Minutes:
(a) Death of former County Treasurer Peter Martin
(1) The Chairman stated that it was with regret he had to inform Members of the sad death of Mr Peter Martin, former County Treasurer. Mr Martin passed away on Wednesday 19 June 2013.
(2) Peter joined KCC in June 1981 as Deputy County Treasurer and he took over as County Treasurer in January 1987.
(3) He retired from KCC in 1997 following the local government reorganisation and left behind a legacy of financial management which endures to this day over 14 years since his retirement.
(4) When Peter left KCC he was treasurer for the Kent Police Authority, a role he kept until he took over as treasurer of the Metropolitan Police.
(b) Running order
(5) The Chairman announced that, although the day’s agenda was a full one and he could not be sure how it would pan out, the Petition Scheme Debate would commence at 2pm. This would ensure that the external people attending for this item were not waiting around unnecessarily. He asked all Members to ensure that they were present at this time.
(c) The Queen’s Awards
(6) The Chairman informed the Council that he was pleased to announce that Kent has secured another three winners of The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service this year. They were:
· The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre, Tunbridge Wells which offers emotional support to cancer sufferers, their families and carers together with complementary therapies and counselling;
· Cobbes Meadow Group Riding for the Disabled, Canterbury which works at teaching people with disabilities of all ages to ride and improving their physical and mental abilities; and
· Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, Dover which manages two major Roman monuments which are open to the public seven months a year and runs educational workshops.
(d) September meeting
(7) The Chairman advised Members that he had agreed to move the September County Council meeting date from 12th to 19th September. This change of date was due to the fact that a major report had to be submitted to this meeting on which prior formal consultation was required and there is not enough time during August to do this.
(8) The changed date falls during a particularly sensitive inquest and so the Coroner will be using the Darent Room. The Chairman stated that he felt it would be inappropriate for Members to be milling around in the Stone Hall for lunch and so he gave Members notice that lunch would not be provided for this meeting.
(9) He stated that he was aware that it was the party conference season and he regretted the impact that moving the meeting would have on members of the Liberal Democrat Group wishing to attend their party conference in Scotland that week.
(e) Petition – Speed restrictions along Brenchley Road and Coppers Lane, Matfield
(10) The Chairman stated that he had received a petition from Mr Alex King signed by 503 residents living in the Brenchley and Matfield parishes of Tunbridge Wells, which asked KCC to consider the introduction of speed restrictions along parts of Brenchley Road and Coppers Lane in Matfield.
(11) In accordance with usual practice, he invited Mr David Brazier, Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment to approach the dais to accept the petition and ensure that it was investigated and responded to in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme.