Issue - meetings

Helen Shulver, Head of Environment was in attendance and Kate Boorman, Head of Country Parks and Partnerships was in attendance virtually.

1. Mr Thomas introduced the report, setting out the background to the Key Decision. There were nine partnerships across the county, and this Decision was to approve the signing of the relevant Memorandums of Agreement. The paperwork also set out proposals to increase the annual contributions, the cost of which would be met within existing resources.

2. In response to a question, Mr Thomas confirmed the Agreements were valid for 4 years.

3. Members of the Committee offered their praise to the work of the partnerships.

RESOLVED to endorse the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member for Environment to agree to:

      i.         signing of the two expired Kent Countryside Management Partnerships Memorandums of Agreement, and the signing of other Memorandums of Agreement when they expire;

     ii.         hosting through the MoA for the four Countryside Management Partnerships;

    iii.         increase annual contributions for the four hosted Countryside Management Partnerships in line with KCC's pay strategy annual pay award.

   iv.         increase annual contributions for the Countryside Management Partnerships in line with inflation; and

     v.         delegate responsibility for the negotiation of any annual increase to contributions to the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport