Question from Councillor T Sams to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

The membership of both SPI and P&R has Councillors representing this Council in its role as Local Planning Authority on the one hand, and its Corporate Property role on the other.  We have Members serving both Committees, and some coming along and speaking and voting regularly as Substitute Members.  The Council is putting forward a proposal to itself to be decided by itself.  Can you explain to us and the public, how will it be possible to maintain a role that allows for fairness and transparency of process?

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

Councillor T Sams did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee on the subject of the original question.

Question from Councillor J Sams to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

Clearly there is a strong relationship between you as the Chair and Cllr Perry as Vice-Chair of Policy & Resources Committee and the Chair of Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Burton and Vice-Chair Cllr Grigg.  This has been echoed by yourself and the Chief Executive in correspondence and at both Committee meetings by yourself and Cllr Burton.  You all work closely together as the senior leadership of this Council.  Do you agree?

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

Councillor J Sams did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee on the subject of the original question.

Question from Councillor Purle to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

Maidstone has lost many public houses in recent years.  There is a fear that, with the devastating impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown, many of our remaining pubs will not re-open or survive much longer, and are at risk of predatory developers converting them into depressing flats.

Will the Council now consider, as part of its Local Plan review, introducing enhanced and explicit protection in planning policy for our local pubs?

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

Councillor Purle did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee on the subject of the original question.

Question from Councillor Purle to the Chairman of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee

I wrote to you on 17 May 2020 with a Member agenda item request that we discuss increasing Member involvement in the Council's work combatting anti-social behaviour and nuisance.  The response of the Community Protection Officers was quite good and included the idea of Members and Parish Chairs meeting in "ward clusters" twice yearly with Officers, Kent Police and other partners to discuss anti-social behaviour, nuisance and other concerns.  That approach was endorsed unanimously at the Committee's meeting on 25 August 2020.

Are you able to update us please on progress with this mechanism e.g. how many such meetings have taken place and how many are planned?

The Chairman of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee responded to the question.

Councillor Purle did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Chairman of the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee on the subject of the original question.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD1L6jdBvII&t=3076s