Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mrs Dean, Mr Lehmann, Mr Logen, Mr Samme, Mr Thorp and Mr Stepto.

There were no declarations of interest

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 6 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on 21 October 2025 be noted.

1)    The Chairman reported that he had attended the KCC Infrastructure Team Christmas event and expressed his thanks to June Diplock for organising the occasion in support of the Corporate Parenting Christmas Campaign.

2)    The Chairman acknowledged recent donations to the Chairman’s Charities, the Young Lives Foundation and SATEDA, highlighting that £6,000 had been raised through reuse initiatives and the Staff Lottery. He thanked staff for their generosity and highlighted that the funds contributed to the Corporate Parenting Christmas Campaign and to SATEDA’s Choice Liberty Programme, which supported girls aged 13–18 who were at risk of abusive relationships.

3)    The Chairman reminded Members of the introduction of the new Members’ Grant System, designed to streamline the grant process. He explained that training for the pilot scheme would be delivered in the new year.

4)    The Chairman recorded his thanks to Paul Royel, Director of Human Resources and Organisation Development, on the occasion of his retirement following nearly 40 years of service. He also extended his thanks to John Betts, Interim Chief Finance Officer, for his support to Members, including his role as Section 151 Officer during a period of significant financial challenge.

In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 21 questions were submitted by the deadline and 19 questions were put to the Executive. 11 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 confirmed that KCC had received information on the Fair Funding Review which provided long needed financial clarity. It was reported that there would be a £127.3 million funding increase for 2026/27, with further increases of 7% for 2027/28 and 6.8% for 2028/29 indicated. Whilst the increased funding was welcomed, it was acknowledged that demand for services, particularly Adult Social Care and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), continued to rise significantly. Additionally, the Leader explained that the funding settlement disproportionately disadvantaged rural areas in favour of urban councils.

2. The Leader expressed her commitment to continue to lobby the Government for long term sustainable funding that reflected the true cost of delivering services in Kent.

3. The Leader raised concerns about proposed inheritance tax changes affecting farmers, the Leader shared that she had written to the Chancellor requesting a policy reversal. Significant emotional and financial pressures facing farmers were highlighted, alongside concerns for long term food security. The Leader reaffirmed her commitment to continue advocating on behalf of the farming community.

4. The importance of the armed forces was emphasised in the context of growing global instability. The Leader shared her intention to lobby the Government to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) targets from armed forces recruitment, with an emphasis on merit based selection.

5. The Leader explained that KCC Members would join a SEND working group, which aimed to redefine children with special educational needs, not as disabled but as differently abled. The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills was expected to play a key role in this working group, to set out policies to ensure that the system worked for those who needed it, whilst also being financially viable for local authorities.

6. Progress in Adult Social Care was highlighted, particularly through stronger management of the market between health and social care. The introduction of the Integrated Joint Brokerage Team, with the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, was highlighted as improving hospital discharge processes, standardisation and value for money.

7. The Council's Local Government Reorganisation submission was finalised with Option 1A (a single unitary for Kent and Medway) presented as the most cost effective and practical solution. Informational videos and posts on social media and in the local press had been shared, to inform residents as to why option 1A made sense.

8. The Leader explained that proposed changes to committee arrangements were welcomed as a means of reducing duplication, cutting bureaucracy and delivering annual savings of £75,000. Claims that the changes weaken scrutiny were rejected and the importance of transparency and accountability was reaffirmed.

9. The new in-house visitor economy and inward investment service, Brand Kent, was launched in partnership with Medway Council and planning had begun for future growth.

10.  Kent was confirmed as one of the first four areas to launch the £34 million Connect to Work Programme, which aimed to support over 9000 people into employment.

11.  The Leader highlighted the success of the first wave of Skills Bootcamps, which were funded by the Department for Education (DfE), with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Canon Peter Bruinvels CC, Covenant Lead and Civilian- Military Liaison Advisor, was in attendance for this item.

1. The report was introduced by Canon Peter Bruinvels CC, who provided a briefing on Kent County Council’s work to support Kent’s Armed Forces community and summarised key achievements during 2025. This included a short PowerPoint presentation, the slides of which can be found HERE.

2. Ms Kemkaran proposed and Mr Streatfeild seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked to:

·         NOTE all that is being done to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant in Kent and to ENDORSE priorities going forward including promoting Kent County Council’s status as the lead MoD Employers Recognition Gold Award Holder.

·         Continue to support the Armed Forces Covenant across the county and to ENDORSE the Council’s commitment to this work by engaging locally in Covenant efforts and Military related events.”

3. Members expressed their support and appreciation for the work undertaken to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant in Kent.

4. The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 2 and it was agreed unanimously.

5. RESOLVED that County Council:

·         Notes all that is being done to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant in Kent and endorses priorities going forward including promoting Kent County Council’s status as the lead MoD Employers Recognition Gold Award Holder.

·         Continues to support the Armed Forces Covenant across the county and endorses the Council’s commitment to this work by engaging locally in Covenant efforts and Military related events.

