Agenda and minutes

Prayers were said by the Reverend Canon Chris Morgan-Jones.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Daley and Mrs Mannering.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

It was moved by Councillor Chittenden, seconded by Councillor Paine, supported by Councillor Mrs Gooch and

RESOLVED:  That Clive Andrew English, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2014.

Councillor English then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.

**THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR ENGLISH) IN THE CHAIR**

The Mayor received congratulations on his election from scholars representing schools as follows:-

It was moved by Councillor Lusty, seconded by Councillor Warner, supported by Councillor Mrs Gooch and

RESOLVED:  That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to Councillor Nelson-Gracie and Mrs Nelson-Gracie for the admirable discharge of their duties as Mayor and Mayoress during the past year, and for their courteous approach to all sections of the community.

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 24 April 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Mrs Joy, supported by Councillor Mrs Gooch and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ian Richard Thick be duly appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2014.

Councillor Thick then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor announced that Councillor Hotson was the Chairman Elect of Kent County Council for 2013/14, and he wished him well for the coming year.

The Leader of the Council reported that his appointments to the Cabinet were as follows:-

The Leader of the Council then reported that he had appointed Councillor Greer as his Deputy.

The Leader of the Council reported that an amended version of the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions had been circulated for the Council’s information.

In accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the allocation of seats to each Political Group in relation to its various Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Hotson:-

1.  That the Standards Committee be composed of nine Councillors, politically balanced (5 Conservatives, 3 Liberal Democrats and 1 Independent for 2013/14), and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

2.  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended

Appendix A to the report of the Head of Democratic Services with the following adjustments:-

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Standards Committee be composed of nine Councillors, politically balanced (5 Conservatives, 3 Liberal Democrats and 1 Independent for 2013/14), and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

2.  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended

Appendix A to the report of the Head of Democratic Services with the following adjustments:-

(A copy of the amended allocation of seats on Committees is attached as Appendix A to these Minutes).

(a)  Overview and Scrutiny Committees:

·  Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services

·  Economic and Commercial Development

·  Planning, Transport and Development

·  Community, Leisure Services and Environment

(b)  Planning Committee

(c)  Licensing Committee

(d)  Licensing Act 2003 Committee

(e)  Member and Employment and Development Panel

(f)   Joint Transportation Board

(g)  General Purposes Group

(h)  Standards Committee

(i)  Planning Referrals Committee

(j)  Audit Committee

In accordance with Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the appointments to its Committees and Substitutes.

The Leader of the Conservative Group indicated that he wished to make the following adjustment to the lists circulated:-

Planning Committee – Add Councillor Mrs Stockell as a Substitute Member of the Committee.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Moss, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Mrs Ring, that Councillor J A Wilson be appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Transportation Board for the Municipal Year 2013/14.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor J A Wilson be appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Transportation Board for the Municipal Year 2013/14.

NOTICE IS GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 17 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ACT 1989 THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES OUTSIDE THE USUAL POLITICAL BALANCE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO AGENDA ITEM 13.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Greer, that the Scheme of Delegation for Non-Executive Functions be agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Scheme of Delegation for Non-Executive Functions be agreed.

11.15 a.m. to 12.35 p.m.