Agenda and draft minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mrs Lawes, Ms Nolan and Miss Randall.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Monitoring Officer) explained, in relation to Item 9 on the agenda - KCC's Strategic Business Case for Local Government Reorganisation in Kent and Medway – that in accordance with Section 21.73 of the Council’s Constitution, dispensation had been granted to allow all Members to freely take part in the debate. There was therefore no need for Members who were also elected to district and borough councils to declare their interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 September 2025 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on 29 July 2025 be noted.

1)      The Chairman expressed his gratitude to Sarah Nurden for her outstanding work in organising the recent media event at the end of September promoting Kent’s international rail connectivity. Her professionalism and dedication were instrumental in its success.

2)      The Chairman explained that throughout the day the Adult Social Care directorate were showcasing Technology Enabled Care.  The Chairman encouraged Members to visit the stall and learn about this helpful service.

3)      The Chairman said he was honoured to host the recent Kent Civic Launch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal which brought together the RBL and the Kent Armed Forces community in united support. Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, the Chairman encouraged Members to attend local ceremonies held across the county on behalf of the Council.

4)      The Chairman highlighted that November was National Care Leavers Month. He said this was a valuable opportunity for Members, as corporate parents, to show support for young people leaving care. He also flagged the upcoming Corporate Parenting Care Leavers Christmas Appeal which would be delivered in partnership with the Young Lives Foundation.

5)      Members were informed of the sad news of the death of Mr John Fox. Members heard that Mr Fox served the people of Kent with dedication and integrity during his time on the Council, making a lasting contribution to local government and the community he cared deeply about. Tributes were made by Mrs Dean, Mr Brady, Mr Hood, Ms Kemkaran, and Mr Rayner.

6)      The Chairman proposed a motion of condolence to the family of Mr Fox and this was agreed unanimously. A one-minute silence was held in his memory.

In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 14 questions were submitted by the deadline and 14 questions were put to the Executive. 10 questions were asked and replies given. A record of all questions and answers is available online with the papers for this meeting.

1)      The Leader opened her report by highlighting significant concerns regarding the current local government finance system. She explained that councils nationally had overspent by over 5% on adult social care, over 14% on children’s social care, and over 25% on home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disability (SEND). Ms Kemkaran said this was unsustainable and expressed frustration that councils had still not received confirmation of their funding settlement, explaining that the uncertainty made it difficult for councils to plan their budgets effectively. The Leader explained that KCC had not applied for exceptional financial support, unlike several other councils and referred to KCC’s 1.8% overspend at the end of Quarter 1 compared to the overspend of other councils during the same period.

2)      Regarding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Leader referred to the recent meeting of the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation Cabinet Committee where it was noted that KCC’s Option 1A (a single unitary for Kent and Medway) remained the preferred option for Kent. KCC had produced its own business case, which highlighted the significant projected costs of LGR and demonstrated that Option 1A was the least likely to require an increase in council tax to cover the cost of disaggregating core services.

3)      Turning to the Strategic Statement the Leader said the document reflected a clear focus on priorities for Kent. Key themes included promoting personal responsibility, supporting local businesses through a Kent-first approach, and placing greater emphasis on early years to help parents fulfil their responsibilities. Plans for elderly care included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and preventative measures to maintain independence. Ms Kemkaran highlighted the progress made on highways since the election including over 22,000 potholes repaired, 250,000 square metres of roads patched, and 210,000 square metres resurfaced. Positive feedback had been received from residents regarding these improvements.

4)      The Leader had recently visited Eurotunnel in Folkestone to look at the new Entry/Exit System (EES) and to discuss freight transport and motorway congestion. Two key barriers to rail freight through Kent were identified—overhead gantries and mismatched rail gauges—which could be resolved with investment. The Leader had written to the Department for Transport regarding this and would raise the issue at the upcoming Thames Estuary Fair Economic Growth All-Party Parliamentary Group.

5)      The Leader confirmed KCC’s role in supporting Virgin’s bid for the international rail franchise, which included commitments to stop in Kent. A September event at Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations brought together key stakeholders and Ms Kemkaran highlighted this as an example of successful cross-party cooperation.

