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  • Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Online

    Contact: Denise Fitch  03000 416090

    Note: In response to COVID-19, the Government has legislated to permit remote attendance by Elected Members at formal meetings. This is conditional on other Elected Members and the public being able to hear those participating in the meeting. This meeting of the County Council will be streamed live and can be watched via the Media link below 

    Media

    Items
    No. Item

    204.

    Chairman's Announcements

    Minutes:

    Mr Ian Thomas

     

    (1)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that she had to inform the Council of the sad death of Mr Ian Thomas on 16 June 2020.  On behalf of Members she expressed sympathy to his family.  She also said Members would have an opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Thomas at the July County Council meeting.

     

    Lord Lieutenant of Kent

     

    (2)     The Chairman announced that on the 21 April 2020, Lord De L’Isle had stood down after nine years as the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and had been succeeded by Lady Colgrain.  The Chairman said she had sent him 12 rose bushes representing the 12 districts of Kent and had thanked him for his service to the county.

    205.

    Apologies for Absence

    Minutes:

    The General Counsel reported apologies from Mr J Clinch, Mr A Booth, Mr R Thomas and Mrs P Stockell.

    206.

    Election of Chairman

    Minutes:

    (Mrs A Allen the present Chairman presided for this item)

     

    (1)       Mr Gough moved, and Mr Bird seconded that Mr Gibbens be appointed Chairman of the County Council.

     

    Agreed unanimously

     

    (2)       Thereupon Mr Gibbens made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and returned thanks for his election.  Mr Gibbens said that Porchlight would be his charity for the year.

     

    (3)       Mr Gibbens, Mrs Dean, Mr Farrell, Mr Brazier and Mr Kite paid tribute to Mrs Allen and thanked her for the manner in which she had carried out her duties as Chairman of the County Council from May 2019 until the present day.

     

    (4)       Mrs Allen suitably replied.

     

    207.

    Election of Vice-Chairman

    Minutes:

    (1) Miss Carey moved, and Mr Bowles seconded that Mr Northey be appointed Vice-Chairman of the County Council.

     

    Agreed unanimously

     

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

     

    208.

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

    Minutes:

    Agenda Item no 16 – Treasury Management 6 Month Review 2019/18

     

    (1)       Mr Gibbens stated that he received a pension from the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group

     

    (2) Mr Bartlett declared an interest as he is an employee of the Bank of New YorkMellon (BNYM).and the Council was investing in a money market fund managed by a company associated with BNYM. Although he had no involvement in the management of this or any other money market fund he did not intend to take any part in the discussion on this item.

     

    General

     

    (3) Dr Sullivan declared an interest as her husband was employed by the County Council as an Early Help and Prevention officer.

     

    209.

    Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2020 and, if in order, to be approved as a correct record pdf icon PDF 347 KB

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2020 be approved as a correct record.

     

     

    210.

    Protocol for Virtual Meetings pdf icon PDF 109 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

     

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

     

    “The County Council agrees to adopt the Protocols as set out in the appendix to the report, in order to facilitate the smooth working of its virtual meetings.”

     

    (2)  The motion set out in paragraph (1) above was agreed without a formal vote.

     

    (3)          RESOLVED that the Protocols as set out in the appendix to the report, be endorsed.

     

    211.

    Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2019 – Corporate Parenting Panel pdf icon PDF 215 KB

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on 17 September 2019 be noted.

     

    212.

    Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 December 2019 – Corporate Parenting Panel pdf icon PDF 322 KB

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on 10 December 2019 be noted.

     

    213.

    Chairman's Announcements

    Minutes:

    Mr Colin Caller

     

    (1)          The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Mr Colin Caller, former Labour Member for Gravesham East from 2013 to 2017, on 14 February 2020.

     

    (2)            Mr Bird, Dr Sullivan, Mr Burden, Mr Sweetland, Mr Gough and the Chairman paid tribute to Mr Caller.

     

    (3)        A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Mr Caller.

     

    (4)          The Chairman then 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 Caller and extends to his family and friends its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.”

