|
MBC Celebrates
International Women's Day
The Business Terrace celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, Thursday 7 March, with the Economic Development Team hosting a day of inspiration, empowerment and networking for women across the borough.
Guest speakers included Dr. Julia Jones of 'Neuron Wellness' and Sally Ambrose, Product Director at 'Hobbs'. The event was a sell-out success and was proudly supported by the team's business support provider, 'Let’s Do Business' group.
Feedback from the day was fantastic and really put The Business Terrace on the map for hosting a unique event; not just in Maidstone, but in the whole of Kent.
|
|
MBC Seizes Waste-Tipper's Truck
As part of the continued work combating fly-tipping, the Waste Crime Team has helped seize a 32-tonne tipper truck.
The vehicle had been used to illegally dump a large load of contaminated waste (Tarmac and Asphalt) in August 2023. Since then, the MBC team has been investigating the crime and identified the owner of the vehicle which was witnessed fly-tipping the waste.
Using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), the truck was spotted in Thanet last month, seized by the MBC team, and is currently compounded subject to the driver being prosecuted.
This is a great achievement for the team, who are working to keep the borough of Maidstone safe, clean and green.
|
|
Maidstone LitFest Returns!
We are delighted to say that the Maidstone Literary Festival will be back for a second year in October!
Announced on World Book Day this week, Thursday 7 March, the festival will return 5-12 October 2024, bringing more authors to events in the town centre for book lovers of all ages to enjoy.
With the full line-up to be revealed in the coming months, the team behind the LitFest has confirmed writers that will be taking part including children’s author Sam Copeland (Alex vs Axel), The Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller - Gill Hornby (Godmersham Park) along with actress, presenter and regular contributor to the Graham Norton Radio Show, Maria McErlane (Bumps in the Road).
MBC funded and supported the first Maidstone LitFest last year and is heading up the festival once again, using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
|
|
Call for Easter Treats
As we approach Easter, the Community Larder Team would like to collect some goodies to give out to Larder customers at Park Wood, Shepway and Trinity.
Small Easter eggs, chocolates and Easter crafts or activities would be really appreciated by the team and well received by families and adults, alike!
If you are able to, and would like to help give Larder customers an Easter goodie, there will be a Larder collection point set-up in the break-out area of Floor 6 in Maidstone House. Donated treats will be distributed amongst the three Community Larders.
|
|
Local Government Round-Up
The Policy and Communities Team has recently started collecting important stories from the week's news which affect Local Government. This will be a key tool in understanding the wider context of our sector.
If you would be interested in reading this week's round-up, please see the Word document attached in the Inside MBC email.
This edition will focus on the Spring 2024 Budget which was announced earlier this week, giving you all the information you need to know about the changes.
|
|
Staff Art Competition
Could you be our First Prize Winner?
We’re looking for your best artworks that celebrate the borough of Maidstone, whether it’s a scene in Mote Park or a view from Staplehurst, as long as it’s inspired by the local area.
Artworks can be submitted in any medium, including paints, ceramics, textiles and sculpture, but no photography please!
All entries will be included in a special exhibition to be held in April 2024.
|
|
There will also be cash prizes for the winners:
First prize - £100
Second prize - £50
Third prize £25
The final date for entries is Friday 22 March 2024.
|
|
Richard Dean, Street Scene Operative, has been sent a glowing message of thanks from a resident who appreciates the diligence and care that he puts into his work to make Maidstone a safe, clean and green place for everyone. The compliment reads:
"In my working life, I always strived to attain high standards and appreciate seeing this in others.
"In my opinion, I consider Richard Dean to be a great asset to the Street Cleaning Team. I have observed him working in my area over a few years and can honestly say that he is one of the Council workers who really is praiseworthy.
"Richard is very approachable, obliging, always cheerful, takes great pride in his work and is therefore a credit to MBC.
"Yesterday, Richard was working nearby in Allington, clearing an area of detritus. I approached him, asking if an area of pavement close to, and outside my property, could be swept.
"He willingly obliged and did an excellent job, for which I thanked him.
"I am writing to make you aware of the positive image of MBC that Richard portrays and would ask that you please pass my gratitude to him for all that he does."
|
|
The Waste Collection Crew have received great feedback from a resident this week, who sent a compliment saying:
"Please pass on my compliments about a Waste Collection Crew member that collected my refuse this morning. He is always smiling and he put my bin back so that I didn't have to go out in the rain."
|
|
Maidstone Museum received some good feedback about its touring exhibition: Albert Goodwin: Visionary Landscapes, which is currently on show in Kirkcudbright Art Gallery in Scotland.
A visitor wrote to the team to say:
"A couple of weeks ago I visited Kirkcudbright Art Gallery and was delighted to find your travelling exhibition of the works of Albert Goodwin. It is an absolutely wonderful exhibition; I've been twice and hope to go again before it ends.
"I moved back to this area of Scotland after more than 30 years in Maidstone and have to tell you I had never heard of Albert Goodwin. I wrote to a friend who has lived there even longer and he, too, had not heard of him, either. Thank you for putting together this excellent exhibition of his work."
|
|
Get Around for £2 extended!
To help people with cost of living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government is extending the £2 bus fare cap on most routes in England outside London until the end of
December 2024.
|
|
Sign up for E-Billing
If you are a Maidstone resident, make sure that you sign up for e-billing to get your council tax bills sent directly through email.
It's quick, efficient and saves a huge amount of paper.
|
|
GOT A STORY? EMAIL: COMMUNICATIONS@MAIDSTONE.GOV.UK |
|
|
If you have enjoyed reading Inside MBC, and want to keep updated with news across Maidstone, you can 'Stay Connected' to our e-newsletters.
|
|
|
|
|
