Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no urgent items, although it was noted that the Chairman intended to take Agenda Item 9 before the Petition which was tabled at Agenda Item 8.

Councillors Ash, Chittenden,Gooch, McKay, B. Mortimer, Newton, Round, Mrs Springett, Thick, Willis, Mrs Wilson attended the meeting and indicated their wish to speak to Agenda Item 9.

The Chairman advised that in the event that business was not concluded at this meeting, an adjourned date had been arranged for Wednesday,
4^th February 2015.

Councillor Burton indicated that he had originally disclosed a pecuniary interest in Site H1 (10) Sutton Road but had received further advice and would now be disclosing an Other Significant Interest in this site and would not participate in any debate on this issue and would leave the room when it was being discussed.

Councillor Mrs Springett indicated that she too had an Other Significant Interest in Site H1 (17) – Land at Barty Farm and would not take part in any discussions on this issue.

All Cabinet Members stated that they had been lobbied in regard to Agenda Item 8 – Petition – Fant Farm and Agenda Item 9 – Maidstone Borough Local Plan – New and Amended Site Allocations.

RESOLVED:  That all agenda items be taken in public as proposed.  Although the Chairman indicated that there may be times when the meeting may have to be adjourned to take legal advice.

Notice has been given pursuant to Executive Procedure Rule 2.6 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:

We the undersigned support the Liberal Democrat campaign to oppose housing development at Fant Farm.  We strongly feel that housing development of this land would not be sustainable.  It would result in the loss of agricultural land of the highest quality.  It would also have a devastating effect on the open landscape of this irreplaceable part of the Medway Valley and an adverse impact on Fant’s already inadequate roads.

The Petition relating to Fant Farm was not discussed at this meeting as the Chairman had indicated her wish to take it after the business relating to Agenda Item 9 had been concluded.

Please bring papers previously circulated.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to Maidstone Borough Local Plan – New and Amended Site Allocations.  The Decision Notice forms part of the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2015 and can be found in the body of those minutes.

Members received various urgent updates from Officers and worked through the two tables which detailed the recommendations from the Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with Officer comments in order that they could reach their decision on each site.

During discussions on H1 (39) Ulcombe Road and Mill Bank, Headcorn Members felt that they needed further information from Officers before they could reach a decision on this particular site.  It was therefore agreed to adjourn the meeting until 4 February 2015.

RESOLVED: That the meeting be adjourned until 4 February 2015 in order that Officers could provide further information relating to the infrastructure issue concerning the site at Headcorn

During consideration of an item relating to Headcorn (H1 (39) Ulcombe Road and Mill Bank, Headcorn, Members wished to receive further clarification from Officers on an issue relating to infrastructure and RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned to 4 February 2015.

9.30 a.m. to 7.05 p.m.