     

    Formal Thanks

     

    (5)           The Chairman referred to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it was having on Kent’s communities. He formally thanked all those working in the social care sector and asked Mrs Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, to pass on the Council’s thanks to all providers and workers in the sector across the county.

     

    (6)           The Chairman also thanked Members, officers, voluntary organisations, the health sector, delivery drivers, key workers, teachers, retail workers and many others for their dedication and tireless efforts in supporting those most in need and for keeping essential services running during this unprecedented time.  

     

    (7)           The Chairman paid tribute to those that had passed away after contracting the virus and passed on the Council’s condolences to their families and friends.

     

    KM Charity/Inspire School Celebration

     

    (8)          The Chairman referred to the KM Charity’s 20th Birthday celebrations which took place on 5th March 2020. During the evening, Mr Whiting, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, received a Commemorative Award and Certificate on behalf of Kent County Council, in recognition of the Council’s help and support for the KM Charity Team and Inspire Schools events and services throughout 2019. The Award was presented by Mike Ward, Chief Executive of the KM Charity Award Team.

     

    Award for Kent Waste Management

     

    (9)           The Chairman announced that Kent County Council had received the REPIC ‘Champion of Champions’ award for delivering a 12-month project that improved annual vehicle usage efficiency by 7%.  The award was achieved by optimising e-waste recycling collections and meant that, through positive engagement with the public, Kent had improved the collection of waste electrical materials.

     

    (10)      The Chairman invited Members to join him in congratulating all of those involved in the scheme on the achievement and for their dedication to recycling.

     

    The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise

     

    (11)      The Chairman announced that Kent had two winners of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise this year. They were Nim’s Fruit Crisps (Sittingbourne) and Priority Freight Holdings (Dover).

     

    (12)      The Chairman congratulated these companies on this great achievement and invited Members to join him in congratulating all of the recipients of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise this year.

     

    The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service

     

    (13)      The Chairman announced that Kent had three winners of The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 213.

    214.

    Questions pdf icon PDF 481 KB

    Minutes:

    In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution,12 questions were asked and replies given.  A record of all questions put and answers given at the meeting is available online with the papers for this meeting.

     

    215.

    Report by Leader of the Council (Oral)

    Minutes:

    (1)          The Leader stated that his update would focus on the impacts of COVID including the authority’s response and plans for after lockdown.  He set out some of the achievements including remote working and virtual meetings.

     

    (2)          Mr Gough highlighted the work had been undertaken with the district and borough councils and other partners to support those who were shielding including the development of local hubs to support Kent’s most vulnerable residents and the launch of ‘Kent Together’.

     

    (3)          Mr Gough commended the engagement work that had taken place between Council staff and Kent Schools to ensure that pupils were able to access education during the time that schools were closed to most pupils, and the assistance provided to enable pupils to return to school.

     

    (4)          Mr Gough said that over 15,000 calls had been made by Kent County Council’s social workers to ensure the safety of vulnerable children during the COVID-19 outbreak.

     

    (5)          Mr Gough referred to the temporary closure of household waste and recycling centres in Kent and paid tribute to the Cabinet Member for Environment, as well as the Head of Commercial Management and Waste Services and his staff in managing the issues related to the closure.

     

    (6)          Mr Gough highlighted the support to charities through the Kent Community Foundation and businesses through the Kent and Medway Business Hub and support for the care sector.

     

    (7)          Mr Gough stated that an urgent executive decision had been taken to purchase bulk Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use by Kent County Council staff and for mutual aid to Kent County Council’s service providers where they were unable to source supplies.

     

    (8)          Mr Gough stated that the interim Strategic Plan would focus specifically on the Council and county’s renewal phase.  It would include the inter-related issues of school return, public transport, town centres and economic revival, the use of new technology and ways of working, changes to Kent’s estate, and Kent County Council’s engagement with the public.

