Agenda and minutes

The General Counsel reported apologies from Mr Paul Bartlett, Mrs Clair Bell, Mrs Rosalind Binks, Mr Trevor Bond, Mrs Becki Bruneau, Ms Mel Dawkins, Mr Anthony Hook, Mr Alan Marsh and Ms Linda Wright. Members were advised that Mr Collor was joining the meeting virtually.

Mr Streatfeild declared an interest in Item 6 – Questions - as a member of his family had an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and received statutory provided transport to and from school.  Mr Streatfield was also a member of Kent Parents and Carers Together (Kent PACT).

Dr Sullivan declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 15 – Pay Policy Statement – as her husband was a KCC employee.

To Follow

(1)      The General Counsel responded to a query regarding the availability of the recording of the meeting of County Council held on 10 February 2022 on the Kent County Council website.

(2)      RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Minutes of the meetings held on 15 September 2021 and 8 December 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Corporate Parenting Panel held on 15 September 2021 and 8 December 2021 be noted.

Mr John Davies

(1)       The Chairman, with the deepest sadness and regret, announced the passing of John Davies.  Mr Davies was the former Member for Tunbridge Wells from 2001 until 2017.  He served as Chairman of the County Council from May 2009 to May 2010 and held a number of roles, including that of Chair of the Planning Applications Committee.  He was made Honorary Alderman of the Council in December 2019 and continued to engage with Council staff on the importance of effective democratic activity and local government generally.

(2)       Tributes were made by Mr Brazier, Mr McInroy, Mr Gough, Miss Carey, Dr Sullivan, Mrs Hamilton, Mr Baldock and Mrs Dean.

Mr Ivor Jones

(3)       The Chairman, with the deepest sadness and regret, also announced the passing of Ivor Jones. Mr Jones was the former Labour Member for Dartford South West from May 1993 to May 1997 and former Member for Swanscombe and Greenhithe from May 2001 to May 2009. In addition to his time at Kent County Council, Mr Jones represented Stone at Dartford District Council.

(4)       Tributes were made by Ms Grehan, Mr Kite, Mr Sweetland, Mrs Dean and Mr Gough.

(5)       The Chairman asked members to remember those fighting for democracy in Ukraine, those who had sadly fallen and those who had fled their homes.

(6)       The Council held a one-minute’s silence in memory of Mr Davies and Mr Jones, and for those suffering from the conflict in Ukraine.

(7)       The Chairman thanked all those who offered such heartfelt tributes as part of the meeting.

Public Choice Section of Regiostars Awards

(8)       The Chairman announced the Flood and Water Management Team had recently completed a Blue Green Infrastructure project at George Park Margate funded through the EU Interreg North Seas Region Blue Green Infrastructure and Social Innovation project, known as the BEGIN project.

(9)       The Chairman was delighted to inform Members that the BEGIN project had been voted the winner of the Public Choice section of the European-wide Regiostars awards and congratulated everyone involved in the project.

Winter Olympics and Paralympics

(10)    The Chairman congratulated all those who participated in the recent Winter Olympics in Beijing and those competing in the Winter Paralympics.

(11)    The Chairman paid tribute to the athletes from Kent including Millie Knight from Canterbury, who won a bronze medal in the Downhill skiing event, Matt Weston from Tunbridge Wells, who competed in the Skeleton event and Taylor Lawrence from Thanet, who was part of Team GB’s four-man bobsleigh Team.

(1)      The General Counsel responded to a query regarding the printing and circulation of Questions for future meetings of the County Council.

(2)      In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 8 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. Questions 9 to 12 were not put in the time allocated but a written answer was provided. As Mrs Bell was not present at County Council Mr Meade responded to question 7 on her behalf.

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

(2)      Mr Gough said he recognised the pain and distress that had been caused by the SEND transport issues in recent weeks, to many parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities.  He said the issue had been acknowledged and discussed at Cabinet on 3 March 2022 and the voice of parents and carers effected by the issues was heard through the presence of Kent Parents and Carers Together (PACT).  Mr Gough reiterated the apology that was made at that meeting and said an independent review had been commissioned and would be carried out by the Council’s Internal Audit Team.  He said discussions were underway with the Local Government Association to draw upon the best practice of other local authorities to ensure that a recurrence of the SEND transport issues did not take place and the best service improvement was secured.

