There were no apologies for absence.

There were no urgent items.

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 9 November 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed.

  1.  That the focus of the following outcomes and list of priorities be approved.

Priority 1 For Maidstone to have a growing economy

Outcomes

·  A transport network that supports the local economy

·  A growing economy with rising employment, catering for a range of skill sets to meet the demands of the local economy

Priority 2 For Maidstone to be a decent place to live

Outcomes

·  Decent, affordable housing in the right places across a range of tenures

·  Continues to be a clean and attractive environment for people who live in and visit the Borough

·  Residents are not disadvantaged because of where they live or who they are, vulnerable people are assisted and the level of deprivation is reduced

Priority 3 Corporate and Customer Excellence

Outcomes

·  The Council will continue to have value for money services that residents are satisfied with

  2.  That it be agreed that the outcome on disadvantage be moved and a new customer focus outcome be added.

  3.  That the other areas to be refreshed, set out below, be agreed.

  4.  That the progress on the action plan from April to November 2011 be noted.

DECISION MADE:

  1.  That the focus of the following outcomes and list of priorities be approved.

Priority 1 For Maidstone to have a growing economy

Outcomes

·  A transport network that supports the local economy

·  A growing economy with rising employment, catering for a range of skill sets to meet the demands of the local economy

Priority 2 For Maidstone to be a decent place to live

Outcomes

·  Decent, affordable housing in the right places across a range of tenures

·  Continues to be a clean and attractive environment for people who live in and visit the Borough

·  Residents are not disadvantaged because of where they live or who they are, vulnerable people are assisted and the level of deprivation is reduced

Priority 3 Corporate and Customer Excellence

Outcomes

·  The Council will continue to have value for money services that residents are satisfied with

  2.  That it be agreed that the outcome on disadvantage be moved and a new customer focus outcome be added.

  3.  That the other areas to be refreshed, set out below, be agreed.

  4.  That the progress on the action plan from April to November 2011 be noted.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d521/Printed%20decision,%20201213%20Refresh%20of%20the%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf?T=5

That the projection detailed in the report of the Head of Finance and Customer Service be agreed and that no distribution of a surplus or deficit should occur. 

DECISION MADE: That the projection detailed in the report of the Head of Finance and Customer Service be agreed and that no distribution of a surplus or deficit should occur. 

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d523/Printed%20decision,%20Council%20Tax%20201213%20-%20Collection%20Fund%20Adjustments%20-%20Cabinet.pdf?T=5

1.  That the increases in fees and charges as set out in detail at Appendix A to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team, with the exception of the proposed increase in the one hour parking charge and that the reduction of £10,000 in the proposed income be found from adjustments to the support service budget within the Corporate Services portfolio, be agreed.

2.  That the proposed changes to the budgets for fees and charges that occur as a consequence of the revision in fees and charges be agreed as £140,150 and this sum to then be a budget strategy saving for 2012/13.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the increases in fees and charges as set out in detail at Appendix A to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team, with the exception of the proposed increase in the one hour parking charge and that the reduction of £10,000 in the proposed income be found from adjustments to the support service budget within the Corporate Services portfolio, be agreed.

2.  That the proposed changes to the budgets for fees and charges that occur as a consequence of the revision in fees and charges be agreed as £140,150 and this sum to then be a budget strategy saving for 2012/13.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d524/Printed%20decision,%20Budget%20Strategy%202012-13%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf?T=5

1.  That the revised strategic revenue projection at Appendix B to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team, which incorporates the review of strategic projection, be agreed.

2.  That the proposed savings for 2012/13 Onwards, as detailed at Appendix C to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team be agreed, subject to an additional saving of £10,000 from adjustments to the support service budget within the Corporate Services portfolio.

3.  That the proposed use of the New Homes Bonus as outlined below be agreed. 

4.  That no capital programme be set for 2015/16 at this time, awaiting a report from officers on prioritisation of options once the infrastructure delivery plan is sufficiently detailed for evaluation.

5.  That the issues relating to revenue resources, including the council tax levels, the tax base and the provisional revenue support grant be noted.

6.  That the results of the budget consultation and the issues identified for future years of the medium term financial strategy and the strategic plan be noted.

7.  That the utilisation of a one-off £100,000 from general balances to support the concurrent functions grant process during 2012/13 to allow for consultation to be completed and the delivery of the new parish services scheme be agreed.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the revised strategic revenue projection at Appendix B to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team, which incorporates the review of strategic projection, be agreed.

2.  That the proposed savings for 2012/13 Onwards, as detailed at Appendix C to the report of the Corporate Leadership Team be agreed, subject to an additional saving of £10,000 from adjustments to the support service budget within the Corporate Services portfolio.

