HOW DO I ARRANGE A BULKY COLLECTION?
Bookings can be taken for Bulky Collections by using the Maidstone Borough Council website (see link below).
MBC need to know what all the items are when taking the booking. If they don’t, they won’t be able to collect them. Once a booking has been taken any changes or additions can only be made by 11am, on the working day before the collection. The collection must be from a residential property. The items must be left just inside the front boundary of your property for 7am on the day of collection. If you live in a flat the items need to be left in or by the bin store. MBC will not collect from commercial premises, including schools and nursing homes.
About your bulky items
Each item will need to be under two metres in length so it can be lifted safely by two people. A three-piece suite is classed as three items for example a sofa and two armchairs.
If you have garden waste, please put it in your garden waste bin, as MBC don’t collect garden waste in a bulky collection. Small items, such as tiles, need to be put into containers so they can be lifted safely by two people. Fridges, freezers, televisions and computer monitors can be collected using the bulky collection service. But these will be collected by a separate vehicle as they can’t be crushed.
What MBC won’t collect
Builders rubble
Car parts
Commercial waste
Garage and patio doors
Garden waste
Hazardous waste including paint, oils etc
Industrial waste
Items that can’t be lifted safely by two people
Lengths of metal or wood above two metres
Window units
Builders sacks or Hippo bags
Storage Heaters
WHO DO I REPORT POTHOLES / PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD OR PAVEMENT TO?
Please visit Highways website at http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-problem and complete the online fault reporting tool; e-mail highways. Alternatively you can telephone Kent Highways on 03000 418181 and give location details.
Report a problem on the road or pavement including:
broken signs
overgrown trees
potholes
street light faults
traffic signal faults.
How long it takes Kent Highways to repair a problem
Most problems are repaired within 28 days.
Some problems will take longer depending on how much work is needed. You can track a problem you have already reported to find out when we will fix it. Kent Highways aim to fix:
dangerous faults within 2 hours
safety hazards within 7 days
street lights within 28 days unless there is a more serious problem, which could take longer
traffic signals within 4 hours if they are urgent or within 7 days if less urgent
all other faults will be scheduled in to planned maintenance.
WHERE DO I REPORT A STREET LIGHT NOT WORKING?
For the street light at Mercer Way please contact the Parish Clerk.
For the street lights at Church Road Cottages, Chart Road, please contact the Maintenance Department at Maidstone Housing Trust on 01622 212600 give details of the location and number printed on the street light column.
WHO DO I REPORT FLY TIPPING / ABANDONED VEHICLES TO?
Please report any sightings of fly tipping to 01622 602162 or visit https://www.maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/street-care-and-cleaning/litter,-bins-and-street-sweeping/report-fly-tipping
Alternatively, contact the Community Warden Liz Lovat by email at Liz.Lovat@kent.gov.uk or on 07813712107
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT NOISE NUISANCE?
Maidstone Borough Council can assist with problems of noise pollution.
Noise problems MBC can deal with:
Noise in the home including amplified music and DIY
Industrial and commercial noise
Agricultural noise
Barking dogs
Leisure activities. For example clay pigeon shoots, concerts, motor events, model aircraft
Stationary vehicles, equipment and machinery in the street
Intruder alarms or vehicle alarms
Construction sites and demolition work
Noise problems MBC can’t deal with:
Slamming doors
Raised voices
Children
Moving traffic (This is dealt with by Kent County Council)
Aircraft – fixed wing and helicopters Armed Forces activities (Civil Aviation Authority deal with this)
If you’re experiencing problems you can deal with these issues by going to the Maidstone Mediation Services website, the Citizens Advice Bureau website or by seeking legal advice.
Neighbour noise can have a huge impact on people’s lives.
Before reporting a noise problem try to:
Build a relationship with your neighbour
Have a quiet word with your neighbour about the problem
If you need to, have another word and explain the impact it is having on you and your family
Use the Maidstone Mediation Services website or call 01622 692843
If they live in a rented or housing association property contact your neighbour’s landlord to talk about the issues
If you have tried the appropriate steps above and they haven’t worked you can report a noise problem to MBC.
