Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the appointment of Mr B J Sweetland in place of Mr N J D Chard.

To note the change in meeting date from 2 September to Monday, 12 September 2011 at 2.00pm.

The Committee noted a change in meeting date from 2 September to Monday, 12 September 2011 at 2.00 pm.

(1)       In respect of Minute 5 (2), the Head of Democratic Services and Local Leadership  informed the Committee of the Director of Law and Governance’s advice that it was a matter for each individual Member to register with the Information Commissioner and that this could not be done corporately.  

(2)       RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2011 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Head of Democratic Services and Local Leadership informed the Committee that the Labour Group had asked to be allocated a seat on the Education, Learning and Skills POSC, bringing the total membership of that Committee up to 13 and the overall total to 218.  This was agreed.  

(2)       The Committee noted that the membership of the Scrutiny Board remained at 10 even though the total number of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairmen would reduce to 9. It was therefore agreed that the spare place on this Committee should be offered to the Conservative Group Spokesman on the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee.

(3)       RESOLVED that the County Council meeting on 6 April 2011 be recommended to agree:-

(a)       the revised Committee structure and proportionality calculations set out in the report (subject to (1) above), including the establishment of the Education, Learning and Skills POSC; the Adult Social Services and Public Health POSC; the Specialist Children’s Services POSc; and the Customer and Communities POSC; and

(b)       that the Independent member of the Regulation Committee be offered a seat on one of its Panels whenever either the Conservative or Liberal Democrat Group elect to give up a place.

(1)       During discussion of this item, the Committee agreed that Members should be informed whenever a long-serving member of staff retired or left the employment of Kent County Council.

(2)       The Committee noted that Members were often unclear whether they were being consulted or advised about senior manager appointments. The Deputy Leader agreed to discuss with the Director of Personnel and Development how this process could be clarified.

(3)       The Head of Democratic Services and Local Leadership informed the Committee of the views of the Chairman of the Scrutiny Board in agreement with the proposals.

(4)       RESOLVED that the County Council be recommended to amend the Personnel Management Rules set out in paragraph 1 (7) of the report so that there is a clear and unambiguous process for notifying Members of all senior manager appointments as described in the report.

(1)       Mrs S V Hohler noted the advice from the Head of Democratic Services and Local Leadership that all Members had a dispensation to vote on their allowances. She nevertheless made a declaration of personal Interest as her daughter was also a Member of the Council. 

(2)       Mr L Christie moved, seconded by Mrs T Dean that the basic allowance for each Member be reduced by £1,000 per annum to the pre-June 2009 level.

                                                                        Lost 2 votes to 7.   

(3)       Mr A J King informed the Committee that he intended to bring a report to the next meeting of the Committee explaining how he intended the remainder of savings to be achieved.

(4)       Mr A J King moved, seconded by Mr K G Lynes that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed. 

                                                                        Motion Carried 7 votes to 2

(5)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)               the proposal to recommend the changes to the current Members’ Allowances Scheme be noted as set out in paragraph 1 of the report, subject to consultation with the Independent Remuneration Panel;

(b)               the current position with regard to achieving the balance of the savings target for 2011/12 be noted as set out in paragraph 3 of the report; and

(c)               the proposed budget reductions set out in paragraph 4 of the report be agreed.

(1)       The Committee noted that the four private company directorships were unremunerated.

(2)       RESOLVED that the appointment of Mr Gary Cooke as the County Council’s Elected Member Director on the Boards of Kent County Trading Ltd; Kent County Supplies Ltd; Kent Top Temps Ltd; and Kent County Facilities Ltd be agreed.