Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Chittenden.

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Joy was substituting for Councillor Chittenden.

There were no Visiting Members.

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 held on 19 July 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Group considered the report of the Head of Finance and Resources regarding the Tax Base for 2014/15.

The Group were informed that although the Local Council Tax Discount Scheme was agreed last year for a 3 year period, there was a report on the Agenda for the Council meeting that evening to consider the agreed increase again following public consultation.  It was therefore possible that the original agreed level of 13% could be amended and it was proposed that delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance and Resources to amend the Tax Base, should the level be amended and report this amendment to Council at the Budget meeting in February 2014.

RESOLVED:

a)  That, in accordance with the Local Authority (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by this Authority as its Council Tax Base for the year 2014/15 shall be 55,675.1;

b)  That, in accordance with the Local Authority (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by this Authority as the Council Tax Base for each Parish area as identified in Appendix B to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources for the year 2014/15 be approved; and

c)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Finance and Resources to amend the Tax Base figure, if required, following the Council meeting on 11 December 2013 and report any amendment to the Council meeting in February 2014.

The Group considered the report of the Head of Policy and Communications regarding appointments to Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED:

a)  That Councillor Black be appointed to the vacancy on PATROLAJC with immediate effect until 7 September 2017.

b)  That Councillors Nelson-Gracie and Mrs Parvin be appointed to the vacancies on Action for Communities in Rural Kent with immediate effect until 31 August 2014.

c)  That Councillor Paterson be appointed to the vacancy on Maidstone Area Arts Partnership with immediate effect until 21 May 2014 and further nominations be sought for the remaining vacancy.

d)  That Councillors Ash and Vizzard be appointed to the vacancies on Voluntary Action Maidstone with immediate effect until 6 September 2015.

4.00 p.m. to 4.25 p.m.