Appendix C

ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO

PRIORITIES 2013-2014

The new waste and recycling contract for 3 authorities in Mid Kent, Ashford,

Maidstone and Swale has already commenced in Ashford. It is due to

commence in early August in Maidstone and will provide improved recycling

opportunities for residents by allowing glass and all plastics to be put in the

recycling bin. In addition small electrical items and textiles can also be put

out separately for collection. The new service will improve the carbon

footprint by providing split vehicles and will result in a changes to collection

days. Communications have been prepared and are going through the testing

process.

The new commercial waste scheme continues to attract new customers and

provides a real opportunity for small businesses to recycle their waste. The

business plan is on target and the scheme will continue to develop over the

next year.

The zero tolerance to littering is continuing with enforcement against litterers

and dog fouling. New campaigns will be launched with the aim of prosecuting

those who commit offences. These will be high profile with a high level of

officer visibility.

I am aware that certain areas in private ownership but open to the public are

not being maintained to the standards the Council and the residents would

expect. I am working closely with these land owners and expect to see

improvement, however if necessary legal powers will be used to ensure the

standards are met.

Street cleansing changes to area-based working has continued successfully

with anecdotal evidence being positive and targeting those areas with lower

satisfaction.

The Air Quality Management Area Action Plan is being implemented and will

continue with current projects from grants received from DEFRA; this will

allow more detailed analysis of hotspot areas. Grants to support this work will

be pursued. The partnership with KCC Public Health will be prioritised.

The change from “scores on the doors” to the National Food Hygiene Rating

Scheme for restaurants has been successfully implemented and work will

continue with the aim of raising standards across the borough. Some

restaurants are still going through the transition.

There has been a positive reduction in carbon emissions and the Council’s

aim to reduce emissions by 3% year on year until 2015 is on target. There

are a number of projects being considered at the crematorium and in the

waste contract to support this.

Options for a shared Environmental Health service with Swale and Tunbridge

Wells are being considered and a report will be coming to Cabinet shortly.

The crematorium has continued to develop and over the next year the focus

will be on achieving even higher customer service and broadening the

customer range.

The Maidstone Safety Advisory Group is continuing to monitor large scale

public events. It is hoped to increase the number of these events in the

future.