Agenda and minutes

The Director of Governance and Law reported apologies from Mr Baldock, Mrs Brivio, Mr Chittenden, Mrs Dagger, Mr King, Mr Koowaree, Mr Latchford, Mr MacDowall and Mr Truelove.

None

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2015 be approved as a correct record subject to the word “Residents” being replaced by “Refugee” in the last sentence in minute 30, paragraph (17).

(1)          The Chairman stated that he had agreed to take this item as urgent business due to the need to review proportionality and Committee membership at the first County Council meeting following Mr Elenor’s change in political status.

(2)          The Chairman moved and the Vice- Chairman seconded the following motion:

“The County Council is invited to:

(a)       agree the revised proportionality calculations and decide (in accordance with the overall proportionality rules) whether Mr Elenor should be invited to fill two additional committee places at the expense of UKIP or whether these places shall remain vacant; and 

(b)       agree that the decision on which two seats the UKIP Group has to give up to either a vacancy or Mr Elenor be delegated to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the UKIP Group and (if appropriate) Mr Elenor.”

(3)          The Leader updated the Council on the current situation regarding the filling of the two Committee places referred to in paragraph (1) (a) above.

(4)          The following was agreed without a formal vote.

(5)          RESOLVED that:

(a)  the revised proportionality calculations be agreed; and

(b)   in accordance with the overall proportionality rules the two additional committee places remain vacant pending discussions between Group Leaders and Mr Elenor and a further report be submitted to the December meeting of the County Council if necessary; and 

(c)  the decision on which two seats the UKIP Group has to give up to in light of the revised proportionality calculations be delegated to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the UKIP Group.

(a)          Mr William Whelan

(1)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Mr William Whelan, on 15 August 2015. The celebration of Mr Whelan’s life took place in August. The family had asked that anyone wishing to make a donation could do so to any charity supporting Parkinson’s Disease.

(2)          Mr Sass explained that this was the first County Council meeting following him being informed by Mr Whelan’s family of his passing.

(3)          Mr Whelan was the former Conservative Member for Margate East from 1989-1993 and 2001-2005. During his time with KCC he served on the Appeal Committee, Governance and Audit Committee, Education and Libraries Committee and the Regulation Committee.

(4)          The Chairman and Mr Birkby, on behalf of Mr Latchford, paid tribute to Mr Whelan.

(5)          Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Whelan

(6)                   After the minute’s silence the Chairman moved, the Vice-Chairman seconded and it was resolved unanimously that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Whelan and extends to his familiy and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.

(b)          Petition from Lamberhurst Parish Council

(7)          The Chairman explained that Mr King was due to present a petition from Lamberhurst Parish Council but unfortunately he was unwell and had given his apologies for this meeting.  The Chairman stated that officers would ensure that this petition was passed to the Cabinet Member for a response.

(c)          Consultation Briefing - 22nd October at 2:00pm - Council Chamber.

(8)          The Chairman reminded Members that there was an additional Consultation briefing being held in the Chamber at 2.00pm today, or at the conclusion of the meeting whichever was the later, for those Members who had not been able to attend a previous session.  He emphasised the importance of all Members, particularly Cabinet Members as decision makers,  attending one of these sessions

(d)          The year so far in pictures

(9)          The Chairman made reference to how busy he and the Vice- Chairman had been on behalf of the County Council, and invited Members to contact his office if they had any events in their area that would benefit from the attendance of himself and/or the Vice-Chairman.

(10)       The Chairman then introduced a PowerPoint slide show which illustrated some of the events that he had attended since becoming Chairman.

(e)          Sandwich Flood Defence works – winner of the Canal and River Trust’s   ‘Living Waterways Award for Contribution to the Built Environment 2015’

(11)       The Chairman invited Mr Balfour to introduce a short film on the multi- award winning Sandwich Flood defence works. 

(12)       The Chairman expressed congratulations on behalf of all Members of the Council.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), three questions were put and the answers given at the meeting.  These are available online with the papers for this meeting.

(1)          The Leader stated his intention to update the Council on the potential crisis in the future delivery of social care, particularly in relation to the spending review announcement on 25 November 2015. He also intended to refer to the asylum issue, progress in moving towards a commissioning authority, the approval of the new Sevenoaks grammar school annex and English devolution.

(2)          In relation to social care funding Mr Carter referred to the efforts of the Cabinet Member, the County Council Network and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in pressing the essential need for an additional £2 billion to take up the cost of the increased demand and the impact of the living wage.  He stated that he was optimistic that the need for adequate funding was high up the risk register of the government and the treasury.

