Minutes Template

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday
25 November 2015

 

Present:

Councillor Mrs Wilson (Chairman), and

Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Brice, Chittenden, Cox, Garland, Mrs Gooch, Mrs Joy, McKay, Naghi, Mrs Ring, Ross, Sargeant and Mrs Stockell

 

 

Also Present:

Councillor Mrs Springett  

 

 

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99.        Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies were received from Councillors McLoughlin, Munford and Round.

 

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<AI2>

100.     Notification of Substitute Members

 

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Ring was substituting for Councillor McLoughlin and Councillor Mrs Gooch was substituting for Councillor Munford.

 

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101.     Urgent Items

 

Members noted that there were two urgent items, the first being on the Amended Agenda which was Agenda Item 14 – Report of the Head of Finance and Resources – Budget Monitoring 2nd Quarter 2015/16.  The second one being on the 2nd Amended Agenda which was Agenda Item 15 – Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town Centre.

 

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<AI4>

102.     Notification of Visiting Members

 

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Springett was present for Agenda Item 15 – Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town Centre.

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<AI5>

103.     Disclosures by Members and Officers

 

There were no disclosures from Members and Officers.

 

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<AI6>

104.     Disclosures of Lobbying

 

There were no disclosures of lobbying.



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<AI7>

105.     Exempt Items

 

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

 

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<AI8>

106.     Minutes of the Meeting Held on 21 October 2015

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.

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<AI9>

107.     Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 November 2015

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.

 

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<AI10>

108.     Presentation of Petitions (if any)

 

There were no petitions.

 

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<AI11>

109.     Questions and answer session for members of the public (if any)

 

It was noted that no questions had been received from members of the public.

 

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<AI12>

110.     Urgent Decision Referral from Communities, Housing and Environment Committee 17 November 2015: Public Spaces Protection Order for Town Centre

 

Members noted that the Decision Referral had been brought to this Committee as the Public Spaces Protection Order approved by the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee only covered the town centre and some Members felt that there were some anti-social behaviour issues in the rural areas as well and would like the Public Spaces Protection Order to reflect this or alternatively for a report to go back to the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee which provided details of an assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder in rural areas.

 

The Head of Housing and Community Services advised Members that a strategic assessment on crime and disorder reduction would be presented to the Housing, Communities and Environment Committee in March next year which would include an assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder across the Borough, including rural areas.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1)           That the desired outcome of the Decision Referral be endorsed which was as follows:-

“That the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee receive a report setting out a strategic assessment of anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder for the rural areas of the borough and recommended action for reduction of these issues”; and

2)           That the Committee also endorses the original decision made by the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee.

Voting:        For:  14    Against:  0   Abstentions:  0

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<AI13>

111.     Reference from Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee - Destination Management Plan

 

The Committee considered the Reference from Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee which requested that Members confirm their Committee’s representatives to be co-opted onto any of the Task and Finish Groups.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the following Members be confirmed as the Policy and Resources Committee’s approved representatives:-

 

a)   Working Group 1 – River Access

Councillor Stephen Paine
Councillor David Naghi (Substitute)

Voting: For:   13    Against: 0     Abstentions:   1

b)   Working Group 2 – County Town

Councillor Denise Joy
Councillor Stephen Paine (Substitute)

 

Voting:  For:  14    Against: 0      Abstentions: 0

c)   Working Group 3 – Events

Councillor Martin Round
Councillor David Naghi (Substitute)

Voting:   For:  14   Against:  0   Abstentions: 0

d)   Working Group 4 – The Countryside

Councillor John Perry
Councillor Louise Brice (Substitute)


Voting:     For: 14   Against:  0  Abstentions:  0



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<AI14>

112.     Report of the Head of Policy and Communications - Strategic Plan Performance Update - Quarter 2 2015

 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Policy and Communications which gave progress of key strategies, plans and performance indicators which support the delivery of the Council’s Strategic Plan 2015-20.

Members, whilst they noted the performance of the homelessness team, sought assurances that the resource level in this section was adequate.  The Director of Planning and Development advised that since the last quarter, the staff had been adequately trained and the figures had improved.

RESOLVED:

 

1)           That the position of the quarterly key performance indicators (KPIs), and updates on key strategies that support the Strategic Plan 2015-20 as set out in Appendix A to the report of the Head of Policy and Communications be noted; and

2)           That the areas where progress is not on track to achieve annual targets be noted.

Voting:   For:   14     Against:   0      Abstentions:    0

Councillor Mrs Stockell left the meeting at 7.20 p.m. at the conclusion of this item.

 

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<AI15>

113.     Report of the Head of Finance and Resources - Budget Monitoring 2nd Quarter 2015/16

 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Finance and Resources which provided an updated progress of the capital and revenue expenditure as at the end of September 2015, Quarter 2 of 2015/16.

In response to questions from Members, it was noted that:-

·         Resources had been put into the capital fund (2015/16) for flood defences but as there had been no call on the expenditure, it had been slipped into the 2016/17 capital programme.

·         The relevant staff had been made aware that the Pet Crematorium commercial project would be looked at as part of the future development of the Crematorium.

·         The issue of demand on temporary accommodation would be reported to Communities, Housing and Environment Committee in January 2016.

·         Members will receive a briefing note on the General Fund and earmarked Reserves position.


RESOLVED:

1)           That the Authority’s Revenue position at the end of September 2015 i.e. end of Quarter 2 for 2015/16 be noted;

2)           That the slippage position and re-profiling of the Capital Programme for 2015/16 be agreed; and

3)           That the details on the updated progress on the Collection Fund, General Fund Balances and Treasury Management activity be agreed.

Voting:   For:  13    Against:   0    Abstentions:  0

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<AI16>

114.     Duration of Meeting

 

6.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.

 

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