MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held
on Wednesday
25 November 2015
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Present: |
Councillor Mrs Wilson (Chairman), and Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Brice, Chittenden, Cox, Garland, Mrs Gooch, Mrs Joy, McKay, Naghi, Mrs Ring, Ross, Sargeant and Mrs Stockell |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Mrs Springett |
99. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillors McLoughlin, Munford and Round.
100. Notification of Substitute Members
It was noted that Councillor Mrs Ring was substituting for Councillor McLoughlin and Councillor Mrs Gooch was substituting for Councillor Munford.
101. Urgent Items
Members noted that there were two urgent items, the first being on the Amended Agenda which was Agenda Item 14 – Report of the Head of Finance and Resources – Budget Monitoring 2nd Quarter 2015/16. The second one being on the 2nd Amended Agenda which was Agenda Item 15 – Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town Centre.
102. Notification of Visiting Members
It was noted that Councillor Mrs Springett was present for
Agenda Item 15 – Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and
Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town
Centre.
103. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures from Members and Officers.
104. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
105. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items of the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
106. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 21 October 2015
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting
held on 21 October 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.
107. Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 November 2015
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.
108. Presentation of Petitions (if any)
There were no petitions.
109. Questions and answer session for members of the public (if any)
It was noted that no questions had been received from members of the public.
110. Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town Centre
Members noted that the Decision Referral had been brought to this Committee as the Public Spaces Protection Order approved by the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee only covered the town centre and some Members felt that there were some anti-social behaviour issues in the rural areas as well and would like the Public Spaces Protection Order to reflect this or alternatively for a report to go back to the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee which provided details of an assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder in rural areas.
The Head of Housing and Community Services advised Members that a strategic assessment on crime and disorder reduction would be presented to the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee in March next year which would include an assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder across the Borough, including rural areas.
RESOLVED:
1)
That the desired outcome of the Decision Referral be endorsed which was
as follows:-
“That the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee receive a report
setting out a strategic assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder
for the rural areas of the borough and recommended action for reduction of
these issues”; and
2)
That the Committee also endorses the original decision made by the
Communities, Housing and Environment Committee.
Voting: For: 14 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
111. Reference from Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee - Destination Management Plan
The Committee considered the Reference from Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee which requested that Members confirm their Committee’s representatives to be co-opted onto any of the Task and Finish Groups.
RESOLVED:
That the following Members be confirmed as the Policy and Resources Committee’s approved representatives:-
a) Working Group 1 –
River Access
Councillor Stephen Paine
Councillor David Naghi (Substitute)
Voting: For: 13 Against:
0 Abstentions: 1
b) Working Group 2 –
County Town
Councillor Denise Joy
Councillor Stephen Paine (Substitute)
Voting: For: 14 Against:
0 Abstentions: 0
c) Working Group 3 –
Events
Councillor Martin Round
Councillor David Naghi (Substitute)
Voting: For: 14 Against:
0 Abstentions: 0
d) Working Group 4 – The
Countryside
Councillor John Perry
Councillor Louise Brice (Substitute)
Voting: For: 14 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
112. Report of the Head of Policy and Communications - Strategic Plan Performance Update - Quarter 2 2015
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Policy
and Communications which gave progress of key strategies, plans and performance
indicators which support the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan 2015-20.
Members, whilst they noted the performance of the homelessness team, sought
assurances that the resource level in this section was adequate. The Director
of Planning and Development advised that since the last quarter, the staff had
been adequately trained and the figures had improved.
RESOLVED:
1)
That the position of the quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs),
and updates on key strategies that support the Strategic Plan 2015-20 as set
out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications be
noted; and
2)
That the areas where progress is not on track to achieve annual targets
be noted.
Voting: For: 14 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
Councillor Mrs Stockell left the meeting at 7.20 p.m. at the conclusion of this item.
113. Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Budget Monitoring 2nd Quarter 2015/16
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Finance
and Resources which provided an updated progress of the capital and revenue
expenditure as at the end of September 2015, Quarter 2 of 2015/16.
In response to questions from Members, it was noted that:-
·
Resources had been put into the capital fund (2015/16) for flood
defences but as there had been no call on the expenditure, it had been slipped
into the 2016/17 capital programme.
·
The relevant staff had been made aware that the Pet Crematorium
commercial project would be looked at as part of the future development of the
Crematorium.
·
The issue of demand on temporary accommodation would be reported
to Communities, Housing and Environment Committee in January 2016.
· Members will receive a briefing note on the General Fund and earmarked Reserves position.
RESOLVED:
1)
That the Authority’s Revenue position at the end of September 2015 i.e.
end of Quarter 2 for 2015/16 be noted;
2)
That the slippage position and re-profiling of the Capital Programme for
2015/16 be agreed; and
3)
That the details on the updated progress on the Collection Fund, General
Fund Balances and Treasury Management activity be agreed.
Voting: For: 13 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0
114. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.