The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Mr Ken Stevens, a former Member of the Borough Council, who passed away recently.

Prayers were said by the Reverend Tim Watts, Chaplain, 36 Engineer Regiment and the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barwick, Cannon, Conyard, Harper, Jenkins-Baldock, Kehily and Springett.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

The Mayor updated the Council on recent and forthcoming engagements explaining that:

·  The events and activities to celebrate VE Day went very well, including the flag raising in Jubilee Square and the concert and Service of Remembrance at All Saints Church.  He particularly wished to thank Councillor D Naghi for organising the flag raising.

·  The last event he had arranged was a boat trip on the River Medway to Allington Castle.  The event was very well supported and raised quite a lot of money for his Charities.

·  His final engagement would be the garden party at Buckingham Palace the following week which he and the Mayoress were very much looking forward to.

It was moved by Councillor Trzebinski, seconded by Councillor D Naghi, supported by Councillors S Thompson, McKay and Mrs Gooch, and

RESOLVED:  That Martin C T Round, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

** THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR ROUND) IN THE CHAIR **

The Mayor received congratulations on his election from scholars representing local schools as follows:

The Mayor then received congratulations on his election from Councillor James Thomas, the Chairman of Headcorn Parish Council, representing the Parishes in Headcorn and Sutton Valence Ward.

It was moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor English, supported by Councillors Jeffery, Cleator and Mrs Gooch, and

RESOLVED:  That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to Councillor John Perry and Mrs Jan Perry for the admirable discharge of their duties as Mayor and Mayoress during the past year, and for their courteous approach to all sections of the community.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Borough Council held on 19 February 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Borough Council held on 6 March 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed.

It was moved by Councillor Wilby, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gooch, supported by Councillors Jeffery, Perry and Cleator, and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Brian Eugene Clark be duly appointed Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

The new Mayor updated Members on forthcoming engagements and announced the charities and causes that he would be supporting during his Mayoral year.

Councillor Jeffery, the Leader of the Council, advised the Council that:

·  The Delegation of Executive Functions would be as set out in the document circulated and the Delegation of Executive Functions to Officers would be as set out in Part B of the Constitution.

·  His appointments to portfolios remained unchanged.

·  The Proper Officer would implement the changes into the Constitution and give effect to the consequential amendments to Policy Advisory Committees arising from the portfolios.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor English, and

RESOLVED:  That it be approved that the Administration Programme, that contains no pledges, be the Year 1 plan to be approved by Cabinet June 2025 having first been considered by each Policy Advisory Committee.

In accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the allocation of seats to each Political Group in relation to its various Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor English, and

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance.

(a)  Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(b)  Policy Advisory Committees

(c)  Planning Committee

(d)  Licensing Committee

(e)  Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

(f)  Democracy and General Purposes Committee

(g)  Employment Committee

(h)  Joint Transportation Board

In accordance with Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the appointments to its Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor Russell, and

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to appointments to Committees, as set out in the schedule circulated, be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor English, and

RESOLVED:  That the Scheme of Delegation of Non-Executive Functions, as set out in Part B of the Constitution, be adopted.

It was moved by Councillor English, seconded by Councillor Jeffery, and

RESOLVED:  That Mr Alan Harrison be appointed to the role of Independent Person under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 for a further period of 4 years from 22 May 2025 to 21 May 2029.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor English, and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clark be appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Transportation Board for the Municipal Year 2025/26.

9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.