1. Mr Chamberlain proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“The County Council is asked to:

a.    Approve the proposed amendments to the Ordinary Committee arrangements:

·         Planning Application Committee to add the functions of the Regulation Committee into its terms of reference and take on the latter’s sub- committees and Panels in line with this change.

·         Selection and Member Services Committee to add the functions of the Electoral and Boundary Review Committee into its terms of reference.

·         Delete the Regulation Committee and Electoral and Boundary Review Committee from the list of Committees.

·         Delete the Member Development Sub- Committee.

b.    Delegate authority to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to implement the above changes subject to appropriate Member training and transition arrangements.

c.    Request that the Monitoring Officer, at the point of implementation, make the required changes to the Constitution and current Committee Terms of Reference to reflect the transfer of functions and the deletion of obsolete Committees.

d.    Request that the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, undertake a review of the updated Ordinary Committees’ Terms of Reference to improve and develop their arrangements on a longer term basis, with the outcome of the review to be considered by Selection and Member Services in due course.

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

For (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 Kennedy, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Ms M Lawes, 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 Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (25)

Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr M Ellis, Mr R Ford, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr S Heaver, Mr M Hood, Mr A Hook, Mrs S Hudson, Miss I Kemp, Mr J Moreland, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Ms A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Ms C Russell, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr R Streatfeild, Mr P Thomas and Mr N Williams.

Abstain (0)

Motion Carried.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

a.    Approves the proposed amendments to the Ordinary Committee arrangements:

·         Planning Application Committee to add the functions of the Regulation Committee into its terms of reference and take on the latter’s sub- committees and Panels in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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

“The County Council is asked to:

a.    Determine the total number of Committee places; the allocation of those places between the political groups; and the allocation of places on certain bodies (as per the appropriate appendix subject to Council decision on the Committees Review item);

b.    Delegate authority to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Group leaders and the Monitoring Officer, to adjust and confirm the allocation of committee places as necessary in order to conform to overall proportionality requirements; and to confirm external Joint Committee appointments where required”

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

For (65)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Barrett, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, 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, Mr M Ellis, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Ms B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr A Hook, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kennedy, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Ms M Lawes, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Ms D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Ms B Porter, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Ms S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr C Sefton, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr R Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mr N Williams, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (4)

Mr B Black, Mrs M Fothergill, Mrs S Hudson and Ms A Randall.

Abstain (3)

Mr M Hood, Mr S Heaver and Miss I Kemp.

Motion Carried.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

a.    Determines the total number of Committee places; the allocation of those places between the political groups; and the allocation of places on certain bodies (as per Appendix 1 to the report).

b.    Delegates authority to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Group leaders and the Monitoring Officer, to adjust and confirm the allocation of committee places as necessary in order to conform to overall proportionality requirements; and to confirm external Joint Committee appointments where required.

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

“County Council is asked to:

a.    Approve the establishment of Political Assistant posts for qualifying Political Groups in accordance with section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

b.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make the necessary consequential amendments to the Constitution;

c.    Authorise the Chief Executive to appoint Political Assistants in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance and for her to develop and agree a local protocol in relation to Political Assistants, incorporating a job description and salary for the role, in consultation with the Leaders of the Political Groups who qualify for appointment of a Political Assistant; and

d.    Authorise the Corporate Director for Finance to identify the options for funding the roles for 2025/26 and to agree the most appropriate funding source, in consultation with the Leaders of the Political Groups who qualify for appointment of a Political Assistant.”

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

For (45)

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, 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 B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Ms M Lawes,, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr M Fraser Moat, 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 Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (26)

Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr M Ellis, Mr R Ford, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr S Heaver, Mr M Hood, Mr A Hook, Mrs S Hudson, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kennedy, Mr J Moreland, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Ms A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Ms C Russell, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr R Streatfeild, Mr P Thomas and Mr N Williams.

Abstain (1)

Mr C Burwash.

Motion Carried.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

a.    Approves the establishment of Political Assistant posts for qualifying Political Groups in accordance with section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

b.    Delegates authority to the Monitoring Officer to make the necessary consequential amendments to the Constitution;

c.    Authorises the Chief Executive to appoint Political Assistants in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance and for her to develop and agree a local protocol in relation to Political Assistants, incorporating a job description and salary for the role, in consultation with the Leaders of the Political Groups who qualify  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Ms Caroline Smith, Assistant Director Corporate Parenting, and Ms Jo Carpenter, Participation and Engagement Manager, were in attendance for this item.

1. Ms Caroline Smith introduced the item, highlighting the work carried out by key corporate parenting services over the past year. It was confirmed that the Corporate Parenting Christmas Appeal had successfully reached its £25,000 fundraising target.

2. Ms Williams proposed, and Mrs Palmer seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked to:

1.    Note the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025.

2.    Note the responsibilities as Corporate Parents, to be a champion for our children and care experienced adults.”

3. Members shared their thanks to the fostering team and foster carers for their hard work and dedication.

4. The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 2 and it was agreed unanimously.

5. RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Notes the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025.

