It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Greer.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Finance and Customer Services setting out details of the financial position in respect of the Golf Course and the Manor Park as at 30 September 2010.  The report also included details of capital expenditure, the projected loan repayment position, deposits held and total investments.  It was noted that, with regard to the Golf Course, there was still a variance on employee costs as the Charity was continuing to make pension payments in respect of staff transferred to the management contractor.  It was understood that the situation would be resolved in the very near future and the payments would be recharged to the contactor.  Budgetary provision of £81,200 had been made under the Cobtree Manor Park Premises Costs heading to cover the estimated cost of repairs to Garden Cottage.  Based on current projections, it was anticipated that the loan from the Borough Council would be repaid by 31 March 2011.

RESOLVED:  That the financial position in respect of the Golf Course and the Manor Park be noted.

That having seen possible alternatives for the master plan, the Officers be requested to review the guiding principles of the plan and report back to the next meeting of the Committee with:-

• A revised master plan to reflect such options.
• A detailed costing analysis.
• Design specifications.
• A project plan.
• Funding proposals.

DECISION MADE:

That having seen possible alternatives for the master plan, the Officers be requested to review the guiding principles of the plan and report back to the next meeting of the Committee with:-

• A revised master plan to reflect such options.
• A detailed costing analysis.
• Design specifications.
• A project plan.
• Funding proposals.

For full details of this Record of Decision, please follow this link:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/Published/C00000136/M00001086/AI00006759/$$$IssueDecision.doc.pdf

1.  That the decision set out in Minute 13 of the meeting held on 7 July 2010 be rescinded and that, as a compromise, agreement be given to the renewal of the lease of the Cobtree Cabin for a longer period until 31 May 2014 at the agreed rental increased annually in line with inflation, and with a break clause in favour of the Council to give 6 months notice in the event of the site or its environs being required for the imminent development of a new café and/or multi-purpose building.

2.  That should this prove to be unacceptable to the lessee, the opportunity to operate a café facility at the site on an annual basis, on similar terms and conditions as the existing lease, be advertised in the local press and that the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services be given delegated powers in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee to take the necessary actions to implement this decision.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the decision set out in Minute 13 of the meeting held on 7 July 2010 be rescinded and that, as a compromise, agreement be given to the renewal of the lease of the Cobtree Cabin for a longer period until 31 May 2014 at the agreed rental increased annually in line with inflation, and with a break clause in favour of the Council to give 6 months notice in the event of the site or its environs being required for the imminent development of a new café and/or multi-purpose building.

2.  That should this prove to be unacceptable to the lessee, the opportunity to operate a café facility at the site on an annual basis, on similar terms and conditions as the existing lease, be advertised in the local press and that the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services be given delegated powers in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee to take the necessary actions to implement this decision.

For full details of this Record of Decision, please follow this link:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/Published/C00000136/M00001086/AI00006761/$$$IssueDecision.doc.pdf

1.  That the work undertaken by the Park Ranger during the period 22 June - 8 October 2010 be noted.

2.  That the continued full-time deployment of a maintenance operative to Cobtree Manor Park be endorsed.

3.  That the continued reference to an “Arboretum” at Cobtree Manor Park be endorsed.

4.  That the offer of a donation of £1,000 from Boxley Parish Council towards the cost of tree planting be accepted with thanks and that the Officers be instructed to select suitable species and locations in liaison with the Parish Council.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the work undertaken by the Park Ranger during the period 22 June - 8 October 2010 be noted.

2.  That the continued full-time deployment of a maintenance operative to Cobtree Manor Park be endorsed.

3.  That the continued reference to an “Arboretum” at Cobtree Manor Park be endorsed.

4.  That the offer of a donation of £1,000 from Boxley Parish Council towards the cost of tree planting be accepted with thanks and that the Officers be instructed to select suitable species and locations in liaison with the Parish Council.

For full details of this Record of Decision, please follow this link:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/Published/C00000136/M00001086/AI00006762/$$$IssueDecision.doc.pdf

2.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.