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  • Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

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

    Contact: Joel Cook - Democratic Services Manager  03000 416287

    Media

    Items
    No. Item

    150.

    Apologies for Absence

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies for absence from Mr Broadley, Mr Cannon, Mrs Dean, Mrs Game, Mrs Hudson, Mr Ozog, Mrs Parfitt-Reid, and Mr Wright.

     

    Members were advised that Mr Chittenden and Ms Constantine had given their formal apologies and were joining the meeting virtually.

    151.

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

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    There were no declarations of interest.

    152.

    Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2023 and, if in order, to be approved as a correct record pdf icon PDF 243 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2023 be approved as a correct record. 

    153.

    Corporate Parenting Panel - Minutes for noting - 12 April 2023 pdf icon PDF 315 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel held on 12 April 2023 be noted.

    154.

    Chairman's Announcements

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mr John Kirby

     

    (1)       With the greatest of sadness, the Chairman informed Members of the death of Mr John Kirby, former Member for Ramsgate from 2009-2013.  During his time at Kent County Council, Mr Kirby served on the Planning Applications Committee, Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee, Environment, Highways and Waste POC, Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Board, the Select Committee on Dementia and was Chairman of the Select Committee on Domestic Abuse.  In addition to his time at Kent County Council, Mr Kirby was also appointed to a number of outside bodies including Ramsgate Town Partnership (Town Centre Management), East Kent Community NHS Trust and Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve Steering Group.  He was a Thanet District Councillor and was Mayor of Ramsgate in 1993.

     

    (2)       Tributes were made by Mr Gough, Dr Sullivan, Mr Hook, Mr Lehmann, and Mr Shonk.

     

    Mr Leyland Ridings

     

    (3)       With the greatest of regret the Chairman reported that Mr Leyland Ridings had very recently, on 11 July 2023, passed away.  The Chairman invited Members to pay tribute to Mr Ridings at its next full meeting on 21 September 2023.

     

    Motion of condolence

     

    (4)       Mr Cooke proposed, and Mr Sweetland seconded, that the Council formally record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Kirby and Mr Ridings and extends to their families and friends its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.

    Agreed unanimously.

     

    (5)       The Chairman held a one-minute silence in memory of Mr Kirby and Mr Ridings.

     

    KYCC – Youth Mental Health Journalist of the Year

     

    (6)       At The Day’s Global Young Journalist Awards Ceremony on Thursday 15 June, Shreya Nivarty was named as the winner of the Mental Health Journalist of the Year Award.  The Chairman said Shreya was a member of Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) and Chair of the Mental Health Campaign group.  Shreya submitted an article about her experience with KYCC and why she got involved.  The award was presented by Dr Stuart Lawrence, author of Silence is Not an Option and brother of Stephen Lawrence.  The Chairman was pleased that Shreya’s work had been recognised in this way and invited Members in congratulating her on this remarkable achievement.

     

     

    Birthday Honours List

     

    (7)       The Chairman referred Members to His Majesty the King’s first Birthday Honours List announced in June and was pleased to refer Members to the list of Kent recipients.  The Chairman formally congratulated all those who received an Honour.

     

    Newly Appointed Deputy Lieutenants of Kent

     

    (8)       The Chairman referred Members to the list of newly appointed Deputy Lieutenants of Kent, appointed in June by the Lord-Lieutenant, The Lady Colgrain.  Each of the seven new Deputy Lieutenants had been appointed for their positive contributions to the County and the Nation.  The Chairman formally congratulated all those appointed.

     

    Chairman’s Charities

     

    (9)       The Chairman thanked Members for their generous donations made at the Annual meeting in May and was delighted to start his fundraising endeavours and raise awareness for young carers in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

    155.

    Questions pdf icon PDF 409 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 12 questions were submitted by the deadline, 9 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 10 - 12 were not put in the time allocated but written answers were provided.

     

    156.

    Report by Leader of the Council (Oral)

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)       The Leader opened his report by referring to the severe and growing financial stress across local government and explained that one of the key issues for rural authorities was the balance and distribution of funding, the case for which had been put to the Secretary of State.  Mr Gough said although the Secretary of State’s speech to the Local Government Association (LGA) spoke of a fairer and more rational allocation of resources across authorities, much of it was focused on simplicity and flexibility in funding which, whilst also welcome, was a different issue. 

     

    (2)       Mr Gough explained that the Council was involved in three separate judicial review claims in relation to the care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and proceedings had recently been issued to the Home Office regarding the operation of the National Transfer Scheme (NTS).  He said the three claims would be heard together and an urgent preliminary issues hearing would take place on 20 and 21 July 2023. He highlighted that the National Transfer Scheme had to operate in an effective way for the Council to meet the full range of its statutory duties and explained that whist many placements had been made by the NTS it had not always kept pace with the number of arrivals.  Mr Gough stressed that it had always been the Council’s priority, under extremely challenging circumstances, to deliver a safe service.

     

    (3)       Mr Gough explained that a change in Department for Education guidelines regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) had meant that four schools in Kent had to close temporarily for roof strengthening works.  Alternative provisions were established very quickly, and Mr Gough paid tribute to Members and officers across education, infrastructure, and communications for their work in minimising the disruption and anxiety for schools, children, and families.

     

    (4)       Mr Gough referred to central government’s proposals to end support for the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) by March 2024 and said the Council had a responsibility to ensure that the achievements of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) were maintained under the new arrangements and structure of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.

