Agenda item

1. Mr Heaver proposed and Mr Hood seconded the motion that: 

 

“This Council resolves to: 

 

1.    Welcome the Water Supply Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) report, thank the Members and Officers involved for their work examining the water outages in Winter 2025/2026 and note the requirement for the Executive to provide a response to the report and its recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee in due course but also recognise that there are a range of other water related issues that merit immediate consideration by the Council. 

 

2.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water and request that its published CSO spill data is condensed into a concise Kent-wide Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) spill report and submitted on a quarterly basis to enable more effective scrutiny of water borne pollution and the progress of spill reduction efforts, across the county. 

 

3.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water to request a concise quarterly report on the county-wide progress of the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force and to offer Southern Water any appropriate support from KCC for their efforts to reduce CSO spills across the county and with particular regard to encouraging SUDS on KCC owned buildings and infrastructure such as schools and libraries. 

 

4.    Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to recommend that any future fines imposed by the regulator on water companies (or other private or public bodies) for water related failure incidents in Kent, are ring-fenced for water infrastructure and pollution/sewage release prevention improvements. 

 

5.    Recommend that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider; asking the Environment Agency to provide a report on the number of pollution incidents for each category report by the Water Companies, many of these resulted in inspections in Kent over the last 5 years; and consider recommending that the Quarterly Environment Agency updates on this matter form part of routine performance monitoring by the Committee. 

 

6.    Request that the Executive investigate the feasibility of setting up, facilitating and promoting via Plan Sea or any other appropriate means, the development and support of citizen science testing teams on key bathing water areas and rivers seek greater partnership working between all responsible authorities, including water companies, Districts and the Environment Agency alongside supporting existing projects and research to improve monitoring of bathing water quality. 

 

7.    Recommend that the Scrutiny Committee consider requesting a Public Health report on the impact, risks of and KCC responsibilities in relation to water outages and in particular, waterborne pollution in Kent. 

 

8.    Recommend that the Executive engages with relevant stakeholders to ensure the first Kent and Medway Spatial Development Strategy has due regard to issues relating to water supply, wastewater management and water demand throughout the preparation, adoption and delivery of the strategy.“ 

 

2. Mr Chapman proposed and Mr Paul seconded the following amendment to the motion set out in paragraph 1: 

 

“This Council resolves to: 

 

1.    Welcome the Water Supply Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) report, thank the Members and Officers involved for their work examining the water outages in Winter 2025/2026 and note the requirement for the Executive to provide a response to the report and its recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee in due course but also recognise that there are a range of other water related issues that merit immediate consideration by the Council. 

 

2.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water and request that its published CSO spill data is condensed into a concise Kent-wide Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) spill report and submitted on a quarterly basis to enable more effective scrutiny of water borne pollution and the progress of spill reduction efforts, across the county. 

 

3.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water to request a concise quarterly report on the county-wide progress of the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force and to offer Southern Water any appropriate support from KCC for their efforts to reduce CSO spills across the county and with particular regard to encouraging SUDS on KCC owned buildings and infrastructure such as schools and libraries. 

 

4.    Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to recommend that any future fines imposed by the regulator on water companies (or other private or public bodies) for water related failure incidents in Kent, are ring-fenced for water infrastructure and pollution/sewage release prevention improvements. 

 

5.    Recommend that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider; asking the Environment Agency to provide a report on the number of pollution incidents for each category report by the Water Companies, many of these resulted in inspections in Kent over the last 5 years; and consider recommending that the Quarterly Environment Agency updates on this matter form part of routine performance monitoring by the Committee. 

 

6.    Request that the Executive investigate the feasibility of setting up, facilitating and promoting via Plan Sea or any other appropriate means, the development and support of citizen science testing teams on key bathing water areas and rivers seek greater partnership working between all responsible authorities, including water companies, Districts and the Environment Agency alongside supporting existing projects and research to improve monitoring of bathing water quality. 

 

7.    Recommend that the Scrutiny Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider requesting a Public Health report on the impact, risks of and KCC responsibilities in relation to water outages and in particular, waterborne pollution in Kent. 

 

8.    Recommend that the Executive engages with relevant stakeholders to ensure the first Kent and Medway Spatial Development Strategy has due regard to issues relating to water supply, wastewater management and water demand throughout the preparation, adoption and delivery of the strategy.“ 

 

3. Following the debate, the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph 2 and it was agreed unanimously.  

 

4. Following the debate, the Chairman put the substantive motion set out in paragraph 2 to the vote and the voting was as follows. 

