check whether their household is eligible via the MBC website.
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Last Chance to have your say on
Maidstone Local Plan Review
further consultation
MBC has been informed by the independent Inspector that he wishes to undertake a final consultation on the Local Plan Review.
The further consultation is in order to allow the Local Plan Review Examination to be brought to a close so that the Inspector may therefore issue his Final Report. The Council understands that this consultation is focussed on the published Infrastructure Delivery Plan update, Integrated Transport Strategy update and Viability Assessment update. In addition, there will be concluding evidence around the M2 junction 3 infrastructure.
The further consultation of the Maidstone Local Plan Review entitled ‘Inspector’s Consultation on Technical Documents 2024’ will finish on 14 February.
Anyone who wishes to respond to this consultation may do so using the Council’s website.
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Have your say on Conservation Areas in Maidstone
MBC Heritage Team is asking residents their views on the Conservation Area appraisal and management plans in Maidstone as part of a consultation.
The Council has a duty under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to designate areas they believe are of special architectural or historic interest, where it is desirable to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area.
As part of the same Act the council must review the designated conservation areas ‘from time to time’ to see whether there is a case for extending or amending the boundary or, in exceptional circumstances, for de-designation. MBC and Parish Councils have considered the boundaries of the Conservation Areas and as part of the public consultation welcome views and comments.
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Staplehurst
As part of the consultation a public exhibition will be open to everyone on 22 February 2024 between 2.00pm to 7pm at Staplehurst Community Centre.
Information will be available to anyone who wishes to find out more or talk to one of the MBC Heritage team.
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Thanks for reading our News update.
Why not sign up to our other newsletters to find out more about what’s going on across Maidstone Borough.
What’s On in Maidstone – for all events
Climate Change and Biodiversity – everything to do with sustainability
Consultations – share your views
Visit Maidstone – the best places to visit and stay
Environmental Services – parks, open spaces and waste services
Business in Maidstone – workshops, events and business support
Planning Applications - the latest applications MBC has received and decisions made
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