Minutes:
(1) The Chairman welcomed Ms Kerswell, Group Managing Director, to the meeting. Mr Cater and Ms Kerswell updated Members on the following issues:-
Bold Steps for Kent
(2) The Leader referred to the changes being introduced by the coalition government to health, education, regeneration and the reconfiguration of services following the reductions expected in the Comprehensive Spending review. Bold Steps for Kent was a radically different document to Towards 2010, it would include the reshaping of the organisation and would also look at partnership working. He stated that there would be a review of partnerships and a Kent re-commitment. The document would set bold parameters and brave targets but there was a need to be mindful that it would need to evolve to take account of changing circumstances.
(3) The lack of any reference to the environment, climate change and the green agenda within Bold Steps for Kent was mentioned and it was requested that there be a reference to climate change within the document.
(4) It was suggested that there should be more clarity around the use of the phase “Big Society” to ensure that it was meaning for the documents audience. Ms Kerswell referred to work being undertaken by Ms Honey with Members to develop their ideas on the Big Society. There would also be a voluntary sector conference in the autumn.
(5) Mrs Dean put forward the view that Bold Steps should not support free schools without the regulations for these being available. She welcomed further discussion on what was proposed for free schools.
(6) The Leader referred to the move towards joined up District services which would be delivered not by transferring staff but by pooled manpower resources. He hoped to establish two or three pilots for joint commissioning which could be rolled out universally. He assured Members that Elected Members from KCC would be working with their District Council colleagues, whatever their political persuasion, to set specifications for the joint commissioning of services.
(7) The Leader explained that there would be a consultation document for Bold Steps for Kent after 11 October 2010. Whether there would be two versions of the document, one for the residents of Kent and one for staff and partners, was still being considered.
First Bold Steps
(8) The Leader mentioned the recent launch of “First Bold Steps” which started an informal consultation on the re-shaping of the organisation, including the move from a federated to an integrated organisation.
(9) Ms Kerswell stated that KCC was a very successful organisation but there were certain things that could be done better. As part of the informal consultation on First Bold Steps, seven manager meetings had been held and to date over 200 responses received. The majority of comments had been positive about what works and what could be changed.
(10) The Chairman emphasised the importance of engaging with Members on the transformation of the organisation, which would be a cultural change for Members as well.
Transparency and openness policy
(11) The Leader mentioned the recent media launch of the transparency and openness policy, the media had been encouraged to use the information sensibly and with integrity. Regarding the publishing of all invoices over £500, it was important to minimise the financial burden of generating this information. Members expressed concerns about the low level of this threshold for a large organisation like KCC.
(12) Ms Kerswell stated that she would be sending a message to all staff that afternoon thanking them for the successes they had achieved. She wanted staff to know that they were valued, in light of recent press coverage following the launch of the transparency and openness policy.
(13) RESOLVED that the update be noted