Agenda and minutes

It was noted that Mr J A Davies had replaced Mr L Ridings and Mr J I Muckle had replaced Mr T J Birkett as Members of this Committee.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2007 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       Mr Gilroy, Mr A King and Mr Cockburn presented the KCC Annual Plan 2007/08 and requested Members to review formally the performance of the Council’s services in relation to its policy objectives and performance targets within the Chief Executives Directorate.  Members were also given the opportunity to give their views on any changes that could be incorporated into the next Annual Plan.

(2)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the following comments made by Members on the Annual Plan be noted:-

·                    it was important to look at areas that were going well, in addition to areas of weakness, in order to pick up any issues at an early stage;

·                    the importance of having measurable “2010” targets was emphasised;

·                    regarding the Performance Indicator on the quality of the Race Equality Scheme, last years target was 100% this years is 84.2% is this because 100% is unrealistic? In response to this it was stated that when the  100% target was set it was believed to be achievable but three specific indicators had not been met.  However this was being monitored;

·                    regarding payment of invoices it was confirmed that 100% within 30 days was achievable; and

·                    Access to Public Buildings – is 78% realistic?  It was explained that the target was set high knowing that there were changes across KCC in relation to mobile working and therefore there may be a reduction in public buildings.

(b)       consideration be given to having an item on the agenda of a future meeting of this Committee on the methods used to pass information to Members;

(c)        a paper be brought to a future meeting of the Committee on how performance monitoring is carried out by Cabinet and Chief Officers Group; and

(d)       a half year update on the Annual Plan be submitted to the Committee in January 2008.

(1)       Mr Gilroy gave a power point presentation which updated the Committee on progress toward the CPA Corporate Assessment between 28 January and 8 February 2008 which covered the following points:-

·        What is the corporate assessment?

·        CPA Framework and measures

·        The team undertaking the assessment

·        The timeframe

·        The Corporate assessment is a clear corporate priority for the authority

·        The Chief Executive’s Project Team – Key activities

(2)       Members comments and questions to Mr Gilroy, Mr King and Mr Carter were invited.

(3)       RESOLVED  That:-

            (a)    the presentation on the CPA Corporate Assessment and the following comments made by Members be noted:-

·                    Concern was expressed about how Members could demonstrate their Community Leadership role, would this be an assessment of Members as Community Leaders or KCC as a Community Leader?  It was confirmed that what would be assessed was Kent’s strong community vision and how Members represent this vision in their communities.

·                    It was confirmed that KCC officers were used to working in a “mixed economy” with partners in other public sector organisations and the private sector.

·                    It was emphasised that one of the most important tasks in preparation for the CPA  was gathering supporting evidence.

·                    In order to work effectively cross party it was important that the value of the critical friend role was recognised and respected. 

            (b)    it be noted that a Mentor group of back bench Members would be established, to work with Mr Carter, Mr Lynes and Mr Chard, as part of the Councils CPA process.

            (c)   Leader’s offer to take the CPA Self Assessment to a meeting of the County Council be welcomed.

(1)       Mr A King introduced the KCC’s International Activities Annual Report 2006/07 which was the second annual report and covered the diverse range of activities which KCC was involved with.  Members were also given the opportunity to ask questions and comment on  KCC’s first corporate International Strategy, which was attached as an Appendix to the report.

(2)   RESOLVED   (a)      That the contents of the 2006/07 KCC International Activities Annual Report and the following comments made by Members be noted:-

·                    Page B3:1 - £20 million secured by the European Affairs Group – a break down of this was requested and it was agreed that this would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee;

·                    Page B3:4 –  Members were assured by Mr King that work was being done in relation to China and India;

·                    Page B3:5 – EU funding  - Mr King expanded on this and gave an example of the funding for partnership working;

·                    Page B3:18 – in last paragraph on communication there was no mention of Members – it was important that they were kept informed so that they could help get the message across to others;

·                    Thames Gateway tended to get mentioned in the international context rather than Ashford which was also a Kent Growth Area.  It was acknowledged that Ashford already had a high international profile and it was important to raise the profile of the Thames Gateway;

·                    It was confirmed that the budget for the Virginia regeneration fund would run out this autumn and work was being done on how this could be absorbed into existing funds; and

·                    Page B3:17 – International  Forum – ways of involving Members would be considered.

            (b)   That the draft International Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report) be endorsed.

(1)       Mr Gibbens presented the fifth draft of the Public Health Strategy for Kent to the Committee for their comments.  It had been circulated to key stakeholders for comment and discussion before being taken to KCC Cabinet, PCT Boards and ultimately a meeting of the full County Council on 24 July 2007.

(2)       The Committee commended the partnership working involved with the production of this document and expressed their thanks to the three Primary Care Trust Chief Executives.

(3)       RESOLVED that “Life to the Full – A Public Health Strategy for Kent” be endorsed and the need to produce an action plan be noted.

(1)       The Committee received a report which updated them on the Alcohol Misuse Select Topic and the Select Committee Topic Review Work Programme.

(2)       Mr Wale informed the Committee that at the last meeting of the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee there had been a request for the establishment of an IMG to consider the Property Disposal Strategy and to report back to this Policy Overview Committee.

(3)       RESOLVED  That:-

            (a)       the terms of reference and the progress of the Select Committee on Alcohol             Misuse be noted.

            (b)   the update on the new Select Committee Topic Review Programme be noted.

            (c)    an Informal Member Group be established to consider the Property Disposal    Strategy and report back to the November meeting of the Policy Overview Committee.