Minutes:
(1) Mr Hill updated Members on the following issues:-
Library Users Survey
(2) Mr Hill reported that the Library Users Survey had been carried out and had shown a positive increase over the past two years against the background of a national reduction in service use. Mr Hill undertook to bring to the Committee national comparative figures on user satisfaction rates for libraries when these were available so that these could be compared with the local figures.
Opening of the Margate Library/Gateway
(3) Mr Hill informed the Committee that the Margate Library/Gateway had opened on 7 January 2008 and it was proving very successful. A large number of people had visited on the opening day and the formal opening will take place on 15 February 2008. This was the first of the Library/Gateways and it would be replicated when the opportunity arose.
Ashford Youth Club
(4) Mr Hill reported that the Ashford Youth Club opened on 7 January 2008; this was a new build following a PFI at the school.
Kent School Games
(5) Mr Hill informed the Committee that on 27 November 2007 the Kent School Games had been launched and 300 young people had involved in this event.
Adult Education Centre - Folkestone
(6) Mr Hill reported that the new Adult Education Centre would be opening in Folkestone in March which would create links between Adult Education, the Library Service and the Creative Quarter.
Turner Contemporary
(7) Mr Hill stated that on 20 February 2008 the planning application would be considered by Thanet District Council. When this process had been completed, the project would be submitted to SEEDA and the Arts Council for funding.
(8) Mr Hill undertook to submit to a meeting of this Committee, information on the regeneration benefits of the Turner Contemporary Project and what effect it would have on the local area.
Young Consumer of the Year
(9) Mr Hill reminded Members that the Young Consumer of the Year for Kent Final was being held at County Hall that day and invited Members to attend.
Alcohol Seminar
(10) Mr Hill informed Members of an Alcohol Seminar, led by the Stronger and Safer Communities Group, during which a number of issues been raised relating to the services that Community provided and steps would be taken to address these. There was a strong feeling that KCC and its partners should take a national lead on this issue.
(11) Ms Honey introduced Mr D Cloake the new Head of Emergency Planning.
(12) Ms Honey updated the Committee on the following issues:-
Youth Service
(13) Ms Honey informed Members that the line management of the Youth Service would be moving from the Director of Community Cultural Services to the Director of Youth Offending and Substance Misuse with effect from 1 April 2008.
Youth Offending Service – Inspection
(14) Ms Honey informed Members that the Youth Offending Service inspection had been held during the week of 7 January 2008. It had been carried out by 13 inspectors and had involved a lot of staff time. The inspectors had reviewed 108 case files. The initial response from the inspectors would be completed in a few weeks time and the draft report available in March with the final report published on 5 May 2008. The feedback from the lead inspector had been positive and Ms Honey commended work carried out by the Director of the Youth Offending and Substance Misuse and her team.
Joint Area Review (JAR)
(15) Ms Honey reminded Members that alongside the inspection for the JAR there was also an enhanced youth inspection being carried out.
(16) RESOLVED that :-
(a) the update and responses to questions were noted;
(b) a report on the regeneration impact for Margate of the Turner Contemporary would be submitted to a future meeting;
(c) a report would be submitted to the Committee on national comparative figures for user satisfaction rates for Libraries;
(d) the POC to be kept informed of additional burdens being placed on services.