Borough of Maidstone

Last updated

Borough of Maidstone
Non-metropolitan district
Jubilee Square, High Street, Maidstone - geograph.org.uk - 5241030.jpg
Jubilee Square, Maidstone
Arms of Maidstone.svg
Coat of arms
Maidstone UK locator map.svg
Maidstone shown within Kent
Coordinates: 51°16′24″N0°31′20″E / 51.27333°N 0.52222°E / 51.27333; 0.52222
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region South East England
Non-metropolitan county Kent
Status Non-metropolitan district
Admin HQ Maidstone
Incorporated1 April 1974
Government
 • TypeNon-metropolitan district council
 • BodyMaidstone Borough Council
 • Leadership Committees [1] (No overall control)
 •  MPs Helen Whately
Helen Grant
Area
 • Total
151.9 sq mi (393.3 km2)
 • Rank87th (of 296)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
180,428
 • Rank117th (of 296)
 • Density1,200/sq mi (460/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[2]
 •  Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[2]
 •  Religion
List
Time zone UTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
ONS code 29UH (ONS)
E07000110 (GSS)
OS grid reference TQ7588156056

The Borough of Maidstone is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. Its administrative centre is Maidstone, the county town of Kent.

Contents

The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the municipal borough of Maidstone with the rural districts of Maidstone and Hollingbourne, under the Local Government Act 1972. [3]

Position

The borough covers an area generally to the east and south of the town of Maidstone: as far north as the M2 motorway; east down the M20 to Lenham; south to a line including Staplehurst and Headcorn; and west towards Tonbridge. Generally speaking, it lies between the North Downs and the Weald, and covers the central part of the county. The M20 motorway crosses it from west to east, as does High Speed 1.

Geologically, the Greensand Ridge lies to the south of the town. The very fine sand provides a good source for glass-making. The clay vale beyond, through which flow the three rivers which meet at Yalding (the Medway, the Beult and the Teise), and the chalk North Downs all provide raw materials for paper- and cement-making; which are also local industries.

Governance

Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council.svg
Type
Type
History
Founded1 April 1974
Leadership
John Perry,
Conservative Party
since 18 May 2024 [4]
Stuart Jeffery,
Green Party
since 18 May 2024
Alison Broom
since June 2010 [5]
Structure
Seats49 councillors
Political groups
Administration (26)
  Liberal Democrat (12)
  Green (10)
  Independent (4)
Other parties (23)
  Conservative (13)
  Labour (6)
  Fant & Oakwood Ind. (2)
  Independent (2)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First past the post
Last election
 2 May 2024
Next election
4 May 2028
Meeting place
The Old Town Hall, Maidstone 2.jpg
Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone
Website
www.maidstone.gov.uk

Maidstone Borough [6] represents the second tier of local government, being one of the local government districts of Kent. The Borough Council consists of 49 councillors, representing voters from 22 wards. Twelve of those wards are within the urban area of Maidstone: they are Allington; Bridge; Downswood & Otham; Fant; Heath; Grove Green and Vinters Park; High Street; North ward; Park Wood; Penden Heath; Shepway North; Shepway South; and South ward. The remaining 14 wards cover rural districts. [7]

Political control

The council has been under no overall control since 2023. Following the 2024 election, a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and four of the independent councillors formed to run the council, led by Green councillor Stuart Jeffery. [8]

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been held by the following parties: [9]

Party in controlYears
No overall control 1974–1976
Conservative 1976–1983
No overall control 1983–2008
Conservative 2008–2014
No overall control 2014–2021
Conservative 2021–2023
No overall control 2023–present

Leadership

The role of Mayor of Maidstone is largely ceremonial, usually being held by a different councillor each year. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1987 have been: [10]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Paula Yates [11] Liberal Democrats 19871992
Dan Daley [12] Liberal Democrats 19921999
 ? ? 19992001
Mick Stevens [13] Liberal Democrats 20012006
Eric Hotson Conservative 20062007
Fran Wilson Liberal Democrats 20072008
Christopher Garland Conservative 20087 Jun 2014
Annabelle Blackmore Conservative 7 Jun 201423 May 2015
Fran Wilson Liberal Democrats 23 May 201519 May 2018
Martin Cox Liberal Democrats 19 May 201822 May 2021
David Burton Conservative 22 May 20217 May 2024
Stuart Jeffrey Green 18 May 2024

Composition

Following the 2024 election, the composition of the council was as follows: [14] [15]

PartyCouncillors
Conservative 13
Liberal Democrats 12
Green 10
Labour 6
Independent 6
Fant and Oakwood Independents2
Total49

Four of the independent councillors sit with the Greens as the 'Green and Independent Alliance', which forms the council's administration with the Liberal Democrats. The other two independents sit with local party the Fant & Oakwood Independents as the 'Independent and Fant & Oakwood Independents Group'. [16] [17] The next election is due in May 2028.

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2024, 49 councillors have been elected from 26 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. [18]

Premises

Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone: Council's offices. Maidstone Gateway, King Street, Maidstone - geograph.org.uk - 4404945.jpg
Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone: Council's offices.

