MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD AT THE TOWN HALL,
HIGH STREET, MAIDSTONE ON SATURDAY 23 MAY 2015
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Present: |
Councillor Thick (The Mayor) and Councillors Ash, Black, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Butler, Chittenden, Clark, Cox, Cuming, Daley, Ells, English, Fissenden, Fort, Garland, Mrs Gooch, Harper, Harwood, Hemsley, Mrs Hinder, Mrs Joy, McKay, McLoughlin, Moriarty, D Mortimer, Munford, Naghi, Newton, Paine, Mrs Parvin, Paterson, Perry, Pickett, Mrs Ring, Mrs Robertson, Ross, Round, J Sams, T Sams, Sargeant, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Vizzard, Watson, Webb, Webster, de Wiggondene, Willis, Mrs Wilson and J A Wilson |
1. Prayers
Prayers were said by the Reverend Ian Parrish.
2. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Brice, Greer, Mrs Grigg and B Mortimer.
3. Dispensations
There were no applications for dispensations.
4. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.
5. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
6. Election of Mayor for the Ensuing Municipal Year
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by
Councillor Chittenden, supported by Councillors Ash, McKay and Sargeant, and
RESOLVED: That Daniel Patrick Moriarty, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
Councillor Moriarty then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.
**THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR MORIARTY) IN THE CHAIR**
7. Congratulations to the Mayor
The Mayor received congratulations on his election from scholars representing schools as follows:
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Erin Shathish-Kumar |
Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Parkwood
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Harry Webster |
Maidstone Grammar School
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May Ahmed |
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
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8. The Retiring Mayor
It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Mrs Joy, supported by Councillors Mrs Gooch, McKay and Sargeant, and
RESOLVED: That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to Councillor Richard Thick and Mrs Thick 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.
9. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
10. Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough Council held on 22 April 2015
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Borough Council held on 22 April 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.
11. Appointment of Deputy Mayor for the Ensuing Municipal Year
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor Naghi, supported by Councillors Mrs Gooch, McKay and Sargeant, and
RESOLVED: That Councillor Derek George Butler be duly appointed Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
Councillor Butler then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.
12. Mayor's Announcements
The Mayor extended his sympathy to all those affected by the recent earthquakes in Nepal.
13. Election of the Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year
It was moved by Councillor Burton, seconded by Councillor Ross, that Councillor Mrs Blackmore be elected as Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
It was moved by Councillor Chittenden, seconded by Councillor Cox, that Councillor Mrs Wilson be elected as Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by Councillor Harper, that Councillor McKay be elected as Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.4, five Members of the Council requested that a named vote be taken. The voting was as follows:
Councillor Mrs Blackmore (24)
Councillors Ash, Black, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Butler, Cuming, Fort, Garland, Hemsley, Mrs Hinder, McLoughlin, Munford, Paine, Mrs Parvin, Perry, Mrs Ring, Ross, Round, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Thick, Webster,
de Wiggondene and J A Wilson
Councillor Mrs Wilson (24)
Councillors Chittenden, Clark, Cox, Daley, Ells, English, Fissenden, Harwood, Mrs Joy, Moriarty, D Mortimer, Naghi, Newton, Paterson, Pickett, Mrs Robertson, J Sams, T Sams, Sargeant, Vizzard, Watson, Webb, Willis and Mrs Wilson
Councillor McKay (3)
Councillors Mrs Gooch, Harper and McKay
Since there was not a clear majority in favour of one person, Councillor McKay’s name was taken off the list and a new vote was taken.
Councillor Mrs Blackmore (25)
Councillors Ash, Black, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Butler, Cuming, Fort, Garland, Mrs Gooch, Hemsley, Mrs Hinder, McLoughlin, Munford, Paine, Mrs Parvin, Perry, Mrs Ring, Ross, Round, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Thick, Webster, de Wiggondene and J A Wilson
Councillor Mrs Wilson (26)
Councillors Chittenden, Clark, Cox, Daley, Ells, English, Fissenden, Harper, Harwood, Mrs Joy, McKay, Moriarty, D Mortimer, Naghi, Newton, Paterson, Pickett, Mrs Robertson, J Sams, T Sams, Sargeant, Vizzard, Watson, Webb, Willis and Mrs Wilson
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Wilson be elected as Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
14. Appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year
It was moved by Councillor Paine, seconded by Councillor Mrs Ring, and
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Gooch be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
15. Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Allocation of Seats on Committees
In accordance with Sections 15 and 16 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 Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor English, that the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources.
RESOLVED: That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources.
16. Appointment of Committees
In accordance with Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the appointments to its Committees and Substitutes.
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Black, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.
RESOLVED: That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.
17. Appointment of Two Non-Voting Parish Councillor Representatives on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor English, that Councillors Eileen Riden and Paul Butcher be appointed as Non-Voting Parish Councillor Representatives on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
RESOLVED: That Councillors Eileen Riden and Paul Butcher be appointed as Non-Voting Parish Councillor Representatives on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2016.
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL ACTING AS CORPORATE TRUSTEE OF THE CHARITY KNOWN AS THE COBTREE MANOR ESTATE
18. Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Allocation of Seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Ash:
1. That the membership of the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be increased to five, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.
2. That the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee as set out below be approved:
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Conservative |
3 |
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Liberal Democrat |
2 |
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Independent |
0 |
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Labour |
0 |
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UKIP |
0 |
RESOLVED:
1. That the membership of the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be increased to five, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.
2. That the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee as set out below be approved:
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Conservative |
3 |
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Liberal Democrat |
2 |
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Independent |
0 |
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Labour |
0 |
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UKIP |
0 |
19. Appointment of the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor English, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee and Substitutes be accepted.
RESOLVED: That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee and Substitutes be accepted.
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL ACTING AS CORPORATE TRUSTEE OF THE QUEEN'S OWN ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT MUSEUM TRUST
20. Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Allocation of Seats on the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Thick:
1. That the membership of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be increased to five, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.
2. That the allocation of seats on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee as set out below be approved:
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Conservative |
3 |
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Liberal Democrat |
2 |
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Independent |
0 |
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Labour |
0 |
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UKIP |
0 |
RESOLVED:
1. That the membership of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be increased to five, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.
2. That the allocation of seats on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee as set out below be approved:
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Conservative |
3 |
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Liberal Democrat |
2 |
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Independent |
0 |
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Labour |
0 |
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UKIP |
0 |
21. Appointment of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee
It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Ash, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee and Substitutes be accepted.
RESOLVED: That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee and Substitutes be accepted.
22. Duration of Meeting – 9.30 A.M. TO 11.10 A.M.