     

    (5)       Cabinet on 29 June 2023 considered the devolution agenda and agreed to submit an expression of interest to government.  Mr Gough said he believed the right answer for Kent and Medway, under current national policy, was a mayoral county combined authority, and said his aim was to be as wide ranging and inclusive as possible in taking the proposals forward.  He highlighted that progress depended on open conversations with government and close working with partners and district colleagues.

     

    (6)       Mr Gough referred to the reinstatement of Operation Brock and the pressure on the traffic management system over the summer months.  He said this was part of a much wider issue which included the future introduction of the Entry Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).  He said joint working, in the form of task and finish groups, had taken place with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

    157.

    End of Year Performance Report - 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 340 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

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

     

    “County Council notes the Performance Report.”

     

    (2)       The Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

     

    (3)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the Performance Report.

     

    Mr Baldock asked that his vote to abstain from the recommendation be noted in the minutes.

    158.

    Annual Report on Urgent Decisions pdf icon PDF 361 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    (1)       The Chairman highlighted to Members that detailed consideration of decisions within the report should not form part of the debate.

     

    (2)       Mr Gough proposed, and Mr Oakford seconded the motion that

     

    “The County Council notes the report.”

     

    (3)       The Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 2.

     

    (4)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the report.

    159.

    External Audit - Annual Report 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 277 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mr Paul Dossett from Grant Thornton was in attendance for this item.

     

    (1)       The Chairman welcomed Independent Auditor, Mr Paul Dossett from Grant Thornton, and explained that, in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) recommendations, audit findings would be highlighted and drawn to the attention of all Members. 

     

    (2)       Mr Paul Dossett from Grant Thornton introduced the report and answered questions from Members.

     

    (3)       Mrs Binks proposed, and Mr Chard seconded the motion that

     

    “The County Council notes the External Audit Annual Report 2021-22.”

     

    (4)       Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 3.

     

    (5)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the External Audit Annual Report 2021-22.

    160.

    Proportionality pdf icon PDF 206 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

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

     

    County Council:

     

    (a)       Notes the outcome of the recent by-election and that no changes are required under the proportionality rules.

     

    (b)       Confirms the continued delegated authority to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Group leaders to adjust the allocation of committee places in order to conform to overall proportionality requirements and manage membership arrangements in line with the details set out in this report and that considered by Council on 25 May 2023.”

     

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

     

    (3)       RESOLVED that County Council:

     

    (a)       Notes the outcome of the recent by-election and that no changes are required under the proportionality rules.

     

    (b)       Confirms the continued delegated authority to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Group leaders to adjust the allocation of committee places in order to conform to overall proportionality requirements and manage membership arrangements in line with the details set out in this report and that considered by Council on 25 May 2023.</AI10>

    161.

    Motions for Time Limited Debate pdf icon PDF 192 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Motion for Time Limited Debate 1 – Disposable E-cigarettes

     

    (1)       Jenni Hawkins proposed, and Mr Hood seconded the following motion for time-limited debate:

     

    “County Council requests that the Executive write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that disposable vapes are banned.”

     

    (2)       Following the debate, Mr Hood proposed a recorded vote.

     

    (3)       The Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 2 to the vote.

    Motion lost.

     

    (4)       The Chairman put the substantive motion set out in paragraph 1 to the vote.

     

    Substantive Motion carried.

     

    (5)       RESOLVED that County Council requests that the Executive write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that disposable vapes are banned.

     

     

    Motion for Time Limited Debate 2 – ULEZ Expansion

     

     

    (1)       Mr Cole proposed and Mr Kite seconded the following motion for time-limited debate:

     

    “That County Council:

    ·       Notes the existing KCC commitment to air quality in Kent via the Kent and Medway Low Emissions Strategy;

    ·       Notes the disproportionate impact the ULEZ expansion will have on essential key workers and those on low incomes;

    ·       Requests that the Leader of the Council write to the Mayor of London, expressing this Council’s considerable concern about the impact of the expansion and calling on the Mayor, explicitly, to reverse the decision.

    ·       Requests that the Executive confirm that it will not permit any new ULEZ signs being erected on Kent County Council property nor any existing LEZ signs being changed.”

     

    (2)       Mr Hook proposed and Mr Streatfeild seconded the following amendment:

     

    “That County Council:

     

    ·       Notes the existing KCC commitment to air quality in Kent via the Kent and Medway Low Emissions Strategy;

    ·       Notes the disproportionate impact the ULEZ expansion will have on essential key workers and, those on low incomes and people without access to good public transport options; and

    ·       Requests that the Leader of the Council

    o   write to the Mayor of London, expressing this Council’s considerable concern about the impact of the expansion and calling on the Mayor, explicitly, to reverse the decision; and

    o   lobby Government to ensure that, should the expansion progress, a scrappage scheme similar to the scheme available to Greater London residents is made available to Kent residents who work in, or have close family in, the proposed extended ULEZ area.

    ·       Requests that the Executive confirm that it will not permit any new ULEZ signs being erected on Kent County Council property nor any existing LEZ signs being changed.”

     

    (3)       Following the debate, the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph 2 to the vote.

    Amendment lost.

     

    (4)       Dr Sullivan proposed and Ms Grehan seconded the following amendment:

     

    “That County Council:

    ·       Notes the existing KCC commitment to air quality in Kent via the Kent and Medway Low Emissions Strategy;

    ·       Notes the disproportionate impact the ULEZ expansion will have on essential key workers and those on low incomes;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

    162.

    Monitoring Officer's Section 5 Report - UASC pdf icon PDF 75 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    This item was taken after Item 4.

     

    (1)       The Chairman explained he had approved the addition of this urgent item to the agenda. 

     

    (2)       The General Counsel provided an explanation of the Section 5 report.

     

    (3)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the report.