Council meetings are held at Maidstone Town Hall in the High Street. The council has its main offices at Maidstone House (formerly called Maidstone Gateway) on King Street in the centre of Maidstone. [19]

Parishes

The third tier of local government is the civil parish; in Maidstone some of the parishes have neither a parish council nor a parish meeting, as indicated (1):[ clarification needed ]

Transport

Water

The River Medway was the earliest form of transport through the area. It was navigable for cargo-carrying craft as far upstream as Tonbridge, and it was only in the 19th century that the railways brought any change. More recently, various works have been carried out to control the frequent flooding in the clay vale upstream of Maidstone.

Roads

Maidstone, as its importance warranted, has been the hub of roads for many centuries. It lies very close to the Pilgrims' Way; and two Roman roads met south of the town: one from Rochester to Hastings the other branching off to the East Kent coast and Dover.

In the 18th century came the turnpiked roads. One of the earliest in the county – that to Rochester and Chatham – was opened in 1728.

In modern times, two motorways – the M2 and the M20 – pass to the far north of the borough and just north of the town centre of Maidstone respectively.

Railways

The earliest line through Kent was built by the South Eastern Railway. It was not, however, built to pass through Maidstone: instead, a station was built at Paddock Wood railway station, then named Maidstone Road, some six miles away. It was only in the period between 1844 (when that main line was connected by a branch line to Maidstone) and 1884 that Maidstone became a hub once more, although with local trains only, to Strood, Ashford and via Swanley Junction to London.

Media

Television

The area is served by the regional news programmes:

Radio

Radio stations that broadcast to the area are:

Newspapers

The area is served by the local newspaper, Kent Messenger . [20]

Mayors

[21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maidstone</span> County town of Kent, England

Maidstone is the largest town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies 32 miles (51 km) east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it with Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river carried much of the town's trade as the centre of the agricultural county of Kent, which is known as the Garden of England. There is evidence of settlement in the area dating back before the Stone Age. The town, part of the borough of Maidstone, had an approximate population of 100,000 in 2019. Since World War II, the town's economy has shifted from heavy industry towards light industry and services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snodland</span> Town in Kent, England

Snodland is a town in the borough of Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, England. It lies on the River Medway, between Rochester and Maidstone, and 34 miles (55 km) from central London. At the 2011 Census, it had a population of 10,211.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Dartford</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

The Borough of Dartford is a local government district with borough status in the north-west of the county of Kent, England. It is named after its main town of Dartford, where the council is based. Other notable settlements include Greenhithe, Stone and Swanscombe, along with an emerging new town at Ebbsfleet, and a number of smaller villages. It also includes Bluewater, one of the UK's largest shopping centres. The borough lies just outside the administrative boundary of Greater London, but a sizeable part of it lies within the M25 motorway which encircles London. Many of the borough's urban areas form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. The borough had a population of 116,800 at the 2021 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonbridge and Malling</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

Tonbridge and Malling is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. The council is based at Kings Hill. The borough also includes the towns of Tonbridge and Snodland along with numerous villages including Aylesford, West Malling and surrounding rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gravesham</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

Gravesham is a local government district with borough status in north-west Kent, England. The council is based in its largest town of Gravesend. The borough is indirectly named after Gravesend, using the form of the town's name as it appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086. The district also contains Northfleet and a number of villages and surrounding rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Swale</span> Non-metropolitan district and borough in England

Swale is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. The council is based in Sittingbourne, the borough's largest town. The borough also contains the towns of Faversham, Queenborough and Sheerness, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. It includes the Isle of Sheppey and is named after The Swale, the narrow channel which separates Sheppey from the mainland part of the borough. Some southern parts of the borough lie within the Kent Downs, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folkestone and Hythe District</span> Non-metropolitan district in England

Folkestone and Hythe is a local government district in Kent, England. It lies in the south-east of the county, on the coast of the English Channel. The district was formed in 1974 and was originally named Shepway after one of the ancient lathes of Kent, which had covered a similar area. The district was renamed in 2018. The council is based in Folkestone, the district's largest town. The district also includes the towns of Hawkinge, Hythe, Lydd and New Romney, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Tunbridge Wells</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in England

The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells. The borough also contains the towns of Paddock Wood and Southborough, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Large parts of the borough fall within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Ashford</span> Non-metropolitan district and borough in England

The Borough of Ashford is a local government district with borough status in Kent, England. It is named after its largest town, Ashford, where the council is based.The borough also includes the town of Tenterden and an extensive surrounding rural area including numerous villages; with an area of 580 square kilometres (220 sq mi), it is the largest district in Kent. Parts of the borough lie within the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty of High Weald and the Kent Downs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Canterbury</span> Local government district in Kent, England

Canterbury, also known as the City of Canterbury, is a local government district with city status in Kent, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Canterbury, where the council is based. The district also includes the towns of Fordwich, Herne Bay and Whitstable, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Parts of the district lie within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the Kent Downs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent County Council</span> British administrative authority

