Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mr Barrett, Mr Black, Mr Chapman, Mr Lehmann, Mr Kennedy, Mr Mallon, Mr Taylor, Mr Truder, and Mr Webb.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 May 2025 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on 18 February 2025 be noted.

Birthday Honours List

(1)     The Chairman formally congratulated all those who received an Honour in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List which was announced in June.

Charities

(2)     The Chairman looked forward to supporting two local Kent based charities, SATEDA and the Young Lives Foundation, during his year as Chairman. 

(3)     The Chairman invited Marylka Gowlland and Lauren Croud from SATEDA, and Stephen Gray from the Young Lives Foundation, to introduce their charities and provide a brief overview on how they provided support to women, children and young people in Kent. 

In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution,16 questions were submitted by the deadline and 16 questions were put to the Executive. 9 questions were asked and replies given. A record of all questions and answers is available online with the papers for this meeting.

(1)     Ms Kemkaran referred to the last County Council meeting where she provided an introduction to the Administration’s intentions to save money, and highlighted a number of propositions which would be brought forward over the coming months. The savings identified by the newly established cabinet portfolio, the Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) would be reflected in the Administration’s forthcoming Strategic Statement.

(2)     The Leader proposed to cut Member Allowances by 5% and reallocate £202,500 into Member Grants. This would result in an extra £2,500 for each Councillor to spend in his or her division.

(3)     The Leader spoke about the Council's overall financial position. Since May the level of debt had reduced by approximately £16million and the Administration intended to reduce this further by March 2026. One of the largest areas of expenditure where the Leader would try to find savings was within Home to School Transport.  She said a future increase in capital spending could be avoided by cancelling the Council’s Net Zero renewable energy programme of property modifications, saving £32million over four years, as well as the vehicle fleet transition to electric vehicles which would save a further £7.5million by 2030. The Leader believed a saving of up to £180,000 could be made by cancelling membership subscriptions.

(4)     In relation to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) the Leader wrote to the Minister requesting that the deadline for a full business case be pushed back from November 2025 to March 2026. Although still awaiting an official response the verbal response had not been positive.

(5)     In the light of LGR, the Leader had reviewed previous decisions regarding the headquarters building in Maidstone and wished to stop the proposed sale of Sessions House. She said this would avoid borrowing £14million and mean a relatively small sum of money would be spent fixing immediate issues. Detailed proposals would come forward to future meetings. The coffee cart in Sessions House had been recommissioned and it was planned, long term, to make it available to the public for hire and generate revenue for the Council. The Leader referred to the limited office space and said she was working closely with the Chief Executive to implement an office repopulation plan. The projected figures indicated that by the end of this financial year office based capacity would have increased by 500 desks.

(6)     In relation to supporting businesses, the Leader was convening a twin event in the Autumn to highlight the importance of Eurostar services returning to Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations in Kent. The event would bring together local business owners, key service providers and local councillors and MPs to showcase what Kent had to offer. Ms Kemkaran was looking forward to working with the Employment Task Force to support people into work or training in Kent and Medway.

(7)     Savings would be made in integrated children's services by bringing children's care homes back in-house and the purchase of four properties. This would enable costs to be controlled whilst still protecting and caring for children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

“The County Council is asked to:

a)        Note the report of the Member Remuneration Panel and thank the Panel Members for their work; and

b)        Agree the Member’s Allowances Scheme for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A, incorporating:

i.    A reduction of 5% to the Basic Allowance.

ii.   A reduction of 5% to the Leader’s Special Responsibility Allowance, with all other SRAs being reduced in accordance with the scheme.

iii.  A reduction in 5% to the Dependent’s Carers’ Allowance.

iv. An increase in the allowance for Co-opted Members of the Governance and Audit Committee to £1,700, and an entitlement to the Carer’s Allowance.”

2)        Mr Brady proposed and Ms Nolan seconded the following amendment:

“The County Council is asked to:

a)      Note the report of the Member Remuneration Panel and thank the Panel Members for their work; and

b)      Agree the Member’s Allowances Scheme for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A (as amended), incorporating:

i    A reduction of 5% to the Basic Allowance.

ii   A reduction of 5% 10% to the Leader’s Special Responsibility Allowance, with all other SRAs being reduced in accordance with the scheme.

iii  A reduction in 5% to the Dependent’s Carers’ Allowance.

iv  An increase in the allowance for Co-opted Members of the Governance and Audit Committee to £1,700, and an entitlement to the Carer’s Allowance.

c)    Recommend that the Member Remuneration Panel (MRP), as part of advising on the 4 year Allowances Scheme to be developed for 2026 onwards, be asked to consider and report on the removal of Special Responsibility Allowances for Deputy Cabinet Committee members - on the basis that this role is discretionary, not replicated at other Kent Councils and they do not have the same formal responsibilities or accountabilities that other SRA recipients.”

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

For (6)

Mr A Brady, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr S Jeffery, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Stepto

Against (48)

Mr J Baker, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs 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, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Ms A Randall, Mr D Sian, Mr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr R Waters, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Chairman left the meeting and the Vice-Chairman took the Chair.

Motion for Time Limited Debate 1 – Preventing violence against women and girls

1)        Mr Hood proposed, and Mr Jeffery seconded the motion that:

“This Council resolves the following:

1.         Call on the Executive to develop a broader and comprehensive VAWG Strategy which should include the introduction of public awareness campaigns and bystander training to challenge problematic behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs. This strategy should outline concrete steps to increase the safety of women and girls, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.

2.         Promote a Women's Night-Time Safety Charter through effective working with District and Borough Councils and Kent Police. This activity should support engagement with local businesses, especially bars, pubs, and taxi services, encouraging them to commit to safer practices, including better training for staff and drivers to ensure women's safety.

3.         Call on the Executive to work with the District and Borough Councils, via mechanisms such as the Kent Community Safety Partnership, to encourage the use of Licensing Tools to enhance the safety of women and girls across the whole of Kent. This includes implementing additional measures such as improved driver safety checks, the introduction of clear driver identification signage in taxis, and ensuring safe transportation options are readily available for women at night.

4.         Call on the Executive and responsible Senior Officers to make women's safety central to our responses to planning applications as a statutory consultee. This should include ensuring that the safety of women and girls will be a key consideration in Kent Highways responses to planning applications, ensuring that public spaces are designed with safety in mind. This includes improved lighting, more accessible public transport routes, and the creation of safe public spaces that encourage women to feel comfortable and secure in all parts of Kent.

5.         Agree an ongoing commitment to be a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation and agree to promote the opportunities for any Members to serve as a White Ribbon Champion.

6.         Note a key White Ribbon UK message; that it is vital to promote the concept of men and boys working to end violence against women.

7.         Recognise that this ongoing accreditation will demonstrate our commitment to tackling violence and abuse and fostering an inclusive culture of respect and equality in the community.”

2)        Mrs Dean proposed and Mr Hook seconded the following amendment:

“This Council resolves the following:

1.         Call on the Executive to develop a broader and comprehensive VAWG Strategy which should include the introduction of public awareness campaigns and bystander training to challenge problematic behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs. This strategy should outline concrete steps to increase the safety of women and girls, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.

2.         Promote a Women's Night-Time Safety Charter through effective working with District and Borough Councils and Kent Police. This activity should support engagement with local businesses, especially bars, pubs, and taxi services, encouraging them to commit to safer practices, including better training for staff and drivers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.