(i) Mr I Chittenden will move and Mr T Prater will second:-
“This Council notes that it has not closed libraries despite recent financial settlements and commits to keeping at least the current number of Kent libraries in future except where local communities themselves agree on a specific closure to meet their needs.”
(ii) Mr G Cowan will move and Mrs E Green will second:-
“That this Council shares the disappointment of the people of Kent at KCC plans to slash the youth services budget and this Council’s shameful and short sighted proposals to close down 50% of all youth centres in all parts of the county. In common with the vast majority of enlightened people we believe the provision of youth centres in our towns and rural villages to be vital in providing worth while and healthy activities for young people especially at a time when society is seeking ways of steering our youngsters to respect their communities and act responsibly. Council notes that David Cameron chose to make his key note speech following the English riots from a youth club in his constituency and said that one way of providing guidance and moral leadership for youngsters was via our network of youth centres. We agree with the prime minister. This motion notes that the Conservative led Dover District Council has expressed its formal opposition to KCC's plans to close two of its youth centres at Linwood and Aylesham and calls on this administration to take note of the thousands of people across the county who have signed petitions and registered their objections to KCC plans and require them to abandon any downgrading of the county’s youth centres.”
Minutes:
Item 15 (i) –Time Limited Debate motion on Libraries
Mr I Chittenden proposed, Mr T Prater seconded:
“This Council notes that it has not closed libraries despite recent financial settlements and commits to keeping at least the current number of Kent libraries in future except where local communities themselves agree on a specific closure to meet their needs.”
Mr M Hill proposed, Mr A Sandhu seconded the following amendment; to delete all words after the word “commits” in the second line and substitute amended wording (underlined), so that the amended motion is as follows:
"This Council notes that it has not closed libraries despite recent financial settlements and commits to working with local communities to shape the library services they need".
The Chairman then put the Amendment to the vote, whereupon the number of votes cast was as follows:-
For (49)
Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr G Cooke, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Davies, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Mr D Hirst, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr K Lynes, Mr S Manion, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mr L Ridings, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr B Sweetland, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe
Against (10)
Mr I Chittenden, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mrs E Green, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson, Mr M Vye
There being no further amendments to the motion, the Chairman then put the substantive motion to the vote, whereupon the number of votes cast was as follows:-
For (49)
Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr G Cooke, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr J Davies, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr W Hayton, Mr C Hibberd, Mr M Hill, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr K Lynes, Mr S Manion, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mr L Ridings, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr B Sweetland, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe
Abstain (7)
Mr I Chittenden, Mr D Daley, Mrs T Dean, Mr G Koowaree, Mr M Robertson, Mr T Prater, Mr M Vye
Against (3)
Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mrs E Green
Carried
Resolved that: the Council notes that it has not closed libraries despite recent financial settlements and commits to working with local communities to shape the library services they need.
Item 15 (ii) –Time Limited Debate on Youth Services
Mr G Cowan proposed, Mrs E Green seconded:
“That this Council shares the disappointment of the people of Kent at KCC plans to slash the youth services budget and this Council’s shameful and short sighted proposals to close down 50% of all youth centres in all parts of the county. In common with the vast majority of enlightened people we believe the provision of youth centres in our towns and rural villages to be vital in providing worth while and healthy activities for young people especially at a time when society is seeking ways of steering our youngsters to respect their communities and act responsibly. Council notes that David Cameron chose to make his key note speech following the English riots from a youth club in his constituency and said that one way of providing guidance and moral leadership for youngsters was via our network of youth centres. We agree with the prime minister. This motion notes that the Conservative led Dover District Council has expressed its formal opposition to KCC's plans to close two of its youth centres at Linwood and Aylesham and calls on this administration to take note of the thousands of people across the county who have signed petitions and registered their objections to KCC plans and require them to abandon any downgrading of the county’s youth centres.”
After discussion, the Chairman put the motion to the vote, whereupon the number of votes cast was as follows:-
For (9)
Mr I Chittenden, Mr L Christie, Mr G Cowan, Mrs T Dean, Mrs E Green, Mr G Koowaree, Mr T Prater, Mr M Robertson, Mr M Vye
Abstain (1)
Mr D Daley
Against (47)
Mr A Bowles, Mr D Brazier, Mr R Brookbank, Mr R Burgess, Miss S Carey, Mr P Carter, Mrs P Cole, Mr N Collor, Mr G Cooke, Mr B Cope, Mr H Craske, Mr A Crowther, Mr G Gibbens, Mr R Gough, Mr M Harrison, Mr M Hill, Mr D Hirst, Ms A Hohler, Mrs S Hohler, Mr P Homewood, Mr M Jarvis, Mr A King, Mr R King, Mr J Kirby, Mr J Kite, Mr P Lake, Mrs J Law, Mr K Lynes, Mr S Manion, Mr R Manning, Mr A Marsh, Mr M Northey, Mr R Parry, Mr K Pugh, Mr L Ridings, Mr A Sandhu, Mr J Simmonds, Mr C Smith, Mr M Snelling, Mr B Sweetland, Mrs E Tweed, Mrs C Waters, Mr J Wedgbury, Mr M Whiting, Mrs J Whittle, Mr A Wickham, Mr A Willicombe
Motion Lost