Agenda item

Question to the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services

Councillor Newton asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services:

It is good to see from the budget that additional resources are being made available to help the homeless and vulnerable in the Borough of Maidstone.  Can the Leader confirm how many homeless and vulnerable people, including “street sleepers”, reside within our Borough and how many are British Nationals and how many are Foreign Nationals and how they can be helped?

The Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services responded to the question.

Question to the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Act 2003 Committee

Councillor Vizzard asked the following question of the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Act 2003 Committee in the absence of the Chairman of the Committee:

During my time volunteering on the Urban Blue Bus on 30 November, I was advised that one of the clubs in Maidstone had oversold tickets for a “Ticket Only” event by 600.  This resulted in the footpath in the High Street being barricaded off so that they could “manage” the crowd who were waiting to get in.  This was done without any authority.  The Police wanted to close down the club but felt it more prudent to manage the situation so that a riot was avoided.  I witnessed the volume of people standing outside that were waiting to gain access to the club.  This was at least 2.00 a.m.

On the evening of the 14 December, another of the clubs had a situation where a fight broke out and spilled out into Bank Street.  On this occasion 10 arrests were made.

At the New Year celebrations, yet another club closed its doors after a fight broke out in the premises.  They evicted all of the customers at

2.00 a.m.  On 11 January a similar incident occurred.  Again the club closed at 2.00 a.m.

I have personal knowledge of these events which occurred when I was volunteering.  The question I would ask is:

Is it not time that the Council reviewed the process of revoking the licences of these premises if they break the terms of the licence and cannot control the clientele?

The Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Act 2003 Committee responded to the question.

Question to the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services

Councillor Vizzard asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services:

Perhaps the whole question of the Night Time Economy should be reviewed?

The Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services responded to the question.

Councillor Vizzard asked the following supplementary question of the Cabinet Member forCommunity and Leisure Services:

Having regard to the issues I have raised, does the Cabinet Member agree that this is not the image we wish to promote of the County Town, and does he agree that these issues should be addressed by all Members?

The Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services responded to the question.

To listen to the responses to these questions, please follow this link:

http://cdn.unique-media.tv/mbc236/interface#