Report a Noise Problem at https://self.maidstone.gov.uk/service/report_a_noise_problem
You can also fill in a ‘Reporting Noise Sheet’. This will help MBC understand the problem. You will need to do this over a period of two to four weeks. Examples of the way we need you to fill in the sheet are available online. Once you have done this, email it to enforcementoperations@maidstone.gov.uk
If the information provided indicates a possible nuisance MBC will attempt to get further evidence that involves independent witnessing by an officer or installing a noise recorder in your property. This may result in your neighbour being served a notice or being prosecuted at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.
You can also take your own private action by contacting a solicitor.
Commercial noise can be from nightclubs, pubs and businesses and is dealt with in a similar way to neighbour noise.
Before reporting a noise problem you should try and speak with the business first to explain the issue. More often than not, this will solve the problem straight away. If it doesn’t you can report the noise to https://self.maidstone.gov.uk/service/report_a_noise_problem and they can investigate.
WHAT IS A PARISH COUNCIL?
A Parish Council is a small local authority representing the tier of local authority closest to the community. Chart Sutton Parish Council has 7 members who are elected to serve a term of four years. They try to ensure that the views of the community are expressed and taken into account by other authorities, agencies and organisations responsible for taking decisions which affect Chart Sutton and its inhabitants.
HOW OFTEN DOES THE PARISH COUNCIL MEET AND WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETING?
The Parish Council usually meets on the second Monday every month, see Calendar for future meeting dates. Meetings are held in the Village Hall and these usually commence at 7.45 p.m. A notice of each meeting is placed on the notice board and on the website in the week prior to the meeting so that members of the public can see what business the Parish Council will be conducting.
The Parish Councillors will discuss and consider each item on the Agenda. Sometimes they will resolve to take action on a matter; in other cases it will be necessary for the matter to be deferred so that further information or advice can be obtained
Whilst the purpose of the meeting is the conduct of business by the Council, Chart Sutton Parish Council has historically set aside a period of time at the beginning of each meeting for the public to ask questions and make reports. This is also the public’s opportunity to make comments upon agenda items if they so wish, but it must be remembered that once the public session has finished the public should take no further part in the meeting except with the express permission of the Chairman.
WHAT DOES THE PARISH COUNCIL DO?
Chart Sutton Parish Council has a number of formal powers and using these it is responsible for the bus shelter at Chart Corner and the street light at Mercer Way, various seats and litter bins, the village sign and noticeboards, open spaces including the Memorial Playing Field and Pavilion and the Play Area. Other matters, such as street cleaning and highway related matters, are the responsibility of other authorities, such as Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council. Chart Sutton Parish Council has developed a good working relationship with these authorities, and others, with a view to ensuring by its influence that Chart Sutton remains a safe, clean and attractive place to live.
HOW IS THE PARISH COUNCIL INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING APPLICATION PROCESS?
Planning Procedures
The Parish Council has a statutory duty to be consulted on all planning applications that are submitted for the Parish of Chart Sutton.
The Planning Committee usually meets on the second Monday of the month immediately preceding the full Council meeting and has further meetings as required in order to consider any applications that are referred by Maidstone Borough Council.
Residents of the parish have the right to attend any of the full parish and committee meetings but cannot participate in any of the proceedings. However, at the chairman’s discretion, there is time allocated for public participation at the beginning of meetings. Meetings are held at Chart Sutton Village Hall in Chart Hill Road. For details of forthcoming meeting dates go to the Calendar page or contact the Parish Clerk for more details.
Decisions and further consultation on planning applications
The decisions taken on planning applications are always taken in the interest of the Parish; during the process we give our support to the applicants and their neighbours who may have objections.
The Council gives evidence to Maidstone Borough Council Development Control Committee on behalf of our parishioners on a regular basis.