For (71) 

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr S Heaver, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr T Prater, Miss A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Mrs S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams, Mr D Wimble and Mr R Yates. 

Against (0) 

 

 

Abstain (0) 

 

Motion carried. 

 

RESOLVED that Council: 

1.    Welcomes the Water Supply Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) report, thanks the Members and Officers involved for their work examining the water outages in Winter 2025/2026 and notes the requirement for the Executive to provide a response to the report and its recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee in due course but also recognises that there are a range of other water related issues that merit immediate consideration by the Council. 

 

2.    Recommends that the Executive to write to Southern Water and request that its published CSO spill data is condensed into a concise Kent-wide Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) spill report and submitted on a quarterly basis to enable more effective scrutiny of water borne pollution and the progress of spill reduction efforts, across the county. 

 

3.    Recommends that the Executive to write to Southern Water to request a concise quarterly report on the county-wide progress of the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force and to offer Southern Water any appropriate support from KCC for their efforts to reduce CSO spills across the county and with particular regard to encouraging SUDS on KCC owned buildings and infrastructure such as schools and libraries. 

 

4.    Recommends that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to recommend that any future fines imposed by the regulator on water companies (or other private or public bodies) for water related failure incidents in Kent, are ring-fenced for water infrastructure and pollution/sewage release prevention improvements. 

 

5.    Recommends that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider; asking the Environment Agency to provide a report on the number of pollution incidents for each category report by the Water Companies, many of these resulted in inspections in Kent over the last 5 years; and consider recommending that the Quarterly Environment Agency updates on this matter form part of routine performance monitoring by the Committee. 

 

6.    Requests that the Executive investigate the feasibility of setting up, facilitating and promoting via Plan Sea or any other appropriate means, the development and support of citizen science testing teams on key bathing water areas and rivers seek greater partnership working between all responsible authorities, including water companies, Districts and the Environment Agency alongside supporting existing projects and research to improve monitoring of bathing water quality. 

 

7.    Recommends that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider requesting a Public Health report on the impact, risks of and KCC responsibilities in relation to water outages and in particular, waterborne pollution in Kent. 

 

8.    Recommends that the Executive engages with relevant stakeholders to ensure the first Kent and Medway Spatial Development Strategy has due regard to issues relating to water supply, wastewater management and water demand throughout the preparation, adoption and delivery of the strategy. 

 

5.    Mr Dixon proposed and Mr Evans seconded the motion that:

 

“The Council resolves to agree the following principles

 

The Council will:

 

(a)  Comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the General and Specific Duties placed on it by that legislation, but shall not extend any activity(ies) whatsoever beyond the statutory duties.

 

(b)  Not support any divisive ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ agenda, which may penalise people without specific protected characteristics.

 

(c)  Positively promote, encourage and support aspects of Kent life that unite people, rather than those that divide and not promote, encourage and support those that divide people.

 

(d)  Strongly oppose discrimination of any type and on any grounds against all persons, take steps where appropriate to root it out and shall take firm action whenever it is found.

 

(e)  Be a meritocracy, where opportunities are open to all persons based on ability, contribution and talent, and shall not pander to any difference, but shall treat all persons with equal care and consideration.

 

(f)   Be an equal opportunities employer, welcoming and unprejudiced, responsive to the needs of the staff and the requirements of the Service.

 

(g)  Ensure that Equality Impact Assessments are produced for all policies and key decisions in order to comply with current legislation.

 

(h)  Not favour ‘positive action’ ever being taken to give advantage to any group(s) or individual(s).

 

(i)    Ensure that its promotional and recruitment images and literature are proportionate and representative of the demography of Kent and are lawful so far as is reasonably possible.

 

(j)    Ask the Chief Executive to review the use of resources in pursuance of the principles identified by resolutions (a) – (i) of this Motion.

 

(k)  Ask the Chief Executive, subsequent to the above review, to update the Leader of any related governance processes that may be required for policies or strategies so as to reflect the principles set out within this motion as may be appropriate to give effect to resolutions (a) – (h).”

 

6.    Mr Chapman proposed and Mr Paul seconded, that in accordance with section 14.72 of the Constitution, the motion set out in paragraph 5 be immediately put to the vote without further debate.

