Agenda and minutes

The Head of Democratic Services reported apologies from Mr Holden.

Mr Cowan declared an interest in that both he and his wife were foster carers for Kent County Council.

Mr Koowaree declared an interest as his grand-child was a looked after child.

Mr Marsh declared an interest under item 10 (Motion for Time Limited Debate on the future of Manston Airport) and advised the County Council that he would not take part in the debate or vote on the Motion.

RESOLVED: that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the word “increasing” being changed to “increase” in paragraph 27 of item 9 on the minutes.

(a)          Long Service to Kent County Council

(1)          The Chairman stated that it was his pleasure to announce that Mr Martin Vye had recently completed 25 years’ service as an elected Member of Kent County Council.

(b)          Queen’s Birthday Honours List

(2)          The Chairman stated that it was his great pleasure to announce that the following individuals had been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List:

(3)          Mrs Ann Allen – Member for Wilmington, for services to the community in Wilmington and Dartford.

(4)          Mrs Trudy Dean – Member for Malling Central, for services to the community in West Malling.

(5)          Ms Shuna Body – one of KCC’s Community Engagement Officers, for services to wheelchair fencing.

(6)          On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman offered his sincere congratulations to all concerned.

(c)          Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – Kent Special Constabulary

(7)          The Chairman stated that he was delighted to advise Member that Kent had received one winner of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services this year: Kent Special Constabulary.

(8)          The Kent Special Constabulary was made up of 379 volunteers, with the youngest member being 18 and the oldest at 66. Lengths of service ranged from 1 to 45 years and all were unpaid Police Special Constables.

(9)          Members noted that a formal presentation of the Award and Certificate would be made later in the year by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

(10)       On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman offered his sincere congratulations to all concerned.   

(d)       Nijmegen Marches

(11)       The Chairman stated that he was pleased to advise the County Council that the Kent Wing of the Air Training Corps were taking part in this year’s Nijmegen Marches in Holland.

(12)       The Nijmegen Marches was the largest marching event in the world and took place annually in July of each year. The first such event was held in 1909. Approximately 45,000 marchers were expected this year and some 52 Kent Air Cadets, supported by 15 volunteer members of staff, were walking 40 kilometres or 25 miles every day for four consecutive days.

(13)       This was not the first year that Kent Air Cadets had taken part in the Nijmegen Marches but the Chairman considered that it was appropriate to mention their participation this year, particularly as it was the 100^th Anniversary of the start of the First World War.

(14)       On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman wished all of the cadets and volunteers every success.

(e)       Exhibition at the Kent History and Library Centre

(15)       The Chairman drew Members’ attention to an exhibition at the Kent History and Library Centre, called “In their own words” – an exhibition on the people of Kent during the First World War.

(16)       The Chairman stated that the exhibition ran from 4 August to 31 October and he encouraged all KCC Members, staff and their families to visit the exhibition, which was being promoted on KCC’s website and KNet.

(f)        Step Short commemorative event  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), 8 questions were asked and replies given.

(1)          The Leader updated the County Council on events since the previous meeting.

(2)          He stated that he would attempt to cover three main subjects in his allocated time: the growth deal and the future of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs); the changing role of County Councils; and the implications for KCC of the Care Act.

(3)          In relation to the growth deal, Mr Carter stated that the recent announcements on the amount of funding for the South East region had left the relevant local authorities and the business community feeling rather deflated and disappointed and that following the huge amount of effort that had been put in over the previous 2 and a half years, there was an expectation that there would be a significant deal over a 4 to 5 year period; but in reality, the funds that had been announced would only cover 1 to 2 years with an expectation of further money in the future. He stated that there was enormous disappointment that the money had gone to the North and Midlands, supporting North, North-East and Northern Metropolitan Authorities whilst the South East LEP had received a less than average settlement.

(4)          He stated that there was an emerging view amongst local authorities and the business community that the South East LEP was too large and that the relevant authorities should be asking the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Mr Pickles, to review the existing boundaries, following the Secretary of State’s comments that he would give consideration to such requests if existing boundaries were not working effectively. Mr Carter stated that, during one of the fringe events at the recent Local Government Association (LGA) conference, delegates expressed the view that more control was needed by local authorities on setting priorities for their own areas. Mr Carter stated that KCC was grateful for what it had been given under the growth deal and that it was good news for Ashford and other areas of Kent, but there remained huge disappointment at the announcement overall.

