Should
you wish to refer any decisions contained in these minutes to Policy and
Resources Committee, please submit a Decision Referral Form, signed by three
Councillors, to the Head of Policy and Communications by: Date: 26
January 2018
MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16 January 2018
Present: |
Councillors Barned, M Burton, Garten, Joy, D Mortimer, Perry, Mrs Ring and Mrs Robertson |
89. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Webb and Webster.
It was also noted that Councillor D Mortimer was running late.
90. Notification of Substitute Members
It was noted that Councillor Perry was substituting for Councillor Webster.
91. Urgent Items
There were no urgent items.
92. Notification of Visiting Members
There were no Visiting Members.
93. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.
94. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
95. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the agenda items be taken in public as proposed.
96. Minutes of the Meeting Held on 12 December 2017
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting
held on 12 December 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed.
97. Presentation of Petitions
There were no petitions.
98. Questions and answer session for members of the public
There were no questions from members of the public.
99. Committee Work Programme
The Committee considered the Committee Work Programme.
The Chairman advised that there would be an additional Crime
and Disorder Committee meeting to be held on 20 March 2018 which would start at
6.00 p.m. This meeting would be held before the Communities, Housing and
Environment Committee meeting which would start at
6.45 p.m.
It was noted that two reports had been moved to the April Committee meeting which were:-
· Homelessness Reduction Act
·
Delivering Affordable Housing
RESOLVED: That the Committee Work Programme be noted.
100. Strategic Plan 2015-20, 2018-19 Refresh
The Committee considered the report of Mrs Angela Woodhouse,
the Head of Policy, Governance and Communications which set out the draft
refreshed strategic plan.
Mrs Woodhouse advised the Committee that the current plan had been refreshed to
ensure contextual information was up to date and areas of focus in relation to
the action areas for 2018-19 were agreed.
Members were minded to accept the proposed changes to the areas related to the
Committee.
RESOLVED: That the refreshed Strategic Plan attached at Appendix A be noted and no further amendments be proposed from the Committee.
Voting: For: unanimous
101. Medium Term Financial Strategy & Budget Proposals 2018/19
The Committee considered the report of Miss Ellie Dunnet, the Head of Finance which set out the budget proposals for services within the remit of the Committee.
The Committee noted that the cumulative budget gap was currently set at £4.6 million.
Miss Dunnet highlighted a number of spending pressures attributable to the Committee.
In response to a question from a Member, Miss Dunnet advised
that the anticipated income for Heather House had not been realised due to the
temporary closure of the facility but it was expected that the income would
meet expectations for the next financial year.
Councillor D Mortimer arrived at 6.40 p.m.
RESOLVED:
1. That the revenue budget proposals for services within the remit of
this Committee, as set out in Appendix C to the report, be agreed
for submission to Policy and Resources Committee;
2. That the capital budget proposals for services
within the remit of
this Committee, as set out in Appendix E to the report, be agreed
for submission to Policy and Resources Committee.
Voting: For: unanimous
102. Fees & Charges
The Committee considered the report of Miss Dunnet, the Head of Finance which set out the proposed fees and charges for 2018/19 for the services within the remit of the Committee.
In response to Members’ questions, Officers advised that:-
·
Discussions are ongoing with KCC regarding the Marden/Ulcombe
Caravan Sites. The Officer would update the Member outside the meeting
·
Officers were exploring the frequency of the garden waste
collections and if the proposals prove cost effective then a report will be
brought before the Committee
·
That the contaminated land search fee was restricted by case law
· That the dog fouling penalty would be increased as part of the Dog Control Orders
RESOLVED:
1.
That the proposed discretionary fees and charges as set out in Appendix
1 to the report be agreed;
2.
That the centrally determined fees and charges as set out in Appendix 1
to the report be noted.
Voting: For: unanimous
103. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 6.47 p.m.