Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is taking part in the Day of Reflection as a memorial to the people who lost their lives and anyone impacted as a result Covid-19. The National Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 9 March when communities across the country have the opportunity to join together in commemoration of those who lost their lives during the pandemic. MBC is planting 633 trees to commemorate the number of people who died across the borough of Maidstone because of Covid. The trees will include a combination of Oak, Birch, Hawthorn, Field Maple and will be placed in a variety locations across Maidstone including Allington Open Space, where people can visit, stop, remember and take time to reflect on those impacted since the pandemic started. Maidstone residents are being invited to volunteer and take part in the tree planting to be part of the commemoration on Tuesday 4 March and Wednesday 5 March. Anyone who would like to register their interest in the tree planting can email: climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration was set up to find appropriate ways to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began, and to explore how we mark this period of our history. As a result they have introduced the Day of Reflection when people are invited to: - remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the pandemic began - reflect on the sacrifices made by many, and on the impact of the pandemic on us all - pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers and researchers - appreciate those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e27aAT6H

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is looking to improve its services and the ways that residents can contact the authority. Customer service is a priority for MBC to ensure that it delivers quick, efficient assistance, and the access to the Council is an important first step in this process. The Council would like to invite anyone who has recently contacted them to attend a focus group. This is an open opportunity for everyone to share their experiences, whether positive or negative. During the focus groups, residents will discuss what exemplifies an excellent customer experience and how contacting MBC has impacted them. Anyone interested in participating, should register on Let’s Talk Maidstone by 19 February 2025, detailing age, postcode, gender, ethnicity, economic activity, when you last contacted the Council and which sessions you are able to attend. The focus group sessions are available to book for anyone over 18 years of age and lives in the borough of Maidstone. Book onto a focus group session: https://lnkd.in/eJCCDZVb Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eBvmH3cu

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Maidstone Borough Council has introduced a new project to improve the greening and lighting in the town centre. Work has started on Jubilee and Remembrance Squares, with paved areas being replaced with permanent planting which will enhance the appearance of the Hight Street and improve biodiversity. The Council’s Greening and Lighting project will include planting, be concentrated around the existing trees and seating in the Squares to create a more tranquil environment for visitors to the town to stop and enjoy and native planting will be used to attract bees and insects. To further enhance biodiversity and create green corridors through the town centre, MBC is also installing 19 Living Pillars in the High Street; an innovative design which attaches planting, along with insect and bird boxes around street lighting columns. The pillars are solar powered with re-circulating irrigation, and are a sustainable solution to the challenges of planting in our streets. Improved lighting is also being introduced to re-engage people with hidden parts of a town and turn underused areas into new outdoor social spaces which will be safe, attractive, and inclusive. The Council has identified a number of areas to be improved. The aim is to create a safe trail, connecting areas where people can follow areas of interest along both sides of the river. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eCd5-wfz

The Elephant House at Cobtree Manor Park has a new tenant, Arms Apiaries. After housing elephants for 25 years as part of Maidstone Zoo, up until 1959, it will now be home to beekeeper Jason’s new business venture. Jason Arms has been keeping bees for five years, with 35 honeybee colonies spread across seven different apiaries located in Kent, from Detling to Hadlow. Arms Apiaries specialises in the safe and ethical removal of established honeybee colonies from residential and commercial properties, covering Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex. Part of the unusual building will be used for honey processing and dealing with all the beeswax collected from properties. The park is managed by the Cobtree Manor Estate Trust, in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council (MBC). Read the full article: https://bit.ly/416D73G

Residents are being asked to take part in consultations giving their views on the Conservation Area appraisal and management plans for Detling, Otham and Bearsted. The identification of Conservation Areas helps to manage and protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place and the features that make it unique. MBC and the Parish Councils have considered the boundaries of Detling, Otham and Bearsted Conservation Areas and as part of the public consultation welcome views and comments. The three consultations are now open and close 9 March 2025, please visit Let’s Talk Maidstone to have your say on the following areas: https://lnkd.in/eqQfYr7i As part of the consultation, public exhibitions will be open to everyone. More details are available on Let's Talk Maidstone. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ev_PDwyb

Residents are being asked to take part in consultations giving their views on the Conservation Area appraisal and management plans for Detling, Otham and Bearsted. The identification of Conservation Areas helps to manage and protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place and the features that make it unique. MBC and the Parish Councils have considered the boundaries of Detling, Otham and Bearsted Conservation Areas and as part of the public consultation welcome views and comments. The three consultations are now open and close 9 March 2025, please visit Let’s Talk Maidstone to have your say on the following areas: https://lnkd.in/eqQfYr7i As part of the consultation, public exhibitions will be open to everyone. More details are available on Let's Talk Maidstone. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ev_PDwyb

Residents are being asked to take part in consultations giving their views on the Conservation Area appraisal and management plans for Detling, Otham and Bearsted. The identification of Conservation Areas helps to manage and protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place and the features that make it unique. MBC and the Parish Councils have considered the boundaries of Detling, Otham and Bearsted Conservation Areas and as part of the public consultation welcome views and comments. The three consultations are now open and close 9 March 2025, please visit Let’s Talk Maidstone to have your say on the following areas: https://lnkd.in/eqQfYr7i As part of the consultation, public exhibitions will be open to everyone. More details are available on Let's Talk Maidstone. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ev_PDwyb

Residents are being asked to take part in consultations giving their views on the Conservation Area appraisal and management plans for Detling, Otham and Bearsted. The identification of Conservation Areas helps to manage and protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place and the features that make it unique. MBC and the Parish Councils have considered the boundaries of Detling, Otham and Bearsted Conservation Areas and as part of the public consultation welcome views and comments. The three consultations are now open and close 9 March 2025, please visit Let’s Talk Maidstone to have your say on the following areas: https://lnkd.in/eqQfYr7i As part of the consultation, public exhibitions will be open to everyone. More details are available on Let's Talk Maidstone. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ev_PDwyb

We are looking for #Kent employers who are interested in offering cardiovascular (CVD) #healthchecks for their staff (and in their workplace!). The health checks are a free, convenient and effective way to help your workforce stay well. Individuals receiving CVD health checks will still be eligible to have their 5-yearly NHS health check. Staff having a full health check at your workplace would not need to have another for 5 years. 👉 To find out more - visit https://lnkd.in/enKbSMwV or email our provider Randox at: kent.healthcheck@randox.com If you are not the right contact but want to help spread the word, please tag a colleague or reshare this post. #kentbusiness