Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Sweetland and Mr Payne. Mr Rayner attended as substitute for Mr Payne.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are requested to declare any interests at the start of the meeting. Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and the nature of the interest being declared

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2018 are correctly recorded and they be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider a report from the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services and the Director of Infrastructure, which provides an overview and update in respect of the joint strategic acquisition of the former Royal Mail Sorting Warehouse and Offices, Sandling Road, Maidstone, with Maidstone Borough Council, following the last update to the Sub-Committee in September 2016.

Simon Dodd (Investment and Development Consultant), Ros Adby (Head of Business Partnerships and Relationships) and Karen Ripley (Head of Property Strategy and Commissioning) were in attendance for this item

(1)       Mr Hotson (Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services) introduced the report which provided an overview and update of the strategic acquisition of the former Royal Mail Sorting Office in Maidstone.  Mr Hotson outlined the background to the acquisition, the partnership arrangements with Maidstone Borough Council and the constraints on development arising from the nature of the site.

(2)       Mr Dodd gave a presentation which gave an overview of the process, outlined some of the site’s constraints, set out the emerging options and concepts for development and indicated the proposed next steps in the project.

(3)       Following the presentation, Mr Hotson and officers answered Members’ questions.

(4)       Resolved that:

(a)       The report be noted;

(b)       Further information about the future of Thameslink and train services to and from Maidstone be provided to Members; and

(c)        Mr Hotson’s assurance that Members would receive further updates before any decision was made about the future of the site be noted.