Kent County Council is a county council that governs the non-metropolitan county of Kent in England. The non-metropolitan county is smaller than the ceremonial county, which additionally includes the unitary authority of Medway. Kent County Council is the upper tier of elected local government, below which are 12 district councils, and around 300 town and parish councils. The county council has 81 elected councillors. It is one of the largest local authorities in England in terms of population served and the largest local authority of its type. The council is based at County Hall in Maidstone. It has been under Conservative majority control since 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sefton Council</span> Local government body in England

Sefton Council, or Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, is the local authority of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. It is a metropolitan borough council and provides the majority of local government services in the borough. The council has been a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority since 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardiff Council</span> Local government of Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Council, formally the County Council of the City and County of Cardiff is the governing body for Cardiff, one of the principal areas of Wales. The principal area and its council were established in 1996 to replace the previous Cardiff City Council which had been a lower-tier authority within South Glamorgan. Cardiff Council consists of 79 councillors, representing 28 electoral wards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exeter City Council</span> UK non-metropolitan district council

Exeter City Council is the local authority for the city of Exeter in Devon, England. Exeter has had a city council since medieval times, which has been reformed on numerous occasions. Since 1974 it has been a non-metropolitan district council. The council has been under Labour majority control since 2010. It meets at Exeter Guildhall and has its main offices at the Civic Centre on Paris Street.

Elections to Maidstone Borough Council in Kent, United Kingdom are held each year to elect one-third of its members, followed by one year without election. Since the last boundary changes in 2002, 55 councillors have been elected from 26 wards. From 2023 onwards, the format of elections will change, with all 55 councillors being elected once every 4 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Maidstone Borough Council election</span> 2008 UK local government election

The 2008 Maidstone Borough Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of Maidstone Borough Council in Kent, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative Party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Maidstone Borough Council election</span> 2011 UK local government election

Elections to Maidstone Borough Council were held on 5 May 2011. One-third of the borough council were up for election. Parish council elections and the national Alternative Vote referendum were held on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wokingham Borough Council</span> Local authority of the Borough of Wokingham

Wokingham Borough Council is the local authority of the Borough of Wokingham in Berkshire, England. Since 1998 the council has been a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Tewkesbury</span> Non-metropolitan district and borough in England

The Borough of Tewkesbury is a local government district with borough status in Gloucestershire, England. The borough is named after its largest town, Tewkesbury where the council is based. The district also includes the town of Winchcombe and numerous villages including Bishops Cleeve, Ashchurch, Churchdown, Innsworth and Brockworth as well as other hamlets and surrounding rural areas. Parts of the district lie within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In September 2024 the council voted to formally change the borough's name to North Gloucestershire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Maidstone Borough Council election</span> Local election in Maidstone, England

The 2024 Maidstone Borough Council election took place on Thursday 2 May 2024, alongside the other local elections in the United Kingdom being held on the same day. All 49 members of Maidstone Borough Council in Kent were elected following boundary changes.

References

  1. ↑ "Agenda and minutes. Council Wednesday 10th December, 2014". Maidstone Borough Council. 10 December 2014. Item 102. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Maidstone Local Authority (E07000110)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics . Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  3. ↑ The County of Kent (Electoral Changes) Order 2004 Archived 10 November 2004 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Maidstone has a new Mayor". Maidstone Borough Council. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "New chief executive announced". Kent Online. 30 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Maidstone Borough Council website". Archived from the original on 18 March 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  7. ↑ "Your councillors". Maidstone Borough Council. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  8. ↑ Smith, Alan (22 May 2024). "New eight-member cabinet for Maidstone council announced by Green party leader Stuart Jeffery". Kent Online. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Vote 2012". BBC News . 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Council minutes". Maidstone Borough Council. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Working groups on public services and liberal democracy launched". Local Government Chronicle. 21 September 2001. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2022. Paula Yates... Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, 1987–92
  12. ↑ Smith, Alan (2 January 2020). "The worthy hangovers of Millennium celebrations". Kent Messenger. Maidstone. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022. ...Dan Daley was leader of Maidstone Council from 1992 to 1999...
  13. ↑ "Farewell to respected council man". Kent Messenger. Maidstone. 4 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022. Mr Stevens was a former leader of Maidstone's Liberal Democrats and was leader of the borough council for five years from 2001.
  14. ↑ "Your Councillors". Maidstone Borough Council. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  15. ↑ Smith, Alan (5 July 2023). "Two Labour councillors on Maidstone council have quit the party after being suspended without being told why". Kent Online. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  16. ↑ "Your councillors by party". Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Maidstone". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  18. ↑ "The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2023/652, retrieved 7 July 2024
  19. ↑ "Find and contact us". Maidstone Borough Council. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Kent Messenger". British Papers. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  21. ↑ "Past Mayors". Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Maidstone Borough Council" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. 23 June 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  23. ↑ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Maidstone Borough Council" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. 18 May 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Maidstone Borough Council" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. 17 May 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Maidstone Borough Council" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. 16 May 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Maidstone Borough Council" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. 14 May 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Agenda and minutes - Council". Maidstone Borough Council. 20 May 2009. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Agenda and minutes - Council". Maidstone Borough Council. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "Agenda and minutes - Council". Maidstone Borough Council. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  30. ↑ "Agenda and minutes - Council". Maidstone Borough Council. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.

Video clips

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.