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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORWARD PLAN OF

KEY DECISIONS

1 August 2009 –

30 November 2009

Councillor Christopher Garland

Leader of the Council

INTRODUCTION

This is the Forward Plan which the Leader of the Council is required to prepare.  Its purpose is to give advance notice of all the “key decisions” which the Executive is likely to take over the next 4 month period.  The Plan will be up-dated monthly.

Each “key decision” is the subject of a separate entry in the Plan.  The entries are arranged in date order – i.e. the “key decisions” likely to be taken during the first month of the 4 month period covered by the Plan appear first.

Each entry identifies, for that “key decision” –

·         the subject matter of the decision

·         a brief explanation of why it will be a “key decision”

·         the date on which the decision is due to be taken

·         who will be consulted before the decision is taken and the method of the consultation

·         how and to whom representations (about the decision) can be made

·         what reports/papers are, or will be, available for public inspection

·         the wards to be affected by this decision

DEFINITION OF A KEY DECISION

A key decision is an executive decision which is likely to:

·        Result in the Maidstone Borough Council incurring expenditure or making savings which is equal to the value of £250,000 or more; or

·        Have significant effect on communities living or working in an area comprising one or more wards in Maidstone.

WHO MAKES DECISIONS?

The Cabinet collectively makes some of the decisions at a public meeting and individual portfolio holders make decisions following consultation with every member of the Council.  In addition, Officers can make key decisions and an entry for each of these will be included in the Forward Plan.

WHO ARE THE CABINET?

HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS?

The Council encourages and welcomes anyone wishing to express his or her views about decisions the Cabinet plans to make.  This can be done by writing directly to the appropriate Officer or Cabinet Member (the details of which are shown for each decision to be made).

Alternatively, the Cabinet are contactable via our website where you can submit a question to the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member on-line.  There is also the opportunity to invite the Leader of the Council to speak at a function you may be organising. 

Cabinet Roadshows are held 3 times a year in different wards.  This is an opportunity for you to meet the Cabinet Members direct and discuss any issues that may concern you.