Agenda and minutes

The Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Mr Jeremy Hindle, a former Councillor and Mayor of the Borough, who had died in April.

Prayers were said by the Reverend Canon Andrew Sewell.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ash, Edwards-Daem, Long and Sams.

There were no applications for dispensations.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

It was moved by Councillor Garland, seconded by Councillor B Mortimer, supported by Councillor Mrs Gooch and

RESOLVED:  That Ian Richard Thick, a Councillor of the Borough, be duly elected Mayor of the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2015.

Councillor Thick then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.

**THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR THICK) IN THE CHAIR**

The Mayor received congratulations on his election from scholars representing schools as follows:

It was moved by Councillor Chittenden, seconded by Councillor Paine, supported by Councillor Mrs Gooch and

RESOLVED:  That the hearty thanks of this Council be given to Councillor Clive English for the admirable discharge of his duties as Mayor during the past year, and for his courteous approach to all sections of the community.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Borough Council held on 23 April 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by Councillor Chittenden, supported by Councillor Collins and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Daniel Patrick Moriarty be duly appointed Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Maidstone until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2015.

Councillor Moriarty then made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was duly witnessed in accordance with Section 83(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor welcomed all new Members to their first meeting of the Borough Council.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Ring, seconded by Councillor Greer, that Councillor Mrs Blackmore be elected as Leader of the Council until the expiry of her term of office as a Councillor in 2015.

It was moved by Councillor Harwood, seconded by Councillor B Mortimer, that Councillor Mrs Wilson be elected as Leader of the Council until the expiry of her term of office as a Councillor in 2015.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, five Members of the Council requested that a named vote be taken.  The voting was as follows:

Councillor Mrs Blackmore (25)

Councillors Black, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Butler, Collins, Cuming, Garland, Mrs Gooch, Greer, Mrs Hinder, Hogg, McLoughlin, Munford, Paine, Parvin, Mrs Parvin, Perry, Mrs Ring, Ross, Round, Springett, Mrs Stockell, Thick, de Wiggondene and J.A.Wilson

Councillor Mrs Wilson (22)

Councillors Chittenden, Cox, Daley, English, Fissenden, Mrs Grigg, Harper, Harwood, Mrs Joy, McKay, Moriarty, B Mortimer, D Mortimer, Naghi, Newton, Paterson, Pickett, Mrs Robertson, Vizzard, Watson, Willis and Mrs Wilson

Abstained (3)

Councillors Ells, Powell and Sargeant

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Blackmore be elected as Leader of the Council until the expiry of her term of office as a Councillor in 2015.

The Leader of the Council reported that her appointments to the Cabinet were as follows:

The Leader of the Council then reported that she had appointed Councillor Greer as her Deputy.

The Leader of the Council reported that the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions had been circulated for the Council’s information.

In accordance with Sections 15 and 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the allocation of seats to each Political Group in relation to its various Committees.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor Greer:

1.  That the Planning Referrals Committee comprise three Members, one from each of the largest political groups, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

2.  That the number of Substitutes for the Standards Committee be increased to one per political group represented on the Committee, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

3.  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended Appendix A (Scenario 2) to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications with the following adjustments:

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Planning Referrals Committee comprise three Members, one from each of the largest political groups, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.  

2.  That the number of Substitutes for the Standards Committee be increased to one per political group represented on the Committee, and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

3.  That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in amended Appendix A (Scenario 2) to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications with the following adjustments:

(A copy of the amended allocation of seats on Committees is attached as Appendix A to these Minutes).

(a)  Overview and Scrutiny Committees:

·  Strategic Leadership and Corporate Services

·  Economic and Commercial Development

·  Planning, Transport and Development

·  Community, Leisure Services and Environment

(b)  Planning Committee

(c)  Licensing Committee

(d)  Licensing Act 2003 Committee

(e)  Member and Employment and Development Panel

(f)   Joint Transportation Board

(g)  General Purposes Group

(h)  Standards Committee

(i)  Planning Referrals Committee

(j)  Audit Committee

In accordance with Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council considered the appointments to its Committees and Substitutes.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor Mrs Ring, that the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.

RESOLVED:  That the wishes of the Group Leaders with regard to the appointments to Committees and Substitutes be accepted.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor Paine, that Councillor J. A. Wilson be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Transportation Board for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor J. A. Wilson be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Transportation Board for the Municipal Year 2014/15.

NOTICE IS GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 17 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ACT 1989 THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES OUTSIDE THE USUAL POLITICAL BALANCE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO AGENDA ITEM 13.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore, seconded by Councillor de Wiggondene, that the Scheme of Delegation for Non-Executive Functions be agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Scheme of Delegation for Non-Executive Functions be agreed.

9.30 a.m. to 10.50 a.m.