(3)          Mr Carter referred to the asylum issue and stated that the number of young people who were the responsibility of Kent was approaching 1400, which included those over 18, and the additional cost was nearing £8m.  He expressed his gratitude to Mr Clarke, MP,  Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on refugee and asylum issues, which was working towards identifying the additional funding not only for Kent but also to encourage other Local Authorities to participate in a dispersal system.  There had been a meeting with civil servants who had validated Kent’s additional costs of £7.5m to £8m. He anticipated an announcement shortly on the dispersal system and a related funding package.   There was general acceptance that the current situation, both in relation to unaccompanied asylum seeking children, and children placed in Kent by other local authorities, was totally untenable and acknowledged its potential to interrupt the support to Kent’s own indigenous young people.

(4)          Mr Carter made reference to the endorsement by the Secretary of State for Education of the expansion of the Weald of Kent Grammar School, with an annex in Sevenoaks He expressed his thanks to the Headteacher of the Weald of Kent Grammar School and her Governors for the work that they had put into the detailed submission and acknowledged the efforts of parents in Sevenoaks.

(5)          Regarding Commissioning, Mr Carter emphasised the importance of making sure that the £700m to £800m worth of public money spent every year in the provision of services was used to deliver best value, good quality services from providers which supported the strategic aims of this authority. He referred to the importance of the role of Members in having an over-sight of the parts of the commissioning process and service delivery.  He confirmed that the Commissioning Advisory Board would continue, although it might have a slight change of direction.  He and the Chairmen of the Cabinet Committees would be meeting to produce options which would be taken to a future meeting of the County Council. 

(6)          Mr Carter then referred to English devolution, with the removal of the rate support grant and the repatriation of commercial rates to local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

(1)       Mr Oakford moved and Mrs Whittle seconded the following motion:

“The County Council is asked to comment on the report and endorse:

(a)   The proposal to support those districts that wish to take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme with the caveats outlined in section 7 of the report  and

(b)   The continuing efforts to persuade Government to develop a sustainable national dispersal scheme for unaccompanied asylum seeking children.”

The motion was agreed without a formal vote.

RESOLVED that

(a)  the comments on the report be noted, and

(b)  the proposal to support those districts that wish to take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, with the caveats outlined in section 7 of the report, and the continuing efforts to persuade Government to develop a sustainable national dispersal scheme for unaccompanied asylum seeking children be endorsed.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Mr M Vye will propose and Mr R Bird will second,

“That this Council supports the Universal Infant Free School Meals initiative brought in by the last Coalition Government, and welcomes the news that, despite earlier reports, funding for such a vital scheme will not after all be cut in the Spending Review to be announced on the 25th of November.

We recognise the importance of the initiative, which education professionals affirm is helping so many young Kent children to be more focused in their learning, is giving them a nutritious and healthy meal each day, and has avoided the stigma of means testing.

We propose that, at this time when there continues to be uncertainty about where the significant cuts to Government funding will fall, the Chairman should write to the Prime Minister stating how valuable this scheme has been for the young children and families of Kent.”

(1)          Mr Vye moved and Mr Bird seconded the following motion:

“That this Council supports the Universal Infant Free School Meals initiative brought in by the last Coalition Government, and welcomes the news that, despite earlier reports, funding for such a vital scheme will not after all be cut in the Spending Review to be announced on the 25th of November.

We recognise the importance of the initiative, which education professionals affirm is helping so many young Kent children to be more focused in their learning, is giving them a nutritious and healthy meal each day, and has avoided the stigma of means testing.

We propose that, at this time when there continues to be uncertainty about where the significant cuts to Government funding will fall, the Chairman should write to the Prime Minister stating how valuable this scheme has been for the young children and families of Kent.”

(2)          Mr Kite moved and Mr Parry seconded the procedural motion “that the question be put”, the Chairman put this to the vote and the votes cast were as follows: 

For (64)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell,  Mr M Balfour, Mr N Bond, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr L Burgess, Mr C Caller, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mr G Cowan, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr A Crowther, Mr D Daley, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Mr T Gates, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr P Harman, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Harrison, Mr M Hill, Mr C Hoare, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Ms S Howes, Mr J Kite, 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 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, Mrs C Waters,  Mrs J Whittle, Mr M Whybrow, Mr A Wickham, Mrs Z Wiltshire 

Against (4)

Mr R Bird, Mr B Clark, Mr M Vye, Mr J Wedgbury,

Abstain (4)

Mr H Birkby, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor,  Mr M Heale,

Procedural motion carried

(3)          The Chairman then put the motion outlined in paragraph (1) above to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (62)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Balfour, Mr R Bird, Mr N Bond, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr L Burgess, Mr C Caller, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mr N Chard, Mr B Clark, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mr G Cowan, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr A Crowther, Mr D Daley, Mr M Dance, Mr J Davies, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Mr T  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.