Minutes:
(1) Mr Hill and Ms Honey updated the Committee and answered questions on the following issues:-
Capital programme
(2) The topping out ceremony for Turner Contemporary had been held on 1 December 2009 and had been a very successful event with a lot of representatives from partners attending. Mrs Honey reported that the transfer of staff to the new Trust would take place on 1 April 2010.
(3) Mr Hill informed the Committee that the agreement with the developer for the Kent History Centre had been signed, he congratulated Mr Crilley and his officers for bringing this to completion, especially in the difficult economic climate.
(4) Regarding libraries, a contractor had been appointed for the Beaney in Canterbury and they were due to start on 3 February 2010. In relation to Ashford Library, KCC’s Planning Applications Committee were due to consider the planning application on 21 January 2010 and, subject to approval being granted, it was anticipated that work would start on site in April 2010 and be completed in May 2011. Good progress was being made on Gravesend Library, planning permission had been granted on 21 December 2009 and work would start on site in March 2010.
Youth justice conference
(5) Mr Hill referred to the National Youth Justice Convention that had been held on 12 November 2009. An issue that was discussed was the funding of youth custody, and whether it should continue to be centrally funded or the funding allocated to local authorities. Ms Honey stated that the Youth Justice Board would be considering this issue and that perhaps this Committee would like to have a discussion on this matter at a future meeting. Ms Honey advised that the Directorate were involved in a themed informal inspection which was looking at the youth court service and its relationship to the youth offending services. She would bring an update on this to a future meeting of the Committee.
Conference on young people and alcohol
(6) Mr Hill referred to the conference on alcohol abuse that had been held on 24 November 2009. This conference had focused on the dangers of alcohol for young people. The expansion of the Kent Community Alcohol Partnership had been launched at an event in Canterbury. The results of the three pilot areas showed that there they have had a significant impact. These areas were going to be expanded to take in a wider area, with an additional fourth area being Maidstone Town Centre.
Kent Cultural Baton
(7) Mr Hill mentioned the launch of the Kent Cultural Baton on 3 December 2009. The Baton would be complete by the end of March 2010 and would then start going around the county to celebrate the Cultural Olympiad.
LGA conference on museums, libraries and archives
(8) Mr Hill had attended the LGA conference on museums, libraries and archives on 14 December 2009. There was a strong message on the need for change, and the good work being carried out in Kent was acknowledged
Volunteering Annual Event
(9) Ms Honey referred to the successful annual volunteering event which had been held in November 2009. She informed the Committee that Communities and Children, Families and Education Directorates had been chosen as a pilot to look at volunteering for young people (14 to 16 years) which attracted £1.2m funding to enable young people to volunteer for up to 50 hours over a period of time.
RESOLVED that the update be noted