     

    (9)          Mr Gough said that the work on the interim Strategic Plan would be central to setting priorities for a challenging financial environment. He referred to Kent County Council’s 2020-21 budget which had also been affected by the impact of COVID-19. He stated that Kent’s additional expenditure, loss of income and savings had reached approximately £120m for the current financial year. He said that government support totalled £65m, excluding additional costs likely to arise during the renewal phase or loss of income from a drop in council tax collection rates. He added that, the County Councils Network regularly drew the government’s attention to the financial pressures faced by the local authority sector as a result of the pandemic. He said that, whilst it was likely that some of the financial gap would close, the 2020-21 budget would be re-visited at the County Council meeting in September 2020. He said that it was likely that the following 3-5 years would present sustained financial challenges which must be addressed by realism, a commitment to financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 215.

    216.

    Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 124 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1) Mrs Prendergast moved, and Mr Gough seconded the following motion:

     

    “The County Council is asked to endorse    the Pay Policy Statement.”

     

    (2)  The motion set out in paragraph (1) above was agreed without a formal vote.

     

    (3)        RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement 2020-21 be endorsed.

     

     

    217.

    Children, Young People and Education Directorate - Top Tier Restructure pdf icon PDF 138 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)         Mr Gough moved, and Mr Long seconded the following motion:

     

    “The County Council is invited to endorse the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to agree the :

     

    (i)    formal deletion, in the structure, of the post of Director Education Planning and Access in the Children Young People and Education Directorate;

     

    (ii)  introduction of a new Director – Education role and a new Director – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities role, both as described in Appendix 3 of the County Council agenda pack.”

     

    (2)       Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph (1) above to the vote and the voting was as follows:

     

    For (59)

     

    Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Balfour, Mr P Barrington-King, Mr P Bartlett, Mrs P Beresford, Mrs R Binks, Mr R Bird, Mr T Bond, Mr A Booth, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr D Butler, Miss S Carey, Mrs S Chandler, Mr N Chard, Mr I Chittenden, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr A Cook, Mr G Cooke, Mr P Cooper, Mrs M Crabtree, Miss E Dawson, Mrs T Dean, Mrs L Game, Mr R Gough, Ms S Hamilton, Mr M Hill, Mr T Hills, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Mr A Hook, Mr E Hotson, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr P Lake, Ida Linfield, Mr R Long, Mr R Love, Mr G Lymer, Mr A Marsh, Mr J McInroy, Mr D Monk, Mr D Murphy, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr D Pascoe, Mr M Payne, Mrs S Prendergast, Miss C Rankin, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ridgers, Mr C Simkins, Mr B Sweetland, Mr M Whiting, Mr M Whybrow, Mr J Wright

     

    Against (5)

     

    Mr J Burden, Ms K Constantine, Mr D Farrell, Mr B Lewis, Dr L Sullivan

     

    Abstained (0)

     

    Motion carried

     

    (3)        RESOLVED that:

     

    (i)    the formal deletion in the structure of the post of Director Education Planning and Access in the Children Young People and Education Directorate be approved; 

     

    (ii)  a new Director – Education role and a new Director – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities role be approved, both as described in Appendix 3 of the County Council agenda pack,

     

     

    218.

    Annual Increase of Members' Allowance Scheme pdf icon PDF 186 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

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

     

    “The County Council is asked to approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix A2 to the report.”

     

    (2)  Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph (1) above to the vote and the voting was as follows:

     

    For (55)

     

    Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Balfour, Mr P Barrington-King, Mr P Bartlett, Mrs C Bell, Mrs P Beresford, Mrs R Binks, Mr T Bond, Mr A Booth, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr D Butler, Miss S Carey, Mrs S Chandler, Mr N Chard, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr A Cook, Mrs M Crabtree, Miss E Dawson, Mrs L Game, Mr R Gough, Ms S Hamilton, Mr P Harman, Mr M Hill, Mr T Hills, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Mr E Hotson, Mrs L Hurst, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mr R Long, Mr R Love, Mr G Lymer, Mr S Manion, Mr A Marsh, Ms D Marsh, Mr J McInroy, Mr D Monk, Mr D Murphy, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr D Pascoe, Mr M Payne, Mrs S Prendergast, Miss C Rankin, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ridgers, Mr C Simkins, Mr B Sweetland, Mr M Whiting, Mr J Wright

     

    Abstained (13)

     

    Mr R Bird, Mr I Chittenden, Ms K Constantine, Mr G Cooke, Mr P Cooper, Mrs T Dean, Mr D Farrell, Mr A Hook, Mr G Koowaree, Mr B Lewis, Ida Linfield, Dr L Sullivan, Mr M Whybrow

     

    Against (0)

     

    Motion carried

     

    (3)         RESOLVED that the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix A2 to the report be approved.

