Agenda and minutes

The Head of Democratic Services reported apologies from Mr M J Angell, Mr L Burgess, Mr A D Crowther, Mr P J Homewood, Mr B E MacDowall and Mr R Truelove.

Mr Cowan declared an interest in that both he and his wife were KCC foster carers.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2015 be approved as a correct record.

(a)  Dr Peter Draper

(1)          The Vice-Chairman announced that it was with regret that he had to inform the Council of the death of Dr Peter Draper, on 14 February 2015. 

(2)         He stated that Dr Draper was a former Conservative Member for Dartford West (formerly Dartford No 2) from 1973 to 1985.   During his time with KCC he served on the Development Planning & Transportation Committee, the Amenities Sub-Group, the Education Committee, Adult Education & Youth Service Sub-Committee and the Further Education Sub-Committee.

(3)          All Members stood in silence in memory of Dr Draper.

(4)          After the silence, it was moved by the Vice-Chairman, seconded by  Mrs Allen and

(5)           RESOLVED unanimously that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Dr Draper and extends to his family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.

(b)   Office visits

(6)         The Vice-Chairman stated that he and the Chairman had visited the Amey facilities management team based at Brenchley House,  The company Amey had taken over the facilities management here at County Hall and for the rest of Kent County Council,  They found the visit interesting and enjoyed meeting the staff and hearing about the range of services offered by Amey.  

(7)         The Vice-Chairman explained that he and the Chairman intended to visit as many teams and offices across the County as possible. In the past weeks they had had a guided tour of Finance and Procurement, and Internal Audit based at Sessions House.  He encouraged Members to visit the different teams and staff that were based in the corporate H.Q to see the fantastic services and frontline support being delivered.  He referred to the other visits scheduled for the next month. 

(c)  Royal Visits

(8)          The Vice-Chairman informed the Council that the Chairman had welcomed visits from the Duke of York at Sevenoaks School at the beginning of the month and more recently the Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to the Turner Contemporary at Margate.  Today the Chairman was welcoming Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Kent hence his apologies for this meeting.

(d)     Requiem

(9)          The Vice-Chairman stated that he had enjoyed attending the Colyer-Fergusson Concert 2015 where the University of Kent Chorus and Symphony Orchestra performed Verdi’s Requiem at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 14 March 2015.  

(e)       By-election caused by the resignation of Mr David Baker (Romney Marsh)

(10)      The Vice-Chairman informed the Council that the by-election caused by the resignation of Mr Baker had now been called and the Notice of Election would be published on 30 March 2015. Assuming there was a contest, the poll will be held on Thursday 7 May 2015.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), nine questions were asked and replies given, these are attached as an appendix to the minutes.  In accordance with Procedural rule 2.13 the County Council agreed to suspend Procedural Rule 1.17 (10) In order to allow all nine questions to be concluded.

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

(2)          Mr Carter referred to the question asked earlier in the meeting relating to Furness School and explained the work that was being undertaken by Special School Head teachers to support the continuation of this school. 

(3)          Mr Carter mentioned the very pleasing third quarter’s monitoring report which had been received at Cabinet on Monday 23 March 2015.  In particular he referred to the re-employment rates for 16 – 64 year olds, which were above the national average.  Also the number of apprenticeships in Kent had doubled in the last 5 years and the number of 18 – 24 year olds receiving job seekers allowance was the lowest for a decade.

(4)          In relation to the education outcome statistics reported with the monitoring report, Mr Carter stated that for the first time in 17 years, Primary Schools were achieving national levels of attainment and Ofsted reports produced since Aug 2014 were showing a considerable improvement in performance. 

(5)          Mr Carter also referred to the significant improvements in adoption rates and the reduction in the number of children being taken into care.  Also there had been a substantial improvement in the stability of placements for young people in foster care over the last quarter.

(6)          Mr Carter made reference to the third quarter’s revenue outturn report, which showed a projected underspend of £3m, which would be the thirteenth year running that a revenue underspend had been achieved.

(7)          Mr Carter then mentioned the devolution debate, and the three independent reports produced by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the County Council Network (CCN).  The LGA report had been produced by Ernst & Young and had identified key points that would be a requirement for devolution.  These included a cohesive and coherent economic area; an area with significant scale to manage a wide range of public services; strong relationships across those local public services; mature governance arrangements and robust and visible leadership.  He expressed the view that generally Kent and Medway were well positioned to achieve this and had with a very positive relationship with all the parts of the public sector. 

