Agenda and minutes

The Director of Governance and Law reported apologies from Mr Baker, Mr Bond, Mrs Dean, Mr Manion and Mrs Whittle.

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

(2)          M Long declared an interest in relation to the item on Health and Social Care Integration as he acted as a solicitor for various health service providers.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the spelling of the word “Nijmegen” being corrected in minute no 21 (d) (11), (12) and (13) and on page 11 also minute no 24 (2) 1 be amended by the deletion of the word “up” and the insertion of the work “upon”.

(1)          The Chairman announced that it was with great regret that he had to inform Members of the sad death of Mr John Muckle on Thursday 14 August and he and other Members had attended Mr Muckle’s funeral in early September. 

(2)          Mr Muckle, had served as the Labour County Councillor for Dartford North, between 1988 and 2009.   During this time he had served on the Planning Applications Committee, Highways Advisory Board, Environment & Regeneration Policy Overview Committee, Kent Transport Board and Superannuation Fund Committee.  Mr Muckle had been appointed as an Honorary Alderman in December 2013. 

(3)          Mr Muckle was also one of the longest serving members of Dartford Borough Council and had served on its predecessor authority from 1967.ago. He had been Mayor of Dartford in 1973/74, the year that Dartford Borough Council was formed and he had also been Leader of the Borough Council from 1998 to 2003.

(4)          Mr Maddison, Mr Kite, Mr Vye and Mr Harrison paid tribute to Mr Muckle.

(5)          At the end of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Muckle.

(6)          After the one minute silence, the Chairman moved, the Vice Chairman seconded and it was

(7)          Resolved unanimously that the Council record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Muckle and extends to his family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.

(8)          (b)       Long Service achievement

(9)          The Chairman stated that it gave him great pleasure to advise Members that earlier this month, a member of staff in the Finance and Procurement division, Mr Adrian Richardson, celebrated 50 years of working full-time for Kent County Council; a truly astonishing achievement. 

(10)       Mr Richardson had been with KCC all of his working life from leaving school at the age of 17 and starting work in the former County Treasurer’s Department in 1964. He had remained in Finance, working in the Insurance Team for the last 42 years.  During his 50 years at work, Mr Richardson had not taken a single day off work sick.

(11)       The Chairman asked on behalf of all Members, the County Council formally record our sincere thanks for Mr Richardson’s dedication and loyal service to KCC.

(c)       Chairman’s East Kent Reception

(12)       The Chairman stated that he was delighted to report that his programme of Area Networking Receptions was now complete with the last reception taking place at the beautiful Knowlton Court Estate near Canterbury. 

(13)       He advised Members that the Reception had  raised over £500 for his nominated charities this year, bringing to total raised to date to over £1300.

(d)       NijmegenMarches

(14)       The Chairman reminded Members that at the last County Council meeting he had  announced that the Kent Wing of the Air Training Corps were taking part in this year’s Nijmegen Marches in Holland, which involved some 52 Kent air cadets walking 40 kilometres or 25 miles a day for four consecutive days.  He was pleased to be able to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), 8 questions were asked and replies given which are attached as an appendix to the minutes. 

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

(2)           Mr Carter referred to the outcome of inspection of the Member Development programme yesterday by South East Employers (SEE).  He was delighted to be able to inform the meeting that KCC had retained the Member Development Charter Plus accreditation which was the highest level that could be awarded.  SEE had noted particular strengths including a clear commitment to member development across all political parties in KCC, a sensible Member Development budget, strong feedback from partner organisations and that a significant number of Members had a Personal Development Plan.  Mr Carter expressed his thanks to Mr Wickenden, Democratic Services Manager (Members) who had organised the evidence for the inspection and similarly Mr Bowles, as chairman of the Member Development Steering Group.

 (3)          Mr Carter referred to the mention that he had been made at the last County Council meeting of the massive work programme that was underway to deliver £100’s m worth of savings.  Through the summer period, including August, he reported that rapid progress had been made and that we are now on time and in a good place.  He referred to the work carried out by Newton Europe Ltd which had been shared with all political parties in relation to the Portfolio Transformation agenda.   £10’s m of savings had already been delivered in the phases of work that they were undertaking.  Procurement activities were now in full swing especially for back office services.  He stated that it would soon be necessary to get fully engaged with the outcome of the private sector interest in delivering various programmes of work.  He expressed the expectation that the private sector would deliver a great deal and stressed that all Members would be fully involved in the decision making.

 (4)          Another major piece of work, involving Andy Wood and John Simmonds, had been the framing of the Medium Term Budget which would be launched in early October for consultation with the endorsement of the Conservative group. He referred to the massive progress that was being made with efficiencies and savings and that front line services were being delivered and improved with a lot less money.  He stated that it would not be the ‘slash and burn’ budget which opposition Members would like to see but it would sit well with residents in relation to change and improvements for front line services.  He referred to the item, later in the meeting, which would illustrate how KCC was working in partnership to improve health and social care integration.  

 (5)          He stated he looked forward, at the next meeting of the County Council, to receiving the interim recommendations from the Member’s Working Group on Commissioning that Mr Hotson was chairing. 

