Agenda and minutes

The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Mr John Hooper, a former Civic Officer, who died in November 2011.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Beerling, Robertson, Mrs Robertson and Springett.

All Members present disclosed a personal interest in the report of the Standards Committee relating to the Members’ Allowances scheme by virtue of being potential recipients.

Councillor FitzGerald disclosed a personal interest in the question he was to ask of the Leader of the Council relating to the Kent County Playing Fields Association by virtue of being the Council’s representative on the Association.

Councillor Hotson disclosed a personal interest in the question to be asked of the Leader of the Council relating to the Kent County Playing Fields Association by virtue of being a life member of the Association.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Borough Council held on 21 September 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Mayor announced that it gave him great pleasure to welcome staff and students from St Augustine Academy to the meeting.  On behalf of the Council, he would like to thank the staff, students, parents and governors of Astor of Hever School for their hard work in recent years, culminating in a superb Ofsted result, making Astor of Hever one of the most improved schools in the country, and to congratulate Woodard Schools on their successful reopening of the School as the new St Augustine Academy.

On behalf of the Mayor of Beauvais, Councillor Parvin then presented a silver plaque to the Mayor to celebrate fifty years of twinning links between the two towns.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from Members of the public.

Questions to the Leader of the Council

Councillor FitzGerald asked a question of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council responded to this question.

Councillor Mrs Wilson asked a question and a supplementary question of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council responded to these questions.

Question to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport

Councillor Sams asked a question of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport responded to this question.

The Leader of the Council submitted his report on current issues.

After the Leader of the Council had submitted his report, Councillor Mrs Wilson, the Leader of the Opposition, and Councillor FitzGerald, the Leader of the Independent Group, responded to the issues raised.

The Leader of the Council then responded to the points raised by Councillors Mrs Wilson and FitzGerald.

It was moved by Councillor Nelson-Gracie, seconded by Councillor Burton, that the recommendation of the Audit Committee relating to the proposed amendment of the Contract Procedure Rules within the Constitution be approved.

Councillor Parvin, the Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee, advised the Council that, in accordance with Article 15.02 (a) of the Constitution, the Standards Committee had evaluated the proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules within the Constitution and had no comments to make.

RESOLVED:  That the Contract Procedure Rules within the Constitution be amended in accordance with the proposed wording set out in Appendix A to the report of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services.

It was moved by Councillor Parvin, seconded by Councillor Garland, that the recommendation of the Standards Committee relating to the Members’ Allowances Scheme be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances for Maidstone Borough Council, as set out in the report attached as an Appendix to the report of the Standards Committee, be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Parvin, seconded by Councillor English, that the recommendation of the Standards Committee relating to the extension of the terms of office of the Independent Members and Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the terms of office of the existing Independent Members and Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee be extended until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2013 or until such time that the arrangements in relation to the new ethical standards regime have been finalised.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Hinder, seconded by Councillor Vizzard, that the recommendations of the General Purposes Group arising from the polling place review be approved.

RESOLVED:  That no changes be made to Polling Stations, except for the following:-

It was moved by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Nelson-Gracie, that the recommendation contained in the report of the Head of Democratic Services relating to the calendar of meetings for the forthcoming Municipal Year be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the calendar of meetings for 2012/13, attached as Appendix A to the report of the Head of Democratic Services, be approved.

The Head of Democratic Services advised the Council that he wished to make the following amendment to his report to reflect the wishes of the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group:-

Maidstone Joint Transportation Board

Substitute Members

Insert Councillor Mrs Robertson.

It was moved by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor English, that the recommendation contained in the report of the Head of Democratic Services relating to the membership of Committees, as amended, be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups with regard to the membership of Committees, as set out in the report of the Head of Democratic Services and as updated at the meeting, be approved.

The Mayor announced that this report was for information only.

6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.