     

    219.

    Update of the Members Allowances' Scheme pdf icon PDF 205 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)  The Chairman moved, and Mr Sweetland seconded the following motion:

     

    “The County Council is asked to agree to the adoption of the updated Members’ Allowance Scheme as set out in Appendix B1 to the report.”

     

    (2)  The Chairman agreed that the County Council in October 2020 would receive a report from the General Counsel reviewing the workload of the Chairman of the Selection and Member Services Committee as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel.

     

    (3)  Following the debate, the motion set out in paragraph (1) above was agreed without a formal vote.

     

    (4)          RESOLVED that the adoption of the updated Members’ Allowance Scheme as set out in Appendix B1 to the report be approved.

     

    220.

    Annual Report on Urgent Executive Decisions pdf icon PDF 386 KB

    Minutes:

    (1)      Mr Gough moved, and Mr Oakford seconded the following motion:

     

    “The County Council is asked to note the report.”

     

    (2)     Following the debate, the motion set out in paragraph (1) above was agreed without a formal vote.

     

    (3)     RESOLVED that the Leader’s Annual Report on Urgent Executive Decisions be noted.

     

    221.

    Independent Person (Standards) pdf icon PDF 111 KB

    Minutes:

       </AI16>

    <AI17>

     

    (1)        Mr Oakford moved, and Mr Kite seconded the following motion:

     

    “The County Council is asked to agree the appointment of Michael George as the Independent Person for the Members’ Code of Conduct for the four-year term 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.”

     

    (2)         Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph (1) above to the vote and the voting was as follows:

     

    For (65)

     

    Mrs A Allen, Mr M Angell, Mr M Balfour, Mr P Barrington-King, Mr P Bartlett, Mrs C Bell, Mrs P Beresford, Mrs R Binks, Mr R Bird, Mr T Bond, Mr A Booth, Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr J Burden, Mr D Butler, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs S Chandler, Mr I Chittenden, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr A Cook, Mr G Cooke, Mr P Cooper, Mrs M Crabtree, Mr M Dance, Mrs T Dean, Mr D Farrell, Mrs L Game, Mr R Gough, Ms S Hamilton, Mr P Harman, Mr M Hill, Mr T Hills, Mrs S Hohler, Mr S Holden, Mr P Homewood, Mr A Hook, Mr E Hotson, Mrs L Hurst, Mr J Kite, Mr G Koowaree, Mr P Lake, Ida Linfield, Mr R Long, Mr R Love, Mr G Lymer, Mr A Marsh, Ms D Marsh, Mr J McInroy, Mr D Murphy, Mr M Northey, Mr P Oakford, Mr D Pascoe, Mr M Payne, Mrs S Prendergast, Mr K Pugh, Miss C Rankin, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ridgers, Mr C Simkins, Mr B Sweetland, Mr M Whiting, Mr M Whybrow, Mr J Wright

     

    Against (1)

     

    Ms K Constantine

     

    Abstained (2)

     

    Mr B Lewis, Dr L Sullivan

    Motion carried

     

    (3)          RESOLVED that Michael George be appointed as the Independent Person for the Members’ Code of Conduct for the four-year term 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.

     

    222.

    Treasury Management 6 Month Review 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 114 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

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

     

    “The County Council is asked to note the report.”

     

    (2)  The motion set out in paragraph (1) above was agreed without a formal vote.

     

    (3)        RESOLVED that the report be noted.

     

    (Mr Bartlett, in accordance with the interest declared at minute no 208 (2) above, withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item)