Martin Cox and Rob Bird welcome County Council U-turn on Charges for Outdoor Seating for Cafés, Pubs and Restaurants
Kent County Council has agreed to waive the £190 license fee it was charging for catering business for setting up tables and chairs outside their premises. The fee will now be waived for 6 weeks. The move follows pressure from opposition councillors at County Hall and outcry from traders across the County.
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Ash Die Back puts trees at risk along Medway River path.
Following reports of dangerous trees along a section of the towpath (between Moncktons Lane and Gibraltar House in Maidstone, as the Medway borders Ringlestone), an Inspection of the area has revealed that almost 200 Ash trees have been affected by ash die back with some leaning and at immediate risk of falling over the path. The recommendation is that the section of the path be closed without delay until the trees can be felled.
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Update: A249 and surrounding road closures
There will be a temporary overnight Road Closure for resurfacing works along Sittingbourne Road, Bearsted Road, Penenden Heath Road and Chiltern Hundreds Roundabout starting 9th June with an estimated completion date of the 4th July. These will run between 8:00pm to 6:00am every day except Sundays.
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County Council needs to seize the opportunity to make our road-space more attractive and safer for all
The pandemic has had terrible impact on the lives and health of thousands of Kent residents and many other appalling consequences. But on a more positive note we have seen a significant reduction in traffic and a marked improvement in air pollution. With the prospect of further easing of the lockdown restrictions, it is vital that KCC takes steps now to keep our roads safe for all road users especially pedestrians and cyclists.
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90% of grants now paid to Maidstone businesses
Maidstone Borough Council has processed a staggering 1,953 government business grants since 19 March and has now paid 90% of the money owed to businesses that qualify.
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Local Teacher "Govt must not ignore teaching staff or child safety in plans for reopening"
Ben Webster-Whiting, a local teacher at a Maidstone secondary school, has endorsed Liberal Democrat calls for caution to be exercised in implementing the re-opening of local schools.
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Overnight essential maintenance A249 Sittingbourne Road
Whilst the volume of traffic on our highways is still substantially reduced. Kent County Council Highways are taking the opportunity to carry out road repairs, maintenance, and resurfacing; particularly to roads that are normally heavily used.
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Tovil recycling centre re-opens
We are delighted to let you know that the Maidstone Recycling Centre at Tovil will re-open Friday 15th May, with the booking system open 11am Wednesday 13th May. Obviously the demand will be heavy so in order to retain the rules relating to self-isolation please carefully read the rules and procedures that were issued today about the restrictions that will apply. If you turn up without an appointment or the proof required you will not be allowed in. Please wear gloves as specified and take them home with you.
Please be patient and considerate to others. We are all in the same situation.
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Councils count the cost of Covid
Martin Cox the Liberal Democrat leader of Maidstone Borough Council has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP expressing his concerns around the significant shortfall of money the council has received to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Routine Street cleansing to go ahead as planned
Maidstone Borough Council Street Cleansing teams will start their routine cleaning of pavements and street furniture this week.
This is part of the normal rota for cleaning grease and stains from pavements around the town centre so it has been decided to resume this work adhering to strict social distancing and safety guidelines.
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