Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chittenden and McLoughlin.

It was noted that Councillor D Mortimer was substituting for Councillor Chittenden.  Councillor Mrs Ring was substituting for Councillor McLoughlin.

There were no urgent items.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no disclosures from Members and Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the items on Part II of the agenda be taken in private as proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes (Part I) of the meeting held on 23 September 2015 be approved as a correct record subject to the following:-

In relation to Item 56 - Urgent Decision Referral from Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee 8/9/15: Landscapes of Local Value

Paragraph 7 should read:-

Members were reminded that in the Maidstone Borough Wide Local Plan 2000 only a proportion of the Low Weald was actually designated, largely centred on the east of the Borough, including Headcorn but not stretching as far as Staplehurst or Marden (with the exception of a small area immediately east of Staplehurst unconnected to any other part of the Low Weald SLA).

There were no petitions.

It was noted that no questions had been received from members of the public.

1)  That the following Members be nominated as representatives for the specific Destination Management Plan (DMP) Task and Finish Groups:-

Group One: River – Councillors Naghi and Paine

Group Two: Town – Councillors Mrs Joy and Paine

Group Three: Events – Councillors Naghi and Round

Group Four: Countryside – Councillor Perry

2)  That Officers report back to the next meeting of this Committee more details on the methodology to be used for selection on the Task and Finish Groups.

The Committee considered the Reference from Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee which requested that the nominations already received from Policy and Resources Committee be confirmed.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the following Members be nominated as representatives for the specific Destination Management Plan (DMP) Task and Finish Groups:-

Group One: River – Councillors Naghi and Paine

Group Two: Town – Councillors Mrs Joy and Paine

Group Three: Events – Councillors Naghi and Round

Group Four: Countryside – Councillor Perry

2)  That Officers report back to the next meeting of this Committee more details on the methodology to be used for selection on the Task and Finish Groups.

Voting:  For:  15    Against:  0  Abstentions:    0

1)  That having noted the potential impact on claimants including those with disabilities, carers and other working age groups, the Committee recommends to Council that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme be maintained from 1^st April 2016 at its current level;

2)  That the Director of Environment and Shared Services be given delegated authority to make such technical changes as are necessary to maintain the effective operation of the scheme; and

3)  That the Council contributes towards the planned county wide review of the scheme and alternative schemes to be implemented for 2017/18 and request a further report on progress of the review in March 2016.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits which related to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme to be applied during 2016/17.

RESOLVED:

1)  That having noted the potential impact on claimants including those with disabilities, carers and other working age groups, the Committee recommends to Council that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme be maintained from 1^st April 2016 at its current level;

2)  That the Director of Environment and Shared Services be given delegated authority to make such technical changes as are necessary to maintain the effective operation of the scheme; and

3)  That the Council contributes towards the planned county wide review of the scheme and alternative schemes to be implemented for 2017/18 and request a further report on progress of the review in March 2016.

Voting:  For:  15  Against:  0  Abstentions:  0

That the disposal of the open space land hatched on the plan attached to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources be agreed subject to delegated powers being given to the Officer to negotiate with Golding Homes on the agreement in the terms requested by Members.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Finance and Resources which related to an approach by Golding Homes to purchase areas of open space land at Parkwood Parade in order to facilitate Phase 3 of the redevelopment of social housing in Parkwood.

Members expressed concern about whether the Council would be getting value for money and requested that some provision be put into the agreement to safeguard the Council’s position.

RESOLVED:  That the disposal of the open space land hatched on the plan attached to the report of the Head of Finance and Resources be agreed subject to delegated powers being given to the Officer to negotiate with Golding Homes on the agreement in the terms requested by Members.

Voting:  For:  15  Against:  0  Abstentions:    0

1)  That the installation of a solar microgeneration system (solar panels) at Maidstone Leisure Centre be approved;

2)  That a budget of up to £270,000 is made available for the delivery of the project;

3)  That Officers be instructed to obtain the necessary permissions and licences to implement the recommendations, including registration for Feed in Tariff; sale or export of electricity; and appropriate agreements with the District Network Operator; and to assign those permissions and licences as appropriate; and

4)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Head of Legal Partnership, to enter into and conclude negotiations with Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco regarding their purpose of the electricity generated.

Councillor Mrs Wilson left the meeting temporarily and Councillor Mrs Blackmore took the chair for this item.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services which related to the installation of a solar microgeneration system at Maidstone Leisure Centre.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the installation of a solar microgeneration system (solar panels) at Maidstone Leisure Centre be approved;

2)  That a budget of up to £270,000 is made available for the delivery of the project;

3)  That Officers be instructed to obtain the necessary permissions and licences to implement the recommendations, including registration for Feed in Tariff; sale or export of electricity; and appropriate agreements with the District Network Operator; and to assign those permissions and licences as appropriate; and

4)  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, in consultation with the Head of Legal Partnership, to enter into and conclude negotiations with Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco regarding their purpose of the electricity generated.

Voting:  14    Against:  0    Abstentions:  0

RESOLVED:  That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information for the reason specified having applied the Public Interest Test:

    Head of Schedule 12A and
  Brief Description

Minutes (Part II) of the meeting held  Paragraph 3 – Info re
on 23 September 2015  financial/business affairs

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes (Part II) of the meeting held on 23 September 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.

1)  That the factors as set out in the report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services that will form the basis of the decision making at the co-located meeting on 5^th November be agreed; and

2)  That bullet point 2 of paragraph 3.1 of the available options be identified as the preferred option.

The Committee considered the exempt report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services which related to the factors that would form the basis of the decision making at the co-located meeting on

5 November and the background information.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the factors as set out in the exempt report of the Director of Environment and Shared Services that will form the basis of the decision making at the co-located meeting on 5^th November be agreed; and

2)  That bullet point 2 of paragraph 3.1 of the available options be identified as the preferred option.

Voting:  For:  15  Against:  0  Abstentions:    0

6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.