(3)      Mr Gough referred to the war in Ukraine and said the flag of Ukraine was flying over County Hall, and he thanked Mr Andrew Kennedy for providing the Ukraine flags displayed on desks. He said he felt the war in Ukraine was something that united all Members across the Council’s political groups. Mr Gough expressed the Council’s support and solidarity to the country of Ukraine noting that the country had worked for over a generation to build democratic institutions and had sought to find its own place within Europe.  Mr Gough said, alongside solidarity and symbolism, practical measures also had to be put in place. He said the Council’s commissioning work and investments, including its supply chains and those of its companies, had been reviewed for any exposure to Russia, and entities close to the regime, and connections had been quickly ceased or suspended. He said assurance had also been sought regarding the increased risk of cyber activity. He said the war had displaced nearly 2 million people and that number was growing. He highlighted the Ukrainian Family Scheme and Humanitarian Sponsorship Pathway where people from Ukraine could be sponsored by individuals, businesses, and community groups to come to the United Kingdom.  He said the situation remained dynamic and, along with other councils, the Council was seeking clarity on the implications of the crisis and how the Council should respond. 

(4)      Mr Gough referred to the Levelling Up White Paper published in early February, and he commended colleagues for the presentation and discussion at Cabinet on 3 March 2022. He said he would have welcomed within the White Paper recognition of the failings of past policies - the combination of centralisation, bidding culture, fragmentation and silos at local and national level - and he hoped the national government reconfigured the central/local relationship to respond to that.  Mr Gough welcomed recognition of the strategic role and significance of counties.

(5)      Mr Gough commended Mrs Bell, Richard Smith, and his team for ensuring the first Kent Care Summit, which took place on 2 March 2022,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

(1)      The Chairman welcomed Dr Ghosh to Kent County Council.

(2)      Mr Ghosh responded in his capacity as newly appointed Director of Public Health.

(3)      Mrs Cole proposed and Mr Meade seconded the motion that

“The County Council notes the Report”.

(4)      Following the debate the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(5)      RESOLVED that the County Council notes the Report.

This item was moved up the agenda and taken before Item 8.

(1)      The Chairman offered a very warm welcome to the meeting to Mr Gurvinder Sandher. The Chairman stated that Mr Sandher had promoted and championed racial equality and community cohesion working in partnership with local communities and public sector partners across Kent.

(2)      Tributes were made by Mr Hill, Dr Sullivan, Mr Kite, Mr Sandhu MBE and Mr Gough.

(3)      The Chairman presented Mr Sandher the Kent Invicta Award and a cheque for £5,000 in support of charities of Mr Sandher’s choosing.

(1)      Mr Oakford proposed and Mr Gough seconded the motion that

“The County Council approves the changes to the Constitution related to the signing and sealing of documents as set out in the Appendix to the report.”

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)      The General Counsel responded to a query regarding the specific inclusion within the Constitution that physical signatures have been obtained.

(4)      RESOLVED that the County Council approve the changes to the Constitution related to the signing and sealing of documents as set out in the Appendix to the report.

The Labour Group asked for their abstentions to be noted in the minutes.

(1)      Mr Gough proposed and Mr Oakford seconded the motion that

“The County Council agree that the Constitution be amended to allow the Chairman of the Council to act with regards urgent key decisions where the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee cannot, or the Vice-Chairman of the Council where the Chairman cannot.”

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)      RESOLVED that the County Council agree that the Constitution be amended to allow the Chairman of the Council to act with regards urgent key decisions where the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee cannot, or the Vice-Chairman of the Council where the Chairman cannot.

The Labour Group asked for their abstentions to be noted in the minutes.

(1)      Mr Oakford proposed and Mr McInroy seconded the motion that

“The County Council approve the updated Code of Corporate Governance and Section 26 of the Constitution amended accordingly.”

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1 to the vote and the motion was carried.

The Labour Group and Green & Independent Group asked for their abstentions to be noted.

(1)      Mr Oakford proposed and Mr Cooper seconded the motion that

“The County Council consider and approve the updated Financial Regulations and Delegated Authority Matrix of Approval Limits.”

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)      RESOLVED that the County Council consider and approve the updated Financial Regulations and Delegated Authority Matrix of Approval Limits.  

The Labour Group asked for their abstentions to be noted in the minutes.

(1)      Mr Oakford proposed and Mr Cooper seconded the motion that

“The County Council accepts Public Sector Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of our external auditors for five financial years from 1 April 2023."

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)      RESOLVED that the County Council accepts Public Sector Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of our external auditors for five financial years from 1 April 2023.

(1)      Mr Sweetland proposed and Mr Oakford seconded the motion that

“The County Council endorses the Pay Policy Statement.”

(2)      Following the debate the chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)      RESOLVED that the County Council endorses the Pay Policy Statement.

The Labour Group asked for their abstentions to be noted in the minutes.