Agenda item

1.         Mr Hill gave an oral update on the following issues:-

• KCC Budget – this was considered by the County Council on 14 February.  Mr Hill thanked the Directorate’s officer team responsible for preparing the budget for their work in achieving a balanced budget while protecting front-line services.
• Launch of the Communications Strategy on 28 February – preparation of the Strategy had been a long, hard road, but the Directorate is now in good shape to achieve services for the authority.  The launch and accompanying market place exercise on 28 February had been excellent.
• Opening of the Edenbridge Centre on 6 March – much work had gone on to address many problems, but this project had now achieved a very good outcome with the opening of the new centre.

2.         Ms Honey gave an oral update on the following issues:-

• Appointment of new provider for drug and alcohol services in East Kent – Turning Point will commence provision on 1 April 2013, although KCA will continue to provide the contract for services to support young people.
• Localisation of the Social Fund – this will go ‘live’ on 1 April 2013 as the Kent Support and Assistance Service. Support will be in the form of goods and services only, not cash payments.
• Testing for horse meat – Kent Trading Standards have so far tested over 40 samples of meat for traces of horse DNA, all of them having produced a negative result.  The Food Standards Agency has asked for a third round of testing, of mince and mince-based products.
• Young people not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) – this issue is a priority across the whole County Council, which is working with Job Centres on the Work Ready programme.  This aims to build young people’s confidence and get them ready to take on Apprenticeships.  The success rate so far has been good, and a further update will be made to this Committee later in the year.
• A Youth Commissioner will be appointed to work with the new Police and Crime Commissioner, Anne Barnes. The Integrated Youth Service is involved with the young people’s panel which will interview and judge candidates. This Committee will be notified of the outcome of the selection process. 

3.         Mr Hill and Ms Honey responded to comments and questions from the Committee and the following points were highlighted:-

a)         a recent meeting of the Ashford Youth Advisory Group had received a good presentation by the new drug and alcohol service provider, and a further progress report had been requested from them in June or July;

b)         it was requested that all Members be given a briefing on the Social Fund so they can familiarise themselves with how it works and be able to advise their local communities.  Ms Honey replied that briefings were planned for the near future;

c)         the new Edenbridge Centre had been visited by a local Member shortly before re-opening and had been described as ‘excellent’;

d)         Mr Hill’s congratulations to the officer team which had prepared the budget were supported;

e)         the appointment of a Youth Commissioner was also supported, as the presence of such a post is particularly needed in areas where problems with drugs are a regular issue at local Members’ surgeries.  The new Youth Commissioner, once appointed, will be invited to visit such areas; and

f)          Members were reassured that Kent Trading Standards had exceeded the FSA’s required level of tests on horse meat.  Officers undertook to supply more detail on the testing of mince to a questioner outside the meeting.

4.         RESOLVED that the updates, and comments made by Members, be noted.