Agenda and minutes

(Mr M J Harrison the present Chairman presided for this item)

(1)     Mr P B Carter, CBE moved and Mr A H T Bowles seconded that:

Mr T Gates be appointed Chairman of the County Council.

Agreed unanimously

(2)     Thereupon Mr Gates took the chair, made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and returned thanks for his election.

(3)       Mr Carter paid tribute to Mr Harrison and thanked him for the manner in which he had carried out his duties as Chairman of the Council from May 2015 to the present day.

(4)       Mr Harrison suitably replied.

(1)       Mr R W Gough moved, Mrs P A V Stockell seconded that Mr D L Brazier be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Agreed unanimously

(2)   Mr Brazier thereupon made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and returned thanks for his appointment. 

The Director of Governance and Law reported apologies from Ms Cribbon and Mr McKenna.

None

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 24 March 2016 be approved as a correct record.

(a)          Mr Keith Ferrin, MBE

(1)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Mr Keith Ferrin, on 15 April 2016, former Conservative Member for Gillingham  from 1977 – 1997 and Swale West from 1997- 2013. During his time with KCC he served on a wide range of formal bodies including the Economic Development Cabinet Committee, Governance and Audit Committee, Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Electoral & Boundary Review Committee, Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee and the Standards Committee.

(2)          Following the introduction of a Cabinet model of governance Mr Ferrin held the role of lead Member for Finance and was the Cabinet Member for a period of time for the portfolios, which covered Adult Social Care, Environment, Highways and Waste.

(3)           Mr Ferrin’s funeral had taken place on Monday 9 May 2016

(4)          Mr King, Mr Marsh, Mr Carter, Mr Bowles, Mr Kite, Mr Parry, Mrs Whittle, Mr Baldock, Mr Truelove and Mrs Dean paid tribute to Mr Ferrin

(b)          Major Terence Holden

(5)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Major Terence Holden, on Friday 8 April, former Conservative Member for Swale West from 1981 to 1993.  During his time with KCC he served on Environment, Planning & Transportation Committee and Planning Sub-Committee.

(6)          Major Holden’s funeral had taken place on Friday 22 April 2016.

(7)          Mr Holden, Mrs Dean and Mr Baldock paid tribute to Major Holden

(c)          Mr Reg Hansell      

(8)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death ofMr Reg Hansell, on 18 March 2016, former Labour Member for Dover Rural from 1997 to 2005.   During his time with KCC he served on the Education and Libraries Committee, Case Sub-Committee (Shadow Chairman), Early Years & Childcare Joint Board, Policy & Resources Committee: Monitoring and Review Sub-Committee and Children with Special Needs Scrutiny Panel.

(9)          Mr Hansell’s funeral had taken place on 5 April 2016.

(10)    Mr Cowan, Mr Manion and Mrs Dean paid tribute to Mr Hansell.

(11)    At the end of the tributes all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Ferrin, Major Holden and Mr Hansell.

(12)    After the one minute silence the Chairman moved, the Vice-Chairman seconded and it was resolved unanimously that:

(13)    This Council records the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Ferrin, Major Holden and Mr Hansell and extends to their families and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.

(d)          Winners of The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2016

(14)       The Chairman stated that he was delighted to announce that Kent had 3 winners of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2016. They were, Polypipe Limited, Aylesford, AXA PPP International, Tunbridge Wells and Ecoegg Ltd, Maidstone.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), 9 questions were asked and replies given.  A record of all questions put and answers given at the meeting are available online with the papers for this meeting.  Questions 10 to 11 were not put in the time available but written answers were provided.

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

(2)          Mr Carter referred to the additional funding for a road repair blitz, the white paper Education Excellence Everywhere, the local government funding review, next year’s budget, devolution, the apprenticeship levy and health and social care integration.

(3)          In relation to the proposed road repair blitz, Mr Carter announced that £4m was being allocated and works would start in mid-June. This was as a result of £1.4 million from government, £1.5 million planned KCC expenditure on road repair and pot holes, and £1.1 million from additional funding identified by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement.  He stated that Members would receive further details of these works before they commenced. The vast majority of these works would be carried out by small and medium sized civil engineering companies on a district by district basis.

