Contact your Parish Council


Agenda item

Questions from Members of the Council to the Chairmen of Committees

Minutes:

Councillor T Sams asked the following question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

With regard to the Committee’s decision to "explore plans for a new garden community" in East Lenham, and in light of it being "the start of a long process", and the Committee evaluating this proposal against all the others, can you please inform us how much this process has cost Maidstone residents thus far?

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the question.

 

Councillor T Sams asked the following supplementary question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

What is before us with the figures calculated, we can deliver good high quality homes with the community around it to make it exist not only by itself with the countryside around it, but with the communities already there around it.

 

Can you give the budget the Council has set aside for this project, including the cost of additional staff time, potential new motorway junction and new station?  And can you explain how the Council will compensate the residents of Lenham Heath and its neighbours who will ultimately shoulder the economic and human cost of such a large construction, on green, valuable agricultural land, to help Maidstone's housing numbers project?

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the supplementary question.

 

Councillor J Sams asked the following question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

Last Friday, September 20th, demonstrations were held world-wide, nationally and in Maidstone, with many, many children, students, their parents, and many others who support the campaign against climate change holding peaceful protests.

 

In Maidstone we were proud to be associated with the protest.  It was polite, good humoured, its central message was to speed up any proposed positive actions and that governments and councils must take steps.

 

Would you firstly applaud the actions the children have taken, including supporting them taking time off school and agree with me that this is an entirely legitimate cause and support them on any future organised occasion, with any future mass strike, taking time off school?

 

Please show that, unlike the Secretary of State for Education, you believe that this issue is so significant, affecting the lives, and the future of the children, that their action needs positive support and endorsement.

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the question.

 

Councillor J Sams asked the following supplementary question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

It is impossible to do nothing, Greta and Greenpeace’s campaign was TICK TOCK time passing.

The children said they want action now; the tipping point is thought to be about 11 years, though it may be less; 132 months, 572 weeks, about 4000 days.  Would you agree and show the children we care, and we understand, and we stand together with them in this cause?  We will be with them on the next occasion and will do whatever it takes.  We will commit our resources and support a stoppage.  Furthermore, we will organise an assembly inviting delegates from schools and community groups to come together to discuss what we can achieve and share ideas; to be done within 8 weeks. TICK TOCK!

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the supplementary question.

 

Councillor Brindle asked the following question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

Has the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee been consulted by the Director of Finance and Business Improvement regarding the disposal of land at Weavering Heath?

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the question.

 

Councillor Brindle asked the following supplementary question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee:

 

Why were the Ward Members not consulted about this in turn and is the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee aware that he is facilitating a highly controversial and unpopular development through the Council’s “property hat” especially as there is an outstanding application for the area to be given Village Green Status?

 

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee responded to the supplementary question.

 

To listen to the responses to these questions, please follow this link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ZTV_hmGYs&t=4367s

 

Note:  Councillors J and T Sams left the meeting after the question and answer session (7.15 p.m.).