Agenda and minutes

Councillor McKay reserved his right to record the proceedings.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Couch, Jones, Khadka, Spooner, Springett, Summersgill, Sweetman, Trzebinski and Wilby.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

Councillors Burke, Cannon, Cooke, Cox, Forecast, Mrs Gooch, Greenan, Harwood, Jeffery, Kehily, M Naghi, Parfitt, Perry, Riordan, Rodwell, Russell, J Sams and T Sams stated that they had been lobbied on item 16 – Notice of Motion - Israel/Palestine Conflict.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Borough Council held on 17 July 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Mayor updated Members on recent and forthcoming engagements, including opening allotments; visiting local care homes and meeting residents and staff; attending formal events at Rochester and Canterbury Cathedrals; visiting local charities such as one based in Barming set up to provide events for elderly people living on their own; visiting a facility in College Road set up to provide an opportunity for isolated people to meet and talk; helping to open the Maidstone River Festival 2024; attending the Faversham Hop Festival; and attending the London Pearly Kings and Queens Costermongers Harvest Festival on the last Sunday of September.

The Mayor said that he wished to highlight the work of the Heart of Kent Hospice and the Council’s involvement in the Shaun the Sheep in the Heart of Kent art trail to raise funds for the Hospice.  He also wished to thank all the volunteers who did such a tremendous job in the Borough and to pay personal tribute to Councillor David Naghi for his work in making the River Festival such an enjoyable and popular event.

The Deputy Mayor advised the Council that he had been particularly proud to be involved in events for Culture and Heritage Week and to have the opportunity to show off buildings such as the Town Hall.

There were no petitions.

Mrs Susan Hogg to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement

With the ongoing problems with the new waste collection service Suez, please can Maidstone Borough Council tell me when are the residents of Maidstone going to be compensated for such a poor service?

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement responded to the question.

Mrs Hogg did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement arising out of the original question or the reply.

To listen to the answer to this question, please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsXQdTk2HkY&t=3055s

(a)  Leader of the Council

(b)  Cabinet Members

(c)  Chairmen of Decision-Making Committees

Councillor Trzebinski to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness (Put by the Deputy Mayor in Councillor Trzebinski’s absence)

I recently visited a young mother and her 12-year-old daughter in Ulcombe as she had written complaining about her social housing maintained by Golding Homes. I was appalled to see the condition of the house she is living in. On entering I was hit by a pungent damp smell, which pervaded the air throughout the house. There was damp in every room, in places the plaster had been stripped from the wall to let it dry out. The intention being to re-plaster it, but without getting to the root cause of the damp, it is pointless as it will only come back. Mould exists all over the house. One of the bedroom lights continuously flickered due to faulty wiring, window catches and doors do not fit properly. This situation has been going on for some months now with no resolution. The health of both occupants is suffering, and the mother already has asthma.

Can the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness please explain what controls are in place and steps being taken to ensure social housing is fit for purpose and, in particular, to improve Golding Homes’ servicing and maintenance management of properties which are sub-standard?

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness responded to the question.

The Mayor indicated that a written version of the answer would be sent to Councillor Trzebinski.

To listen to the answer to this question, please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsXQdTk2HkY&t=3055s

Councillor Jeffery, the Leader of the Council, submitted his report on current issues.  After Councillor Jeffery had submitted his report, Councillor Russell, the Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor English, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Cleator, the Leader of the Labour Group, and Councillor Harper, the Leader of the Independent and Fant and Oakwood Group, responded on the issues raised.

There were no questions from Members.

It was moved by Councillor English, seconded by Councillor Jeffery, that the recommendation of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee relating to amendments to the Constitution be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed Constitutional amendments to the rules on Quorum and Adjournments set out in the report of the Democracy and General Purposes Committee at agenda item 12 be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Harwood, seconded by Councillor English, that the recommendation of the Cabinet relating to the Local Development Scheme 2024-2026 be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the Local Development Scheme 2024-2026, attached at item 13 of the agenda, be adopted by the Council.

Notice of the following motion has been given by Councillor Cannon, seconded by Councillor Russell:

1.  Maidstone Borough Council recognises and notes the huge contribution made by Kent farmers, growers, and the wider Maidstone food and drink industry to the local economy, environment, and rural communities.

2.  Maidstone Borough Council commits to supporting local farmers, growers, and the food and drink sector by, where possible, ensuring that all food and drinks provided at Council-organised events are sourced from local suppliers, and always include Kentish meat and dairy, alongside local fruits and produce.