(4)          Mr Carter referred to the white paper, Education Excellence Everywhere and the small victory in the removal of the enforced academisation from the potential education bill referred to in the Queen’s speech. He stated that it was now necessary to find a way forward that made sure that there was not a two-tier education and financial system that favoured multi-academy trusts but penalised community schools. Regarding local government sponsored multi-academy trusts, it was necessary to look at what these would look like and the pros and cons in order to achieve a fairer balance between schools through the new national funding formula.  There was a need to ensure that the education support grant allowed KCC to continue to provide school improvement and support services to the nearly 400 schools that still remained in the community schools category. 

(5)          Regarding the local government funding review, Mr Carter mentioned that DCLG officials were working very closely with the LGA and the County Councils Network (CCN).  The Corporate Director of Finance and Procurement and the Head of Financial Strategy were part of one of the significant working groups.   The aim was to ensure that the methodology used was transparent and led to a new needs-led, fair funding review as 100% commercial rate retention was introduced across the country.

(6)          In relation to next year’s budgetary problems, Mr Carter referred to the unidentified savings of some £50 million. Good progress was being made and he suggested that, with the agreement of opposition leaders, there could be a mini budget session at the September County Council meeting.  If at the September meeting additional savings were agreed these could potentially start to be taken in year, rather than waiting until February 2017 to identify the savings.

(7)          Mr Carter stated that at the July County Council meeting there might be an item on devolution to update Members on negotiations with the District and Medway colleagues on a Kent and Medway devolution submission to government.  He referred to a very good facilitated discussion with all district leaders and Medway earlier that week, which suggested that there was agreement to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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

“The County Council is recommended to adopt the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the period 1 June 2016 to 4 May 2017 as set out in the Appendix to this report.”

(2)          The motion was agreed without a formal vote.

(3)          RESOLVED that the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the period 1 June 2016 to 4 May 2017, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be adopted.

(1)          Mr Simmonds moved and Miss Carey seconded the following recommendation:    

“Members are asked to consider and approve the updated Financial Regulations and Delegated Authority Matrix of Approval Limits.”

(2)          In proposing the motion Mr Simmonds referred to the need to amend paragraph 2.13 (i) of the Financial Regulations by the reinstatement of the words “and other significant risks”

(3)          Members raised points of clarification which Mr Simmonds stated would be addressed by officers.  Members also drew attention to typographical errors in the Financial Regulations for, example the numbering of paragraph A24/25, which would be addressed in the final version.

(4)          Following the debate the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph (1) above to the vote and the votes cast were as follows:

For (51)

Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell,  Mr M Balfour, Mr D Brazier, Mrs P Brivio, Mr C Caller, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr G Cooke, Mr G Cowan, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr A Crowther, Mrs V Dagger, Mr M Dance, Dr M Eddy, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Ms A Harrison, Mr M Harrison, Mr M Hill, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Ms S Howes, Mr A King, Mr J Kite, Mr R Long, Mr G Lymer, Mr T Maddison, Mr S Manion, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr J Ozog, Mr R Parry, Mr C Pearman, Mr L Ridings, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr W Scobie, Mr C Simkins, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr D Smyth, Mrs P Stockell, Mr B Sweetland, Mr N Thandi, Mrs C Waters,  Mr J Wedgbury, Mr A Wickham, Mrs Z Wiltshire. 

Against (19)

Mr M Baldock, Mr R Bird, Mr H Birkby, Mr N Bond, Mr L Burgess, Mr B Clark, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mr P Harman, Mr M Heale, Mr C Hoare, Mr G Koowaree, Mr R Latchford, Mr B MacDowall, Mr B Neaves, Mr T Shonk, Mr A Terry, Mr M Vye, Mr M Whybrow.

Abstain (6)

Mr A Bowles, Mr J Davies, Mr J Elenor, Mrs M Elenor, Mr A Marsh, Mr J Scholes.

Motion carried

(5)          RESOLVED that the updated Financial Regulations and Delegated Authority Matrix of Approval Limits, with the amendment of paragraph 2.13(i) and typographic errors, be approved.

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

 “In accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 the County Council is asked to agree Ms Cribbon’s request for extended leave for a six month period expiring on Thursday 8 December 2016 on the grounds of serious ill health.”

(2)          The above motion was agreed without a formal vote.

(3)          RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 Ms Cribbon’s request for extended leave for a six month period expiring on Thursday 8 December 2016 on the grounds of serious ill health be approved.

