Agenda and minutes

The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Mr Morel D’Souza, a former Member of the Borough Council and Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone, who had passed away recently.

Prayers were said by the Reverend Ian Parrish.

Councillors Garten and Hastie entered the meeting after the prayers.

It was noted that Georgie Grassom, the Council’s Communications Manager, would be recording the proceedings.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bartlett and Prendergast.

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 English, seconded by Councillor Newton, supported by Councillors Round, Mrs Gooch and Adkinson, and

RESOLVED:  That David Sandru Naghi, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

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

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

It was moved by Councillor D Burton, seconded by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, supported by Councillors Mrs Wilson, Mrs Gooch, Harper and Powell, and

RESOLVED:  That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to Councillor Malcolm Greer and Mrs Brenda Greer 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 11 April 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed.

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

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Marion Ann Ring be duly appointed Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

The Mayor and Councillors Harper, Mrs Blackmore, Mrs Wilson, J Sams and Powell, on behalf of their respective Political Groups, paid tribute to Mr Morel D’Souza, who had passed away recently.

The Mayor updated Members on his priorities for the year and the Charities he would be supporting.  The Mayor also wished to congratulate HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle on their wedding later that day.

It was moved by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor English, and

RESOLVED:  That Mr Mark Brattle, Falconry and Wildlife Manager at Leeds Castle, be appointed as the Council’s Swan Master.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Wilson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gooch, that Councillor Cox be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor D Burton, that Councillor Perry be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Cox be elected as the Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor J Sams, that Councillor Mrs Gooch be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor D Burton, that Councillor Perry be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Gooch be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by Councillor Cox, that the amendments to the Constitution, including the Scheme of Delegations, be noted, and that the Constitution, as amended, be adopted.

RESOLVED:  That the amendments to the Constitution, including the Scheme of Delegations, be noted, and that the Constitution, as amended, be adopted.

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 Cox, seconded by Councillor Perry, that the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Policy, Communications and Governance.

RESOLVED:  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Policy, Communications and Governance.

(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)  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 Cox, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gooch, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to appointments to Committees and Substitutes, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, be accepted.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to appointments to Committees and Substitutes, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Cox, seconded by Councillor Perry, 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 Cox, seconded by Councillor Perry, 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, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, 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, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Cox, seconded by Councillor Perry, 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:

It was moved by Councillor Cox, seconded by Councillor Perry, 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, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, 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, as set out in the schedule circulated at the meeting, be accepted.

9.00 a.m. to 11.10 a.m.