(Verbal report by
Mr K Ferrin, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste
and Mr K Lynes, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services.)
Portfolio Holder
for Waste, Highways, Local Transport Plan and Environment
(1) Mr Ferrin gave an
update on the emergency measures undertaken during the breaking
news of the fire in the Eurotunnel. He advised
that the immediate concern was to prevent the possible gridlock of
East Kent after Operation Stack was invoked. He also expressed his personal views on the safety
of Eurotunnel since the first fire in
1996.
Highways Budget
(2) Mr Ferrin advised
that a draft Highways Budget had been produced which was
prioritised and within the cash limits that met the revenue needs
but not the capital needs. He invited a
small group of Members from the Committee to meet with him to
discuss and challenge the draft Budget.
Mrs Stockell and Mr Muckle indicated
their interest in being part of the group.
(3) Members were given
the opportunity to ask questions and make comments which included
the following:-
- Members felt that if there were
safety issues with design faults in the Eurotunnel, Kent County Council should lead in
lobbying government and raise these issues nationally.
- In response to a question regarding
the popularity of the Freedom Pass causing overcrowded buses, Mr
Hall agreed to check whether there had been any complaints.
- In response to a question, Mr Ferrin
confirmed that the Freedom Pass would be rolled out to care leavers
in Kent up to the age of 21 years but would not be available to
those care leavers placed by other authorities in Kent.
- Mr Hall, in response to a question,
gave his assurance that he personally would look into a case of a
gentleman awaiting a drop kerb in Ashford and would speak to Mrs
Tweed outside the meeting.
- In response to a question regarding
communication problems between the Parish Council and the Kent
Highway Services, Mr Ferrin advised that this was a major concern
and measures would be taken to deal with this.
- In response to Members’
concerns regarding the vacant Managing Director’s and
Directors post within Environment and Regeneration Directorate, Mr
Ferrin and Mr Lynes assured Members that urgent action was being
taken to resolve the situation and the interim posts were being
advertised.
Regeneration,
Planning Strategy and Supporting Independence
(4) Mr Lynes highlighted
some of the work he had undertaken in the first four weeks of his
new portfolio.
(5) Members were given
the opportunity to ask questions and make comments which included
the following:-
- In response to a concern regarding
proposals to build on the Business Park in Thanet, Mr Lynes agreed
to communicate the plans as and when
they happened.
- In response to concerns from a
member regarding whether the global financial crisis would impact
on the cost of the building of the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery,
Mr Lynes assured that the build was slightly below
budget. Mrs Tweed, Lead Member for
Community Services, concurred.
- Mr Lynes accepted invitations to
discuss the Community Projects in Dover from the Local Member and
an invitation to attend the briefings on Kent Thameside and following a request agreed to submit
a report on the sub national review to a future meeting.
(6) RESOLVED that the
responses to Members’ questions and reports be noted.