
Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone
Contact: Caroline Matthews 01622 602743
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: There were no apologies for absence.
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Urgent Items Minutes: 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.
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Notification of Visiting Members Minutes: 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.
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Disclosures by Members and Officers Minutes: Councillor Burton disclosed an interest in Agenda Item 10
– Business Rates Reoccupation Relief as he was Chairman of
the Marden Business Forum.
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Disclosures of lobbying Minutes: 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.
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EXEMPT ITEMS Minutes: RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 May 2014 Minutes: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.
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Petition Notice has been given
pursuant to Executive Procedure Rule 2.6 of the intention to
present a petition in the following terms: I/We the undersigned
deplore Maidstone Council’s plans for a 25% increase in the
number of houses in Coxheath in the next 17 years – which
threatens to change our cherished Greensand Ridge Village into a
southern suburb of Maidstone, overwhelm local infrastructure,
destroy farmland, wildlife and generate an average of 2,700 extra
car trips every single day.
Minutes: 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.
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Petition Notice has been given
pursuant to Executive Procedure Rule 2.6 of the intention to
present a petition in the following terms: Minutes: 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.
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Accommodation Project (SCRAIP) Additional documents: Decision:
(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. Minutes: 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.
(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.
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Business Rates Reoccupation Relief Additional documents: Decision: That the Business Rates Reoccupation Relief Policy shown at Appendix A of the Report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits is approved.
Minutes: 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.
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Duration of Meeting Minutes: 6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.
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