The County Council notes the concern and distrust expressed by Kent businesses about the activities of KCC’s arms length companies and agrees to:-
(a) ask its external Auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidy from rate payers and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationship between the County Council and these companies, and
(b) assist in the setting up of a county-wide forum which would speak for Kent businesses, large and small, on issues affecting the viability of commerce and industry and therefore employment in Kent.
Minutes:
(1) Mrs T Dean, Mr M J Vye seconded that:-
The County Council notes the concern and distrust expressed by Kent businesses about the activities of KCC's arms length companies and agrees to:-
(a) ask its external Auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidy from rate payers, and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationship between the County Council and these companies, and
(b) assist in the setting up of a county wide forum which would speak for Kent businesses, large and small, on issues affecting the viability of commerce and industry and therefore employment in Kent.
(2) Mr N Chard moved, Mr M Snelling seconded, as an amendment, that:-
The County Council notes “the importance of maintaining the understanding of Kent businesses about the Council’s commercial operations” and agrees to:-
(a) “continue as in previous years” to ask its auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidiary from tax payers and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationships between the County Council and these companies,
(b) “use its existing communications channels to communicate effectively the purpose and activity of these companies to the business community, and
(c) note the significant effectiveness of the Council’s activities outsourced to the private sector which is valued at many millions per year.
(3) The Chairman then put to the vote the amendment set out in (2) above when the voting was as follows:-
For – 46
Mrs A D Allen, Mr M J Angell, Mr A H T Bowles, Mr D L Brazier, Mr J R Bullock, Mr C J Capon, Miss S J Carey, Mr P B Carter, Mr N J D Chard, Mr A Chell, Mr B R Cope, Mr A D Crowther, Mr J Curwood, Mr M C Dance, Mr J A Davies, Mr C G Findlay, Mr K A Ferrin, Mr G K Gibbens, Mr R W Gough, Mr M J Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr P Hill, Mr D A Hirst, Mrs S V Hohler, Mr G A Horne, Mr A J King, Mr R E King, Mr P W A Lake, Mr C J Law, Mr J F London, Mr R L H Long, Mr K G Lynes, Mr R F Manning, Mr R A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R G Parry, Mr R A Pascoe, Mr L B Ridings, Dr T R Robinson, Mr J E Scholes, Mr J Simmonds, Mr M V Snelling, Mrs E Tweed, Mr C J Wells and Mr F Wood-Brignall.
Abstain – 21
Mrs C Angell, Mr T Birkett, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Ms C J Cribbon, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Mr M J Fittock, Ms E Green, Ms A Harrison, Mr C Hart, Mr I T N Jones, Mr T Maddison, Mr J I Muckle, Mrs M Newell, Mr R J E Parker, Mr A R Poole, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr D Smyth, Mr R Truelove, Mr M J Vye.
This was carried and became the substantive motion
The Chairman then put to the vote the substantive motion set out in (2) above when the voting was as follows:-
For – 33
Mr M J Angell, Mr A H T Bowles, Mr J R Bullock, Miss S J Carey, Mr P B Carter, Mr N J D Chard, Mr A R Chell, Mr B R Cope, Mr A D Crowther, Mr J Curwood, Mrs V J Dagger, Mr M C Dance, Mr J A Davies, Mr K A Ferrin, Mr C G Findlay, Mr G K Gibbens, Mr W A Hayton, Mr G A Horne, Mr A J King, Mr R E King, Mr P W A Lake, Mr C J Law, Mr J F London, Mr R L H Long, Mr K G Lynes, Mr R F Manning, Mr M Northey, Mr R A Pascoe, Mr L B Ridings, Mr J E Scholes, Mr M V Snelling, Mr C J Wells and Mr F Wood-Brignall.
Against – 8
Mrs A D Allen, Mr C J Capon, Mr I Chittenden, Mr M J Fittock, Mrs S V Hohler, Mr S J G Koowaree, Mr J Simmonds and Mr M J Vye.
Abstain – 20
Mrs C Angell, Mr T Birkett, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Ms C J Cribbon, Mr D S Daley, Mrs T Dean, Dr M Eddy, Ms E Green, Ms A Harrison, Mr C Hart, Mr I T N Jones, Mr T Maddison, Mr J I Muckle, Mrs M Newell, Mr R J E Parker, Mr A R Poole, Mrs E Rowbotham, Mr D Smyth and Mr R Truelove.
Carried
(5) RESOLVED that the County Council notes the importance of maintaining the understanding of Kent businesses about the Council’s commercial operations and agrees to:-
(a) “continue as in previous years” to ask its auditors to confirm that there is no cross subsidiary from tax payers and to set out clearly the trading and financial relationships between the County Council and these companies,
(b) “use its existing communications channels to communicate effectively the purpose and activity of these companies to the business community, and
(c) note the significant effectiveness of the Council’s activities outsourced to the private sector which is valued at many millions per year.