An apology for absence was received from Councillor Horne.

The following substitution was noted:-

Councillor Parvin for Councillor Horne

There were no Visiting Members.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Joy be elected Chairman for the Municipal Year 2010-11.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Hinder be elected Vice Chairman for the Municipal Year 2010-11.

The following prejudicial disclosures were declared for Item 11, Nominations to Outside Bodies, as the Members had put forward nominations to the Outside Bodies shown below:-

Councillor Mrs Blackmore – LGA Rural Commission and KCC Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Mortimer – LGA Rural Commission

Councillor Parvin – Tourism South East and Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board

Councillor Yates – Maidstone YMCA

Each Councillor left the meeting at the appropriate time and did not vote.

A Member queried the legality of whether it was necessary to declare a prejudicial interest for nominations to Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED: That clarification be sought of the legal position with regard to prejudicial interest for nominations to Outside Bodies.

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 11 March 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed.

RESOLVED: That the following be appointed Political Group Spokespersons for the Municipal Year 2010-11:-

Councillor Mrs Joy – Liberal Democrat

Councillor Mrs Hinder – Conservative

Councillor Mrs Gooch – Independent

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

RESOLVED:

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

a)  Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee – Councillor Mrs Parvin for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2010.

b)  Maidstone Area Arts Council – Councillors Daley, Paterson and Mrs Smith for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2010.

c)  Tourism South East – Councillor Paterson (Committee Member) and Councillor Parvin (Substitute Member) for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2010.

d)  Maidstone YMCA – Councillor Yates for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2010.

e)  Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board – Councillors Nelson-Gracie and Warner for a term of 2 years from 30 June 2010.

f)  Mid Kent Downs Steering Group – Councillor Mrs Parvin (Committee Member) and Councillor Ash (Substitute Member) for a term of 1 year from 21 May 2010.

g)  Town Centre Management Advisory Group – Councillors FitzGerald, Greer and Mrs Wilson for a term of 1 year from 31 May 2010.

h)  Local Government Association Urban Commission – Councillor Mrs Wilson (Voting Member) and Councillor Burton (Non-Voting Member) for a term of 1 year from 31 May 2010.

i)  Local Government Association Rural Commission – Councillor Mrs Blackmore (Voting Member) and Councillor B Mortimer (Non-voting Member) for a term of 1 year from 31 May 2010.

j)  Relief in Need Charities – Councillor Daley as a Nominative Trustee for a term of 4 years from 27 June 2010.

2.  That the vacancy on Maidstone YMCA be re-advertised with the next round of nomination requests.

3.  That the Maidstone Street Pastor’s Management Committee be added as an Outside Body and nominations be sought from all Members.

4.  That Councillor Mrs Blackmore be appointed as the Council’s Substitute Member of the KCC Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal Year 2010-11 and future appointments to this Committee be included in the normal nomination process for Outside Bodies.

The Group considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager regarding the feedback from Group Leaders on the Annual Report form.

RESOLVED: That no further action be taken on an Annual Report form for Members.

6.30 pm to 7.17 pm