Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Burton and Perry.

The Chairman stated that two urgent updates and an urgent item had been accepted. These were:

• An update to Item 12 – Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny, which provided that Committee’s response to the Cabinet SCRAIPs;

• An update to Item 20 – Fees and Charges 2024-25, which contained updated appendices; and

• Item 21 – 2^nd Quarter Finance, Performance and Risk Monitoring Report as an urgent item, as a decision was required to progress the matter.

Councillors English and Jeffery were present as visiting members for Item 17 – Reference from Council - Notice of Motion - KCC's Draft Minerals and Waste Plan - Inclusion of Oaken Wood (Barming Woods) as a Further Extension to Hermitage Quarry.

Councillor English was also present for Item 19 – Town Centre Strategy Update.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

Councillor Garten had been lobbied on Item 17 – Reference from Council - Notice of Motion - KCC's Draft Minerals and Waste Plan - Inclusion of Oaken Wood (Barming Woods) as a Further Extension to Hermitage Quarry.

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

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 October 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from Local Residents.

There were no questions from Members.

There were no matters referred to the Cabinet for reconsideration.

There were no issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

In response to the comments made by the Visiting Members, the Chairman clarified that a revised response had already been sent formally in addition to the original letter that covered several of the points raised. This had been received and read by the Head of Planning at Kent County Council (KCC).

It was highlighted by several Members that the timetabling for such items should be considered in the future to allow for more complete responses. It was suggested that the existing, additional response and future opportunities to comment throughout the consultation process mitigated the need for the Motion.

RESOLVED: That no action be taken on the motion.

RESOLVED: That:

1. The progress on the current EDI Objectives and Action Plan at Appendix 1 to the report and highlighted at paras 2.4 to 2.5 in the report be noted; and
   
   
2. The recommended actions for the Equalities Action Plan at Appendix 2 to the report and highlighted at paras 2.6 to 2.13 in the report be agreed.

RESOLVED: That:

1. The update report be noted; and
   
   
2. The next steps, set out in Section 3 of the report, for the development of the Maidstone Town Centre Strategy be approved.

RESOLVED:That:

1.  The contents of the report be noted;

2.  The Fees and Charges Policy as detailed in Appendix B to the report be noted; and

3.  The Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendices A and D and updated Appendices C and E to the report be approved.

RESOLVED: That:

1. The Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 2 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified in the report, be noted;
   
   
2. The Capital position at the end of Quarter 2 for 2023/24 in the report be noted;
   
   
3. The Performance position as at Quarter 2 for 2023/24, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified in the report, be noted;
   
   
4. The Recovery & Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 3 of the report be noted;
   
   
5. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 4 of the report be noted;
   
   
6. The Risk Update, attached at Appendix 5 of the report be noted; and
   
   
7. The uncollectable Business Rates (NNDR) listed at Appendix 6 of the report be approved for write-off.

6.30 p.m. to 7.14 p.m.