Minutes Template

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD AT THE TOWN HALL,

HIGH STREET, MAIDSTONE ON WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2019

 

 

Present:

Councillor Mrs Ring (The Mayor) and

Councillors Adkinson, Bartlett, Brice, Brindle,

D Burton, M Burton, Chappell-Tay, Clark, Cox, Cuming, Daley, Fermor, Fissenden, Fort, Garten,

Mrs Gooch, Harper, Harvey, Hinder, Mrs Hinder,

Mrs Joy, Khadka, Kimmance, Lewins, McKay, McLoughlin, Mortimer, Munford, Naghi, Parfitt-Reid, Perry, Powell, Purle, Mrs Robertson, D Rose, M Rose, Round, Spooner, Vizzard, Webb and Young

 

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45.        Apologies for Absence

 

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Mrs Blackmore, English, Eves, Garland, Mrs Grigg, Harwood, Hastie, Newton, J Sams, T Sams, Springett, de Wiggondene-Sheppard and Wilby.

 

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46.        Dispensations

 

There were no applications for dispensations.

 

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47.        Disclosures by Members and Officers

 

There were no disclosures of interest by Members or Officers.

 

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48.        Disclosures of Lobbying

 

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

 

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49.        Exempt Items

 

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

 

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50.        Petitions

 

There were no petitions.

 

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51.        Question and Answer Session for Members of the Public

 

There were no questions from members of the public.

 

 

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52.        Questions from Members of the Council to the Chairmen of Committees

 

There were no questions from Members of the Council to the Chairmen of Committees.

 

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53.        Notice of Motion - Appointment of Honorary Alderman

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Mrs Gooch, seconded by Councillor Cox:

 

Appointment of Honorary Alderman

 

Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 states that a Council may confer the title of Honorary Alderman on any person who, in the opinion of the Council, has rendered eminent services to the Council as a past Member of that Council, but who is no longer a Member of the Council.  It brings no special rights, but is intended to reflect the esteem of the Council and of the wider community.  Maidstone Borough Council adopted a Protocol for such an appointment in September 2018 and it is now included in our Constitution.  It is proposed that Mrs Fran Wilson should receive such an honour.

 

Fran was a Member for High Street Ward for nearly 22 years; leader of the Liberal Democrat Group from 2007 to 2018; Leader of the Council twice: firstly in 2007/8 and again from 2015 to 2018 before stepping down from the Council in May 2019.  During that time she had served on every Committee, many as Chairman.

 

Hard working, determined, very thorough, hugely experienced, a consummate politician and a great strategic thinker, Fran’s contribution has been immense from start to finish: environmental issues were one of her greatest concerns.  She oversaw the Council’s change of governance from the Cabinet system to the Committee System, and during her last months as a Councillor she successfully led an in-depth review of that Committee system. 

 

She saw the significance of having a Local Plan in place and in the face of considerable opposition, her strength and determination helped to drive the Local Plan through to the public examination stage.

 

It is highly appropriate that the first person, upon whom this Council bestows the title of Honorary Alderman, should be Mrs Fran Wilson.

 

I therefore propose that in pursuance of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, this Council confers the title of Honorary Alderman upon Mrs Fran Wilson in recognition and acknowledgement of her eminent services rendered to the Council.

 

RESOLVED:  That in pursuance of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, this Council confers the title of Honorary Alderman upon Mrs Fran Wilson in recognition and acknowledgement of her eminent services rendered to the Council.

 

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54.        Duration of Meeting

 

8.15 p.m. to 8.35 p.m.

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