Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no urgent items.

Councillor Greenan was present as a Visiting Member for Item 10 – Questions from Members to the Leader or Individual Cabinet Member.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 October 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There were none.

There was one question from Councillor Greenan to the Leader of the Council.

Question from Councillor Greenan to the Leader of the Council

‘At the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 12th June 2024 it was decided by the committee that the work on Health Inequalities would not be taken forward into the 2024/25 Work Programme. While there is clear evidence from various services working with residents across the borough that poor quality or inappropriate housing is having a negative impact on both their physical and mental health could the Leader of the Council please explain how they intend to address this issue?’

The Leader of the Council responded to the question.

To listen to the answer to the question, please follow this link:

Cabinet - Wednesday 20 November 2024 - YouTube

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

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The Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery stated that the item on Maidstone House and the Link Decarbonisation would be rescheduled for decision in January 2025.

RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities introduced the report and stated that a future report would be ready in January for Cabinet to consider if agreed. It was emphasised that local engagement had been conducted with establishments with Mid Kent College on the matter and that a press release on promoting local farmers markets would be released by the Council shortly.

The Cabinet were supportive of a farmers’ market in Maidstone Town Centre, and noted the success of other farmers’ markets in Maidstone.

RESOLVED: That

1. The motion relating to Kent Farmers, Growers and the Wider Maidstone Food and Drink Industry be adopted.

2. A further report on the matter be brought to the next meeting of the Cabinet in January 2025.

The Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management introduced the report and stated that there was potential for a national landscape designation at the Greensand Ridge. It was stated that the Kent Downs Landscape unit would consider potentially expanding the boundaries to include the Greensand Ridge if evidence was provided by Spring 2025.

The Cabinet were supportive of the motion and its attempt to extend the boundaries of national landscape.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The motion relating to Greensand Ridge – National Landscape Designation be adopted.

2.  A further report on the matter be brought to the next meeting of the Cabinet in December 2024.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The progress of the income banded scheme be noted;

2.  The scheme be recommended to Council and continues with the principles of the existing scheme and the percentage awards (maximum award of 80%) continue for 2025/26; and

3.  The grid amounts be recommended to Council and be amended in-line with the DWP annual percentage increase of welfare benefits for 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That the attached Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023-24 be noted.

RESOLVED: That

1.  Maidstone Borough Council’s (“the Council”) response to Southern Water’s Water Resources Management Plan consultation, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, is submitted to Southern Water.

2.  The Cabinet Member of Planning Policy and Management sends a letter to Southern Water with concerns in relation to waste water and treatment sites.

3.  The Cabinet Member of Planning Policy and Manager sends a letter to South East Water outlining points in the further comments section of the response to Southern Water.

(See Record of Decision)

RESOLVED: That the response attached at Appendix 1 and urgent update of the report, is submitted by 2 December 2024 to the consultation for the NHS 10 Year Plan.

(See Record of Decision)

6.30 p.m. to 7.54 p.m.