Agenda and minutes

The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Maurice Eastman, a former Assistant Treasurer, and Eric Philp who was known to Members as a long serving Curator of Natural History at Maidstone Museum and also through his ceremonial role as Swan Master.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Beerling, Cuming, Mrs Gibson, D Mortimer, Moss, Parvin, Mrs Parvin, Warner and de Wiggondene.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

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 12 December 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Mayor announced that:-

·  The Charity Quiz Night on 1 February 2013 had been very successful, and the sum of £1,958 had been raised for the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

·  He wished to remind Members of forthcoming events, including the Mayor’s Murder Mystery Evening on 1 March 2013 and the Charity Spring Ball on 6 April 2013.  He would like to thank Members for their continued support.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were no questions from Members of the Council.

Councillor Mrs Gooch, the Chairman of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report of the Working Group which had been set up to undertake a review of the Council’s governance arrangements.  Councillors Black, English, Newton and Vizzard then gave a short presentation on the work of the Group and its findings.  The Council was then asked to evaluate the four governance models presented and to agree which option to take forward.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor Mrs Wilson, and:

RESOLVED:  That Council Procedure Rule 19.1 be suspended for this meeting only, and that all of the options be voted on (each Member having one vote).  If there is not a clear majority of votes in favour of one option, then the option with the least number of votes will be taken off the list and a new vote will be taken.  The process will continue until there is a majority of votes for one option.

The voting on each of the options was as follows:

Note:  Two Members abstained from voting.

RESOLVED:  That with a clear majority of votes in favour, option iii be taken forward as the preferred model of governance for the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Hogg, seconded by Councillor English, and:-

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee (being the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees) be authorised to carry forward the option selected and to bring back to full Council proposals for its implementation.

2.  That no action be taken on the recommendation relating to the appointment of a Member Working Group to investigate the development needs of Members, and how this should be approached by the Council, as this work is already in hand.

6.30 p.m.to 8.10 p.m.