2.    Notes the responsibilities as Corporate Parents, to be a champion for our children and care experienced adults.

1. Mrs Emberson proposed, and Mr Collins seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked, as recommended by the Pension Fund Committee, to:

1.    Agree that Kent County Council, as Administering Authority for the LGPS Kent Pension Fund, enter into the Pension Pooling arrangements with Border to Coast Pensions Partnership.

2.    Agree to join the Border to Coast Joint Committee.

3.    Approve the appointment of the Chair of the Pension Fund Committee as the Kent Council Representative on the Joint Committee.

4.    Delegate authority to the Pension Fund Committee to manage required updates or amendments to the ACCESS Inter-authority Agreement as required to support the transition to Border to Coast.

5.    Delegate authority to the Pension Fund Committee to manage future appointments to the Joint Committee.

6.    Delegate authority to the s151 Officer to take required actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement this decision.

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

For (70)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, 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, Mr M Ellis, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Ms B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr A Hook, Mrs S Hudson, Ms L Kemkaran, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kennedy, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Ms M Lawes, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Ms D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Ms B Porter, Mr T Prater, Ms A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Ms S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr C Sefton, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr R Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mr N Williams, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (0)

Abstain (2)

Mr S Heaver and Mr M Hood.

Motion Carried.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Agrees that Kent County Council, as Administering Authority for the LGPS Kent Pension Fund, enter into the Pension Pooling arrangements with Border to Coast Pensions Partnership.

2.    Agrees to join the Border to Coast Joint Committee.

3.    Approves the appointment of the Chair of the Pension Fund Committee as the Kent Council Representative on the Joint Committee.

4.    Delegates authority to the Pension Fund Committee to manage required updates or amendments to the ACCESS Inter-authority Agreement as required to support the transition to Border to Coast.

5.    Delegates authority to the Pension Fund Committee to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

1. Mr Webb proposed and Mrs Lawes seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked to:

a.    Agree to update the Appendix to the Constitution delegating the Council’s functions set out in Schedule 20, sections 2, 3, 6(5), 8(1)(b), and 9(2) of the Marine and Coastal Act 2009 to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport; and

b.    Ask the Monitoring Officer to update the Appendix to the Constitution accordingly.”

2. The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

a.    Agrees to update the Appendix to the Constitution delegating the Council’s functions set out in Schedule 20, sections 2, 3, 6(5), 8(1)(b), and 9(2) of the Marine and Coastal Act 2009 to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport; and

b.    Asks the Monitoring Officer to update the Appendix to the Constitution accordingly.

1. Ms Foster proposed, and Mr Waters seconded the motion that:

“County Council is asked to:

a.    Thank Mr George for his work as Independent Person; and

b.    Appoint Michael Turner to a four-year term as Independent Person for Standards for Kent County Council, subject to satisfactory completion of the relevant background checks overseen by the Monitoring Officer.

2. The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 1.

3. RESOLVED that Council:

1. Mr Brice proposed and Mr Streatfeild seconded the following updated motion to the motion that was published as part of the agenda. The updated motion was agreed in advance by the proposer and the seconder alongside the Administration and other relevant Political Groups. This was circulated to Members prior to the debate.

“The Council expresses:

1.    Its formal thanks to KCC Staff who have worked to help local people during this major incident.

2.    Its deep concern about the approach of South East Water and its failures to deliver a vital service to Kent residents.

3.    Support for any formal investigations or inquiries into South East Water failures in the last few years.

The Council calls for:

4.    The establishment of a Short- Focussed Inquiry by the Scrutiny Committee. This inquiry should seek:

·       To identify what lessons were learned but not enacted between 2022 and 2025.

·       What can be learned from the recent water outage in Tunbridge Wells (and elsewhere in Kent within recent years), including steps required to prevent recurrence of similar incidents and measures to build greater resilience particularly for care homes, schools and other KCC services.

·       How KCC can best contribute to effective support and relief efforts in the event of similar incidents in the future.

5.    The Council Endorses the Leader’s call on the Government to:

a)    Establishes a dedicated compensation/ recovery fund to provide meaningful and urgent financial relief to affected businesses and residents. Others have called for a “covid style support” officer and urgent action is required to support the liquidity of businesses and the financial wellbeing of our residents who have subsidised this failure. As part of this, South East Water should immediately address the cashflow issues for businesses.

b)    Ensure that any costs incurred by public service partners are reimbursed in full by South East Water.

c)    Ensure that the necessary capital expenditure is prioritised by South East Water to ensure that there is a permanent resolution to this issue and to shore up the fragility of water supply in Tunbridge Wells.

d)    Work with Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate to ensure a swift, full and transparent investigation into the causes of the failure and the adequacy of South East Water’s response.

e)    Consider legislative or regulatory reforms to ensure greater accountability and resilience in the water sector, particularly in light of repeated failures by South East Water in recent years.

6.    The Council requests that;

·       The Chief Executive arranges for appropriate officer to draw the minister’s attention to the Council’s resolution.”

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

For (71)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, 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, Mr M Ellis, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.