Agenda item

David Whittle, (Director, Strategy, Policy, Relationships and Corporate Assurance) and Liz Sanderson, (Strategic Business Adviser (Corporate)) were present for this item. 

1.            David Whittle explained that this document, although not statutory, sat at the top of KCC’s policy framework with a purpose to provide the strategic aims and objectives of the organisation as determined by members.  It helped inform, guide and shape the wider policy framework of the Council.  Cabinet was asked to recommend the document to County Council for consideration and debate.

2.              The document had been developed in a very open and collaborative way.  It started with 3 day long resident workshops across East, West and North Kent, to explore the short and long term priorities for residents, their families and local communities.  There was a strong alignment between member and resident feedback, this gave a strong starting base to help shape the document.  Mr Whittle was grateful for the quality of engagement and support from across KCC.

3.            The formal consultation process, which closed last week, had been very successful.  The quality of responses has been significantly better that on previous consultations, particularly from other public body groups and these partners were vital for delivery. 

4.            Dependent on County Council approval there would be a formal launch on 30 March 2020, Mr Whittle offered thanks to colleagues, particularly to Simon Pleace in Finance who helped with residents’ workshops, to his own team and to Liz Sanderson. 

5.            Liz Sanderson explained that it had been important to reflect back on where the outcomes and objectives had come from.  At the end of last year there had been in depth discussions with residents, young people and businesses to consider why issues were important and to determine some general solutions.  It had been challenging to balance different views but there had been a clear consensus around the key issues.  There had been some clear feedback about the importance of culture, art, nature and heritage particularly for children and young people’s wellbeing.  In addition, there was a focus on the importance of climate action and feeling safe in the county, particularly for young people. 

6.            The Leader expressed his thanks to Officers particularly Liz who had done a tremendous job. 

7.            Mr Hotson considered that he could not recall a policy document having so much involvement from partners and the community.  It was encouraging to hear the support given by Kent districts and boroughs.

8.            Ms Carey considered that this was a really good document and member engagement had been positive.  There was a correction to be made around Plan Bee, which had been printed as Plan B in error. 

9.            The Leader confirmed the importance of ‘you said, we did’, the outcomes had been extremely important to everyone, Member engagement had been extremely valuable and Ms Rankin had put forward some detailed thoughts which had helped structure the document.  Visible services were vital along with quality of life, housing and infrastructure and the relationship between the two. 

10.         Public protection services were very important, such as community wardens and their role in prevention, along with the voluntary and community sector to address issues that came out of the tackling social isolation work. 

11.         This document was about Kent, not any town in the UK, it was about the specific challenges and opportunities in this county. 

12.         Questioning how KCC would know if it was succeeding – this would not be just about generating a vast industry of PIs.  This was about an ongoing resident dialogue, looking at outcomes and recognising the things that KCC controlled and those which it didn’t but sought to influence. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet

1. Note the findings of the engagement and consultation which have informed the changes to the 5 Year Plan, summarised in this report and set out in detail in the supporting ‘You Said, We Did’ document.

2. Note the equalities considerations set out in the Equality Impact Assessment, which has been informed by the engagement and consultation process.

3. Agree to recommend to County Council that they approve ‘Kent’s Future, Our Priority’ as the new 5 Year Plan for Kent County Council.