(8)          Mr Carter referred to the recent meeting of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership, which had agreed that post-election it would request that Kent and Medway be the accountable Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for this area.  In addition the Kent Leaders’ Group had unanimously endorsed this approach and had agreed that KCC with district Chief Executives would begin to look at what a proposition for a combined local authority in Kent would look like.  It was intended to put a very compelling case that Whitehall must and should let go and empower local government to deliver better services for less public money.

(9)          Mr Latchford, the Leader of the Opposition, referred to the Strategic Plan “Increasing opportunities, improving outcomes” which was being considered at this meeting.  He welcomed the Plan and supported it in principle but expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

(1)          Mr Carter moved and Mr Simmonds seconded the following recommendations as set out on 19 of the report:

“County Council is asked to agree the following:

·         To note the findings of the public consultation and subsequent changes to the draft strategic statement as set out in the report.

·         Agree that they approve “Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes” (Appendix 1) as the five year strategic statement for KCC.”

(2)          Following a debate the Vice-Chairman put each of the bullet points in the recommendation to the County Council. 

(3)          The first bullet point was agreed without a vote.  The second bullet point was put to a vote and the voting was as follows:

For (57)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr N Bond, Mr D Brazier, Mrs P Brivio, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Clark, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mrs M Crabtree, Mrs V Dagger, Mr D Daley, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr P Harman,  Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr E Hotson, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr S Manion, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mr J Scholes, Mr T Shonk, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mr A Terry, Mr M Vye, Mr J Wedgbury, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mrs Z Wiltshire

Against (16)

Mr C Caller, Mr G Cowan, Ms J Cribbon, Dr M Eddy, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Heale, Mr C Hoare, Ms S Howes, Mr F McKenna, Mr T Maddison, Mr B Neaves, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr W Scobie, Mr D Smyth, Mr N Thandi, Mr M Whybrow

Abstain (2)

Mr M Baldock, Mr J Elenor

Motion carried

(4)          RESOLVED that the findings of the public consultation and subsequent changes to the draft strategic statement as set out in the report be noted and the “Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes” (Appendix 1 to the report) be approved as the five year strategic statement for KCC.

(1)          Mr Cooke moved and Mr Carter seconded the recommendation that the County Council endorses the attached Pay Policy Statement.

(2)          Following a debate the Vice-Chairman put the motion above to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (67)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Baldock, Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr N Bond, Mr D Brazier, Mrs P Brivio, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Clark, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mr G Cowan, Mrs M Crabtree, Ms J Cribbon, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr P Harman, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr E Hotson, Ms S Howes, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr T Maddison, Mr S Manion, Mr A Marsh, Mr F McKenna, Mr B Neaves, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr J Scholes, Mr W Scobie, Mr T Shonk, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr D Smyth, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mr A Terry, Mr N Thandi, Mr J Wedgbury, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mrs Z Wiltshire

Against (4)

Mr D Daley, Mr C Hoare, Mr M Vye, Mr M Whybrow

Abstain (1)

Mr J Elenor

Motion carried

(3)          RESOLVED that the County Council endorses the Pay Policy Statement set out on pages 55 to 58 of the report.

(Mr Caller declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in relation to this item as he had family members employed by Kent County Council and he withdrew from the meeting).

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

(2)          The motion was agreed without a vote.

(3)          RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(1)          Mr Scholes moved and Mr Daley seconded the following recommendation:

“The County Council is requested to establish a Local Pension Board with effect from 1 April 2015 based on the proposal set out in Appendix 1 to this report with paragraph 10 (page 76 of the County Council book) amended as follows ;

          “10. Substitutes

         Substitutes will be allowed for the Kent Active Retirement and Unison members of the Board but they must be a named individual who will undertake the necessary training and development.””

(2)          The motion was agreed without a vote.

(3)          RESOLVED that a Local Pension Board be established with effect from 1 April 2015 based on the proposal set out in Appendix 1 to the report with paragraph 10 (page 76 of the County Council book) amended as follows ;

          “10. Substitutes

         Substitutes will be allowed for the Kent Active Retirement and Unison members of the Board but they must be a named individual who will undertake the necessary training and development.”

