This is a default template, your custom branding appears to be missing.
The custom branding should be at https://www.kent.gov.uk/_designs/moderngov/template if you cannot load this page please contact your IT.

Technical Error: Error: The request was aborted: Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel.

  • Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Council Chamber, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone. View directions

    Contact: Denise Fitch  03000 416090

    Media

    Items
    No. Item

    168.

    Apologies for Absence

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The General Counsel reported apologies from Mr P Bartlett, Mr M Horwood, Mr A Hook, Mr G Koowaree, Ida Linfield, Mr S Manion, Mr K Pugh and Mr I Thomas.

     

    169.

    Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in items on the agenda

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)       Dr Sullivan declared an interest, as her husband was employed by the County Council in the Early Help and Prevention Team.

     

    (2)       Mr Lewis declared an interest as his wife was employed by the County Council.

     

     

    170.

    Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2019 and, if in order, to be approved as a correct record pdf icon PDF 217 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2019 be approved as a correct record and they be signed by the Chairman.

     

    171.

    Corporate Parenting Panel - minutes for noting pdf icon PDF 148 KB

    Minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2019.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes from the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on 25 July 2019 be noted.

     

    172.

    Chairman's Announcements

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mr John Fullarton

     

    (1)       The Chairman stated that it was with regret that she had to inform Members of the death of Mr John Fullarton, former Conservative Member for Broadstairs & Sir Moses Montefiore from 1997 to 2009.

     

    (2)       Mrs Binks and Mrs Dean paid tribute to Mr Fullarton.

     

    Dr Tony Robinson

     

    (3)       The Chairman stated that it was with regret that she had to inform Members of the death of Dr Tony Robinson, former Conservative Member for Tonbridge West from 1997 to 2009. During his time at Kent County Council, Dr Robinson was the first Chairman of the Kent Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

     

    (4)       Mr Lake, Mr Long and Mrs Dean paid tribute to Dr Robinson.

     

    (5)       Following all of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Fullarton and Dr Robinson.

     

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

     

    “This Council records the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Fullarton and Dr Robinson and extends to their family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.”

     

    Suicide Prevention Programme award

     

    (7)       The Chairman congratulated the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership Suicide Prevention team for their success in the National Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards, as the winners of the All Age Crisis and Acute Care category, and runners-up in the Suicide Prevention category.

     

                New £20 note and the Turner Contemporary

     

    (8)       The Chairman informed Members that the new £20 note, which would be issued on 20 February 2020, featured J.M.W Turner and depicted the Turner Contemporary.

     

    173.

    Questions pdf icon PDF 164 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    In accordance with Procedure Rule 1.17(4), 5 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.

     

    174.

    Strategic Statement Annual Report 2019 pdf icon PDF 568 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mr Carter moved, and Mr Hotson seconded the following motion:

     

    “County Council is asked to note and comment on the Increasing Opportunities,

    Improving Outcomes Strategic Statement Annual Report 2019”

     

    (2)       Following the debate, the motion set out above was agreed without a formal

    vote.

     

    (3)       RESOLVED that the Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes Strategic

    Statement Annual Report 2019 and the comments made by Members be noted.

     

    175.

    Report by the Leader of the Council (Oral)

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)         The Leader referred to his first speech as Leader of Kent County Council in 2005. He reflected on some of the significant changes that had taken place in the 14 years since he was elected Leader of the Council.

     

    (2)       He stated that the last 8 to 10 years had been very much affected by the era of austerity. He had compared some of the statistics that were around 14 years ago to now and the current net revenue budget of this Authority   was almost identical to what it was 8 to 9 years ago when austerity started which was quite extraordinary.  KCC delivered a complex array of people-based services with the same amount of money that it received 7 to 8 years ago.  This was an enormous credit to all involved, especially Members working together with officers.    

     

    (3)       Mr Carter referred to the substantial growth in reserves over the past 14 years and also the pension fund which over the past 8 – 9 years had probably grown faster than any other Local Government Pension fund.

     

    (4)       Mr Carter made reference to the next years budget and stated that with a little bit of his influence Local Government had got a one-year settlement and he hoped that there would soon be a Medium-Term settlement.

     

    (5)       Mr Carter highlighted the importance of having a well-motivated staff and mentioned the introduction of performance reward for staff.    He emphasised the importance of KCC’s “can-do” approach.

     

    (6)       In relation to localism, Mr Carter referred to the lack of devolution to local government.   He gave the example of the Regional Schools Commissioner and the extension of the academisation programme across the county.

     

    (7)       Mr Carter confirmed that he was a great believer in business/local government partnerships but considered that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were not as effective as the previous Local Transport Plan allocation process.   

     

    (8)       Mr Carter referred to the good progress made with KCC’s traded services division, commercial services and other LATCO’s and was pleased that after some initial issues these were doing well.

     

    (9)       Although Mr Carter considered that KCC had moved ahead in the procurement and commissioning process he expressed the view that more needed to be done to measure how those services were actually being delivered.  He gave the example of increased SEN spending achieving less customer satisfaction and the need to work on putting the customer first.

     

    (10)     When he became leader in 2005, Mr Carter stated that he had raised the possibility of investing and re-investing in KCC’s capital real estate and the establishment of a property company.  He explained how he believed this could still be achieved.

     

    (11)   In conclusion Mr Carter stated that he was enormously proud of KCC’s achievements and expressed his thanks to all those involved.

     

    (12)     Mr Bird, the Leader of the Opposition, congratulated Mr Carter on his service and achievements as Leader of Kent County Council and the level of support he had provided for Kent County Council’s staff and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 175.