MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Urgency Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 31 May 2018
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Present: |
Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Cox, Mrs Gooch, Harper and Newton |
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillors Perry and Powell.
2. Notification of Substitute Members
Councillor Blackmore was present as a substitute for Councillor Perry and Councillor Newton was present as a substitute for Councillor Powell.
3. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor D Burton was present as a visiting member and indicated his wish to speak on item 10. Legal Proceedings.
Councillor M Burton was present as a visiting member to observe.
4. Election of Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor Cox is elected Chairman.
5. Appointment of Vice-Chairman
RESOLVED: That Councillor Harper is appointed Vice Chairman.
6. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
7. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the room during consideration of item 10. Legal Proceedings due to the possible disclosure of exempt information.
8. Minutes (Part I) of the meeting held on 8 July 2015
RESOLVED: That the minutes (Part I) of the meeting held on 8 July 2015 are agreed as a correct record and signed.
9. Exclusion of the Press and Public
RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the room for the reasons set out in the report having applied the public interest test.
10. Minutes (Part II) of the meeting held on 8 July 2015
RESOLVED: That the minutes (Part I) of the meeting held on 8 July 2015 are agreed as a correct record and signed.
11. Legal Proceedings
Ms Patricia Narebor, Head of Legal Partnership, presented a report to the Committee setting out the basis for initiating legal proceedings against a third party.
Ms Narebor outlined the basis of the legal challenge against the third party.
In response to a question from the Committee, Mrs Alison Broom, Chief Executive, outlined the steps that MBC had taken to attempt to resolve this issue without resorting to legal action.
The Committee expressed its total confidence in the professionalism of MBC’s leadership team when dealing with this issue, and requested its confidence to be recorded in the minutes.
RESOLVED:
1. That authorisation is given to the service and progress to conclusion of legal proceedings to protect the Council’s interest.
2. That delegated authority is granted to the Chief Executive to negotiate and conclude settlement options with the third party where opportunities arise.
Voting: Unanimous
12. Duration of Meeting
4.00 p.m. to 5.22 p.m.