Agenda item

(1)       Mr Hill and Ms Honey updated Members on the issues listed in the paper circulated with the agenda and answered questions from Members.

Libraries Update

(2)       Mr Hill referred to the ongoing review of Library provision which was taking note of significant developments across the County.  Progress with this was dependant upon the Localism Bill which included the right to transfer assets to communities and would give them the right to buy.  There would be a report on this to the next meeting of the Committee.

(3)       Mr Chittenden asked for confirmation that there was not a draft strategy on the Libraries Service.  Mr Hill confirmed that there was no formal plan, they were looking at provision across the county and awaiting the passing of the Localism Act, before producing a strategy.

(4)       Mr Hill reported that Gravesend Library was due to open on 4 October 2011 and good progress was being made.  Ashford Library would be opening on 18 July 2011and he was pleased with what had been achieved there. He encouraged Members to visit the Library.  The formal opening would take place in October 2011.

(5)       Mr Hill stated that he was pleased with the progress with the implementation of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system which was halfway thought its roll out.  The response from the public, including the elderly, had been good and positive comments had been received about the improvement in speed of service. 

(6)       Mr Hill informed the Committee that work on the Kent History and Archive Centre was ahead of schedule and the building was due to be handed over by Christmas and would open in Spring 2012. 

(7)       In response to a question on whether RFID had lead to an increase in books being stolen, Ms Honey confirmed that she was not aware of any increase but it was something that would be monitored.

Registration of births and deaths.

(8)       Ms Honey reported on the possibility of Kent taking over Bexley Councils registration service, this was awaiting approval from the General Registration Office.   Ms Honey confirmed that the intention was for Bexley to come under Kent for registration purposes and that Bexley Council would be making a contribution towards the cost of the service. She also highlighted the issue that had arisen with the closure of Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup leading to an increase in births at Darent Valley Hospital.  An agreement had been reached with Bexley Council to manage the increase in registration of births.  

(9)       Ms Honey referred to the pilot work being carried out for Libraries to take on responsibility for the registration of births.  The pilot had shown that this was a sensible way forward.

Vulnerable Learners

(10)     Ms Honey mentioned the recent vulnerable learners project, involving 80 vulnerable learners who were traditionally difficult to place in employment and training.  A full review of this project was currently being carried out.

Restorative Justice

(11)     Ms Honey explained that the pilot had now been rolled out across the Kent. As part of phase 1 the Police had trained 1,600 officers to carry out restorative justice.  Over 1,200 crimes and 350 incidents had been dealt with via this method.  She referred to the EU Restorative Justice Conference at Canterbury Christ Church University on 13 July 2011 and undertook to inform Mrs Law whether District Council Cabinet Members had been invited to this non KCC event.

 1^st meeting of Ambition Board 3 – putting citizens in control

(12)      Mr Hill reported that the first meeting of this Ambition Board (putting citizens in control) had taken place.  The County Council were represented by Ms Honey, Mr Sweetland and himself.  It was early days for the Board but Mr Hill offered to bring a report on Ambition Boards, which were the link between the Kent Forum and Locality Boards, to a future meeting of the Committee when more information was available.

 Annual VCS conference

(13)     Ms Honey referred to the Annual Voluntary and Community Sector Conference which had been held on 7 July 2011 in East Kent.   The consultation on the Kent Partners Compact had been launched at the Conference.  The Compact was crucial for the voluntary sector and their relationship with statutory partners including District Councils.  She offered to supply information to any Member on request.

Turner Opening Previews and Actual  13^th – 16^th April 2011

(14)     Mr Hill reported that since its opening in April the Turner Contemporary had received 148,000 visitors.  Its annual target of visits was 150,000.  The feedback had been very good and there had been a positive effect on the old town. He emphasised the importance of sustaining this success.

Paralympics Announcement – 20th May 2011

(14)     Mr Hill informed the Committee that Kent would be the venue for the Paralympic Road Cycling in 2012. 

Visit by John Hayes to Sittingbourne Skills and Centre – 24th May 2011

(15)     Mr Hill reported that the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (John Hayes MP) had visited the Sittingbourne Skills Centre.  He had expressed a particular interest in the work being carried out with Vulnerable Learners and had asked for a briefing note.

Meeting with Kent MPs -8th June 2011

(16)     Mr Hill stated that the meeting with Kent MP’s had been constructive and provided an opportunity to discuss options for the future on issues such as libraries.

(17)     RESOLVED that the update be noted