Issue - meetings

(1)       The Chairman welcomed Miss Jennifer Powell, a sixth form pupil at the Westlands School in Sittingbourne, who was visiting the Democratic Services Unit for a week’s work experience.

(2)       He announced the receipt of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report of its inspection of Kent Adult Social Services in March, “Independence, Wellbeing and Choice”.  Mr Gibbens added his thanks and appreciation to KASS officers and asked that these be passed onto the staff who had taken part in the inspection.  He emphasised that only one other shire county had achieved the same level as Kent, and was delighted that Kent had performed so well against its peers, as this demonstrated its commitment to strong service delivery.  He said it was good that both the service delivery and capacity to improve had scored well as this illustrated Kent’s commitment to constant improvement.  All POC Members would be sent a copy of the Inspector’s report, and an item would be included on September’s agenda to allow Members the opportunity to debate it fully.

(3)       The Chairman referred to the Government Green Paper “Shaping the Future of Care Together” which Mr Mills explained had been published on 14 July 2009.  All POC Members were given a summary of the paper and all would be sent a copy of the full Green Paper.  An item on the Green Paper would be included in the POC’s September agenda, to allow Members the chance to debate it fully and contribute views before the end of the consultation period in November 2009.