1000 Affordable Houses - for local people
Maidstone continues to be forced by central Government to plan for significant housing growth. We will acquire 1,000 houses initially, that will be owned and controlled by Maidstone Borough Council, and these will be reserved for Maidstone people at affordable rents. This will secure local homes, for local people.
These properties will be counted as part of the imposed housing target, not over and above.
Acquiring this substantial amount of housing is challenging. Although housebuilding is progressing at scale in our Borough, it is almost always already sold before we can secure it. Therefore, we are actively pursuing the acquisition of sites to build our own. Additionally, we can take advantage of taking on sites that are the least attractive to developers and achieve regeneration and district improvements at the same time. As the demand and urgency increase, we will do everything we can to accelerate the delivery process.
We acknowledge the Local Rent Allowance (LRA) benefit as the affordability criteria. This is currently £975 per month for a typical 3-bedroom property. Families unable to afford housing costs are generally able to receive up to this level of support. The LRA has been frozen for several years whilst rents have generally soared. We will actively lobby and campaign for the LRA to be raised by Central Government. Our ability to deliver affordable housing is dependent upon the Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
To reinforce our commitment to improving access to affordable housing we will also pursue other approaches such as shared ownership and co-operative housing. Accessibility to affordable housing for key workers (nurses, teachers, emergency workers, care workers) continues to be a priority.
Taking sensible green action
Our commitment to tackling the climate change emergency is a key priority.
Instead of giving it an agenda of its own we are committed to taking action within every aspect of the Council. If we are renewing the waste collection contract - we will take action to increase recycling rates. If we are tackling congestion on our roads - we will take action to improve air quality. When planning new developments, we will take action to protect and enhance open spaces, plant more trees and ensure sustainability and improve energy efficiency.
We will avoid green bullying but instead focus on positive, realistic, practical and cost-effective measures. We will take action to upgrade heating systems in council owned buildings. Reducing operating costs, instilling low carbon systems. We will support and encourage home improvement schemes for our residents.
- Electric car charging facilities for all new properties.
- Solar panels on every new roof.
- Planning policies that dictate the standards and environmental credentials of all new development.
- Continue to focus on air quality hot spots.
- Support active travel including cycling. Making this a realistic choice for travel.
- Putting secure cycle parking in places like the Town Centre for those that wish to come in by bike.
- Using Carbon accounting to track what really makes a difference and if it is genuine value for money.
- Cut Carbon - cut cost.
- Save the planet - save money.
We will not just talk about it we will take action and get things done.
Hitting Anti-Social Behaviour Hard - Enforcing Fairly
We will work with Kent Police and are determined to stamp out unacceptable behaviour and crime across the Borough. We will continue to fund the Community Support Team to patrol and remain a visible presence.
Key areas such as Brenchley Gardens will be supported with enhanced CCTV, good lighting, and security measures to prevent unwelcomed access at night.
Rural areas will also be supported. Ward cluster group meetings will be used to co-ordinate responses to the rural challenges.
- Zero tolerance on fly-tipping and littering.
- Using public space protection orders to clamp down.
- A strong and effective planning enforcement team to tackle those that flout the rules.
We have already introduced much higher fines for fly-tippers. Now our focus returns to enforcement and catching these criminals.
Always tough on crime and fighting to make our streets safer.
Museums
As part of our continued commitment to tourism and culture we will invest in our museums. Our own resource and investments from external stakeholders will be used to improve the galleries and improve the display of our collections. With a focus on local archaeology and local history and interests we will work to see the reinvigoration of the history of Maidstone, culminating in displays and re-enactments in our historic town.
We are currently working on a brand new archaeology gallery to open in Spring 2024 at the Maidstone Museum.
Town Centre - Our Borough Centre
Through the fully funded development of a Town Centre Strategy, we will address the challenge of change in our high street. Measures to regenerate key sites and utilise buildings as they become vacant will be key, along with consideration about how we consolidate and improve retail. Promotion of our heritage and visitor assets. A refreshed look at access, transport and parking charges. We will support and encourage creative industries and other new employment for the Town Centre.
- We are committed to keeping parking charges low.
- Supporting the high street to evolve into an experience centre.
- Giving people a reason to come into the town with events happening in Maidstone every week.
- Making Maidstone a great place for all, a place for families, for shopping, for restaurants and leisure.
- Getting the balance right between the twilight and nighttime economy.
- Making the most of the river.