3.  As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Maidstone Borough Council, the Council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, local fruits and vegetable options, thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Cannon, seconded by Councillor Russell:

1.  Maidstone Borough Council recognises and notes the huge contribution made by Kent farmers, growers, and the wider Maidstone food and drink industry to the local economy, environment, and rural communities.

2.  Maidstone Borough Council commits to supporting local farmers, growers, and the food and drink sector by, where possible, ensuring that all food and drinks provided at Council-organised events are sourced from local suppliers, and always include Kentish meat and dairy, alongside local fruits and produce.

3.  As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Maidstone Borough Council, the Council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, local fruits and vegetable options, thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

Amendment moved by Councillor Harwood, seconded by Councillor English:

Maidstone Borough Council

1.  Maidstone Borough Council Recognises and notes the huge contribution made by many Kent farmers, growers, foresters, smallholders and the wider Maidstone Borough food and drink industry sector to the local economy, landscape, environment, biodiversity and our rural communities.

2.  Maidstone Borough Council Commits to supporting local farmers, growers, and the food and drink sector by, wherever possible feasible, ensuring that all food and drinks provided at Council-organised events are is sourced from local markets and suppliers. and always include Kentish meat and dairy, alongside local fruits and produce.

3.  As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Maidstone Borough Council, the Council will consider ways to encourage residents and businesses, where possible, to shop and procure locally, taking advantage of the wide range of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, local fruits and vegetable options, timber and other, thus celebrating the bounty of the Garden of England, reducing food miles, to our tables promoting seasonal and locally characteristic foodstuffs and sustainable forestry products, while and boosting the local economy.

4.  Will ensure that all of these priorities underpin both the local economy and wider ecological and human wellbeing objectives, that are at the beating heart of the ambitious new Maidstone Borough Council Strategic Plan. Only by working constructively and positively with the farming, forestry and local food and drink sectors can Maidstone Borough Council deliver upon its commitment to ensure healthier communities, a thriving circular economy, nature recovery, and effective climate change mitigation and adaptation.

5.  Asks Officers to investigate the viability of hosting a regular farmers’ market and occasional ‘quarter festivals’, as operated widely on the continent, in Maidstone town centre to act as a marketplace and shop window for local produce.

AMENDMENT LOST

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.9.3, at the conclusion of the debate, there being no proposal to refer the matter directly to the Cabinet, the Mayor referred the motion to the Planning and Healthier Stronger Communities Policy Advisory Committee.

Notice of the following motion has been given by Councillor Clark, seconded by Councillor Kehily:

This Council confirms the commitment it made as part of its response to DEFRA’s 2018 Landscapes Review, namely:

“Maidstone Borough Council will continue to build a case for the Greensand Ridge to receive ‘National Landscape’ designation”.

This Council will lead and co-ordinate a bid, either alone or with some or all of Kent’s Greensand Ridge Local Authorities, to Natural England and DEFRA seeking designation of the scarp and dip slope as a National Landscape.

Background:

The Greensand Ridge within the Maidstone Borough Council administrative arearemains a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, that still retains a remarkable biodiversity and unique historic and cultural heritage.

The scarp and dip slope retain characteristic ancient woodlands, orchards, historic wood pasture and deer parks, sunken lanes, deep stream-incised valleys, medieval field patterns enclosed by thick native hedgerows, historic buildings, ancient quarries, and relict areas of heathland and dry acid grassland.

Unlike more than 50% by area of the Greensand Ridge, Maidstone Borough’s section running from Boughton Malherbe in the east to Nettlestead in the west enjoys no such national landscape designation. This makes our section of the historic sandstone ridge profoundly vulnerable to insensitive agricultural intensification and urbanisation.

Such a designation will provide vital protection for this peerless landscape, its special flora and fauna, and crucially will support an appropriate level of celebration and promotion of local Greensand Ridge culture and heritage, all bringing benefits for local people, economy and environment.

The following motion was moved by Councillor Clark, seconded by Councillor Kehily:

This Council confirms the commitment it made as part of its response to DEFRA’s 2018 Landscapes Review, namely:

“Maidstone Borough Council will continue to build a case for the Greensand Ridge to receive ‘National Landscape’ designation”.

This Council will lead and co-ordinate a bid, either alone or with some or all of Kent’s Greensand Ridge Local Authorities, to Natural England and DEFRA seeking designation of the scarp and dip slope as a National Landscape.

Amendment moved by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor Mrs Gooch:

That an additional point be added after the point ending with ‘National Landscape’ to say:

This Council notes that the Greensand Ridge is one of 3 areas designated in the local plan as "Landscapes of Local Value" the two others being "The Medway Valley" and "Low Weald". Therefore, the Council will work to give "The Medway Valley" and "Low Weald" increased protection in law similar to the plans for the Greensand Ridge.

