Agenda and minutes

The Chairman stated that the meeting was being webcast live to the Internet and that if any member of the public did not wish to be filmed, they should let one of the officers know immediately.

The Chairman also stated that, for anyone speaking on any of the agenda items, it was important to use the microphones so that the viewers on the webcast and others in the Chamber could hear the debate.

The Chairman asked anyone with a mobile device such as a blackberry to turn it off as it could affect the audio systems in the Chamber. Finally, he advised everyone present where the nearest fire exit was in the event of a fire alarm.

The Group Managing Director reported apologies from the following Members:

Mr Capon

Mr Chittenden

Mr Kirby

Mrs Law

Mr Wickham

Mrs Cole declared a personal interest in item 8 (Medium Term Financial Plan 2011-13 (incorporating the Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2011/12)) as her daughter was in receipt of transport to a denominational school.

Mr Sweetland declared a personal interest in item 8 (Medium Term Financial Plan 2011-13 (incorporating the Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2011/12)) because of his position as a non-executive Director of NHS West Kent (Primary Care Trust).

Mr Koowaree declared a personal interest in item 8 (Medium Term Financial Plan 2011-13 (incorporating the Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2011/12)) as his daughter worked at one of the Children’s Centres.

Mrs Whittle declared a personal interest in item 8 (Medium Term Financial Plan 2011-13 (incorporating the Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2011/12)) as her husband, who works for KCC, was in receipt of senior officers’ medical insurance.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 16 December 2010, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)       New Members

The Chairman welcomed the following new and in one case, returning Members to the County Council:

Mr Gordan Cowan – the newly elected Member for the Dover Town Division

Ms Alice Hohler – the newly elected Member for the Tonbridge Division

Mrs Carole Waters – the newly elected Member for the Romney Marsh Division

(b)       New Year’s Honours

The Chairman stated that it was his great pleasure to inform the County Council of the following Awards in the New Year’s Honours list:

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Mr Colin Carmichael, Chief Executive, Canterbury City Council - for services to Local Government

Mrs Amanda Cottrell, Chairman, Visit Kent - for services to the community in Kent

Member of the Order of the British Empire

Mr Leyland Bradshaw Ridings, KCC Member for the Sandwich Electoral Division - for Services to Local Government

The Chairman moved, the Vice Chairman seconded and it was:

Resolved unanimously: that this Council records its sincere congratulations to Mr Colin Carmichael, Mrs Amanda Cottrell and Mr Leyland Ridings for the Honours they have received.

(c)        MRS Research Award

The Chairman stated that he was delighted to advise the County Council that the SILK (Social Innovation Lab for Kent) team had won a prestigious MRS Research Award. MRS Research Awards promote outstanding achievement, innovation and effectiveness, recognise and celebrate the contribution that research makes to business, communication and policy making. The Award was displayed in the Council Chamber.

(d)       Managing Director of Kent Adult Social Services

The Chairman stated that Oliver Mills, Managing Director of Kent Adult Social Services, was due to leave KCC at the end of March after 23 years’ service.

Oliver started working at the County Council in 1987. Since becoming managing director in 2006, Kent Adult Social Services had received strong ratings for the quality of services achieved, through the strength of relationships with the private and voluntary sector as well as the NHS.

His expertise and his leadership role among fellow directors of adult social services helped to keep Kent at the forefront of the national social care agenda – promoting innovation and helping people to make choices that keep them in control of their care.

A number of Members gave their own tributes to Oliver, who responded in suitable terms.

(e)       Mrs Jenny Sayers

The Chairman stated that Mrs Jenny Sayers, Members’ Desk Receptionist, would be retiring from KCC after 29 years’ service, mainly working with Members. The Chairman spoke on behalf of all Members in wishing Jenny a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Under Procedure Rule 1.18 (4), 10 questions were asked and replies given.

Mr A King moved, Mrs J Rook seconded the recommendations on page 20 of the County Council agenda.

Resolved: that the County Council approves the following:

(a)       the revised proportionality calculations and confirm that the Labour Group is invited to fill an additional three committee places to which the overall proportionality rules entitle them;

(b)       that the three committees where the Labour Group gains a seat at the expense of the Conservative Group are CFE POSC – Resource and Infrastructure; Communities POSC; and Personnel Committee;

(c)        to vary the overall proportionality so that the Liberal Democrat Group keeps its seat on the Flood Risk Management Committee; and

(d)       that the Labour Group receives an entitlement to take up a seat on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority at the expense of the Conservative Group.

(1)       The Chairman reminded all Members that any Member if a Local Authority who was liable to pay Council Tax and who had any unpaid Council Tax amount overdue for at least two months, even if there was an arrangement to pay off the arrears, must declare the fact that they are in arrears and must not cast their vote on anything related to KCC’s budget or Council Tax.

(2)       The Chairman stated that, prior to the commencement of the budget presentation by the Acting Director of Finance, the County Council needed to determine recommendation 59(a) on page 35 of the County Council agenda. Accordingly, Mr Carter moved, Mr Simmonds seconded and it was:

Resolved: that Andy Wood be confirmed as the Interim Section 151 Officer with immediate effect and Malcolm Newsam as Interim Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Children’s Services with effect from 1 April 2011.

(3)       Mr Wood gave a presentation on the budget setting process and the impact on KCC’s financial position as a result of cuts in Government grants to local authorities.

(4)       Mr W Hayton moved Mrs P Stockell seconded that

(a)       Procedure Rule 1.12(2) be suspended in order that the meeting be extended to 5.00 pm;

(b)       Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended in order that the Leader be allowed to speak for a maximum of 15 minutes, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Leader of the Labour Group for 10 minutes each with the Leader being given a 5 minute right of reply;

(c)        Procedure Rule 1.30 be suspended after presentations by Cabinet Members on their portfolios in the period of general debate that follows in order that speeches can be limited to 3 minutes, and

(d)       Procedure Rule 1.36 be suspended in order for the mover and seconder of the original motion to be permitted to speak on more than one occasion.

Carried without a vote

(5)       The Chairman also advised the County Council that should the period of general debate on each portfolio finish earlier than scheduled, the time for debate on amendments would be extended.

(6)       Mr P Carter moved, Mr J Simmonds seconded the approval of the contents of the attached 2011/12 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan 2011-13 and to approve the following proposals:

(b)           the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals for 2011/12;

(c)          the Revenue Budget requirement of £909,054,000;

(d)          the Capital Investment proposals of £330,482,000, together with the necessary use of borrowing, revenue, grants, capital receipts, renewals and other earmarked capital funds, external funding and PFI, subject to approval to spend arrangements;

(e)          the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix Dof the attached Medium Term Financial Plan;

(f)            the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals as presented in the white combed version of the Budget Book and Medium Term Financial Plan for:

·                Children, Families and Education;

·                Adult Social Services;

·                Environment, Highways and Waste;

·                Communities;

·                Regeneration and Economic Development;

·                Public Health & Innovation;

·                Localism & Partnerships;

·                Corporate Support Services & Performance Management; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.