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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
GENERAL PURPOSES GROUP
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 18 November 2009
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Present: |
Councillor Mrs Hinder (Chairman), and Councillors Field, Gooch, Horne, Hotson, Marshall, Mortimer, Paine and Mrs Wilson |
26. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
27. Notification of Substitute Members
The following substitutions were noted:-
Councillor Marshall for Councillor Mrs Blackmore
Councillor Mrs Goochh for Councillor Sams
28. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
29. Disclosures by Members and Officers
Councillor Mrs Hinder declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 10, Appointments to Outside Bodies, as her husband is one of the nominees for two of the Outside Bodies (Maidstone Sea Cadets and Youth and Community Charity).
30. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
31. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.
32. Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 September 2009
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 September 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed.
33. Names in Council Chamber
The Group considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding a process for the addition of names to the top section of the walls in the Council Chamber.
Members felt that it would be helpful and interesting to know who had previously agreed to the names that are currently on the wall and when they were put up.
Members suggested that the criteria could be expanded to include “has made a significant cultural contribution to the Maidstone Borough” and that the person should have been dead for at least 50 years. It was also suggested that recommendations should fulfil two or more of the criteria and not just one.
Further suggestions made were that any names that are considered, consultation should take place with the local community where the person came from or lived and whether we could link this with some future Heritage Open Days.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Democratic Services Manager research the history of the building with regard to the context in which the names had been put on the wall and when and report back to the Group with the above information, together with a revised criteria.
2. That, once the criteria has been agreed, the Democratic Services Manager undertakes a full research of the 3 specific names mentioned in the report and investigate how to stimulate the interest of the public to recommend names and report back to the Group.
34. Annual Report for Members
The Group considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding the possible introduction of an Annual Report for Members.
The Group agreed with the principle of an Annual Report however they felt that the form was not entirely appropriate.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Group agrees, in principle, for an Annual Report to be completed by all Members.
2. That Group Leaders be asked to review the proposed form with their members and that their comments/suggested changes be sent to the Democratic Services Manager by end of January 2010.
3. That any suggested revisions by Group Leaders be reported back to this Group in March 2010.
35. Appointments to Outside Bodies
The Group considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding appointments to Outside Bodies.
The Group were informed that a late nomination had been received and it was agreed to consider the nomination on this first occasion, but that in future late nominations would not be considered.
The Chairman left the meeting for the appointments to Maidstone Sea Cadets and Youth and Community Charity and the Vice Chairman took the Chair.
The Chairman resumed as the Chair once the decisions on the above had been made.
Councillor Mrs Wilson left the meeting after the first two appointments had been made as she was attending another meeting.
RESOLVED:
1. That Councillor Hinder be appointed as the Council representative for Maidstone Sea Cadets for a period of 4 years from 19 November 2009.
2. That Councillor Hinder be appointed as the Council representative for the Youth and Community Charity for a period of 4 years from 7 September 2009.
3. That Councillor English be appointed as the Council representative for PATROLAJC for a period of 4 years from 7 September 2009.
4. That Councillor Sellar be appointed as the Council representative for Maidstone MIND for a period of 4 years from 19 October 2009.
5. That all staff be invited to apply for the vacancy on Relate West and Mid Kent.
6. That the Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee be classed as an Outside Body in its own right.
7. That Councillor Mrs Parvin continues as the Council representative for Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee until a formal appointment is made early in the new Municipal Year.
8. That nominations for the Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee be considered at the earliest opportunity in the next municipal year.
9. That the Job Specification Form and Terms of Reference of the Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee be circulated to the Members of this Group and a representative of the Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee be invited to give a presentation at a future meeting of this Group.
10. That members be notified that in future any nominations received after the deadline will not be considered.
36. Calendar of Meetings 2010/11
The Group considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding the proposed calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2010/11.
RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2010/11 as attached to the report of the Democratic Services Manager.
37. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.50 p.m.