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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone

Contact: Debbie Snook  01622 602030

Link: clickhere for webcast channel

Items
No. Item

79.

Recording of Proceedings

Minutes:

Councillor McKay reserved his right to record the proceedings.

 

80.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Brice, Cox, Eves, M Rose and Wilby.

 

81.

Dispensations

Minutes:

There were no applications for dispensations.

 

82.

Disclosures by Members and Officers

Minutes:

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

 

83.

Disclosures of Lobbying

Minutes:

All Members indicated that they had been lobbied on the matters to be discussed at the meeting.

 

84.

Exempt Items

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed except the Working Draft Statements of Common Ground with neighbouring authorities and other prescribed bodies attached as exempt Appendix 4 to the Local Plan Review report submitted to the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee on 4 October 2021.

 

The Mayor said that as there were Part I summaries of each of the Working Draft Statements of Common Ground within the Local Plan Review report, which could be discussed during open session, she believed that Members could reference those sufficiently without the need to move into closed session.

 

85.

Mayor's Announcements

Minutes:

There were no Mayor’s Announcements on this occasion.

 

86.

Petitions

Minutes:

There were no petitions.

 

87.

Question and Answer Session for Members of the Public

Minutes:

Question from Mr Stuart Jeffery to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

 

Over the period 2022 to 2037 the Council proposes that 17,355 homes are built.  Given that the Council agrees that there is a climate emergency, can the Council tell me how much carbon will be emitted in the construction of these homes?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

Mr Jeffery asked the following supplementary question of the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee:

 

Given that you cannot answer that question and that the Council has declared a climate emergency, and the definition of emergency is something that is happening and needs some immediate attention, why is the Council simply paying lip service to the unfolding climate emergency rather than taking decisive action to secure a future for us all?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

Question from Mr Ian McDonald to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

 

Mr McDonald had given notice of his wish to ask a question of the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee, but was not present at the meeting.

 

To listen to the answers to Mr Jeffery’s questions, please follow this link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqf6wup46w4&t=846s

 

Note:  Councillor Forecast joined the meeting during the question and answer session for members of the public (6.45 p.m.).

 

88.

Questions from Members of the Council to the Chairmen of Committees

Minutes:

Question from Councillor T Sams to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

 

Given this Council’s reliance on Garden Communities to form the central case for the Local Plan’s success, could their removal by an independent inspector lead to the Borough Council’s Local Plan being thrown out and this Council having to begin the process again?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

Due to issues with the acoustics in the Mote Hall, Councillor T Sams asked the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee to confirm his response as follows:

 

Can I confirm from your answer that you agree that their acceptance is essential to the Plan’s viability?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

Councillor T Sams did not wish to ask a supplementary question arising out of his original question or the reply.

 

Question from Councillor J Sams to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee

 

The Heathlands proposal in its present form, is seen by many to be unacceptable for inclusion within the consultation through its lack of substance, detail, and lack of infrastructural certainty on so many fronts.  Do these matters give you any cause for concern?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

Councillor J Sams asked the following supplementary question of the Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee:

 

If you are found to be incorrect in your assumption, what will happen?

 

The Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee responded to the question.

 

To listen to the answers to these questions, please follow this link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gqf6wup46w4&t=846s

 

89.

Oral Report of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee held on 4 October 2021 - Maidstone Local Plan Review - Regulation 19 Consultation, Evidence Documents and Sustainability Appraisal Consultation pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

It was moved by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Burton, and:

 

RESOLVED:  That Council Procedure Rule 16.1 be suspended for this meeting only to enable the total time for public speakers to be extended from twelve to fifteen minutes to allow all five members of the public registered to speak to do so for a maximum of three minutes each.  In addition to the fifteen minutes, the two Parish representatives will have a maximum of three minutes each in line with Council Procedure Rule 16.2.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Council:

 

Ms Kate Hammond – Save Our Heathlands

Mrs Sue Harwood – Against Lidsing Garden Development

Mrs Nichola Carr – Against Lidsing Garden Development

Mr Chris Hawkins

Ms Helen Baker – Against Lidsing Garden Development

 

The following Parish representatives addressed the Council:

 

Cllr Peter Coulling – Vice-Chairman, Maidstone KALC

Cllr Vanessa Jones – Chairman, Bredhurst Parish Council

 

During the speeches by members of the public, it was proposed by the Mayor and:

 

RESOLVED:  That following complaints about sound quality, Council Procedure Rule 27.1 be suspended for this meeting only to enable Members to remain seated and closer to their microphones when speaking.

 

It was moved by Councillor Cooper, seconded by Councillor Burton, that the recommendations of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee of 4 October 2021 relating to the Maidstone Local Plan Review (circulated separately) be accepted in full.

 

The Mayor reminded the Council that any proposed amendments had to comply with Rule 20.6 (a) of the Council Procedure Rules and any under ii) - iv) of that Rule (leaving out, adding or inserting words) could not alter the draft Plan being recommended to Council for approval to the extent that it would have the effect of negating the motion.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor English, seconded by Councillor Harwood:

 

That this Council resolves to agree the recommendations of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee Meeting of 4October subject to:

 

1.  The deletion of LPRSP4 (Lidsing) and LPRSA312 (Beacon Park Coxheath).

 

2.  The removal of LPRSP5 the Leeds/Langley safeguarding proposal.

 

3.  Reduction of the numbers at LPRSA 5 (B) Invicta Park to 600-700 and the addition of 20 per cent affordable housing, and a 20 per cent biodiversity gain, with due deference paid to the historic and cultural legacy of the Park, along with a defined minimum area of parkland and semi-natural open space.

 

4.  Removing the Country Park in LPRSA4 (A) and replacing it with a set area of woodland and wetland nature reserve and a 20 per cent biodiversity gain.

 

5.  Reinserting the proposed Garden Village Settlement North of Marden, including the provision of a defined area of natural and semi-natural open space, a nature reserve and an overall gain of 20 per cent in biodiversity.

 

6.  Undertaking further work to expand the evidence base for increasing tree coverage and improving watercourse quality within the Borough to mitigate the impact of climate change.

 

The Mayor sought clarification from the Interim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

90.

Duration of Meeting

Minutes:

6.30 p.m. to 9.06 p.m.