Agenda and draft minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Gooch, Moss and Mrs Wilson.

The following Substitute Members were noted:-

Councillor Ash for Councillor Moss

Councillor Newton for Councillor Mrs Gooch

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

All Members stated that they had been lobbied regarding proposed changes to the Statement of Community Involvement 2013.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

Minute 44 – Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2011-2031

In response to questions, the Officers undertook to circulate to Members an update on the response of the Cabinet to the Group’s recommendations relating to the Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2011-2031.

The Group considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment regarding the responses and proposed changes to the Statement of Community Involvement Consultation Draft 2012.  It was noted that the proposed changes set out in Appendix A to the report had been incorporated into the amended Statement of Community Involvement 2013 attached at Appendix B.

The representative of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment advised the Group that arising from an email received from Councillor Harwood earlier that day, she wished to make the following extra minor amendments to the Statement of Community Involvement 2013:-

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 9 – delete ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ and insert ‘Gypsy and Traveller communities;’

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 14 – delete ‘Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’ and insert ‘RSPB’ to read ‘Local nature conservation groups e.g. Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB; and’

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 15 – insert ‘and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’ to read ‘Local countryside management groups e.g. Kent Downs AONB Unit and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership.’

During the ensuing discussion, it was suggested that a further amendment be made to the Statement of Community Involvement 2013 as follows:-

Page 16, paragraph 4.10 – amend second sentence to read ‘Once the principle of development has been established, local ward members, group spokespersons and local parish council members will simultaneously be invited to take part in the pre-application discussions.’

The Group supported the proposed changes to the Consultation Draft 2012 as set out in Appendix A to the report and incorporated into the Statement of Community Involvement 2013 attached at Appendix B, and also the further amendments proposed at the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Development be recommended to:-

(i)  Consider the responses to the Statement of Community Involvement Consultation Draft 2012 and the proposed changes attached at Appendix A to the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment; and

(ii)  Adopt the Statement of Community Involvement 2013 attached at Appendix B to the report subject to the following amendments:-

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 9 – delete ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ and insert ‘Gypsy and Traveller communities;’

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 14 – delete ‘Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’ and insert ‘RSPB’ to read ‘Local nature conservation groups e.g. Kent Wildlife Trust and the RSPB; and’

Page 5, paragraph 2.3, bullet point 15 – insert ‘and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’ to read ‘Local countryside management groups e.g. Kent Downs AONB Unit and the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership.’

Page 16, paragraph 4.10 – amend second sentence to read ‘Once the principle of development has been established, local ward members, group spokespersons and local parish council members will simultaneously be invited to take part in the pre-application discussions.’

6.00 p.m. to 6.25 p.m.