MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

PLANNING REFERRALS COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 DECEMBER 2008

PRESENT:   Councillors Beerling, Mrs Hinder, Horne, Hotson, Mortimer,

Parr, Ross, Sams and J Wilson.

Also Present:      Councillor Verrall

Apologies:           Councillor Yates

1.        NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Hinder was substituting for Councillor Yates.

2.        NOTIFICIATION OF VISITING MEMBERS

Councillor Verrall indicated that he would be attending the training session which had been arranged to take place immediately following the meeting.

3.        ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mortimer be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

4.        ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Hotson be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

5.        DISCLOSURES BY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

6.        DISCLOSURES OF LOBBYING

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

7.        EXEMPT ITEMS

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

8.        APPOINTMENT OF POLITICAL GROUP SPOKESPERSONS

RESOLVED:  That the following Members be appointed as Spokespersons for their respective Political Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09:-

Councillor Beerling            - Liberal Democrat Group
Councillor Hotson              - Conservative Group
Councillor Sams                - Independent Group

9.        PLANNING REFERRALS COMMITTEE

In response to questions by Members, the representative of the Democratic Services Manager explained that the meeting had been convened at the request of the Planning Committee to enable the Planning Referrals Committee to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, appoint Political Group Spokespersons and, following completion of these formalities, receive training as to its duties and responsibilities.  All Members and Substitute Members of the Committee had been informed of the arrangements.  Members indicated that they had reservations about the relevance of/need for the Committee and that they would raise their concerns during the ensuing training session.

10.     DURATION OF MEETING

6.30 p.m. to 6.50 p.m.