Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That all items on the agenda be web-cast.

It was noted that apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Gibson and Munford.

It was noted that Councillor Thick was substituting for Councillor Mrs Gibson and Councillor Gooch was substituting for Councillor Munford.

The Cabinet Member Councillor J A Wilson was present as a witness with regard to Agenda Item 8 – Draft Play Areas Strategy.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

RESOLVED: That the Items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 December 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed, subject to the addition of Councillor Yates having given apologies for that meeting.

Interviews with: Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, Councillor JA Wilson, Jason Taylor, Parks and Leisure Manager and Amanda Scott, Play Facilities Development Officer.

Jason Taylor, Parks and Leisure Manager, and Amanda Scott, Play Facilities Development Officer, were invited to present the Draft Play Area Strategy following the Committee’s consideration of the work done by officers on the Play Area Review at the Committee meetings on 22 April and 26 July 2013.

Following the recommendations made at the meeting on 26 July 2013, Officers have now produced the Maidstone Play Strategy – A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024.

Members asked for clarification on the definition of play areas, age groups and the funding available to parish councils who have a strategically important play area and felt it was important that these were made clearer in the Strategy, especially with regard to the match funding.

Officers answered questions raised by Members regarding, inter alia, fitness/exercise areas within play areas, the play area scoring matrix, a rolling programme of maintenance of the new play areas and internal consultation between departments regarding planning applications and S106 monies.

The following points were also raised by Members:-

·  The inclusion of Neighbourhood Plans;

·  The action plan needs to be in chronological order;

·  The importance for all local community groups to be made aware of the consultation; and

·  That the Committee be kept informed regarding progress and implementation of the Strategy

The Cabinet Member thanked the Officers for their hard work in compiling the Strategy and stated that he hoped this Strategy would be an exemplar for future strategies.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the draft Maidstone Play Strategy 2014-2024 is consulted on for a 5 week period, subject to the following:-

2.  That, following the consultation period and taking into account any objections and representations received, the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services be recommended to agree:-

a)  To adopt the Maidstone Play Strategy – A Strategy for Outdoor Equipped Play Areas 2014-2024;

b)  Approve a new borough wide standard for equipped play “That most residents across the borough will live within 12 minutes’ walk of a good play area”;

c)  The allocation of capital funding to allow the improvement of all strategically  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

The Committee considered its Future Work Programme.  Concern was raised regarding the meeting arranged for 30 January 2014 in that it clashes with a Licensing Committee, of which 5 Councillors were Members of both Committees.  It was agreed to look at the possibility of changing this date.

A Member raised the issue of older people’s services provided by outside agencies and how the Council linked into them and felt this was an issue that should be considered for review by the Committee.  It was felt that some scoping work was required and that consideration be given to including this as a subject to review in the next municipal year.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Future Work Programme be noted.

2.  That the Overview and Scrutiny Officer be asked to look at alternatives dates for the meeting currently arranged for 30 January 2014.

3.  That Councillor Vizzard liaise with the Overview and Scrutiny Officer  on scoping work regarding older people’s services.

6.30 p.m. to 7.32 p.m.