(1)          Mr Balfour moved and Mr Dance seconded the following motion:

“(a)      The Select Committee be thanked for its work and for producing a relevant and balanced document.

(b)        The witnesses and others who provided evidence and made valuable contributions to the Select Committee be thanked.

(c)        County Council’s comments on the report be noted and the report endorsed.”

(2)          The motion was agreed without a formal vote.

(3)          RESOLVED that the Select Committee be thanked for its work and for producing a relevant and well balanced document, the witnesses and others who provided evidence and made a valuable contribution to the Select Committee be thanked and the comments made by Members be noted and the report be endorsed.

(a)          Compulsory Academisation of schools

Proposed by Mr Vye and seconded by Mr Bird

 “This Council welcomes the Government's decision to withdraw the proposed compulsory academisation of schools, a proposition which has been widely condemned by school staff, parents and councillors in Kent.

This council recognises the hard work and dedication of school staff in raising educational standards across the county and the vital role of parent governors in supporting schools management and also making schools locally accountable.

This council is determined to provide all children in Kent with a good education and reaffirms its commitment to supporting schools through the county council's Schools Improvement unit.”

(b)           KCC Headquarters – security and public access 

Proposed by Mr Heale and seconded by Mr Latchford

"This Council believes it is time to review the levels of security and public access to KCC Headquarters at County Hall in the interests of greater safety for both KCC officers and members and requests the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services to initiate this review."

(c)        School and community energy schemes

Proposed by Mr Wedgbury seconded by Mr Parry 

"KCC asks the Chairman of the Council to contact the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to ask her to consider supporting Community and Schools energy projects through targeted financial help. In particular we ask the Secretary of State to look again at the support available for community renewable energy schemes including the discontinuation of tax relief (SITR) for community energy schemes and the absence of a higher specific FIT tariff to encourage the deployment of school and community energy schemes. We believe targeted support will provide a number of important environmental and social benefits as well as reducing energy bills. It would also enable community buildings to play a role in developing local energy economies and continue to provide much needed local services by utilising the income generation from renewable energy."

(a)           Compulsory Academisation of schools

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

“This Council welcomes the Government's decision to withdraw the proposed compulsory academisation of schools, a proposition which has been widely condemned by school staff, parents and councillors in Kent.

This council recognises the hard work and dedication of school staff in raising educational standards across the county and the vital role of parent governors in supporting schools management and also making schools locally accountable.

This council is determined to provide all children in Kent with a good education and reaffirms its commitment to supporting schools through the county council's Schools Improvement unit.”

(2).         Mr Cowan moved and Mr Caller seconded the following amendment:

·         In the first sentence after the word “academisation of schools” add “ by  2020/22”.

·         At the end of the first paragraph add “However, it is recognised that the danger of all of Kent’s schools becoming academies has not disappeared as a result of this proposal.”

·         In the last paragraph after the words “This Council is” add “ also”

(3)       Mr Gough suggested a minor amendment to the amended wording proposed.  Mr Cowan, with the agreement of his seconder, amended the wording of the amendment in bullet point 2 above to read:

·      At the end of the first paragraph add “However, it is recognised that the danger of the policy being pursued by other means all of Kent’s schools becoming academies has not disappeared as a result of this proposal.”

(3).         Mr Vye, with the agreement of his seconder, incorporated the revised amendment into his motion.

(4).         The motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously without a formal vote.

(5).         RESOLVED that this Council welcomes the Government's decision to withdraw the proposed compulsory academisation of schools by 2020/22, a proposition which has been widely condemned by school staff, parents and councillors in Kent.  However, it is recognised that the danger of the policy being pursued by other means has not disappeared as a result of this proposal.

This council recognises the hard work and dedication of school staff in raising educational standards across the county and the vital role of parent governors in supporting schools management and also making schools locally accountable.

This Council is also determined to provide all children in Kent with a good education and reaffirms its commitment to supporting schools through the county council's Schools Improvement unit.

(b)          KCC Headquarters – security and public access

(6).         Mr Heale moved and Mr Latchford seconded the following motion:

"This Council believes it is time to review the levels of security and public access to KCC Headquarters at County Hall in the interests of greater safety for both KCC officers and members and requests the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services to initiate this review."

(7).         Ms Harrison moved and Mrs Brivio seconder the following amendment:

·         Delete the words “time to review the levels” and add in their place “appropriate to introduce regular reviews”.

·         In the first sentence after “public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.