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

Councillors FitzGerald and Moss indicated their possible wish to speak on a number of items on the agenda.

There were no disclosures by Members and 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 29 June 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed.

Minute 9 - Garden Cottage Overspend

The Senior Solicitor suggested that in order to avoid the possibility of further overspends in respect of works carried out at the Cobtree Manor Estate, the appropriate Officers should be informed that when recommending quotes for acceptance by the Committee, they should be fixed fee only.  The Committee supported this approach.

The Committee considered the report of the Cobtree Officer setting out details of a request by Mytime, the Golf Course management contractor, for a contribution towards the cost of the construction of an all-weather path around the Golf Course to allow the use of electric buggies throughout the year.  It was noted that the cost of constructing the path was estimated to be £104,500.  The Council acting as Corporate Trustee was being asked to contribute £57,945 (unspent funding of £19,055 from 2008/09 and £38,890 in the current financial year) and it was recommended that the Council acting as local authority be asked to contribute unspent funding of £5,445 from 2008/09 and £11,110 in the current financial year.  An indication had been received that the contribution from the Council acting as local authority was unlikely to be achieved.

The Committee felt that it needed further information to assist it in its consideration of the request, including an assessment of the likely increases in footfall and revenue in return for its investment.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of the request for a contribution towards the cost of the construction of an all-weather path around the Golf Course to allow the use of electric buggies throughout the year be deferred for the submission of a detailed business case and a review of the proposed funding arrangements.

1.  That the offer made by the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited to

provide, at its own expense, replacement gates and signage at the Forstal Road entrance to the Cobtree Manor Park be accepted.

2.   That the design proposed by the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited for

the gates and signage be endorsed.

3.   That it be accepted that the installation of the gates and signage will require, subject to any necessary planning/building regulations consents being obtained, the laying of an area of tarmac and that the Officers be requested to report back to the Committee at the earliest opportunity regarding the possibility of a contribution being made towards the cost of the tarmacing. 

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the offer made by the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited to

provide, at its own expense, replacement gates and signage at the Forstal Road entrance to the Cobtree Manor Park be accepted.

2.   That the design proposed by the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited for

the gates and signage be endorsed.

3.   That it be accepted that the installation of the gates and signage will require, subject to any necessary planning/building regulations consents being obtained, the laying of an area of tarmac and that the Officers be requested to report back to the Committee at the earliest opportunity regarding the possibility of a contribution being made towards the cost of the tarmacing. 

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

http://meetings.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=183

3.45 p.m. to 4.15 p.m.