Travel and Transport
COVID has had a significant impact upon travel patterns. It is time for a complete review of our Integrated Transport Strategy taking this into account. We do not support enforced 'modal shift' but believe the policy should change towards giving 'travel choices'. It should include use of buses and other public transport, walking and cycling and at the same time recognise the needs of motorists. Changes towards more sustainable vehicles such as electric will further change travel preferences. We need to be looking ahead to be ready to embrace emerging technologies. We are committed to keeping parking charges down.
There are many that wish to cycle into Maidstone for work, leisure and shopping. We are committed to putting secure cycle parking in places like the Town Centre for those that wish to come in by bike.
Leeds Langley Relief Road
Conservatives will continue to work to deliver this for Maidstone. Extra capacity is much needed for traffic including HGVs going to and from the south side of the Borough. It is needed to protect rural areas like Leeds Village in addition to taking traffic away from Willington Street and reduce congestion on the town centre roads.
We acknowledge that in delivering this road the consequence will be some development along the route. By actively developing our next Local Plan we will set out exactly what this will be. Ultimately it will be for the people of Maidstone to decide once and for all if they want it to go ahead.
Housing need
We recognise there is a need for housing and a national shortage, but we will continue to push-back on Government imposed targets. Maidstone Borough has shouldered more than its fair share of growth and the imposed increase in our housing target goes beyond identified need. We will lobby our MPs and others to demand a more representative target and the measures to deliver adequate infrastructure.
We will continue to actively produce a Local Plan to manage the growth and ensure that we have the policies and tools to be able to say NO to unplanned developments.
We will review the Community Infrastructure Levy. This is the charge we put on developers to pay for infrastructure. We believe that currently this is not enough. Developers need to be made to pay; these contributions are vital for our communities to flourish, and developers must be prepared to contribute as we demand.
Council Owned Property
We will look into council assets and ensure we are making the best use of them. Review all our commercial properties and support our business tenants to continue to grow and invest with confidence.
To maximise the return on our investments. Conservative driven projects such as Maidstone House have slashed our office costs and is now creating an income stream which in turn keeps council tax down.
Leisure
We value how important health and wellbeing is for our residents, Maidstone has a growing population, and it is time to plan the redevelopment of Maidstone Leisure Centre in Mote Park. A new centre built to the highest environmental standards will save on running costs and pave the way for sport and active lifestyles into the future. We continue to enhance and invest in Mote Park, the green jewel in the crown for Maidstone residents.
Local Government Reform
In simple terms - we believe that the time for Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council to exist separately has ended. A single unitary authority approach will be more efficient, more cost effective and less confusing for our residents. KCC are responsible for the roads and transport but MBC have to manage planning. This is a simple example with profound benefits - get planning and highways in the same office. Joined up the thinking, cut the bureaucracy and make us more accountable. We will work with our neighbouring councils to build consensus for common sense reform. In considering this we recognise the need for new funding to local government to cover funding adult social care, temporary accommodation needs.
Heather House
Conservatives have approved the design and sorted the funding. Work on the new building is about to start. This is an example of facilities that should be available across the Borough. The next challenge is to ensure the right balance between sports uses and local community uses.
Mote Park
Mote Park is an award-winning jewel in the crown of Maidstone. So successful that with in its ever-increasing use it is now time to start considering options for a "Mote Park 2" as a long-term vision for the Borough.
Conservatives have been the driving force behind the improvements to Mote Park we have delivered a brand-new Cafe and excellent new toilet facilities which include state of the art specialist disabled facilities. We remain committed to protecting and enhancing play areas and parks.
Gypsy and Traveller Provision
This is one of the greatest challenges to Maidstone, especially in rural parts. We need central government to provide us with the tools and authority to address the situation. Numerous unauthorised sites are becoming unmanageable. Proper provision needs to be combined with strong enforcement.
Our Local Economy
Maidstone is the County Town of Kent. It is the Business Capital of Kent.
Conservatives lead the crusade to bring investment to Maidstone. Maidstone is open for business. Measures to encourage new businesses to establish here, to grow here and create local jobs are core to our economic plans.
We need to recognise that when we build new homes we need "homes for jobs" too. Creation of new business areas is vital to ensure a continued supply of local jobs for local people.
Budget Principles
Doing things well and getting things done costs money. As Conservatives we are committed to making every penny of Council Tax payers' money count and to keeping Council Tax down.
All of us recognise the financial pressures that see prices rising. Our pledge is to keep Council Tax rises well below inflation and work towards freezing increases.
Prudent Conservative financial management - but not at the expense of core services. We will manage your money wisely.
