Agenda and minutes

It was resolved that all items be webcast.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs Stockell.

Councillor Brindle substituted for Councillor Mrs Stockell.

There were no Visiting Members.

Councillors FitzGerald and Mortimer disclosed an interest in item 9, Locality Boards – Written Update, by virtue of their position as nominated Members on the Locality Boards.  Councillor Yates declared an interest in Item 8 of the agenda, Parks and Open Spaces, by virtue of his involvement with the Friends of Mote Park.

It was agreed that all items should be taken in public as proposed.

It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November and 6 December 2011 should be agreed as a correct record of the meeting and duly signed.

Interview with Jason Taylor, Parks and Leisure Manager

The Chairman introduced Jason Taylor, Parks and Leisure Manager.

Mr Taylor gave a presentation explaining the way in which services had been delivered by the Parks and Leisure team in the past, the financial restraints and the impact of budget decisions on the Parks and Open Spaces team and new ways of working to achieve value for money.

The Committee were informed that the borough’s Parks and Open Spaces consisted of:

• 30 parks and open spaces;
• Green space types;
• 71 play area;
• 686 allotments; and
• 425 hectares total green space.

It was explained that the Parks and Leisure team consisted of a team of seven responsible for play areas, leisure centre, golf course, allotments, planning applications, trees, rivers, moorings, wildlife sites, sports and event bookings and Mote Park audience development. The Maintenance team known as Maidstone Borough Services were made up of the Parks Maintenance Team, a team of 14 who looked after Mote Park, Whatman Park, Cobtree, Clare Park, South Parks and Brenchley Gardens and a mobile team of 20 who looked after the rest of the borough.

It was explained that in the past there had been grounds maintenance contracts in place with rigid specifications. Two Monitoring Officers were employed to oversee the contact arrangements and ensure the work was being carried out as agreed in the contract. Mr Taylor explained that the result of this approach was that little ownership was taken and team were working for the contract rather than for the parks.  Teams were static (except in Mote Park) and anything that was done in addition to the specifications of the contact was done so at an additional cost.  Work had to be carried out even when it was not needed. For example grass was cut even if the weather had been dry and it did not need to be cut.  If it was not done the contractor would be fined by Maidstone Borough Council.  Tree Maintenance was cited as an example of an additional cost to the contract arrangements.

The Officer informed the Committee of the positive events of the past few years which included the adoption of the Green Space Strategy in 2005 and the successful Mote Park Lottery bid.  He also highlighted the appointment of an additional Parks Technical role in September 2009 and the two Green Flag awarded parks (Clare Park and Whatman Park), the benchmark national standard for parks and open spaces.

In 2010 the Parks Management Plans were updated, individual Management Plans for thirty Parks and Open spaces which provided the following information on each park:

• The relationship to the Council’s aims and objectives;
• Vision and objectives for the site;
• The site and its facilities;
• Management and maintenance;
• Forthcoming improvements;
• Funding; and
• Results of quality audits.

Mr Taylor explained the Parks and Leisure Team’s budget. In addition to the main budget allocation there was a separate budget for the River Park and Cobtree Manor Park because the River Park was part of a lottery bid and Cobtree was run  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

The Committee considered the written update on the locality board. Concerns were raised about cuts to youth services at a County level.

Members felt that a watching brief should be kept on the Locality Board as it was in its early stages and in particular the Council’s input and relationship with ‘ambition boards’.

It was resolved that the Locality board should be kept on the Committee’s agenda.

The Committee were informed that a Corporate Services and Communities Joint Overview and Scrutiny Meeting would be held on 7 February to consider the draft Parish Services Scheme.

The Committee considered its next review topic, Neighbourhood Action Planning. It was felt that representatives from pilot schemes should be invited along with an external organisation and Jim Boot, Community Development Manger.  The Chairman invited Councillor FitzGerald to recommend pilot groups involved in the Park Wood Neighbour Action Plan which would be the Committee’s focus.

It was recommended that Jim Boot, Community Development Manger and Pilot Groups along with an external organisation involved in the pilot Neighbour Action Plan at Park Wood be invited to the next meeting.

6.30 p.m. to 8.40 p.m.