Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ms Griffin, Miss Langley, Robertson, Sellar, Sharp and Verrall.

Councillors Ash, Burton, English, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Gooch, Harwood, Hinder, Mrs Hinder, Horne, Marchant, B Mortimer, D Mortimer, Nelson-Gracie, Parr, Sams and J A Wilson disclosed personal interests in the motion to be moved by Councillor FitzGerald relating to the concurrent functions scheme by virtue of being Parish Councillors.

Councillor English also disclosed a personal interest in the motion by virtue of being the Secretary of the Maidstone Area Committee of the Kent Association of Local Councils.

Most Members present stated that they had been lobbied.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Mayor announced that he was pleased that so many Members would be attending the Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 14 November.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

(a)  Leader of the Council

(b)  Cabinet Members

(c)  Chairmen of Overview and Scrutiny Committees

(d)  Chairmen of other Committees

There were no questions from Members of the Council.

We, the undersigned, hereby requisition an extraordinary meeting of the Council to consider the following Notice of Motion:

“We acknowledge the financial constraints that we as a Council have been placed under by Government and we identify with the Parish Councils sense of betrayal at the removal of the concurrent functions by the Borough Council.

However, we feel strongly that it is vitally important to continue to work with Parish Councils as partners, to deliver concurrent services.

We wish to be seen to be reasonable and measured in understanding of both the Parishes role in our community and the pressures of our budgetary constraints and we propose a reduction in grant by 10% per year for the next two years.

During this period the Concurrent Functions grant to be reviewed and evaluated and the opportunities and value of devolving powers be further considered and outcomes reflected in an updated Parish Charter.”

It was moved by Councillor FitzGerald, seconded by Councillor B Mortimer, that the following motion be adopted by the Council:-

“That we acknowledge the financial constraints that we as a Council have been placed under by Government and we identify with the Parish Councils’ sense of betrayal at the removal of the concurrent functions by the Borough Council.

However, we feel strongly that it is vitally important to continue to work with Parish Councils as partners, to deliver concurrent services.

We wish to be seen to be reasonable and measured in understanding of both the Parishes’ role in our community and the pressures of our budgetary constraints and we propose a reduction in grant by 10% per year for the next two years.

During this period the concurrent functions grant to be reviewed and evaluated and the opportunities and value of devolving powers be further considered and outcomes reflected in an updated Parish Charter.”

Amendment moved by Councillor J A Wilson, seconded by Councillor Garland, that the motion be deleted and the following inserted:-

“That this Council supports the move for further discussions with the Parishes concerning the administration and distribution of concurrent functions funding.

The Council believes that no decision on this should be made until the discussions arranged between the relevant Cabinet Member, Leader of the Council, Senior Officers and representatives of KALC Maidstone have taken place later this month.”

With the agreement of the mover and the seconder and the remainder of the Council, the amendment was altered by the deletion of the second paragraph and the insertion of the following:-

“The Council believes that no decision on the precise percentage reductionto concurrent functions should be made until the discussions arranged between the relevant Cabinet Member, Leader of the Council, Senior Officers and representatives of KALC Maidstone have taken place later this month and the consequent Maidstone Borough Council position has been communicated to Parish Councils for consultation according to procedures and timescales as laid down in the Parish Charter.”

AMENDMENT (AS ALTERED) CARRIED

The substantive motion was then put to the vote.

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

RESOLVED:  That this Council supports the move for further discussions with the Parishes concerning the administration and distribution of concurrent functions funding.

The Council believes that no decision on the precise percentage reductionto concurrent functions should be made until the discussions arranged between the relevant Cabinet Member, Leader of the Council, Senior Officers and representatives of KALC Maidstone have taken place later this month and the consequent Maidstone Borough Council position has been communicated to Parish Councils for consultation according to procedures and timescales as laid down in the Parish Charter.

6.30 p.m. to 7.20 p.m.