AMENDMENT LOST

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.9.3, at the conclusion of the debate, there being no proposal to refer the matter directly to the Cabinet, the Mayor referred the motion to the Planning and Healthier Stronger Communities Policy Advisory Committee.

Notice of the following motion has been given by Councillor Greenan, seconded by Councillor Harwood:

This Council:

·  Expresses deep sympathy for all those who have suffered or been affected by the long Israel / Palestine conflict. To those in the Borough of Maidstone who have been particularly affected by this conflict we offer our thoughts and support in this difficult time.

·  Condemns the murder and friendly-fire deaths of Israeli civilians, the taking of hostages by Hamas and latest upsurge in the wholesale slaughter of Gazan residents and associated destruction of property and infrastructure by Israeli Occupation Forces, with deaths potentially exceeding 186,000 according to a recent study in the Lancet.

·  Condemns the Israeli government for its brutal occupation, ethnic cleansing, settlement and long-running injustices against the indigenous Palestinian population, and latterly its disproportionate response to the 7 Oct attack.

·  Notes the United Kingdom’s central role and culpability for the long-running destabilisation and conflict that has blighted the region, including the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, 1917 Balfour Declaration and more recent foreign policy adventures.

·  Believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and the wider region.

·  Notes that the International Court of Justice has 26 January 2024 ruling that there is a ‘plausible risk of a genocide’ in Gaza and 19 July 2024 ruling that all third parties must end political, legal and material support for the illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, adding that Israel’s legislation and measures violate the international prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid.

·  Hopes for an immediate further release of all hostages and release of Palestinians held without charge and an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

·  Believes that Palestinians have an inalienable right of return, self-government and self-determination.

·  Believes the tragic recent events in Israel, Gaza, and West Bank and the wider region must not be allowed to divide our communities in Maidstone.

·  Condemns the increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and agrees that all forms of racism and prejudice have no place in Maidstone.

The Council resolves to:

1) Explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.

2) Offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.

3) Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call on the UK Government:

a)  to press all parties to agree:

i) to an urgent permanent, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, West Bank and Lebanon and to work tirelessly to resume a just and sustainable peace process;

ii) to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws;

iii) to allow the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 72.

Notice of the following motion had been given by Councillor Greenan, seconded by Councillor Harwood:

This Council:

·  Expresses deep sympathy for all those who have suffered or been affected by the long Israel / Palestine conflict. To those in the Borough of Maidstone who have been particularly affected by this conflict we offer our thoughts and support in this difficult time.

·  Condemns the murder and friendly-fire deaths of Israeli civilians, the taking of hostages by Hamas and latest upsurge in the wholesale slaughter of Gazan residents and associated destruction of property and infrastructure by Israeli Occupation Forces, with deaths potentially exceeding 186,000 according to a recent study in the Lancet.

·  Condemns the Israeli government for its brutal occupation, ethnic cleansing, settlement and long-running injustices against the indigenous Palestinian population, and latterly its disproportionate response to the 7 Oct attack.

·  Notes the United Kingdom’s central role and culpability for the long-running destabilisation and conflict that has blighted the region, including the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, 1917 Balfour Declaration and more recent foreign policy adventures.

·  Believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and the wider region.

·  Notes that the International Court of Justice has 26 January 2024 ruling that there is a ‘plausible risk of a genocide’ in Gaza and 19 July 2024 ruling that all third parties must end political, legal and material support for the illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, adding that Israel’s legislation and measures violate the international prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid.

·  Hopes for an immediate further release of all hostages and release of Palestinians held without charge and an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

·  Believes that Palestinians have an inalienable right of return, self-government and self-determination.

·  Believes the tragic recent events in Israel, Gaza, and West Bank and the wider region must not be allowed to divide our communities in Maidstone.

·  Condemns the increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and agrees that all forms of racism and prejudice have no place in Maidstone.

The Council resolves to:

1) Explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.

2) Offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.

3) Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call on the UK Government:

a)  to press all parties to agree:

i) to an urgent permanent, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, West Bank and Lebanon and to work tirelessly to resume a just and sustainable peace process;

ii) to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws;

iii) to allow the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

It was moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor Harwood, and:

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clark be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor Greenan, seconded by Councillor Field, and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Peter Titchener of Ulcombe Parish Council be re-appointed as a non-voting Parish Council representative on the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee and the Hearing Panel as required for a further period of three years with effect from the expiry of his current term of office on 12 December 2024.

7.05 p.m. to 9.01 p.m.