Agenda, decisions and minutes

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence.

It was noted that there were no Substitute Members.

That Chairman, in his opinion, agreed to take the verbal report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development – Appointment of Subject Leads as an urgent item due to three of the project areas already being active and requiring Member representation before the next meeting of the Committee.

It was noted that the following Visiting Members were in attendance:

Councillor Daley indicated a wish to speak on item 13;

Councillor Gooch indicated a wish to speak on items 8, 12, and 13;

Councillor Ells was in attendance as an observer.

There were no disclosures by Members of Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed.

An error was noted at paragraph 5 of the minutes where the word ‘Chairman’ should have read ‘Vice-Chairman’.

RESOLVED: That subject to the amendment of paragraph 5 of the minutes as per the minute book copies, that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

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

Members considered the Committee’s work programme for the municipal year 2016-17.

In response to questions the Head of Commercial and Economic Development advised that:

·  The sponsorship and fundraising policy would formalise the Council’s approach, which had been ad hoc to date. The policy would cover instances where MBC was seeking funding or sponsorship, for instance to cover the costs of holding a special exhibition at the museum.

·  MBC only directly delivered two events, the Maidstone Mela and Proms in the Park. A report reviewing festivals and events would be taken to a future meeting of the committee.

·  Following a budget briefing to all Members and a scene setting report to Policy and Resources Committee, a report on budget considerations would be taken by the Head of Finance and Resources to each of the service committees.

RESOLVED: That the committee work programme be noted.

1)  That the appointment of the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Committee to the Museums Strategic Board for the municipal year 2016-17 be noted;

2)  That Councillor Revell be appointed as the champion for the Sustainable Future for Mote Park business case for the municipal year 2016-17;

3)  That Councillor Newton be appointed as the champion for Bereavement Services for the municipal year 2016-17;

4)  That further information on the remaining service and project areas be circulated to Committee Members by the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, and nominations made directly to the Chairman and Head of Commercial and Economic Development for consideration in advance of the meeting to be held on 5 July 2016.

Members considered the urgent verbal report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development on the appointment of service area leads, and the tabled briefing note setting out the service areas and projects. It was explained that the Museums Strategic Board, the Visitor Economy and Destination Management Plan (DMP) Board and the Gabriel’s Hill heritage lottery fund townscape initiative working group were active and required Member representation before the next meeting of the committee.

The Committee requested further information on the service areas to include the frequency and time of meetings.

Councillor Newton was nominated as the champion for Bereavement Services for the municipal year 2016-17.

Councillor Revell was nominated as the champion for the Sustainable Future for Mote Park business case for the municipal year 2016-17.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the appointment of the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Committee to the Museums Strategic Board for the municipal year 2016-17 be noted;

2)  That Councillor Revell be appointed as the champion for the Sustainable Future for Mote Park business case for the municipal year 2016-17;

For - 8   Against - 0   Abstain - 0

3)  That Councillor Newton be appointed as the champion for Bereavement Services for the municipal year 2016-17;

For – 8   Against – 0    Abstain - 0

4)  That further information on the remaining service and project areas be circulated to Committee Members by the Head of Commercial and Economic Development, and nominations made directly to the Chairman and Head of Commercial and Economic Development for consideration in advance of the meeting to be held on 5 July 2016.

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

Report of the Head of Commercial  Paragraph 3 – Info re
and Economic Development -     Financial/Business affairs

Bereavement Services Development

Plan: Pet Crematorium

1)  That the revised access point be approved;

2)  That the siting be approved;

3)  That the submission of a planning application for the Pet Crematorium and additional improvements to the existing site, including improved disabled access and parking and expansion of the overflow car park, be approved subject to conditions regarding additional systems and pre-application meetings being undertaken with Ward Members and the relevant Parish Council.

The Head of Environment and Public Realm presented a report seeking approval to submit a planning application for a pet crematorium, to include siting, revised access point and improvements to the wider site of the crematorium.

Following discussion it was:

RESOLVED:

1)  That the revised access point be approved;

2)  That the siting be approved;

3)  That the submission of a planning application for the Pet Crematorium and additional improvements to the existing site, including improved disabled access and parking and expansion of the overflow car park, be approved subject to conditions regarding additional systems and pre-application meetings being undertaken with Ward Members and the relevant Parish Council.

For – 8  Against – 0    Abstain - 0

6.30 p.m. to 8.08 p.m.