 

7.    The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 6 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

For (47)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr M Brown, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mrs S Roots, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (21)

Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Miss A Randall, Mr A Ricketts, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Mr P Thomas and Mr R Yates.

Abstain (2)

Mr D Burns and Ms C Russell.

Motion carried.

 

RESOLVED that the County Council agree that the motion in paragraph 5 be put to the vote without further debate.

 

8.    The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 5 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

For (48)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mrs S Roots, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

Against (18)

Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Miss A Randall, Mr A Ricketts, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild and Mr R Yates.

Abstain (5)

Mr O Bradshaw, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr H Rayner, Ms C Russell and Mr P Thomas.

Motion Carried.

RESOLVED that Council:

 

(a)  Complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the General and Specific Duties placed on it by that legislation, but does not extend any activity(ies) whatsoever beyond the statutory duties.

 

(b)  Not support any divisive ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ agenda, which may penalise people without specific protected characteristics.

 

(c)  Positively promotes, encourages and supports aspects of Kent life that unite people, rather than those that divide and not promote, encourage and support those that divide people.

 

(d)  Strongly opposes discrimination of any type and on any grounds against all persons, takes steps where appropriate to root it out and shall take firm action whenever it is found.

 

(e)  Be a meritocracy, where opportunities are open to all persons based on ability, contribution and talent, and shall not pander to any difference, but shall treat all persons with equal care and consideration.

 

(f)   Be an equal opportunities employer, welcoming and unprejudiced, responsive to the needs of the staff and the requirements of the Service.

 

(g)  Ensures that Equality Impact Assessments are produced for all policies and key decisions in order to comply with current legislation.

 

(h)  Not favour ‘positive action’ ever being taken to give advantage to any group(s) or individual(s).

 

(i)    Ensures that its promotional and recruitment images and literature are proportionate and representative of the demography of Kent and are lawful so far as is reasonably possible.

 

(j)    Asks the Chief Executive to review the use of resources in pursuance of the principles identified by resolutions (a) – (i) of this Motion.

 

(k)  Asks the Chief Executive, subsequent to the above review, to update the Leader of any related governance processes that may be required for policies or strategies so as to reflect the principles set out within this motion as may be appropriate to give effect to resolutions (a) – (h).

 

9.    Mrs Fothergill proposed and Mr Thomas seconded the motion that: 

“This Council notes that: 

·         Kent contains some of the United Kingdom’s most productive agricultural land and that the protection of Best and Most Versatile farmland (Grades 1, 2 and 3a) is essential for food security, the rural economy and the long-term sustainability of the county’s countryside. 

 

·         Kent’s agricultural and agrifood sectors make a significant contribution to the county’s economy, employment and national food production. 

 

·         Kent County Council is due to approve its Position Statement on Solar Developments through Cabinet Member Decision 26/00026, supporting a balanced approach to renewable energy whilst encouraging solar generation to be prioritised on rooftops, commercial buildings, car parks and brownfield land over greenfield and agricultural land.  

 

·         Kent County Council has recognised that the cumulative impact of multiple solar developments and the potential impact on food security require careful consideration.  

 

This Council resolves to request that the Executive;  

 

1.    Ensure that Kent County Council’s consultee responses to planning applications for large-scale solar developments consistently reflect the approved Position Statement on Solar Developments, with particular regard to proposals involving Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, significant landscape harm or unacceptable cumulative impacts, and ensuring that infrastructure considerations such as secured grid connectivity are robustly assessed. 

2.    Continue working collaboratively with District and Borough councils and other relevant bodies to monitor the cumulative impact of large-scale solar development proposals across Kent and provide periodic briefings to Members on emerging applications and trends.  

3.    Bring forward a report to the relevant Committee by the end of 2026 providing an update on the implementation of the Position Statement on Solar Developments, including any operational, resource or policy considerations arising from Kent County Council’s consultee role.” 

 

10.Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 9 to the vote and the voting was as follows. 

 

For (7) 

Mr O Bradshaw, Mr R Ford, Mrs M Fothergill, Miss A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Ms C Russell and Mr P Thomas.  

Against (54) 

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr A J Hook, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr M Munday, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr A Ricketts, Mrs S Roots, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr R G Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble. 

Abstain (10) 

Mr B Black, Mr A Brady, Mr D Burns, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr S Jeffery, Ms C Nolan, Mr T Prater, Mr P Stepto and Mr R Yates. 

