Agenda and minutes

It was noted that that Mr C Findlay has replaced Mr J Fullarton and Mr J Simmonds has replaced Mr A Marsh as Members of this Committee

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2007 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

It was agreed that the minutes from meetings of this POC would be sent out to Members of the Committee for information as soon as possible in addition to being despatched with the next agenda

(Mrs S Garton, Head of Corporate Performance, Mr R Fitzgerald (Performance Manager), Mr N Vickers (Head of Financial Services), Ms T Oliver (Head of Strategic Development Unit), Mr M Lemon (Policy Manager), Mr N Moon ( Social Inclusion Officer) were present for this item).

(1)               The Committee considered a report which set out the process for finalising the first Towards 2010 Annual Report prior to approval by County Council on 18 October 2007.  Included with the report were the eight corporate-related targets for Members’ comment.

(2)       Mr King emphasised that this was an opportunity for Policy Overview Committee Members to comment on the targets.

(3)       Mr Vickers circulated additional information in relation to target 5 and explained the new procurement environment for KCC.

(4)       Mrs Garton explained that a few Performance Indicators for the targets were still being developed by lead officers and that as information was collected over the next 12 months others would come on stream.

(5)       Members were invited to make comments and ask questions on the targets which included the following:-

a)  General

            Members welcomed the targets and commended officers for doing an excellent job.  It was emphasised that it was essential that the targets were both measurable and achievable.  It was pointed out that five of the targets had no measurable indicators and it was suggested that the process was being done the wrong way around in that the Towards 2010 targets were set without regard to how they would be measured. It was noted that the 2010 target delivery process was only at the end of year one.  Next year there would be evidence that the Cabinet Members had moved forward with the targets.

b)  Target 5 – Ensure Kent County Council uses its significant purchasing power to allow fair and open competition

·           It was agreed that a presentation would be given at a future meeting of the POC on KCC’s new procurement framework. 

·           It was confirmed that the “VFM Price Book “ was work to benchmark the quality and unit price of 21 services across the 14 Councils in Kent.   

·           Consideration should be given to the significant bearing that Small/Medium Industries could have on Rural post offices being kept open.

·           In response to a question on whether we were able to exert influence to ensure that local jobs go to local businesses, Members were informed that as every contract over £8,000 needed three competitive tenders and a large amount of liability insurance was required it was difficult to do this.

·           It was suggested that Members should be made aware of contentious issues arising from KCC’s market regulator role.  Further consideration would be given at the next agenda discussion meeting as to whether to establishing a sub group of this Committee to have an overview of KCC’s market regulator role.

            c) Target 8 - Develop Kent as a major venue and location for film, television and        creative industries to benefit the Kent economy

·           It was noted that KCC did not make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

(1)       Mr King introduced the paper from the Leader which gave his response to the questionnaire of all Policy Overview Committee Members.  Mr King stated that Cabinet Members wanted to improve and develop their dialogue with Policy Overview Members and to develop a stronger partnership with them.    There should be a balance between questioning and challenging Cabinet Members who should be able to have the backing of their Departmental officers.  This was an important partnership.    He believed that none of the Policy Overview Committees had fully explored all their powers and this was a matter for Policy Overview Members.  He re affirmed that Cabinet Members or Lead Members would attend Policy Overview Committee meetings and be held accountable and would take the lead in responding to Members with officer support..

(2)       Members made the following comments:-

·           Good Chairmanship was essential.  All POC Chairman should receive Chairmanship training.

·           Officers should assume that Members had read the report and therefore there was no need for them to give a summary of it at the meeting

·           Question time at POC’s and setting agenda meeting a year in advance was welcomed

·           It was good to see that POC’s were now taking on a scrutiny role as well

·           An informal meeting between the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Liberal Democrat Spokesman to discuss the powers of POC’s was welcomed.

·           Cabinet Members should invite POC’s to comment on policy documents/strategies prior to them being approved.

(3)       RESOLVED:-  That the comments made by Members on the Leaders report be noted.