(1)       The Vice-Chairman invited Miss Tina Brooker, the petitioner organiser, to address the Council on the above petition.  Miss Brooker spoke to the petition.

(2)       Mr Carter moved and Mr Pearman seconded the following motion:

“This Council understands the concerns of the petitioners and recommends that the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, having been fully informed by Kent Police and having sought the advice of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee, should establish the criteria for deciding on a case by case basis whether all night street lighting should be returned to a particular place.”

(3)          Dr Eddy proposed and Mr Caller seconded the following amendment to the above motion:

“This Council recommends to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to accede to the petitioners’ request for the reinstatement of street lighting between midnight and 5.30am with immediate effect.”

(4)          Following a debate the Vice-Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph (3) above to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (29)

Mr M Baldock, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr N Bond, Mrs P Brivio, Mr C Caller, Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Clark, Ms J Cribbon, Mr G Cowan, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Mr P Harman, Ms A Harrison, Mr C Hoare, Ms S Howes, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr T Maddison, Mr F McKenna, Mr B Neaves, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr W Scobie, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Smyth, Mr N Thandi, Mr A Terry, Mr M Vye

Against (43)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Balfour, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mrs M Crabtree, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mr J Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr E Hotson, Mr J Kite, Mr A King, Mr G Lymer, Mr S Manion, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mr J Scholes, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mr J Wedgbury, Mrs J Whittle, Mr M Whybrow, Mr A Wickham

Abstain (1)

Mrs M Elenor

Amendment lost

(5)          Following a debate the Vice-Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph (2) above to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (44)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Balfour, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mrs M Crabtree, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr P Harman, Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr E Hotson, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Reinvestment of fuel duty into road maintenance

Proposed by Mr R Parry, Seconded by Mr A Marsh

“This Council is asked to note that, according to a national poll, an overwhelming majority of residents agreed that the existing fuel duty should be reinvested back into local areas to help bring our crumbling roads back up to scratch. The national survey, carried out for the LGA, found that 83% of those polled back calls for the Government to inject a further £1bn a year into road maintenance by investing the equivalent of just two pence per litre of the existing fuel duty. This would allow Councils to improve the quality of our roads over the next decade.

Accordingly, this Council requests the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to lobby the government to implement this change as soon as possible in order to provide these much needed additional funds for our roads”.

(1)          Mr Parry moved and Mr Marsh seconded the following motion:

“This Council is asked to note that, according to a national poll, an overwhelming majority of residents agreed that the existing fuel duty should be reinvested back into local areas to help bring our crumbling roads back up to scratch. The national survey, carried out for the LGA, found that 83% of those polled back calls for the Government to inject a further £1bn a year into road maintenance by investing the equivalent of just two pence per litre of the existing fuel duty. This would allow Councils to improve the quality of our roads over the next decade.

Accordingly, this Council requests the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to lobby the government to implement this change as soon as possible in order to provide these much needed additional funds for our roads”.

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

“This Council notes that, according to a national poll, an overwhelming majority of residents agreed that the existing fuel duty should be reinvested back into local areas to help bring our crumbling roads back up to scratch. The national survey, carried out for the LGA, found that 83% of those polled back calls for the Government to inject a further £1bn a year into road maintenance by investing the equivalent of just two pence per litre of the existing fuel duty. This level of additional funding would allow Councils to improve the quality of our roads over the next decade.

Accordingly, this Council resolves to lobby central government to reduce the scale of current funding cuts and implement a fair and sustainable funding regime for local government which might include the localisation of certain national taxes. “

(3)          Following a debate the Vice-Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph (2) above to the vote and the voting was as follows:

For (13)

Mrs P Brivio, Mr C Caller, Mr G Cowan, Ms J Cribbon, Dr M Eddy, Mr P Harman, Ms A Harrison, Ms S Howes, Mr T Maddison, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr D Smyth, Mr N Thandi, Mr M Whybrow

Against (53)

Mrs A Allen, Mr H Birkby, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mr I Chittenden, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mrs M Crabtree, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Hill, Mr C Hoare, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr E Hotson, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr S Manion, Mr A Marsh, Mr F McKenna, Mr B Neaves, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mr J Scholes, Mr T Shonk, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.