Agenda and minutes

Prayers were said by the Reverend Ian Parrish.  During the prayers, the Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor

Dave Sargeant who had died the previous week.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from

Councillor Adkinson.

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 Mrs Blackmore, seconded by

Councillor Naghi, supported by Councillors Mrs Gooch, Harper and Powell, and

RESOLVED:  That Derek George Butler, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

Councillor Butler 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 BUTLER) IN THE CHAIR**

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

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by Councillor

Mrs Wilson, supported by Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Harper and Powell, and

RESOLVED:  That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to

Mr Daniel Moriarty and Mrs Shirley Moriarty 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 13 April 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor Daley, supported by Councillors Mrs Gooch, Harper and Powell, and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Malcolm Frank Greer be duly appointed Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

The Mayor and Group Leaders paid tribute to Councillor Dave Sargeant who had died the previous week.

The Mayor then announced that:

·  He wished to extend his condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed in the Egypt Air plane crash earlier in the week.

·  He wished to congratulate Maidstone United Football Club on its promotion to the National League.  He would be hosting a reception for the Club Manager and players in June, and all Members and Officers were welcome to attend.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Ring, seconded by Councillor Perry, that Councillor Mrs Blackmore be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

It was moved by Councillor Daley, seconded by Councillor Cox, that Councillor Mrs Wilson be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, five Members of the Council requested that a named vote be taken.  The voting was as follows:

Councillor Mrs Blackmore (23)

Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Boughton, Brice, D Burton, M Burton, Butler, Cuming, Fort, Garland, Garten, Greer, Hemsley, Mrs Hinder, McLoughlin, Perry, Prendergast, Revell, Mrs Ring, Round, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Webster and de Wiggondene 

Councillor Mrs Wilson (27)

Councillors Clark, Cox, Daley, Ells, English, Fermor, Fissenden, Mrs Gooch, Mrs Grigg, Harvey, Harwood, Hastie, Mrs Joy, Lewins, B Mortimer,

D Mortimer, Naghi, Newton, Pickett, Mrs Robertson, J Sams, T Sams, Vizzard, Webb, Wilby, Willis and Mrs Wilson

Abstained:  Councillors Harper, Munford and Powell

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Wilson be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

Note:  Councillors Garland, Springett and de Wiggondene left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.

It was moved by Councillor Cox, seconded by Councillor B Mortimer, and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Gooch be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2017.

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 Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Cox, that the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended

Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources (circulated separately).

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources (copy attached as Appendix A).

(a)  Policy and Resources Committee

(b)  Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

(c)  Communities, Housing and Environment Committee

(d)  Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee

(e)  Planning Committee

(f)  Licensing Committee

(g)  Employment Committee

(h)  Joint Transportation Board

(i)  Democracy Committee

(j)  Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

(k)  Planning Referrals Committee

(l)  Urgency Committee

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

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor

B Mortimer, 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 Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor English, that since the Maidstone Area Committee of the Kent Association of Local Councils will not be in a position to put forward nominations until after its AGM in June, Councillors Eileen Riden and Paul Butcher be re-appointed as Non-Voting Parish Councillor Representatives on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED:  That since the Maidstone Area Committee of the Kent Association of Local Councils will not be in a position to put forward nominations until after its AGM in June, Councillors Eileen Riden and

Paul Butcher be re-appointed as Non-Voting Parish Councillor Representatives on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Cox, that the Constitution, including the Scheme of Delegation and recent updates, be adopted.

RESOLVED:  That the Constitution, including the Scheme of Delegation and recent updates, be adopted.

To view the Constitution adopted with effect from 21 May 2016, please follow the link below:

https://services.maidstone.gov.uk/meetings/documents/s48549/MBC%20Constitution%2021%20May%202016.pdf

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor

Mrs Gooch, that the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be as follows:

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be as follows:

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor English, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointment of Members and Substitutes to serve on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be accepted.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointment of Members and Substitutes to serve on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor

B Mortimer, that the allocation of seats on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be as follows:

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of seats on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be as follows:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 17 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ACT 1989 ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES OUTSIDE THE USUAL POLITICAL BALANCE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO AGENDA ITEMS 14, 18 AND 20.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gooch, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointment of Members and Substitutes to serve on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be accepted.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointment of Members and Substitutes to serve on the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum Trust Committee be accepted.

9.30 a.m. to 11.25 a.m.