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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nelson-

Gracie.

It was noted that Councillor Lusty was substituting for Councillor Nelson-Gracie.

There were none.

a)  Disclosures of interest.

b)  Disclosures of lobbying.

c)  Disclosures of whipping.

Councillor Beerling declared a personal interest in agenda item 12, “Draft Disabled Facilities Grant Report”, as he had received a gift of a tankard from Golding Homes.

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

The Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February be amended so that the fifth sentence on page three began “The Committee queried why such importance had been placed …”

Resolved:That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2010 be agreed as a correct record and duly signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendment to minute ? 99: “The Committee queried why such importance had been placed on opportunities with UCA”.

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

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Wooding, to the meeting and requested a brief statement on the progress he had made in his portfolio during the municipal year 2009/10.  Councillor Wooding highlighted that the previous year had been difficult financially as they had made efficiency savings, however progress had been made in all areas of his portfolio and discussed the following with the Committee:

Parking

• Changes to residents parking arrangements had resulted in improved parking availability during the day with a 20% decrease in on street parking during the day, benefiting both residents and businesses.  Residents had been surveyed and had informed the Council that they were finding it easier to park in the day time but that there continued to be overnight parking problems.  However, this would only be eased by issue of 24 hour parking permits, and this move was unpopular with residents; 
• The improved parking services system provided registered keepers with a photograph of the parking infringement online. It was anticipated that this would result in significant savings in processing appeals.  Real time information was also made available to bailiffs to ensure they had the most up to date information when acting for the Council;

·  In response to a question, Councillor Wooding stated the revenue from Sunday parking fees varied between £1,800 and £2,700 per day.  Members agreed to receive an update on the relationship between Sunday parking revenue and the level of trade in the Town be investigated;

Public Transport

• The new park and ride contract had enabled the 2009 -10 budget to be reduced from £450,000 to £225,000. The numbers using the scheme had reduced by 14% as a result of the recession, so the Council had set aside £425,000 to fund the service in 2010 – 11. Kent County Council (KCC) had agreed to provide some funding for the service from April 2010.
• Members were concerned at the continuing costs of the Park and Ride scheme and agreed that the Cabinet Member should discuss the Park and Ridge marketing strategy with officers to encourage town centre users to use the service.  Furthermore, Members notes that there was a lack of road signage to the Willington Street Park and Ride site and asked that this be improved;
• The Cabinet Member for Environment was investigating how Park and Ride fitted into the Local Development strategy to ensure that it met future needs.  An integrated transport strategy, which considered town centre and out of town parking, was expected to be completed by the end of 2010-11.  The Committee requested an update be provided to the Committee in 2010/11;

Concessionary Fares

·  Funding for concessionary fares would be reviewed for 2011 – 12.

• KCC were responsible for the national bus pass scheme from 2011 -12.  Councillor Wooding did not anticipate a change in service, but noted that the funds would be transferred from the Council to KCC as a result.  Furthermore, the Council currently accepted concessionary fare passes on Park and Ride buses and therefore KCC  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

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

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Greer, to the meeting to discuss progress on Regeneration of the Borough. Councillor Greer gave Members an update on his portfolio and Members questioned him as follows:

High Street

• Design of the next phase of the High Street regeneration project should be completed by the end of September 2010.  Work would start by the end of 2010 and last 45 weeks. It would include measures to assist those with disabilities, such as low kerbs and reduced street furniture.  KCC had agreed to contribute £600,000 towards the project;
• An independent report on the project would be available soon to show the real benefits to the town, including additional jobs and economic benefits;
• Officers and Town Centre Management planned to liaise with local businesses to minimise disruption to trade during the work programme;

Partnership with HeatSeekers

• Half of the houses in Maidstone Borough had been surveyed by thermal imaging cameras; the rest would be surveyed in the colder months of 2010/11;
• The analysis of the surveyed properties was being made available in May 2010. HeatSeekers [an insulation contractor] was asked to advise the owner of the building where insulation could be improved and of any grants available. Work could commence during the summer;
• The average annual saving on a three-bedroom house was expected to be £260 with a reduction of 1400 Kg in carbon dioxide emissions;

Developer Committees

• The developers committee formed to oversee the building of the running track at Sutton Valence had been a success. The committee included Members from Maidstone Borough Council, Parish Councillors and some residents.  The Contractor for the running track had provided a weekly programme of work and a 24 hour telephone number to enable residents to raise concerns about the work should there be a problem.  The implementation of this had avoided problems during construction and had consequently avoided possible costly enforcement action;
• Councillor Greer said he would like a legal basis for all local developments to be overseen in this way, and was in discussion with officers to investigate this; 

Planning Policy, Development and Building Control

• A total of 695 affordable houses had been built in the last two years;
• In response to a question Councillor Greer confirmed a developer had avoided a planning obligation in to provide affordable housing as the Council had been unable to maintain the obligation due to the drop in property prices impacting on the profitability of the plan.  He explained that the use of a legal charter was under consideration with officers for larger developments and he hoped that in time this could be applied to all developments to make the obligations legally binding.  The Committee agreed to receive confirmation of the number of Section 106 Agreements that had been removed as a result of re-application;

• The housing needs survey had identified that by 2026 the Borough would need more than twice the number of new homes previously identified. Members were concerned that this would be difficult to achieve,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

Members discussed the written update on Gypsy and Traveller Sites. In answer to questions the Chairman explained that the officer had not been requested to attend as there was little to add to the written report.

Resolved:  That the report be noted and a further update on the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites be given in 2010-11

Report to Follow

The Overview & Scrutiny Officer, Esther Bell, circulated the draft report. A Member said two residents had complained about the use of Council resources on this matter. Members highlighted that the review had been carried out as a result of a number of resident’s complaints to them about receiving junk mail and asking whether there was anything the Council could do to address the issue.

Resolved:  That the draft report be approved.

Report to Follow

The draft report was circulated by the Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Esther Bell, for Committee approval. The Committee agreed to review the report and submit any amendments or comments to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer by 4 May 2010.  Furthermore, the Committee agreed that the final report be approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman following any changes proposed by Members.

Resolved:  That the Committee submit comments on the draft report to the Overview and Scrutiny Officer by 4 May 2010 and that the final report incorporating the suggested changes be approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman asked for ideas for the future work programme. Members suggested the following items for consideration:

·  Transition town status including the possibility of a Sustainable Maidstone Group

·  Delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy

·  The Council’s marketing strategy

·  Regeneration of the rural economy

·  Park & Ride, Walk & Ride and Rail & Ride

The Chairman thanked Members of the Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Esther Bell, for their hard work over the year.

Resolved: That the following items be suggested for the 2010-11 work programme:

·  Transition town status

·  Delivery of the sustainable Community Strategy

·  Council’s marketing strategy

·  Regeneration of the rural economy

·  Park & Ride, Walk & Ride and Rail & Ride

6.30 p.m. to 8:52 p.m.