Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2007 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Mr M Vye

The Council noted that the Chairman had written to Mr Vye sending him best wishes following an operation. 

Awards

The Chairman informed the Council that the Authority had received four transport awards, Kent Adult Services had been awarded three stars for its performance in 2006/07, Finance had retained its top rated Level 4 for the CPA use of resources assessment, Children Families and Education had been rated as “outstanding” in an annual review of performance by the Office for Standards in Education and the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Legal and Democratic Services had had their Charter Mark certification renewed.

The Queen and Prince Philip’s Diamond Wedding

The Council noted that a letter had been sent to the Queen and Prince Philip congratulating them on their Diamond Wedding anniversary.

Under Procedure Rule 1.18, 9 questions were asked and replies were given.  One question fell due to the absence of the questioner and 5 questions remained unanswered at the end of thirty minutes and written answers were given.

The Leader of the Council gave a detailed review of the successes of the County Council during the year, informed the Council of the budget settlement and pressed the need to exert pressure for settlement for asylum costs and advised the Council that “Health Watch” would be introduced next year.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the Selection Committee be renamed the Selection and Member Services Committee and the NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee be renamed Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(b)       the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s terms of reference to be amended to read:-

            “To review and scrutinise matters relating to Health and Social Care in Kent and exercise the powers conferred on the Council under the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.”

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(1)       Mr C Wells moved Mr M Dance seconded that the 2006/07 Summary Activity Report of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board report be noted.

(2)       Mrs C Angell moved, Mr C Hart seconded, as an amendment, that the following words be added to the recommendation

‘but would wish to see a detailed follow up report coming back to the April 2008 County Council which would make specific reference to the final outcomes of the current Government Consultation on barring unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006’

(3)       The Chairman put to the vote the amendment set out in paragraph (2) when the voting was as follows:-

For - 18

Mrs C Angell, Mr T Birkett, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Dr M Eddy, Mr M J Fittock, Ms E Green, Ms A Harrison, Mr C Hart, Mr T Maddison, Mr J I Muckle, Mrs M Newell, Mr W V Newman, Mr R J E Parker, Mr A R Poole, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr D Smyth, Mr R Truelove.

Abstain – 6

Mr I Chittenden, Mr A D Crowther, Mr S J G Koowaree, Mr K G Lynes, Mr G Rowe, Mr R Tolputt.

Against - 37

Mrs A D Allen, Mr M J Angell, Mr A R Bassam, Mr A H T Bowles, Mr D L Brazier, Mr C J Capon, Miss S J Carey, Mr P B Carter, Mr N J D Chard, Mr A R Chell, Mr B R Cope, Mrs V J Dagger, Mr M C Dance, Mr K A Ferrin, Mr J B O Fullarton, Mr T Gates, Mr G K Gibbens, Mr R W Gough, Mr C Hibberd, Mr P M Hill, Mr D A Hirst, Mr R E King, Mr P W A Lake, Mr C J Law, Mr J F London, Mr R F Manning, Mr R A Marsh, Mr R J Parry, Mr L B Ridings, Dr T R Robinson, Mr J E Scholes, Mr J D Simmonds, Mr M V Snelling, Mrs P A Stockell, Mrs E Tweed, Mr C J Wells, Mr F Wood-Brignall.

Lost

(4)       RESOLVED that the 2006/07 Summary Activity Report of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board be noted.

Carried without a vote

(1)       Mr K Lynes moved Mr L Christie seconded that the report be noted and that thanks be passed to the Select Committee for producing a relevant and balanced report.

(2)       Mrs M Newell moved Dr M Eddy seconded that the following words be added to the recommendation:

“that the report be submitted through the Association of Directors of Social Services as part of the current consultation exercise on the New Deal for Carers”.

This was carried unanimously without a vote

(3)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the report be noted and the Select Committee be thanked for producing a relevant and balanced report; and

(b)       the report be submitted through the Association of Directors of Social Services as part of the current consultation exercise on the New Deal for Carers.

Pursuant to Procedure Rules 1.10 and 1.19A the Minutes of the Planning Applications Committee and Regulation Committee were noted.