Maidstone Borough Council’s cabinet met on 22 July 2026 and decided against introducing a Public Space Protection Order for catapult misuse, while approving a £1.7 million capital budget to replace cremators at Vinters Park Crematorium.

Maidstone Borough Council’s cabinet, meeting on 22 July 2026, rejected a recommendation from the Housing and Community Cohesion Policy Advisory Committee that officers progress a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle catapult misuse across the borough.

Catapult PSPO rejected

The Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety told the meeting that, following advice from officers and Kent Police, a PSPO would not be as effective as existing methods and legislation. Inspector Steve Kent explained that harm to wildlife, people and property was already illegal without a PSPO, and that local officers could usually identify offenders quickly, dealing with issues through education, diversion, community working, and Community Protection Warnings and Notices where necessary. He said a PSPO risked criminalising young people and limiting police intervention.

The Safer, Stronger Communities Manager added that a PSPO would represent a lesser offence than existing criminal damage and wildlife injury legislation, and would give only the appearance of taking a strong stance.

The cabinet acknowledged the issue was borough-wide and of widespread public concern, but resolved that a PSPO should not be progressed, on the basis that it would not provide sufficient additional operational benefit to justify the cost, administrative burden and officer resource required. Officers were instead directed to continue the current partnership-led approach — including Community Protection Warnings, Community Protection Notices, parental engagement, diversionary activity, retailer engagement and targeted enforcement with Kent Police — and to deliver a visible six-month partnership response, reporting back to members if there is a material change in the prevalence of incidents, available evidence, operational effectiveness or the national legislative position.

£1.7m approved for Vinters Park cremators

The cabinet also approved a capital budget of £1.7 million to replace the cremators at Vinters Park Crematorium, with a contingency of £170,000 (10 per cent) also established. The £1.7 million is to be funded by transferring £1.4 million from the Corporate Property Acquisitions budget, with the balance drawn from the crematorium improvements budget and the infrastructure delivery budget.

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement highlighted amended recommendations that would allow the council to explore whether greener and more sustainable alternatives are viable. Officers were directed to write a project plan and procurement specification incorporating gas, electric and hybrid cremator options, and to conduct a procurement exercise to identify actual costs for each. Further work with utility providers was also approved to establish the deliverability of the different options. Delegated authority was given to the Director of Finance and Resources to enter into contracts with a winning bidder if suitable and affordable options are available within the established budget.

CIL funding allocations agreed

The cabinet agreed allocations from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) second bidding round totalling more than £13 million across eight strategic projects, including £3.53 million to the Heart of Kent Hospice, £3.9 million to Maidstone East Park, £2.49 million to Maidstone Girls Grammar School, and £1 million to the One Maidstone Health Hub. The M20 Junction 7 Upgrade, previously recommended for inclusion, was removed on the grounds that funds from the previous CIL bidding round had not yet been drawn down. Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Pavilion was instead to be considered for any remaining reserve funds.

Sources

Top image: Vinters Park Crematorium, Maidstone — Chris Whippet, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.