MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Cabinet
Minutes of the meeting held
on
Wednesday 11 June 2014
|
Present: |
Councillor Mrs Blackmore (Chairman), and Councillors Burton, Greer, McLoughlin, Perry and Mrs Ring |
|
Also Present: |
Councillors Mrs Gooch, B Mortimer, Newton, Round and Sargeant |
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1. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence.
2. Urgent Items
The Chairman stated that, in her opinion, the Petition relating to the proposed Park and Ride Site at Linton Crossroads should be taken as an urgent item as there had been an expectation that this would be presented at the June meeting of Cabinet. In addition, the two Officer Updates relating to the two Petitions being presented should also be taken as urgent items.
3. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor B Mortimer indicated that he wished to reserve
his right to speak on Agenda Items 8 and 9 relating to Petitions concerning the
proposed increase in development in Coxheath and the proposed Park and Ride
Site at Linton Crossroads.
Councillor Gooch indicated that she wished to speak on Agenda Item 10.
Councillors Newton, Round and Sargeant were also in attendance.
4. Disclosures by Members and Officers
Councillor Burton disclosed an interest in Agenda Item 10 –
Business Rates Reoccupation Relief as he was Chairman of the Marden Business
Forum.
David Edwards, Director of Environment and Shared Services also disclosed an
interest in Agenda Item 10 – Business Rates Reoccupation Relief as he was a Member
of the Town Centre Management Board.
5. Disclosures of lobbying
Councillors Burton, Perry and Ring stated that they had been lobbied in relation to Agenda Items 8 and 9 relating to the two Petitions concerning proposed development in Coxheath and the proposed Park and Ride Site at Linton Crossroads respectively.
6. EXEMPT ITEMS
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
7. Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 May 2014
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.
8. Petition
Mr. Anthony Cross presented a petition on behalf of residents
of Coxheath objecting to the proposals put forward in the draft local plan. In
presenting his petition, Mr. Cross made reference to the following:-
·
Coxheath is not a rural service, it is a small village with an
excellent community spirit
·
It was home to the famous World Custard Pie Championships
·
The scale of the proposed development in Coxheath would increase
housing capacity by 25%
·
The local school was already full to capacity and there was a 6
weeks waiting time to see a local doctor
·
There is already heavy traffic congestion through the village and
narrow footpaths along parts of Heath Road
·
The proposals would have a major impact on the village and there
would be gridlock at Linton crossroads
·
There was no local buy in for further housing developments
The Chairman thanked Mr. Cross for presenting his petition
and advised that his comments had been noted. She emphasised that in excess of
1500 responses had been received during the consultation period for the local
plan and these still had to be processed. Therefore no decisions had been made
yet on this.
Councillor Brian Mortimer also addressed the Cabinet and endorsed the comments
made by Mr. Cross and urged the Cabinet Members to take on board the strength
of feeling in Coxheath against further development.
9. Petition
Mr. Ron Ellis-Leagus presented a petition on behalf of the
residents of Coxheath objecting to the proposed Park and Ride Site at Linton
Crossroads. In presenting his petition, Mr. Cross made reference to the
following:-
·
The strength of local feeling against the scale of the proposed
development identified in the draft local plan which would increase capacity by
25%, some 1400 people had signed the petition
·
That Coxheath was a small village with a population of 500 in an
area of outstanding natural beauty and was on the greensands ridge
·
The area proposed for the Park and Ride car park was on a
greenfield site where farming was currently carried out and employment
opportunities would be lost should that go ahead
·
No motorway access, two small roads (at times single lanes)
coming into the village, no bus lanes
The Chairman thanked Mr. Ellis-Leagus for presenting his
petition and stated that it was duly noted.
Councillor Brian Mortimer also addressed the Committee and endorsed the
petitioner’s comments. He emphasised that he was a true believer of Park and
Ride but did not feel that the proposed site was in the right position. As it
was 4 miles out of the town, users would just be stuck in traffic much the same
as car users as there were no bus lanes.
10. Accommodation Project (SCRAIP)
The Cabinet considered the Report of the Strategic
Leadership and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee which
provided an update of the work carried out to date on the future accommodation
requirements of the Council.
Councillor Gooch addressed the meeting and advised that Maidstone House was
costing the Council £1m a year and that it was necessary to look at other
options for when the lease was due to expire in five years time. She
emphasised that there was an urgent need for a Project Officer to be appointed
to take the project forward.
In response to a question from a Member about what funding could be made
available for the recruitment of a Project Manager post, the Head of Finance
and Resources undertook to report back to either Cabinet or the Cabinet Member
responsible in July.
DECISION MADE:
(a)
That, in view of the significant costs involved in leasing and running
Maidstone House, approval is given to appointing a project manager, at the
earliest opportunity, to ensure all accommodation options (build, buy, lease)
are investigated and reported back on without delay; and
(b) That the informal, cross-party, Accommodation Working Group, continues to meet during the 2014/15 municipal year.
For further information regarding this Decision, please click here:-
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=840
11. Business Rates Reoccupation Relief
Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Revenues and
Benefits on a Government scheme to provide further business rate relief to
support businesses and reduce the number of vacant shops.
DECISION MADE:
That the Business Rates Reoccupation Relief Policy shown at Appendix A of the
Report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits be approved.
For further information regarding this Decision, please click here:-
http://services.maidstone.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=841
12. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.