(6)          Mr Carter referred to the good work, involving all parties on the County Councils’ Network (CCN) to launch a document at party conferences to encourage further decentralisation to empower local government in England, whilst today Scotland votes on its future.   He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

(1)          The Chairman welcomed Patricia Davies (Accountable Officer for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group and Accountable Officer for Swale CCG), Susan Acott (Chief Executive of Darent Valley Hospital) and Hazel Carpenter (Accountable Office for South Kent Coast CCG) to the meeting.

(2)          The Charman stated that he had agreed that a short DVD “Integrated Health and Social Care” would be shown to provide an introduction to this item.

(3)          Ms Davies and Ms Acott gave a PowerPoint presentation on Health Care in North Kent and Ms Carpenter gave a presentation on the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund. The guests and answered questions from Members on their presentations.

(4)          Mr Carter moved and Mr Gough seconded the following motion:

   “Kent County Council commends the Health and Wellbeing Board and its partners for its significant work to drive forward health and social care integration to produce improved outcomes for Kent residents. This Council supports the move towards 24/7 community-based integrated care provision that puts the patient at the heart of the service, giving more control to patients over what and how services they need are provided.

This Council thanks the partners from the Clinical Commissioning Groups for their comprehensive update and notes the content of the report.”

(5)          Ms Harrison moved and Mr Caller seconded the procedural motion that “the question be put” and the votes cast were as follows:  

For (59)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Baldock, Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mrs P Brivio, Mr R Brookbank, Mr C Caller, Mr I Chittenden, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cowan, Mrs M Crabtree,  Mr A Crowther, Mrs V Dagger, Mr D Daley,  Dr M Eddy, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr P Harman, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Harrison, Mr M Heale,  Mr C Hoare, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Ms S Howes, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr B MacDowall, Mr T Maddison,  Mr F McKenna, Mr B Neaves, Mr M Northey, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry,  Mr L Ridings, Mrs E Rowbotham,  Mr W Scobie, Mr T Shonk, Mr C Simkins, Mr C Smith, Mr D Smyth, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mr A Terry, Mr R Truelove, Mr M Vye, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whybrow, Mr A Wickham.

Against (5)

Mr P Carter, Mr J Simmonds, Mr R Gough, Mr P Oakford, Miss S Carey.

Abstain (0)

Procedural motion carried

(6)          The Chairman put the original motion proposed by Mr Carter and seconded by Mr Gough to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (75)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Baldock, Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mrs P Brivio, Mr R Brookbank, Mr L Burgess, Mr C Caller, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

(1)          Mr Simmonds moved and Ms Carey seconded that the report be noted.

(2)          RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Mr B E MacDowall will propose and Mr M Baldock will second,

"This council recognises the widescale public concern about the decision to turn streetlights off at night.

It recognises the public fears over crime and safety, and notes the anecdotal evidence coming in from the media and from various resident groups that the policy has caused some serious issues.

Therefore, we propose an immediate full review be carried out rather than wait for the current review date in order that any necessary revisions can be made before the winter months."

(1)          Mr MacDowall moved and Mr Baldock seconded the following motion.

“This Council recognises the widescale public concern about the decision to turn streetlights off at night.

It recognises the public fears over crime and safety, and notes the anecdotal evidence coming in from the media and from various resident groups that the policy has caused some serious issues.

Therefore, we propose an immediate full review be carried out rather than wait for the current review date on order that any necessary revisions can be made before the winter months.”

(2)          Mr Caller moved and Dr Eddy seconded the following amendment:

"This council recognises the widescale public concern about the decision to turn streetlights off at night.  

It recognises the public fears over crime and safety, and notes the anecdotal evidence coming in from the media and from various resident groups that the policy has caused some serious issues. 
 
Therefore,  we propose that the street lights throughout Kent should be reinstated immediately to all night lighting while a full  review is carried  out that includes a more detailed and direct consultation with those residents affected by part night lighting; the review should also include detailed risk assessments aided by professional bodies."

(3)          Mr Vye moved and Mr Chittenden seconded the procedural motion “that the question be put” and the votes cast were as follows:

For (12)

Mr A Bowles, Mrs P Brivio, Mr L Burgess, Mr D Daley, Mr R Latchford, Mr T Maddison, Mr F McKenna, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr J Scholes, Mr W Scobie, Mr N Thandi, Mr R Truelove.

Against (36)

Mr M Angell, Mr M Balfour, Mr H Birkby, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr P Carter, Miss S Carey, Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Clark, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr M Dance, Dr M Eddy, Mr J Elenor, Mr G Gibbens, Mr P Harman, Mr M Hill, Mr C Hoare, Mr M Harrison, Mr E Hotson, Mr J Kite, Mr G Lymer, Mr B MacDowall, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mr T Shonk, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr A Terry, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr A Wickham, Mr M Whybrow.

Abstain (8)

Mr M Baldock, Mr A Crowther, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr R Gough, Mr M Heale, Mr B Neaves, Mr M Vye.

Procedural motion lost

(4)          After further debate the amendment as set out in paragraph (2) above was put to the vote, whereupon the voting was as follows:

For (15)

Mr M Baldock, Mrs P Brivio, Mr C Caller, Mr G Cowan, Ms J Cribbon, Dr M Eddy, Ms A Harrison, Ms S Howes, Mr T Maddison, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr W Scobie, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Smyth, Mr N Thandi, Mr R Truelove

Against (55)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell,  Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.