Agenda and minutes

The Director of Governance and Law reported apologies from the following Members:

Mr Mike Angell

Mr Chris Capon

Mr Alan Chell

Mrs Valerie Dagger

Mr David Hirst

Mr Richard Pascoe

Mr Leyland Ridings

Mr Chris Wells

(1)       Mrs Whittle declared a personal interest in item 6 (Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012/15 (including Council Tax setting for 2012/13)) in relation to any motion or amendment affecting staff remuneration as her husband was a paid officer of KCC.

(2)               Mr Cowan declared a personal interest in item 6 (Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012/15 (including Council Tax setting for 2012/13)) in relation to the debate on Specialist Children’s Services as he and his wife were registered foster carers for KCC.

(3)               Mr Lake declared a personal interest as a Trustee of the Kent Community Foundation in relation to the Big Society Fund in that work was being undertaken between the two organisations.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meetings held on Thursday, 15 December 2011, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)     Death of Mrs Brenda Simpson

The Chairman informed the Council with great regret of the death of Mrs Brenda Simpson on Wednesday 14 December 2011.  Mrs Simpson was the Conservative Member for Swale Central from 2005 until 2009.

Mr Bowles and Mr Willicombe gave tributes to Mrs Simpson.

 (b)    Death of Mr Terence Pears

The Chairman informed the Council with great regret of the death of Mr Terry Pears on Christmas Eve.  Mr Pears was the Conservative Member for Canterbury North from 1989 until 2001.  The Chairman stated it had been her privilege to bestow the office of Honorary Alderman on Mr Pears at the December meeting although, unfortunately, he was not well enough to attend the meeting and accept the award.

Mr Harrison, Mr Simmonds and Mr Vye gave tributes to Mr Pears.

(c)     Death of Mr John Francis

The Chairman informed the Council with great regret of the death of Mr John Francis on 4 January 2012.  Mr Francis was the Conservative Member for Medway South East from 1990 to 1993. 

Mr Ferrin gave a tribute to Mr Francis.

(d)     Death of Mr Dave Lee

The Chairman informed the Council with great regret of the death of Mr Dave Lee, comedian, entertainer, tireless charity worker and Kent resident.  Mr Lee was well known within the County for his regular appearances at the Marlow Theatre, particularly the annual pantomime, and for his charity work through ‘Dave Lee’s Happy Holidays’, providing holidays for disabled, sick and underprivileged children in Kent. 

Mr Lee received an MBE for his charity work in 2003 and was the first recipient of the Kent Invicta Award in 2008.  More recently, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Canterbury in recognition of:  “The great and lasting enjoyment that he has given to the people of Canterbury district over very many years; in particular in his comedy performances, his tireless fundraising work and support for local charities and, of course, as the Marlowe Theatre’s regular Dame in pantomime, never forgetting 'The Bench’”.  He was due to receive his award at a special meeting of Canterbury City Council at the end of January.

Mr Lee made an outstanding contribution to the County and would be remembered for bringing so much happiness to so many people through his comedy and his charity work.

Mr Marsh, Mrs Law, Mr Daley and Mr Cowan gave tributes to Mr Lee.

At the end of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mrs Simpson, Mr Pears, Mr Francis and Mr Lee.

After the silence, it was moved by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman and:

Resolved unanimously: that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of three of its former Members: Mrs Simpson, Mr Pears, Mr Francis; and also Mr Dave Lee and extends to their family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.

(e)     New Year’s Honours

The Chairman stated that it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

(1)       Under Procedure Rule 1.18 (4), 8 questions were asked and replies given.

(2)       Questions numbers 9 and 10 were not asked because the time limit for this item (30 minutes) had been reached, but the Chairman advised those Members that written answers to their questions had been provided.

(1)       The Chairman reminded all Members that any Member of a Local Authority who was liable to pay Council Tax and who had any unpaid Council Tax amount overdue for at least two months, even if there was an arrangement to pay off the arrears, must declare the fact that they are in arrears and must not cast their vote on anything related to KCC’s budget or Council Tax.

(2)       Mr Wood, Corporate Director of Finance & Procurement, gave a presentation on the various changes to central Government grants insofar as they related to the County Council and other aspects relating to the budget process, including his advice on the level of reserves.

(3)       Mrs Stockell moved, Mr R King seconded that:

(a)     Procedure Rule 1.12(2) be suspended in order that the meeting be extended to 5.00 pm, if necessary;

(b)     Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended in order that the Leader be allowed to speak for a maximum of 15 minutes, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Leader of the Labour Group for 10 minutes each with the Leader being given a 5 minute right of reply and the seconder of the original motion to also speak for up to 5 minutes;

(c)     Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended after presentations by Cabinet Members on their portfolios in the period of general debate that follows in order that speeches can be limited to 3 minutes; and

(d)    Procedure Rule 1.37(1) be suspended in order for the mover and seconder of the original motion to be permitted to speak on more than one occasion.

Carried without a vote

(4)       The Chairman also advised the County Council that should the period of general debate on each portfolio finish earlier than scheduled, the time for debate on amendments would be extended.

(5)       Mr Carter moved, Mr Simmonds seconded the approval of the contents of the attached 2012/13 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012-15 and to approve the following proposals:

(a)          the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals for 2012/13;

(b)          the Revenue Budget requirement of £904.321m;

(c)          the Capital Investment proposals of £692.469m over three years, together with the necessary use of borrowing, revenue, grants, capital receipts, renewals and other earmarked capital funds, external funding and PFI, subject to approval to spend arrangements;

(d)          the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix Bof the attached Medium Term Financial Plan;

(e)          the revised Treasury Management Strategy as per section 5 of the MTFP

(f)            the overall Revenue and Capital Budget proposals as presented in the white combed version of the Budget Book and Medium Term Financial Plan for:

(i)            Adult Social Care and Public Health;

(ii)          Business Strategy, Performance and Health Reform;

(iii)        Customer and Communities;

(iv)         Democracy and Partnerships;

(v)           Education, Learning and Skills;

(vi)         Environment, Highways and Waste;

(vii)       Finance and Business Support;

(viii)     Regeneration and Enterprise;

(ix)         Specialist Children’s Services

(x)           Localism & Partnerships;

          and to delegate responsibility to the portfolio holders to deliver their responsibilities within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

With the support of Members the Chairman stated that she would write formally on behalf of the Council to Her Majesty the Queen congratulating her on her Diamond Jubilee.