The Council also prepares planning briefs and presents evidence to planning inspectors at Planning Appeals to either support or oppose applications that affect the Parish.
The Planning Committee takes into account the general policies of the Parish Council, the planning policies of Maidstone Borough Council and Government guidelines when coming to a decision on whether to oppose or approve an application.
The Parish Council will oppose any development that has a detrimental effect to the Parish.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT THE PARISH COUNCIL IS DOING?
Borough and District Councils have become very large and remote. Chart Sutton Parish Council keeps its residents informed in a variety of ways. You can find out what the Parish Council is doing by:
- a) coming along to the Parish Council meetings. These are usually held on the second Monday of every month. See the Calendar for future meeting dates. The meetings provide an opportunity for you to observe the Parish Council as it discusses issues and makes decisions upon matters affecting the community.
- b) looking out for reports in the Village News (the bi-monthly parish newsletter) and in the Kent Messenger and Downs Mail.
- c) keeping a check on the noticeboards around the Parish.
- d) asking one of the Councillors or contacting the Clerk if you have a specific query. If you need to get in contact with a councillor please telephone, write to or email the Clerk. Contact to the Clerk, save in cases of urgency, should be limited to the hours of 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday. The Clerk works part-time hours only and so may not always be available, but she will try to respond to any enquiry as quickly as possible.
WHAT IS THE PARISH COUNCIL’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS OPENNESS AND HOW CAN I OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE COUNCIL?
Chart Sutton Parish Council is open about its business and invites members of the public to witness the decision making process by attending Parish Council meetings. In addition, in accordance with legislation, the Parish Council recognises the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which sets out the information published by the Parish Council to which the public are permitted to have access.
HOW IS THE PARISH COUNCIL FUNDED?
Parish Councils are generally the least bureaucratic and cheapest form of local authority. A Parish Council gets no general government grant and so raises the majority of income from a precept i.e. a tax that electors pay collected by Maidstone Borough Council.
HOW DO I BRING A MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COUNCIL?
You might be concerned about any number of matters, e.g. the cleanliness of the streets, dog fouling, highway related matters, etc. You can bring your concerns to the Council by:
- a) speaking with or writing to a Councillor or the Clerk. Do this as soon as you become aware of a problem – the sooner an issue is reported the sooner the chance of it being resolved. In appropriate cases, where the Parish Council has had sufficient notice of a problem (usually no less than ten days before a meeting) and the problem is such that a formal decision by the Council is needed to progress the matter, an item may be put on the agenda for a formal discussion;
- b) asking a question or reporting a matter during the public session at the beginning of a Parish Council meeting. This part of the meeting is intended to provide a means of exchanging information. It is not possible for the Parish Council to take decisions on matters raised during this time. If it is simply information you need then it is helpful to let the Chairman or Clerk know no less than two days before the meeting of any question you wish to raise. This also means that there is a better chance of your question being answered as opposed to it having to be deferred because information is not to hand. It also helps the Chairman to plan the order of questions and ensure the meeting runs smoothly. Remember, if the Parish Council is being asked to take action on a matter it must have adequate notice before the meeting, and if not it will be necessary for the item to be deferred to the next meeting.
WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE COUNCIL?
The Parish Council is a democratically elected body with authority to make decisions on matters within its power. It works hard to provide a quality service to the people of Chart Sutton and to ensure decisions taken are in the interests of the Parish as a whole. There may be occasions when it is very difficult to balance the interests of everyone in the village and not everyone will be happy with every decision made.
It is hoped that you will always find the Council to act fairly and constructively, even if you do not always support its decision. If you should find that you have a complaint about an aspect of procedure or administration then you are invited to contact the Council. This can be done by contacting either a member of the Council or the Clerk who will try to help resolve any problem.
If this is not immediately possible you will be advised upon the Council’s Complaints Procedure and through that procedure the Council will try to achieve a resolution of the dispute.
