Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Moriarty, Robertson, Thick and J A Wilson.

The following substitutions were noted:-

Councillor Vizzard for Councillor Robertson

Councillor Paine for Councillor J A Wilson

Councillors Ash and Greer were in attendance.

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 22 September 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Group considered the report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy regarding the submission of the Annual Monitoring Report (“AMR”) to the Secretary of State.

Some Members of the Group had requested amendments and a copy of these were circulated at the meeting.  The members concerned explained the reasoning behind the amendments.  The Group were informed that a programme of re-surveying the ancient woodland areas will take place over the next 3 years and this would result in changes to the relevant indicator.  

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration be recommended to approve the Annual Monitoring Report for submission to the Secretary of State, subject to the following amendments (text to be deleted has been struck out and replacement text is highlighted in yellow):-

i)  Para 2.11: People who live or work in Maidstone earn more than the in Kent average (excluding Medway). Earnings continued to increase from 2007 to 2008 (latest figures). There is however a marked disparity (10.42%) between those who work in Maidstone and those who commute to London or elsewhere People who live in Maidstone earn more than those who work in Maidstone. This is because people who live in Maidstone often commute to London and elsewhere to work. In 2008, the average Maidstone resident earned £23,975 and the average person who worked in Maidstone earned £21,713, this is a disparity of 10.42%.

ii)  Para 2.13:  However, Maidstone's Growth Point status will attract new investment for regeneration and improved transport links. Surprisingly despite the towns proximity to London (2.11 above) 46.1% (2001 census) of all journeys to work are made within Maidstone Borough. This is a relatively high rate given the town’s proximity to London.

iii)  Para 4.14:  However,such conditions are unnecessary ifeither the new build is on the footprint of the existing building or demolition was clearly stated in the plans.for the remaining dwellings because they are either being built on the footprint of the existing dwelling or it was clearly stated in the plans that the existing dwelling would be demolished.

iv)  Para 4.10: Work being undertaken for the Town Centre Study recognises Maidstone’s rivers the river as a key asset and will look to improve access to the rivers.

v)  Tables 2.5 and 3.14: To incorporate figures for semi-natural ancient woodland if data is available.

vi)  Para 4.8: The word “potential” be removed from the last line.

The Group considered the report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy regarding the Sustainability Appraisal (“SA”) Scoping Report prepared by Scott Wilson consultancy.

Members felt this was a very important document with a wealth of information that should be shared and actively used by all departments in the Council.  A Member referred to paragraph 4.4.5, highlighting the amount and importance of the work that is still required.

A member mentioned that the Environment Agency would soon be publishing a ground water flooding report with maps from historic data and, together with the surface water study, whether these should be incorporated within the SA.  Officers confirmed that any new information would be taken on board.

RESOLVED: 

1.  That the contents of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report be noted.

2.  That the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report be referred to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration with the suggestion that it should be brought to the attention of all departments.

7.04 p.m. to 7.56 p.m.