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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Cabinet
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8 October 2014
Present: |
Councillor Mrs Blackmore (Chairman), and Councillors Burton, McLoughlin and Mrs Ring |
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49. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillors Greer and Perry.
50. Urgent Items
There were no urgent items.
51. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no visiting members.
52. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
53. Disclosures of lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
54. EXEMPT ITEMS
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
55. Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 September 2014
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.
56. References from Council - Petitions
Members considered the Reference from Council which set out
details of two Petitions that were presented at the meeting regarding the
Allocation of Housing Sites in Lenham and Future Housing Development in
Headcorn.
Allocation of Housing Sites, Lenham
Rob Jarman, the Head of Planning and Development advised Members that he
hoped to report back to both Cabinet and Planning, Transport and Development
Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2015 to deal with the issues raised
in the Petition.
He stressed that the 1,500 homes issue form part of a broad
location within the draft Local Plan which would not be considered until the
latter part of the plan (in the years 2026 – 2031). It was envisaged that a
review would take place in 2021 on whether or not these houses would still be
required and or that numbers could be reduced.
It was emphasised that a lot of consideration would be given to the highway
transport modelling system, using VISUM software technology and great regard
would be given to the surrounding conservation area, listed buildings and
protection of the North Downs views.
It was also noted that that the Council had been meeting with Parish Councils
and Residents Associations and other organisations to discuss the draft Local
Plan.
Future Housing Development – Headcorn
It was noted that unlike Lenham, it was not proposing a broad location for
housing at Headcorn. Officers carry out individual site assessments and would
be undertaking a cumulative assessment and further highway transport modelling
would be carried out.
Officers would be meeting with KCC Education to discuss
whether the current Primary School could accommodate additional children which
would be brought about by additional development or whether an alternative site
could be identified where a new school could be built.
RESOLVED: That the Petitions and the comments made at the
Council meeting be noted and that Officers report back in January 2015
recommending amendments to draft housing site allocations.
57. Reference from Council - Motion - Over-Development of Inner Maidstone
Members considered the Reference from Council relating to a
Motion – Over-development of Inner Maidstone.
DECISION MADE:
That due to the existence of policies and work in progress which address the
issues raised in the motion relating to over-development of “Inner Maidstone”,
it was agreed that there was no requirement for a further report at this time.
For further information regarding this decision, please follow this link:
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=19283
58. Reference from Council - Motion - Cycling Safety and the Gyratory System
Members considered the Reference from Council relating to a
Motion – Cycling Safety and the Gyratory System.
DECISION MADE:
That there is appropriate and sufficient dialogue with the Kent County
Council’s Highways Authority to address the issues raised in the motion
relating to Cycling Safety and the Gyratory System and it not therefore
considered that a further report is needed at this time.
For further information regarding this decision, please follow this link:
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=19284
59. Reference from Council - Motion - Bedroom Tax
Members considered the Reference from Council relating to a
Motion – Bedroom Tax.
DECISION MADE:
1.
As a review of the Housing Allocation Policy was undertaken less than
six months ago, there is no need to carry out another review. The actions
taken to assist residents in downsizing to smaller accommodation was noted;
2.
The Council will continue to do all it can within the Council’s legal
powers to minimise the impact of spare room subsidy on families where there maybe
short term absences and also people with disabilities where additional bedrooms
may be required due to a person’s disabilities;
3.
The Leader of the Council will write to the Ministers of Housing and
Work and Pensions setting out the facts and experiences in Maidstone arising
from the spare room subsidy policy and send a copy to the LGA; and
4.
The Leader will also provide feedback at the next full Council meeting
in December under the ‘Current Issues’ agenda item.
For further information regarding this decision, please
follow this link:
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=19285
60. Report of Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Services - Local Council Tax Discount Scheme
Members considered the report of the Head of Revenues and
Benefits Shared Service relating to the Local Council Tax Discount Scheme.
Councillor Burton left the meeting at the conclusion of this agenda item.
RESOLVED: That
1. That
the recommendation of the Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services Overview
and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 August 2014 be noted;
2.
That Cabinet Recommends to Full Council that the scheme be
maintained from 1st April 2015 at its current level, providing a 13%
reduction in the former national council tax benefit scheme as set out within
Appendix A to the report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service;
and
3.
That the recommendation 1.2.3 of the report of the Head of Revenues and
Benefits Shared Service be deleted.
61. Report of the Director of Environment & Shared Services - Flooding Events in Maidstone
Members considered the report of the Director of Environment
and Shared Services relating to Flooding Events in Maidstone.
DECISION MADE:
The actions and progress made to date were noted as detailed in Appendix A to
the Report of Environment and Shared Services and of the work facilitated
through a range of organisations including the parish councils, the National
Flood Forum and Environment Agency.
For further information regarding this decision, please follow this link:
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=19096
62. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.40 p.m.