Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hinder and Fissenden.

The following Substitute Members were noted:

Councillor Paine for Councillor Hinder;

Councillor Mrs Wilson for Councillor Fissenden.

There were no Urgent items.

Councillor Perry was in attendance to address the Committee on items 11, Destination Management Plan and item 12 Parking Charges in Mote Park.

Councillor Naghi was in attendance to address the Committee on item 11.

Councillor Sargeant was in attendance as an observer.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

Councillors Mrs Wilson and Ells declared they had been lobbied on item 12 Parking Charges at Mote Park.

Councillor Paine declared he had been lobbied in the past on the introduction of parking charges at Mote Park.

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

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 May 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Issues for Decision

To consider the approval and adoption of the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone, and;

To consider endorsing the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan.

Decision Made

1)  That the Committee approve and adopt the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone and endorse the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan provided a member representative from each Service Committee is included in the membership of relevant Task and Finish Groups; and

2)  That Councillor David Pickett be nominated as a member of the Destination Management Plan Steering Group.

The Head of Commercial and Economic Development and Ruth Wood from Visit Kent addressed the Committee providing a presentation on the contents of the report and the process taken for the development of the Destination Management Plan (DMP).  It was explained that with a DMP in place it would unlock sources of funding for the Council and businesses within the borough.

The Committee noted that members of the DMP Steering Group would include two Officers, a nominated representative from this Committee and various stakeholders from across the borough.  Linking the plan with other departments across the Council (i.e Street Cleaning) would be picked up through Task and Finish Groups which would include relevant Officers.  The Task and Finish Group subjects would be identified early on and prioritised.

The Committee agreed it was important to ensure all Council service areas were fully included in the development of the plan and this could be achieved by including a representative from each Service Committee on Task and Finish Groups looking at areas relevant to their terms of reference.

The Committee also agreed there needed to be a balance between promoting events and protecting heritage when moving the plan forward.

Voting

That the Committee approve and adopt the Destination Management Plan for the Borough of Maidstone and endorse the Action Plan accompanying the Destination Management Plan provided a member representative from each Service Committee is included in the membership of relevant Task and Finish Groups:

For: 9

That Councillor David Pickett be nominated as a member of the Destination Management Plan Steering Group:

For: 9  Against: 0  Abstentions: 0

1)  That the parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10 a.m. every morning;

2) (a) That the preferred options at paragraph 4 of the report of the Head of Commercial and Economic Development be approved as follows:-

* the parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10am every morning;

* stays of longer than six hours will be charged at twice the rate of the town centre car parks;

* a season ticket will be offered to borough residents at an annual cost of £40.  (Maximum stay of six hours with no return in 2 hours)

* special interest groups will qualify for concessions (no maximum stay)

(b) that authority is delegated to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to finalise operational details in conjunction with the Parking Services Manager; spend the budget in support of delivery of the project; to obtain the relevant permissions and licences to implement charges

(c) the Council will be required to enforce the scheme by way of a Traffic Regulation Order.  It is proposed that the enforcement function is delegated to Parking Services.  The cost of enforcement will be part of the operating costs.  The Council will also monitor and review the impact on parking in the areas around the park and identify measures to mitigate any adverse impact that may arise due to the introduction of charges.

3)   That delegated authority be given to the Parking Services Manager to issue concessions and free parking permits to volunteers of Mote Park Fellowship, community and special interest groups that already pay to use the park (such as Maidstone Victory Angling Club; Big Bang Productions, Cygnet Model Boat club; etc.); park residents; and charitable or community groups (such as Mencap) based on an agreed criteria;

4)   That a budget of £87,000 be earmarked for the delivery of the Mote Park parking charges project from the capital programme funding for commercial projects; and

5)   That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to spend the budget to implement the proposal to introduce parking charges at Mote Park.

Marcus Lawler, Commercial Projects Manager delivered a presentation explaining the background to charging for parking at Mote Park and other plans for the park.

The Committee noted any future increase in the charge for parking at Mote Park would be decided by this committee.

Concern was raised that residents living immediately outside of Mote Park, who may be affected by displaced parking, had not been consulted on the plans.  The Committee were informed that 1500 park users from across the borough and beyond had been surveyed about the plans.  The Traffic Management Order (TMO) which is a statutory process before parking charges can be enforced, will consult with residents living close to the park.  Any concerns raised by through this process would have to be addressed before the TMO could be agreed.

The Committee noted the budget required for the delivery of the project was £87,000 and not £77,000 as stated in the report.

Voting:

That parking charges of £1.00 for stays of up to six hours (with no return within two hours) be introduced to Mote Park from 10am every morning;

For: 6  Against: 2  Abstentions: 1

Councillor F Wilson asked for her dissent to be noted.

That delegated authority be given to the Parking Services Manager to issue concessions and free parking permits to volunteers of Mote Park Fellowship, community and special interest groups that already pay to use the park (such as Maidstone Victory Angling Club; Big Bang Productions, Cygnet Model Boat club; etc.); park residents; and charitable or community groups (such as Mencap) based on an agreed criteria;

For: 6  Against: 1  Abstentions: 2

That a budget of £87,000 be earmarked for the delivery of the Mote Park parking charges project from the capital programme funding for commercial projects;

For: 6  Against:0  Abstentions:  3

That delegated authority be given to the Head of Commercial and Economic Development to spend the budget to implement the proposal to introduce parking charges at Mote Park:

For: 6  Against: 0  Abstentions: 3