Motion lost. 

 

11.Mr Streatfeild proposed and Mr Hook seconded the motion that: 

 

“The County Council resolves to call on the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:  

 

1.    Review the implementation of the council’s post-16 SEND transport policy to ensure it supports every post-16 young person with SEND who needs help to get to school safely receives the support that they need.  

2.    Collate and report on information to better assess and explain the true impact of KCC’s post-16 transport policy, including: 

a.    Among young people who applied for more than a PTB but were refused, how many of them are safely attending education. 

b.    Whether any shortfall between the PTB and the actual cost of transport to families is affordable is for the affected families.  

3.    Review the appeal and right of review arrangements for families who can show that the fixed Personal Transport budget does not meet the reasonable cost of safe transport to make it as clear and simple as possible. 

4.    Review all post-16 SEND transport decisions already made under the current model, in relation to the application and impact of the existing policy and report the findings to the relevant Cabinet Committee. 

5.    Report back to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee, no later than 17 November 2026, on the action taken on points above.” 

 

12.Mrs Fordham proposed and Mr Evans seconded the following amendment to the motion set out in paragraph 11: 

 

“The County Council resolves to call on the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:  

 

1.    Review the implementation of the council’s post-16 to ensure it supports every post-16 young person with SEND who needs help to get to school safely receives the support that they need SEND transport policy following the first term of operation, to ensure that eligible post-16 young people with SEND receive appropriate support to access education. 

2.    Collate and report on information to better assess and explain the true impact of KCC’s post-16 transport policy following the first term of operation, including: 

a.    Among young people who applied for more than a PTB but were refused, how many of them are safely attending education and were offered a Personal Transport Budget, but subsequently sought a review or appeal of a transport decision, information on attendance outcomes, where available.  

b.    Whether any shortfall between the PTB and the actual cost of transport to families is affordable is for the affected families concerns relating to Personal Transport Budgets have been raised by affected families, and how individual circumstances have been considered through the Council's review and appeals processes.  

3.    Review the appeal and right of review arrangements for families who can show that the fixed Personal Transport budget does not meet the reasonable cost of safe transport to make it as clear and simple as possible. 

4.    Review all post-16 SEND transport decisions already made under the current model, in relation to the application and impact of the existing policy and report the findings including any emerging themes arising from reviews and appeals, to the relevant Cabinet Committee. 

5.    Report back to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee, no later than 17 November 2026, on the action taken on points above.” 

 

13.Following the debate, the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph 12 to the vote and the voting was as follows: 

 

For (46) 

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brown, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr H Rayner, Mrs S Roots, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble. 

Against (22) 

Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr D Burns, Mr R Ford, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Miss A Randall, Mr A Ricketts, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Mr P Thomas and Mr R Yates. 

Abstain (2) 

Mrs M Fothergill and Mr T Prater.  

Amendment carried. 

 

14.The Chairman put the substantive motion set out in paragraph 12 to the vote and the voting was as follows:  

 

For (70) 

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr S Heaver, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mr S Jeffery, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr T Prater, Miss A Randall, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Mrs S Roots, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams, Mr D Wimble and Mr R Yates. 

Against (0) 

 

Abstain (0) 

 

Substantive motion carried. 

 

RESOLVED that Council resolves to call on the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:  

 

1.    Review the implementation of the council’s post-16 SEND transport policy following the first term of operation, to ensure that eligible post-16 young people with SEND receive appropriate support to access education. 

2.    Collate and report on information to better assess and explain the true impact of KCC’s post-16 transport policy following the first term of operation, including: 

 

a.    Among young people who applied for and were offered a Personal Transport Budget, but subsequently sought a review or appeal of a transport decision, information on attendance outcomes, where available.  

b.    Whether any concerns relating to Personal Transport Budgets have been raised by affected families, and how individual circumstances have been considered through the Council's review and appeals processes.  

 

3.    Review the appeal and right of review arrangements for families who can show that the fixed Personal Transport budget does not meet the reasonable cost of safe transport to make it as clear and simple as possible. 

4.    Review all post-16 SEND transport decisions already made under the current model, in relation to the application and impact of the existing policy and report the findings including any emerging themes arising from reviews and appeals, to the relevant Cabinet Committee. 

5.    Report back to the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee, no later than 17 November 2026, on the action taken on points above.