3.  That the proposed use of the New Homes Bonus as outlined below be agreed. 

4.  That no capital programme be set for 2015/16 at this time, awaiting a report from officers on prioritisation of options once the infrastructure delivery plan is sufficiently detailed for evaluation.

5.  That the issues relating to revenue resources, including the council tax levels, the tax base and the provisional revenue support grant be noted.

6.  That the results of the budget consultation and the issues identified for future years of the medium term financial strategy and the strategic plan be noted.

7.  That the utilisation of a one-off £100,000 from general balances to support the concurrent functions grant process during 2012/13 to allow for consultation to be completed and the delivery of the new parish services scheme be agreed.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d525/Printed%20decision,%20Budget%20Strategy%20201213%20Onwards.pdf?T=5

1.  That the objectives and aims as set out below be agreed.

2.  That the recommended approach to the Council’s role in promoting the bigger society be agreed.

3.  That the bidding process for the bigger society fund be agreed

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the objectives and aims as set out below be agreed.

2.  That the recommended approach to the Council’s role in promoting the bigger society be agreed.

3.  That the bidding process for the bigger society fund be agreed.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d526/Printed%20decision,%20The%20Bigger%20Society%20in%20Maidstone.pdf?T=5

1.  That the objectives of the draft Improvement Plan as set out below be agreed.

a.  A reduction in net cost, through making savings or increased income

b.  Improving or maintaining quality: ensuring we deliver excellent services, which means delivering what is promised to agreed standards

c.  Identifying and responding to opportunities aligned with the Strategic Plan.

2.  That the work-streams and priority services and projects for improvement as detailed below be agreed.

3.  That the governance and monitoring arrangements as detailed below be agreed, including the removal of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from the Working Group.

4.  That, subject to the following changes, the draft Improvement Plan 2012-15 be approved for consultation with Overview & Scrutiny.

a.  That the first two sentences of the draft Improvement Plan are altered to read “The Cabinet own the Council’s improvement journey and the Chief Executive is ultimately accountable for delivery of the Improvements Plan.  Political leadership is provided by the Leader and the Cabinet.

b.  That the two preferences to ‘Development Management’ on page 122 of the draft Improvement Plan are changed to read ‘Planning’ and that ‘Corporate Support’ is deleted from the first table on page 122 as this is included in the Customer Services delivery service area.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the objectives of the draft Improvement Plan as set out below be agreed.

a.  A reduction in net cost, through making savings or increased income

b.  Improving or maintaining quality: ensuring we deliver excellent services, which means delivering what is promised to agreed standards

c.  Identifying and responding to opportunities aligned with the Strategic Plan.

2.  That the work-streams and priority services and projects for improvement as detailed below be agreed.

3.  That the governance and monitoring arrangements as detailed below be agreed, including the removal of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from the Working Group.

4.  That, subject to the following changes, the draft Improvement Plan 2012-15 be approved for consultation with Overview & Scrutiny.

a.  That the first two sentences of the draft Improvement Plan are altered to read “The Cabinet own the Council’s improvement journey and the Chief Executive is ultimately accountable for delivery of the Improvements Plan.  Political leadership is provided by the Leader and the Cabinet.

b.  That the two preferences to ‘Development Management’ on page 122 of the draft Improvement Plan are changed to read ‘Planning’ and that ‘Corporate Support’ is deleted from the first table on page 122 as this is included in the Customer Services delivery service area.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d527/Printed%20decision,%20Improvement%20Plan%202012-15.pdf?T=5

1.  That the dates for the Cabinet meetings in the municipal year 2012/13, as set out below, be approved:-

16 May 2012

13 June 2012

11 July 2012

8 August 2012

12 September 2012

10 October 2012

14 November 2012

19 December 2012

9 January 2013

13 February 2013

13 March 2013

10 April 2013

2.   That Cabinet meetings continue to be held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm, with the exception of the first meeting of the municipal year and the December meeting be agreed.

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the dates for the Cabinet meetings in the municipal year 2012/13, as set out below, be approved:-

16 May 2012

13 June 2012

11 July 2012

8 August 2012

12 September 2012

10 October 2012

14 November 2012

19 December 2012

9 January 2013

13 February 2013

13 March 2013

10 April 2013

2.   That Cabinet meetings continue to be held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6.30 pm, with the exception of the first meeting of the municipal year and the December meeting be agreed.

To view full details of this decision, please click here:-

http://meetings.maidstone.gov.uk/documents/d528/Printed%20decision,%20Cabinet%20Meeting%20Dates%20201213.pdf?T=5

The Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council regarding the Forward Plan 01 January 2012 to 30 April 2012.

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan for the period 01 January 2012 to 30 April 2012 be noted.

6.30 pm to 7.27 pm