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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting OF MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, HIGH STREET, MAIDSTONE
on 22 June 2011
Present: |
Councillor B Mortimer (The Mayor) and Councillors Ash, Barned, Beerling, Black, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Butler, Chittenden, Collins, Cox, Cuming, Daley, English, Field, FitzGerald, Garland, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Gooch, Ms Griffin, Mrs Grigg, Harwood, Hinder, Mrs Hinder, Hogg, Hotson, Mrs Joy, Lusty, D Mortimer, Naghi, Nelson-Gracie, Newton, Paine, Parvin, Mrs Parvin, Pickett, Mrs Ring, Robertson, Mrs Robertson, Ross, Sams, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Thick, Verrall, Vizzard, de Wiggondene, J A Wilson and Mrs Wilson |
19. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Brindle, Greer, Paterson, Sharp, Warner and Yates.
20. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.
21. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
22. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
23. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Borough Council held on 18 May 2011
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Borough Council held on 18 May 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed.
24. Mayor's Announcements
The Mayor announced that:-
- He had written to Voluntary Action Maidstone congratulating them on their Queens Award which they had just received.
- Members still had an opportunity to give a donation for the 36 Engineer Regiment’s statue which was to be located in Brenchley Gardens.
- An invitation to his garden party had been circulated to Members.
25. Petitions
There were no petitions.
26. Question and Answer Session for Members of the Public
There were no questions from members of the public.
27. Questions from Members of the Council
Question to the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services
Councillor Sams asked a question of the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services.
The Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services responded to the question.
Question to the Cabinet Member for the Environment
Councillor Sams asked a question of the Cabinet Member for the Environment.
The Cabinet Member for the Environment responded to the question.
28. Current Issues - Report of the Leader of the Council and Response of the Group Leaders
The Leader of the Council submitted his report on current issues.
After the Leader of the Council had submitted his report, Councillor Mrs Wilson, the Leader of the Opposition, and Councillor FitzGerald, the Leader of the Independent Group, responded to the issues raised.
The Leader of the Council then responded to the points raised by Councillors Mrs Wilson and FitzGerald.
29. Report of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 May 2011 - Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Chairman
It was moved by Councillor de Wiggondene, seconded by Councillor Paine, that the recommendation of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to the Chairman of the Committee be approved.
Councillor Parvin, Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee, advised the Council that in accordance with Article 15.02 (a) of the Constitution, the Standards Committee had evaluated the proposed amendment of the Constitution, but had no comment to make.
Amendment moved by Councillor English, seconded by Councillor Beerling, that the following paragraph be added to the recommendation:-
“That the Officers report on the method of appointing the best candidate, regardless of political party, to the post of Chairmen of all Committees of the Council for implementation in the new municipal year”.
AMENDMENT CARRIED
The substantive motion was then put to the vote in two parts.
FIRST PART
That the third paragraph of Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 7 be deleted the effect of which is to remove the requirement that the Chairman of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee should come from a political group not represented on the executive, except where all groups are represented on the executive.
FIRST PART OF THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION LOST
SECOND PART
That the Officers report on the method of appointing the best candidate, regardless of political party, to the post of Chairmen of all Committees of the Council for implementation in the new municipal year.
SECOND PART OF THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED
RESOLVED: That the Officers report on the method of appointing the best candidate, regardless of political party, to the post of Chairmen of all Committees of the Council for implementation in the new municipal year.
30. Report of the Audit Committee held on 6 June 2011 - Treasury Management
It was moved by Councillor Nelson-Gracie, seconded by Councillor Field, that the recommendation of the Audit Committee relating to Treasury Management be approved.
RESOLVED: That the proposed increase in the limits on UK banking institutions and AAA rated institutions, including Government Bodies, to enable additional funds to be deposited into highly rated institutions whilst reducing the exposure to lower rated institutions, be approved.
31. Report of the Standards Committee held on 8 June 2011 - Annual Review of Complaints 2010/11
It was moved by Councillor Parvin, seconded by Councillor Garland, that the recommendation of the Standards Committee relating to the annual review of complaints 2010/11 be approved.
RESOLVED: That the issues outlined in the review of complaints 2010/11 be noted and endorsed.
32. Report of the Head of Democratic Services - Amendments to the Scheme of Delegations Relating to Executive Functions
The Mayor announced that this report was for information only.
33. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 8.03 p.m.