Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Jeffery indicated his wish to speak on Item 10 – Questions from Members to the Leader or Individual Lead Member (as appropriate).

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

Ms Rodwell asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

‘Earlier this year, KCC stated that 20mph zones could be sponsored by Borough Councils such as Maidstone.

 
During the summer, new research has shown that 20mph limits reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 25%. This is in addition to a significant reduction in accidents.

Last month, this Committee decided to reduce the AQMA and review its air quality action plan. Will this Committee therefore, ensure that as part of a new air quality plan, 20mph will become the default speed limit across the Borough and that this Council will find the money to do this, ensuring that Maidstone is a better, cleaner and safer place to live?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the question.

Ms Rodwell asked the following supplementary question of the Leader of the Council:

‘Is the Council still committed to the 2019 declaration of a climate emergency? It states that transport emissions in the borough is the largest amount of emissions in the borough, and also adhering to the carbon reduction milestones each year. And I know that the Council has said that we to make some really difficult decisions but in contrast this could be a very simple decision because it saves lives. I know it sounds naïve but in the light of the climate emergency declaration is there a reticence to act in comparison with other councils that are implementing the 20 mph zones?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the supplementary question.

The full response was recorded on the webcast and made available to view on the Maidstone Borough Council website.

To access the webcast recording, please use the link below:

https://youtu.be/yPpnYcHw45Q?t=1044 

Councillor Jeffery asked the following question of the Leader of the Council:

‘Can the Lead Member set out what provision and or support this Council will be providing for people who need a warm place to spend time in this winter, i.e. warm banks?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the question.

Councillor Jeffery asked the following supplementary question of the Leader of the Council:

‘You mentioned the three hubs; museum, Shepway and Trinity. They are all in the town centre is there going to be anything for the larger villages at all?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the supplementary question.

The full response was recorded on the webcast and made available to view on the Maidstone Borough Council website.

To access the webcast recording, please use the link below:

https://youtu.be/yPpnYcHw45Q?t=1316

Please note the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is considering the call-in of Proposed Changes to Maidstone AQMA and Request to Consult on New Air Quality Action Plan at its meeting on 22 November 2022.

The Director Strategy, Insight and Governance updated the Committee that the outcome from the call-in of ‘Proposed Change to Maidstone AQMA and Request to Consult on New Air Quality Action Plan’ was that no further action be taken.

RESOLVED: That the outcome of the call-in be noted.

There were none.

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The Forward Plan for the period 1 November 2022 to 28 February 2023 can be accessed here:

Your Councillors - Maidstone Borough Council

RESOLVED: That the Executive Forward Plan for the period 1 November 2022 to 28 February 2023 be noted.

The Head of Housing and Communities presented the report that had been written for the Executive at the request of the Communities, Housing and Environment Policy Advisory Committee.  The Lead Member for Communities and Public Engagement updated the Executive that whilst this report had been brought forward via the policy advisory committee, it had arisen out of a particular issue in relation to CCTV that she had taken action on and resolved to the satisfaction of the Members concerned.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

RESOLVED:That the Council be recommended to agree that no changes be made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the year 2023/24.

Consideration was given to a report setting out the 2022/23 financial and performance position as at 30 September 2022 (Quarter 2).  It was noted that a modest surplus was projected for the year, with a small amount of slippage in the capital programme.  The report had been seen by all the Policy Advisory Committees for their relevant areas.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Revenue position as at the end of Quarter 2 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant variances have been identified, be noted;

2.  That the Capital position at the end of Quarter 2 for 2022/23 be noted;

3.  That the Performance position as at Quarter 2 for 2022/23, including the actions being taken or proposed to improve the position, where significant issues have been identified, be noted.

4.  That the Risk Update, attached at Appendix 3 be noted.

5.  That the Recovery & Renewal Update, attached at Appendix 4 be noted; and

6.  That the UK Shared Prosperity Fund update, attached at Appendix 5 be noted.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the issues and risks associated with updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy are noted; and

2.  That the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the proposed approach outlined to development of an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 – 2027/28 and a budget for 2023/24 be approved.

See Record of Decision:

Your Councillors – Maidstone Borough Council

RESOLVED:That the Fire & Building Safety Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the report be adopted.

See Record of Decision

Your Councillors – Maidstone Borough Council

6.45 p.m. to 7.23 p.m.