An apology for absence was received from Councillor Field.

There were no Substitute Members.

There were no Visiting Members.

Councillors Mrs Hinder and Yates declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 – report of the Head of Democratic Services – Nominations to Outside Bodies as they had each submitted a nomination to the Maidstone/Beauvais Twinning Association.

There are 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 December 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Group considered the reference from the Standards Committee regarding the proposed extension of the term of office of two Independent Members.

RESOLVED:

That Council be recommended to agree that the terms of office of Mrs Dorothy Phillips and Mr Don Wright as Independent Members of the Standards Committee be extended until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2012 as a cost effective way to deal with the impending vacancies given the uncertainty regarding whatever arrangements might take the place of the current Standards regime.

The Group considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding a process for the addition of names to the top section of the walls in the Council Chamber and consideration of the installation of a Leader’s Board in the Town Hall.

Members felt that now was not an appropriate time to spend money on these sorts of issues considering the spending cuts that have had to take place.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted and further investigation of names be undertaken and brought back to the Committee at a future date when requested.

The Group considered the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding nominations to Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED:

i.  That the following nominations to Outside Bodies be agreed:-

a)  Cutbush and Corrall Charity – Mrs Jennifer Fenn for a term of 4 years from 1 April 2011.

b)  Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Joint Advisory Council – Councillor Mrs Parvin for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2011.

c)  Maidstone/Beauvais Twinning Association – Councillors Mrs Hinder, Vizzard and Yates for a term of 1 year from 1 April 2011.

d)  Maidstone YMCA – Councillors D Mortimer and Yates for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2011.

e)  Tourism South East – Councillor Paterson for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2011.

ii)  that the following nominations to Outside Bodies be agreed, subject to no objections being received from Members following the re-circulation of missing nomination forms:-

a)  Mid Kent Downs Steering Group – Councillors Ash and Parvin for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2011.

b)  Maidstone Area Arts Council – Councillors Daley, Paterson and Mrs Smith for a term of 1 year from 1 April 2011.

iii)  That nominations continue to be sought for the following vacancies:-

a)  Maidstone/Beauvais Twinning Association – 1 x Committee Member

b)  Tourism South East – 1 x Committee Member

c)  Relate West and Mid Kent – 1 x Committee Member

d)  South East Employers – 1 x Substitute Member

6.30 p.m. to 7.40 p.m.