1.1  The development strategy to deliver 1,000 new affordable homes was agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee on 19^th January 2022. As part of the agreed strategy, there is an expectation that 50% of affordable homes delivered will be from non - council owned urban brownfield sites.

1.2  To support this programme an opportunity has arisen to purchase a site with planning consent for 28 apartments in Maidstone.

1.3  Once built, the apartments will be let at Affordable Rent, with rents set at 80% of prevailing market rent, but capped at Local Housing Allowance.

1.4  The Executive was asked to approve the purchase of the proposed acquisition. An offer for the Freehold acquisition has been accepted by the developer (Subject to Committee Approval, Grant Receipt, RICS valuation, Site Survey and satisfactory contract).

1.  That the financial returns for the proposed acquisition as shown in Appendix 1, which is part 2 of the report, which support the Housing Development and Regeneration Investment Plan and the overall Development Strategy, are approved;

2.  That the site acquisition in line with 2.6 of the report is approved;

3.  That the Director of Finance and Business Improvement is granted delegated authority to:

3.1  negotiate terms for the purchase of the proposed acquisition for the sum as referred to in the Part 2 report, subject to the site securing planning consent;

3.2  Procure and enter into all such deeds, agreements, contracts and documents which may be required to facilitate the purchase of the site, and the subsequent redevelopment works required to deliver the scheme referred to in this report. Including (but not limited to) any related appointments such as a suitably qualified Employers Agent and Contractor; and

3.3  Subject to satisfactory conclusion of all due diligence to negotiate and finalise and complete all legal formalities, deeds and agreements which may be required to facilitate the purchase;

4.  That the Head of Mid Kent Legal Services is authorised to appoint the solicitors required to negotiate and complete the necessary contract documentation, deeds and agreements associated with the purchase of the site and the procurement and appointment of contractors and consultants on the terms as agreed by the Director of Finance & Business Improvement; and

5.  Post completion of the procurement process a contractor be appointed to bring forward for approval a detailed project delivery and investment plan (prior to the development itself commencing).

1.  Attached at Appendix A to the report is the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22. Thepurpose of the Annual Governance Statement is to provide assurance on the Council’s governance arrangements. Attached at Appendix B to the report is a refreshed Local Code of Corporate Governance with minor amendments. Audit Governance and Standards Committee are required to approve both of these documents. Sign off is sought from the Leader on the Annual Governance Statement.

That

1.  The Annual Governance Statement at Appendix A be approved and signed by the Leader; and

2.  The local Code of Corporate Governance as amended at Appendix B be approved.

1.1  To update to the Neighbourhood Planning Protocol which was previously agreed in July 2020 by SPI. The July 2020 version included the addition of measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. As these restrictions are no longer in place, an amendment is required to remove reference to the Covid-19 measures alongside other proposed alterations regarding modifications of neighbourhood plans.

That the Neighbourhood Planning Protocol, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

1.1  To approve the initial scoping and assumptions associated with development of an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2023/4 – 2027/28 and budget for 2023/24. 

That

1.  The issues and risks associated with updating the Medium-Term Financial Strategy be noted;

2.  The assumptions described in the report for planning purposes and to establish the remit for detailed budget development, and together with the additional information provided at Appendix 2, which shows the effect of 0% council tax increase on the four scenarios presented, be approved;

3.  It be noted that Lead Members on the Executive, together with Officers and Members of Policy Advisory Committees, will carry out a detailed review of initial budget proposals. The purpose of this review will be to identify possible savings required to eliminate budget gaps; and

4.  The proposed approach outlined to development of an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 – 2027/28 and a budget for 2023/24 be approved.

1.1  To approve that the strategic plan milestones for 2021/26 should be refreshed for 2023/2028 to ensure alignment with the priorities of the administration and changes in the short to medium term context for local government services including the Levelling Up White Paper and the evolving financial environment including the impact of significant inflation.

The strategic plan continues to provide an appropriate overall framework.

That the Strategic Plan 2019-2045 milestones for 2023-28 be refreshed and the corporate planning timetable at 3.5 of the report be approved.

The Council has been allocated funding as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Release of the funding is dependent on submission of a Local Investment Plan (LIP) to the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC); DLUHC has provided substantial guidance for the scope of how the funding should be applied, the outcomes it achieves and the profiling of spend. The deadline for submission is 1^st August 2022. Work has been undertaken informally with the Cabinet and key partners to create a proposed list of priority projects for the Local Investment Plan the two Policy Advisory Committees whose remit this falls within are being consulted on the proposals prior to decision by the Leader of the Council.

1.  The planned projects and actions in Appendix Four to the report are approved as the Local Investment Plan for Maidstone.

2.  The Head of Policy, Communications and Governance be delegated responsibility to submit the plan to government by 1 August 2022.

To approve the Maidstone Museums Forward Plan 2022-2027, attached as Appendix 1 to the report of the Museums’ Director, for consultation with external stakeholders.

To approve the release of funds of up to £50,000 from the Museum’s capital programme for initial work on the new archaeology gallery.

1.  That the Maidstone Museums Forward Plan 2022-2027, attached as Appendix 1 to the report of the Museums’ Director, be approved for consultation with external stakeholders.

2.  That the release of funds of up to £50,000 from the Museum’s capital programme for initial work on the new archaeology gallery be approved.