(5)          Mr Carter spoke about the discussion held at the County Councils’ Network (CCN) meeting the previous day about the changing role of County Councils and the importance of helping the national political parties to set the agenda in advance of the Parliamentary Elections in 2015. Mr Carter stated that there were four main areas of significance in relation to the changing role of County Councils: 1) their role in achieving economic growth and prosperity; County regions not just City regions and the enormous role County Councils played alongside the business community through the LEPs; 2) their role in integrating health and social care budgets; spending the budgets for public health more wisely and working more effectively with health partners to achieve better outcomes for communities; 3) the changing role in Education in relation to the overarching responsibility for standards in all schools whatever form they took; and 4) their role as providers of the community infrastructure needed for economic prosperity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

(1)          At the beginning of this item, the Head of Democratic Services explained why it had been necessary to re-issue the electorate population forecasts on pages 64 to 76 of the County Council agenda, which was caused by the corruption of data in the spreadsheets used to formulate the forecasts. He offered his sincere apologies for this error.

(2)          Mr Gibbens moved, Mr King seconded the recommendations on page 20 of the agenda as follows:

1.    That the County Council is invited to comment upon, amend as necessary and approve for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGCBE) the County Council’s submission on Council size; and

2.    That authority be delegated to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Electoral and Boundary Review Committee to make any final amendments to the submission that are necessary prior to the deadline for submission.

(3)          Mr Truelove moved, Ms Harrison seconded the following amendment:

“Paragraph 38, Page 63:

Delete “and that as part of the formal submission, the Commission be asked to note the County Council’s preference for single Member divisions where possible”.

Thus, the paragraph concludes after “84 Members”.

(4)          Following a debate, the Chairman put the Amendment outlined in paragraph (3) above to the vote, whereupon the voting was as follows:

For (18)

Mr Bond, Mrs Brivio, Mr Burgess, Mr Caller, Mr Cowan, Ms Cribbon, Dr Eddy, Ms A Harrison, Mrs Howes, Mr MacDowall, Mr Maddison, Mr Neaves, Mrs Rowbotham, Mr Scobie, Mr Smyth, Mr Thandi, Mr Truelove and Mr Whybrow

Abstain (1)

Mr Heale

Against (64)

Mrs Allen, Mr Angell, Mr Baker, Mr Baldock, Mr Balfour, Mr Bird, Mr Birkby, Mr Bowles, Mr Brazier, Mr Brookbank, Ms Carey, Mr Carter, Mr Chard, Mr Chittenden, Mr Clark, Mrs Cole, Mr Cooke, Mrs Crabtree, Mr Crowther, Mrs Dagger, Mr Daley, Mr Dance, Mr Davies, Mrs Dean, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr Gates, Mr Gibbens, Mr Gough, Mr Harman, Mr M Harrison, Mr Hoare, Mr Hill, Mrs Hohler, Mr Homewood, Mr Hotson, Mr King, Mr Kite, Mr Koowaree, Mr Latchford, Mr Long, Mr Lymer, Mr Manion, Mr Marsh, Mr McKenna, Mr Northey, Mr Oakford, Mr Ozog, Mr Parry, Mr Pearman, Mr Ridings, Mr Scholes, Mr Shonk, Mr Simkins, Mr Simmonds, Mr Smith, Mrs Stockell, Mr Sweetland, Mr Terry, Mr Vye, Mr Wedgbury, Mrs Whittle, Mr Wickham and Mrs Wiltshire

Amendment Lost

(5)          The original motion set out in paragraph (2) above was put to the vote, whereupon the voting was as follows:

For (67)

Mrs Allen, Mr Angell, Mr Baker, Mr Baldock, Mr Balfour, Mr Bird, Mr Birkby, Mr Bond, Mr Bowles, Mr Brazier, Mr Brookbank, Mr Burgess, Ms Carey, Mr Carter, Mr Chard, Mr Chittenden, Mr Clark, Mrs Cole, Mr Cooke, Mrs Crabtree, Mr Crowther, Mrs Dagger, Mr Daley, Mr Dance, Mr Davies, Mrs Dean, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr Gates, Mr Gibbens, Mr Gough, Mr Harman, Mr M Harrison, Mr Hill, Mr Hoare, Mrs Hohler, Mr Homewood, Mr Hotson,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

(1)          Mr Oakford moved, Mrs Whittle seconded that the County Council:

1.    Comment on the progress and improvements made during 2013/14, as detailed in the Annual Report from the Kent Safeguarding Children Board; and

2.    Note the 2013/14 Annual report.

(2)          Ms Gill Rigg, Independent Chairman of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board addressed the meeting and answered a number of questions from Members.

(3)          Following further debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph (1) to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED: that the progress and improvements made during 2013/14 as detailed in the Annual Report of the Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board be welcomed and the report noted.

(1)          Mr Carter introduced this item and gave the background as to why the report had been written and presented to the County Council.

(2)          The Chairman stated that it was his pleasure to introduce Sophia Dunstan and Hayley Finn, Participation Worker Apprentices with Virtual School Kent, who had written the report contained within the County Council agenda. Sophia Dunstan introduced herself and described the work she undertook with children in care and care leavers. Of particular interest and importance, was the work undertaken in relation to supporting young people leaving the care system and all Members were encouraged to sign up to and support the Kent Care Leavers’ Charter. Sophia Dunstan also spoke about the work she had led in relation to the production of a DVD following the experiences of children and young people in the care system.

