Resolved: It was agreed that all items on the agenda would be web-cast.

There were no substitute members.

There were no visiting members.

a)  Disclosures of interest.

b)  Disclosures of lobbying.

c)  Disclosures of whipping.

Councillor Beerling declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10, Work Programming 2009/10, as he was a Director of Maidstone Housing Trust.

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

a)  14 April 2009;

b)  23 April 2009; and

c)  27 May 2009.

It was requested that a resolution be added to page 9 of the minutes of 23 April with regard to the discussion of possible dates for the launch of the road safety report.

The minutes of 14 April, 23 April and 27 May were agreed subject to the above amendment.

Resolved:

That the minutes were agreed subject to the inclusion of a recommendation identifying possible dates for the road safety launch in the minutes of the 23 April.

Interview with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Mark Wooding.

  The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Mark Wooding.  The Committee was reminded that many of the changes made by the Cabinet Member for Environment during the previous year were well known due to publicity within the press and his attendance at this Committee.  During 2009-10 the Cabinet Member would be seeking short term benefits for the Council and setting some medium and long term direction.

  Parking

  Councillor Wooding highlighted a number of changes that had been made with regard to parking services within the previous year:

1.  Resident parking zones had seen the introduction of permit charges.  Residents were able to obtain first and second permits at a cost of £25 and a third permit for £50.  This decision had been made to manage increasing street parking demand, and prevent the parking budget from falling into deficit, as well as to cover the cost of producing the permits.

It was noted that the number of calls the council had received regarding these charges had been minimal.

2.  Changes had also been made to off street parking, most notably the introduction of Sunday charges.  This had been operating for five weeks, and had so far provided revenue of £1800 - £2700 each Sunday.

  Officers were undertaking a review of the volumes of traffic within the town centre now that these charges had been implemented and this was to be reported back to the Cabinet Member by August.  The Committee was also informed that local businesses in the area were to be consulted in order to establish whether the charges had had any significant impact upon the number of people coming into the town on Sundays.

  The Committee was informed that no major changes should be required within the forthcoming year although small amendments could be necessary in light of the economic climate.

  Several aspects of the decisions on monitoring on and off street parking demand had been deferred last year following consultation and reports were due in August on these.  Councillor Wooding noted that these would fully consider concerns that had been raised by residents during the consultation process.  There could also be further opportunity to develop car parks in order to generate further income, however this would also depend upon the economic climate and the availability of monies.

  In response to a question, the Cabinet Member stated that the introduction of Sunday charges had been well publicised, and any car owners who failed to display tickets on the first Sunday the scheme was introduced were not penalised.

  Highways

  Councillor Wooding informed the Committee that he had been working hard to establish good links with Kent County Council (KCC).  A joint seminar with KCC had been held in December which the KCC Cabinet Member with responsibility for highways. KCC had agreed to work towards decreasing the number of people who were killed or seriously injured on the roads within Maidstone.  The Cabinet Member had requested a review of progress now that six months had passed.  It was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Interview with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Greer.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Greer, congratulated Members and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer on the production of the report regarding Section 106 agreements and stated that he had taken on board the report’s recommendations.

The Committee was informed that an Office Manager had been appointed within the Development Control Department.  The Officer Manager assisted with the day to day running of the Department, this included computer systems updates, which would make the working of all departments, Development Control (DC), Building Control (BC) and Enforcement, more efficient and transparent.  He highlighted that this was an ongoing process and that he would update the Committee at a future date.  A Development Control Planning Manager had also been appointed to manage Planning Control and Enforcement. These combined duties within a single officer’s remit ensured that a more structured system was in place with respect to both areas. This change had already showed signs of benefit, with a significant reduction in live enforcement cases.

The recession has had a significant influence on the number of planning applications received, which had dropped to approximately 1700 last year. This has had a major affect on money streams, including that arising from pre-application advice. This had resulted in adjusting staffing levels to address the downturn or redeployment of Officers to other areas, such as Enforcement, where the work load was greater and needed addressing.  The Committee was informed that all areas and processes were monitored on a regular basis, with the performance of all departments analysed.  Furthermore, the new system enabled Members and Parish Councils to receive by e-mail, the current status of Section 106 Agreements, Enforcement and Planning Applications. Further work was ongoing with respect to improving the presentation of information.

The Committee requested that a structure diagram be produced detailing how BC, DC and Enforcement interact, together with the contact details and where in the building the team members could be found.

A Draft Enforcement Policy had been produced by the Planning Manager.

Members would be consulted on the completed final draft. The document was to inform Members and Parish Councils how the Council conducted work with respect to enforcement issues.

A Developers Forum had also been established and was proving to be successful. Two forums had taken place and a third was to take place in October. The main benefit had been that dialogue had been established between Developers and Planners which made systems more efficient and cost effective.  One area that was identified as a concern was the time taken to address legal issues after an application had been approved.  A Legal Charter was therefore being produced which would inform Developers of what was required, within a time line, which would assist in ensuring the contract was completed.  A cost framework was also to be included as part of the Legal Charter..

The first Enabling Committee had been established with regard to the Sutton Valence Running Track. This helped solve potential difficulties and inform interested parties, including the Parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Committee agreed that clearance of contaminated land would be its major review of this year.  It was noted that there were a number of sensitive issues with regard to this matter, and the Legal Team had been asked for advice on this.  A smaller review would also be carried out with regard to disabled facilities grants.

Resolved:   That

a)  The Committee would focus on the clearance of contaminated land as this years major review; and

b)  A smaller review would be carried out with regard to disabled facilities grants.

It was agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny Officers were to establish an appropriate date for the required Councillor Call for Action meeting. It was noted that this may require the amendment of the pre arranged meeting dates.

The Committee was informed that key decisions falling within its remit would be printed on the back of the agenda each month to enable Members to request a decision to be discussed at a future meeting if necessary. 

A Member requested that an update on potential gypsy site locations and progress with regard to economic development within the Borough be provided to the Committee in December.  The Chairman requested that Members monitor the Forward Plan for when these decisions arose and request further information at that time.

Resolved:  That

a)  The Overview and Scrutiny officers would establish an appropriate meeting date for the Councillor Call for Action; and

b)  The Committee be given an update of on potential gypsy site locations and economic development within the Borough in December.

6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.