Resolved:  That all items on the agenda be web-cast.

There were none.

There were no substitute Members.

There were no visiting Members.

a)  Disclosures of interest.

b)  Disclosures of lobbying.

c)  Disclosures of whipping.

Councillor Lusty declared that he had been lobbied by Councillors on Agenda Item 9, Feedback on decision to remove Council Diaries.

Resolved:  That all items be taken in public as proposed.

Resolved:  That subject to the amendment of the recommendations for minute number 60:

 to re-word recommendation d) as follows:

 “ progress reports be received on the progression of the proposals and LEPs in general and wider local economic development initiatives, especially in relation to the evolution of new green technology businesses as details become available .”

And a further recommendation be added to include:

“e) Maidstone Borough Council is pro-active in building partnership to deliver and grow local green businesses and technologies.”

the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 210 be agreed as a correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.

Interview with:

·  John Foster, Economic Development Manager; and

·  Keith Grimley, Economic Development Officer.

The Chairman welcomed Keith Grimley, Economic Development Officer,  and John Foster, Economic Development Manager to the meeting.

Keith Grimley stated he had been the officer lead for the Economic Development and Regeneration Delivery Group since March 2010; John Taylor from Page & Wells was the Chairman. He informed the Members that this group comprised of twelve members, from various organisations including businesses as well as internal Council staff and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Greer. Quarterly meetings were held for the group to consider a range of matters including economic development, housing, transport regeneration and neighbourhood planning. The next meeting of the group was due to take place in mid December 2010 to update and agree targets and priorities for the group. It had however been established by the group that the LDF would be their main focus at this time.

The Committee stated that they were concerned that these issues and in particular the LDF were being considered in private meetings without sufficient Member involvement andmeans to ensure that interests and lobbying were recorded, and indicated that Scrutiny could play an important role in such a group.  Members expressed concern that they had not been aware the group had considered the LDF. Keith Grimley informed the Committee that a Chairman s written report to the Board expressly stated the groups’ temporary focus on the LDF. Members suggested that the group did not have enough business representation in its membership.

Keith Grimley informed the Committee that there had been four meetings held this year, for which the minutes and agendas were publicly available on the internet. The tangible outcomes from these meetings had been limited as the group had been focussed on topics such as skills and also external members of the group getting to grips with how the Council operates. He also highlighted that Councillor Greer was a Member of the group, and that the suggestion for other Members to join was welcomed. The Members were informed that Paul Andrews, Managing Director for Jobs In Kent who had extensive knowledge and experience, was also part of the group and that it was difficult to get other businesses to give their time freely to contribute. It was acknowledged that Kent County Council had declined to participate in the group. 

It was explained to the Committee that Officers identified that there were overlapping issues that cut across the LSP delivery groups and addressed them. E.g. sustainability.

In answer to questions, John Foster informed Members that Economic Development contributes towards the running of the Leader programme, and large parts of rural South Maidstone benefit from it. Projects are funded to support rural comments.

The Committee expressed concern that housing was being focussed on at the expense ofeconomic development and was concerned that the group was not focussed on regeneration.  John Foster and Keith Grimley commented that making the group more focussed would be advantageous, as the agenda is very broad. With this in mind the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Resolved: That Agenda Item 9, Feedback on decision to remove Council Diaries be deferred for another meeting.

Interview with the Head of Democratic Services, Neil Harris.

Resolved: That Agenda Item 9, Feedback on decision to remove Council Diaries be deferred for another meeting.

Discuss and formulate questions for the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services to inform mid-year progress updates.  

The Committee considered the Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services priorities to ascertain appropriate questions for the mid-year update. The Committee agreed that both the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and the Leader give information on how the Council has responded to the new government’s agenda and priorities. The Leader provides information on the budget, budget monitoring and the subsequent communication of savings with staff. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services provide information on the five top risks the Council faces in light of the national changes, an update on staff morale and detail on how the national changes proposed for housing benefits will impact residents.  The Committee also requested an update on asset management.

Resolved:  That

  a) the Leader provide information on the following issues as part of the mid-year update:

  i.  How the Council has responded to the changesfrom national government; and

  ii.  The present budget situation,budget monitoring and how the savings required were being communicated with staff.

b) the Cabinet member for Corporate Services provide information on the following issues as part of the mid-year update:

  i.  Risk management and the top five risks that currently face the Council;

  ii.  Staff morale and leadership including whether this has affected productivity;

  iii.  Whether the national changes proposed to Housing Benefit changes will impact upon residents; and

  iv.  An update on asset management, including recent sales and the current land portfolio.

The Committee considered the future work programme, it was noted that the second quarter monitoring report will be considered at the next meeting. It was agreed that the decision on the removal of dairies be deferred to a future meeting.

Resolved:  That the work programme be noted.

6.30pm to 8.32pm.