4 Maidstone Borough Council Maidstone’s new committee system
Maidstone Borough Council has reviewed its decision making structures and will be returning to a committee system this May.
The executive system in which most decisions were made by the Leader of the Council and five other cabinet members is making way for a new system whereby most decisions will be made by committees of at least nine councillors.
The full council of all 55 Maidstone Borough Councillors will set council tax and agree the council’s budget. It will decide the council’s constitution, agree important plans and strategies and appoint the Leader of the Council, who will chair the Policy and Resources Committee. It will decide the powers of committees and sub committees and appoint councillors to them.
Most decisions will be taken by four new service committees: • Policy and Resources
Committee Considers the council’s budget and strategic plan, economic development and corporate matters such as risk management.
• Strategic Planning, Sustainability and
Transport Committee Considers the Local Plan, development management policies and transport matters including parking and park and ride.
• Communities, Housing and Environment
Committee Develops the housing strategy and waste and recycling strategy as well as making decisions of community development.
• Heritage, Culture and
Leisure Committee Considers matters about our parks and open spaces, events, the leisure offer and culture and heritage services.
Other committees will deal with regulatory functions such as planning and licensing and will continue in the same way as before.
The Leader of the Council will be the political and elected head, the focus for political direction and the chief spokesperson for the borough as well as an ambassador for the council.
Special Day
Communities, Housing and En vir onment Committee
Joint
T r ansportation Boar d
Policy and Resources Committee
es Recomm- Recomm-
endations Decisions Strategic Direction
Str ategic Planning,
Sustainability and T ransport Committee
P SHOP Full Council Emplo yment
Employment Committee
Planning Committee
Democracy Committee
Planning Referrals
eferr ? Audit,Audit, Gov ernance Governanc
and Standards Committee
Heritage, Cul ture and Leisure Committee
Cultur Museum & Gallery Museum & Gal m&G lery
Licensing Committee
Guiding principles
The aims for the new committee system include:
• The changes should be cost neutral • Increased councillor participation
• More effective and efficient decision making
• Improved and increased public involvement
• Promote inclusivity and listening • Concentrate on policy and strategy
This year’s Civic Day will be held on Saturday 23 May on the same day as the annual meeting of the council when Maidstone’s new Mayor will be elected.
Maidstone’s Freedom Parade and the inauguration of the Mayor have been combined on a Saturday to create a big celebration, with more people in town to enjoy the occasion.
A military band will play from 11am in Jubilee Square, and troops from 36 Engineer Regiment will exercise their right as Freemen of the Borough to march with bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating.
The parade will step off at 12pm from Week Street, turning into the High Street, where there will be a salute at the Town Hall. Once the parade has passed the Town Hall, the Mayoral party will lead a procession of military and civic dignitaries and Maidstone Borough Councillors down the High Street, into Mill Street and on to All Saints Church, where there will be a civic service.
The council will hand out Union Jack flags for people to wave during the parade. There will be some road closures in the morning to make way for the parade; we apologise for any inconvenience caused by these. Full details will be available at
maidstone.gov.uk.
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