(3)          In relation to the DVD, the Chairman read out the following statement:

“The creation of this DVD has been possible as a result of the assistance and co-operation of the young people concerned in sharing their stories. The content has been created to help Members and Senior Officers understand the important work that is being done to support young people in care and leaving care. The young peoples’ accounts should accordingly be treated in confidence and under no circumstances should recording equipment be used or the details posted to the internet in any way.

(4)          The Chairman further stated that, because the young people featured in the DVD had not given their permission for the DVD to be broadcast publicly, he moved, the Vice Chairman seconded and it was:

RESOLVED: that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Summary of business transacted with the press and public excluded.

The County Council viewed a DVD that had been produced involving children in care and their experiences of leaving the care system.

(5)          Following the showing of the DVD, the press and public were re-admitted to the meeting.

(6)          Members offered their immense praise to Sophia Dunstan, Hayley Finn and the Communications Team for the importance of their work with children in care and for the quality and humbling impact of the DVD.

Mr G Cowan will propose, Mr R Truelove will second,

"Kent County Council supports the actions taken so far by Thanet District Council to retain Manston as a regional airport. We recognise the value that a regional airport brings to East Kent and are disappointed at its closure. Kent County Council further recognises that Thanet District Council is unlikely to have the resources to go through with a Compulsory Purchase Order, with all of the linked legal cost, by itself. Therefore as the Upper Tier Authority we agree to support Thanet District Council's investigations into the viability of a Compulsory Purchase Order with financial contributions and support from our legal team. Should Thanet District Council proceed with a Compulsory Purchase Order, we agree to support them further with financial and legal support."

(1)          Mr Cowan moved, Mr Truelove seconded the following motion:

“Kent County Council supports the actions taken so far by Thanet District Council to retain Manston as a regional airport. We recognise the value that a regional airport brings to East Kent and are disappointed at its closure. Kent County Council further recognises that Thanet District Council is unlikely to have the resources to go through with a Compulsory Purchase Order, with all of the linked legal cost, by itself. Therefore, as the Upper Tier Authority we agree to support Thanet District Council’s investigations into a Compulsory Purchase Order with financial contributions and support from our legal team. Should Thanet District Council proceed with a Compulsory Purchase Order, we agree to support them further with financial and legal support”.

(2)          Mr Dance moved, Mr Balfour seconded the following Amendment:

“Kent County Council supports the actions taken so far by Thanet District Council to retain Manston as a regional airport. We recognise the value that a regional airport brings to East Kent and are disappointed at its closure. Kent County Council will explore with Thanet District Council ways in which it can support proposals to retain Manston as an airport”.

(3)          With the consent of his seconder, Mr Cowan stated that he accepted the wording of the Amendment without the need for a formal vote, whereupon the Amendment outlined in paragraph (2) above became the substantive motion.

(4)          Mr Baldock moved, Mr Hotson seconded and it was agreed without the need for a formal vote that the Question be put, whereupon the Chairman put the substantive motion to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (82)

Mrs Allen, Mr Angell, Mr Baker, Mr Baldock, Mr Balfour, Mr Bird, Mr Birkby, Mr Bond, Mr Bowles, Mr Brazier, Mrs Brivio, Mr Brookbank, Mr Burgess, Mr Caller, Ms Carey, Mr Carter, Mr Chard, Mr Chittenden, Mr Clark, Mrs Cole, Mr Cooke, Mr Cowan, Mrs Crabtree, Mrs Cribbon, Mr Crowther, Mrs Dagger, Mr Daley, Mr Dance, Mr Davies, Mrs Dean, Dr Eddy, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr Gates, Mr Gibbens, Mr Gough, Mr Harman, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Harrison, Mr Heale, Mr Hill, Mr Hoare, Mrs Hohler, Mr Homewood, Mr Hotson, Mrs Howes, Mr King, Mr Kite, Mr Koowaree, Mr Latchford, Mr Long, Mr Lymer, Mr MacDowall, Mr Madison, Mr Manion, Mr McKenna, Mr Neaves, Mr Northey, Mr Oakford, Mr Ozog, Mr Parry, Mr Pearman, Mr Ridings, Mr Rowbotham, Mr Scholes, Mr Scobie, Mr Shonk, Mr Simkins, Mr Simmonds, Mr Smith, Mr Smyth, Mrs Stockell, Mr Sweetland, Mr Terry, Mr Thandi, Mr Truelove, Mr Vye, Mr Wedgbury, Mrs Whittle, Mr Whybrow, Mr Wickham and Mrs Wiltshire

Abstain (0)

Against (0)

RESOLVED: That Kent County Council supports the actions taken so far by Thanet District Council to retain Manston as a regional airport. We recognise the value that a regional airport brings to East Kent and are disappointed at its closure. Kent County Council will explore with Thanet District Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.