A newly published report has highlighted Maidstone Borough Council's success in reducing the number of households living in temporary accommodation by 21% and recognised its ground-breaking work to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls.

The council’s annual review outlines progress made in the first year under the council's Corporate Strategy 2025-2035. It shows how council services, partners and local communities have worked together to improve housing, wellbeing, the environment and the local economy.

During the year, the council delivered 167 affordable homes across the borough, exceeding its annual target and doubling the number completed the previous year.

At the same time, the number of households living in temporary accommodation fell from 307 to 242, a reduction of 21%, with more residents moved into settled housing despite ongoing national housing pressures. Additionally, the council supported 681 households into longer-term accommodation through homelessness prevention and housing support services.

The report also recognised Maidstone's work to address Violence Against Women and Girls as the council conducted a groundbreaking Citizens' Deliberation on the issue, the first of its kind in the UK for a local authority. Over the course of the Deliberation, 37 residents developed eight recommendations spanning lifelong learning, women's representation in decision-making, survivor support, safer public spaces, and youth-focused shared spaces. The multi-agency VAWG Action Group is now taking these recommendations forward, with the council committing £250,000 towards turning the recommendations into reality.

The Dandelion Time Family Support Programme was one of 38 projects supported through council grants during the year. The programme helped families gain the confidence and skills to grow, harvest, prepare and cook healthy, affordable food, while other funded projects provided services that brought communities together, strengthened local resilience and supported residents across the borough.

Looking ahead, the council has strengthened its commitment to local communities by establishing a new Community Fund. The fund increases available grant funding from £60,000 to £140,000 a year and includes an emergency fund to help local groups respond quickly to unexpected challenges, such as urgent repairs, temporary relocation costs or additional staffing needed to keep essential services running.

The report also highlighted progress in tackling climate change and supporting nature recovery. During the year, more than 9,000 trees were planted and over 176,000 square metres of land were rewilded through council-led initiatives. Brenchley Gardens was awarded Green Flag status, taking the borough's total to five nationally-recognised parks and green spaces. Building on this work, Maidstone Borough Council has also become the first local authority in the UK to develop a Rights of Nature Framework.

Other achievements include support for more than 1,300 businesses and start-ups, with more than 62,000 visits to Maidstone Museum and continued investment in cultural projects and town centre activities, including Creative Maidstone Community Arts Hub.

Recycling remains an area for improvement. The borough currently recycles 47% of its waste, which is above the national average, and is working towards a target of 53%. To help achieve this, the council is working with Kent County Council on the ‘Shake It Out’ campaign. There has also been strong growth in food waste recycling, with an average of more than 400 tonnes collected each month.

The report recognised that Maidstone town centre continues to adapt to changing shopping habits and the growth of online retail. To help attract more visitors, plans are in place to enhance key destinations such as Lockmeadow and support events including October's Monster Mash, a campaign in partnership with One Maidstone that aims to bring more people into the town.

Councillor Stuart Jeffery, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, commented on the annual review, saying: “I am proud that Maidstone Borough Council continues to lead the way, from tackling Violence Against Women and Girls to becoming the first local authority in the UK to develop a Rights of Nature Framework.

“This report highlights the positive difference that can be made when the council, our partners and local communities work together. We have delivered more affordable homes, helped more residents into settled accommodation, invested in our parks and green spaces, and supported local organisations that are making a real difference every day.

“While there is always more to do, we can be proud of what has been achieved and ambitious about what comes next for Maidstone.”

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