6)      The Leader referred to further engagement with the agricultural sector, including visits to Niab at East Malling and a roundtable event at Hull Park, Cranbrook which brought together landowners and farmers. She expressed concern about farm inheritance tax, which was damaging to Kent’s farming industry. The Leader had written to the Chancellor urging reconsideration of this policy, noting Kent’s importance as a major contributor to UK agriculture and soft fruit production.

7)      Finally, the Leader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council approves the Council Strategy, Reforming Kent 2025-28.”

2)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

For (53) 

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Ms B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mr M Logan, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Ms D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Ms B Porter, Ms S Roots, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr D Taylor, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorpe, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble

Against (21)

Mr B Barrett, Mr M Brice, Mr M Ellis, Mr S Heaver, Mr M Hood, Mr A Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Mr A Kennedy, Mr R Lehmann, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Ms C Russell, Mr G Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr P Stepto, Mr R Streatfeild MBE, Mr M Sole and Mr N Williams

Abstain (3)

Mr A Brady, Mr R Ford and Mrs S Hudson

Motion carried.

3)      RESOLVED that Council approves the Council Strategy, Reforming Kent 2025-28.

1)      Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council considers and debates the proposal as part of ensuring all-Member input to inform the proposed Cabinet Decision to approve and submit the Strategic Business Case to Government.”

2)      RESOLVED to note the proposal as part of ensuring all-Member input to inform the proposed Cabinet Decision to approve and submit the Strategic Business Case to Government.

Mr Paul Dossett (External Auditor) Grant Thornton was in attendance for this item.

1)      Mr Brown proposed, and Mr Paul seconded the motion that:

“County Council notes the External Audit Annual Report 2024-25.”

2)      Mr Paul Dossett, external auditor from Grant Thornton, provided an overview of the role of public sector auditors within local government, their duties, and statutory powers. Mr Dossett provided an overall perspective of the Council’s current position in relation to financial sustainability, governance, and value for money.  

3)      The Chairman thanked Mr Dossett, his team, and Council staff involved, for their hard work.

4)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1 to the vote and it was agreed unanimously.

5)      RESOLVED that County Council notes the External Audit Annual Report 2024-25.

1)      Mr Streatfeild proposed, and Mr Hook seconded the motion that:

“County Council resolves to:

•        Recommend that KCC works with relevant partners to form an independently chaired cross party Health and Social Care Kent improvement board to urgently address issues in the CQC inspection, the budget, and the departure of the DASS.

•        Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care should write to the Secretary of State to:

o       Confirm this Council’s support of joint working at both local and national levels, including through the KCC Health and Wellbeing Board, to establish a long-term agreement on funding and provision of social care.

o       Call for the establishment of a national cross-party commission dedicated to forging a long-term agreement on a predictable and consistent funding model for free personal care, ensuring sustainability and accessibility for all.

o       Support the introduction of an Emergency Health and Care Budget ahead of the Autumn Statement, prioritising the resolution of the national crisis and placing it at the forefront of the new government’s agenda.”

2)      Mr Ricketts declared an interest that he was an elected governor of East Kent University Hospitals Foundation Trust.

3)      Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1 to the vote and the voting was as follows:

For (22) 

Mr B Barrett, Mr M Brice, Mrs T Dean MBE, Mr M Ellis, Mr R Ford, Mr S Heaver, Mr M Hood, Mr A Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kennedy, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Mr T Prater, Mr A Ricketts, Ms C Russell, Mr G Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr P Stepto, Mr R Streatfeild MBE, Mr M Sole and Mr N Williams

Against (47)

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Ms B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Ms D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Ms B Porter, Ms S Roots, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr D Taylor, Mr A Thorpe, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble

Abstain (5)

Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mrs S Hudson and Mr P Thomas

Motion lost.

4)      Mr Stepto proposed, and Mr Hood seconded the motion that:

“This Council resolves to

1.      Recommend that all future financial transactions/decisions in relation to Treasury Management which are above the value of £2 million are reported to the Governance & Audit Committee on a quarterly basis.

2.      Recommend that all Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.