Agenda and minutes

Mr M Snelling made a declaration of interest in respect of Item 6 on the agenda as a non-executive Director of Kent Top Temps.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February (subject to deletion of Mr K Sansum’s name in minute 4(8)) and 13 March 2008 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

There were none.

Under Procedure Rule 1.18, 10 questions were asked and replies were given.  4 questions remained unanswered at the end of thirty minutes and written answers were given.

The Leader of the Council updated the Council on the Localism agenda, Operation Stack, progress on LAA Partnerships and working towards an Economic Development Strategy for the South East.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The County Council notes the concern and distrust expressed by Kent businesses about the activities of KCC’s arms length companies and agrees to:-

(a)       ask its external Auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidy from rate payers and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationship between the County Council and these companies, and

(b)       assist in the setting up of a county-wide forum which would speak for Kent businesses, large and small, on issues affecting the viability of commerce and industry and therefore employment in Kent.

(1)       Mrs T Dean, Mr M J Vye seconded that:-

The County Council notes the concern and distrust expressed by Kent businesses about the activities of KCC's arms length companies and agrees to:-

(a)       ask its external Auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidy from rate payers, and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationship between the County Council and these companies, and

(b)       assist in the setting up of a county wide forum which would speak for Kent businesses, large and small, on issues affecting the viability of commerce and industry and therefore employment in Kent.

(2)       Mr N Chard moved, Mr M Snelling seconded, as an amendment, that:-

The County Council notes “the importance of maintaining the understanding of Kent businesses about the Council’s commercial operations” and agrees to:-

(a)       “continue as in previous years” to ask its auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidiary from tax payers and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationships between the County Council and these companies,

(b)       “use its existing communications channels to communicate effectively the purpose and activity of these companies to the business community, and

(c)        note the significant effectiveness of the Council’s activities outsourced to the private sector which is valued at many millions per year.

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

For – 46

Mrs A D Allen, Mr M J Angell, Mr A H T Bowles, Mr D L Brazier, Mr J R Bullock, Mr C J Capon, Miss S J Carey, Mr P B Carter, Mr N J D Chard, Mr A Chell, Mr B R Cope, Mr A D Crowther, Mr J Curwood, Mr M C Dance, Mr J A Davies, Mr C G Findlay, Mr K A Ferrin, Mr G K Gibbens, Mr R W Gough, Mr M J Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr P Hill, Mr D A Hirst, Mrs S V Hohler, Mr G A Horne, Mr A J King, Mr R E King, Mr P W A Lake, Mr C J Law, Mr J F London, Mr R L H Long, Mr K G Lynes, Mr R F Manning, Mr R A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R G Parry, Mr R A Pascoe, Mr L B Ridings, Dr T R Robinson, Mr J E Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr M V Snelling, Mrs E Tweed, Mr C J Wells and Mr F Wood-Brignall.

Abstain – 21

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

This was carried and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Chairman presented Mr Dave Lee of Dave Lee’s Happy Holidays with the Kent Invicta Award for his charity work for children in Kent.  Mr Lee also received a cheque for £5,000 which will be donated to his charity.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the report, its recommendations and the action plan for taking forward the Select Committee’s recommendations be endorsed;

(b)       the Select Committee be thanked for an excellent report on a complex, challenging and emotive issue;

(c)        the witnesses and others who provided evidence and made valuable contributions to the work of the Select Committee be thanked;

(d)       those partners and stakeholders who took part in the informal roundtable discussions be thanked for their professional commitment and support; and

(e)       the Cabinet’s resolution to hold a countywide event to launch this very important report, together with an event involving young people via the Kent Youth County Council be agreed.

RESOLVED that, pursuant to Procedure Rule 1.23 (3), these Minutes be noted.

Planning Applications Committee

Regulation Committee

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