Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone

Contact: Committee Services  01622 602033

Items
No. Item

122.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Clark.

 

123.

Notification of Substitute Members

Minutes:

Councillor English was present as a Substitute Member for Councillor Clark.

 

124.

Urgent Items

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 

125.

Notification of Visiting Members

Minutes:

There were no visiting members.

 

126.

Disclosures by Members and Officers

Minutes:

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

 

127.

Disclosures of Lobbying

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

 

128.

Exempt Information

Minutes:

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

 

129.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 8 December 2022 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2022 be agreed as a correct record and signed.

 

130.

Presentation of Petitions

Minutes:

There were no petitions.

 

131.

Question and Answer session from Local Residents

Minutes:

There were no questions from Local Residents.

 

132.

Questions from Members to the Chairman

Minutes:

There were no questions from Members to the Chairman.

 

133.

Forward Plan relating to the Committee's Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Minutes:

The Committee had concerns regarding why the Governance and procedural arrangements for CIL Ward spend decision had not yet been signed by the Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure. The Lead Member advised that he would be taking the decision on this matter on 23 January 2023.

 

The Committee raised concerns that they had not seen a report on S106 expenditure as requested. The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure stated he would ask the Head of Development Management to provide the information to the Committee.

 

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan relating to the Committee’s Terms of Reference was noted.

 

134.

Strategic Plan Refresh 2023 - 28 pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the report, and stated the Strategic Plan was approved in 2019 and required a refresh of focus. All the changes had been included, but the Committee needed to focus on those that related to Planning and Infrastructure.  The changes made to the Growth and Infrastructure section were minimal, however they did emphasise the importance of engagement.

 

The Committee felt the health and wellbeing aspect of those that are renting was a welcome change. In relation to parks and open spaces, the Committee would like an aspiration for continuation of improvement and would like further wording for future aspirations. 

 

The Committee requested confirmation on addressing developers not adhering to maintenance agreements. In response, the Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure stated that it would not be something for this document, but he would address it with the Development Management Team.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Executive be recommended to approve the proposed refreshed areas of focus for the Council’s Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2028, set out in Appendix A, subject to the amendments requested.

 

135.

Medium Term Financial Strategy and Saving Proposals 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report was introduced by the Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure, where he set out that there were a few changes to the previously discussed Fees and Charges report. He explained that in the report stated that the parking charges would increase within the next six months. However, the parking charges increase would now be removed and there would not be any proposed alterations for next year.  The increased budget for parking income would offset that change. The Lead Member drew attention to the bottom line of Appendix A as the Local Plan would be the only significant change, noting this is a one-off payment.

 

In response to questions from the Committee the Lead Member stated that he would not want to increase park charges as the Council wants to encourage people into the town centre.

 

The Committee raised the possibility of whether there was an option for a concession for residents, via night-time season tickets, that use the Council Car Park as there is no parking by their home. The Lead Member was requested to look into the matter.

 

The Committee were pleased that work on the flood barrier on Medway Street have begun, but some concerns were raised over the cost. The Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement stated that there had been some money secured from the Environment Agency and the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. Furthermore, the Council had not yet finalised the costings and there were opportunities to explore further flood prevention methods.

 

RESOLVED: That the Executive approve:

 

1.  The revenue budget proposals set out in Appendix A with the parking fees increase removed and the parking income budget increased by £200k rather than £100k to offset the removal; and

 

2.  The capital budget proposals set out in Appendix B.

 

136.

Maidstone Local Development Scheme (LDS) Update pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lead Member for Planning and Infrastructure introduced the report and explained the Council has an obligation to keep an up-to-date Local Development Scheme (LDS), so local people and stakeholders are kept informed. The timetable of the production of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD has been altered to include regulation 18a and 18b, resulting in amendments to the LDS. The Lead Member set out that the view of the Planning inspector was awaited on the Local Plan Review and the LDS would need to be amended post consideration by the Committee to take this into account. The change would be made prior to Full Council; however, it is not clear if it would be before consideration from the Executive.

 

RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended that the Local Development Scheme 2023-2025, attached at Appendix 1 to the report be recommended to the Council for approval.

 

137.

Duration

Minutes:

6:30 p.m. until 7:42 p.m.