Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Manager reported apologies from Mr Mike Baldock, Mr Trevor Bond, Miss Susan Carey, Mr Nick Chard, Ms Karen Constantine, Mr Andrew Kennedy, Mr Steve Manion, Mrs Margot McArthur, Mr James McInroy and Mr Derek Murphy.

Members were advised that Mr Mike Whiting had given his formal apologies and was joining the meeting virtually.

The following Members declared an interest in relation to Item 9 on the agenda:

·       Mr Hook was a self-employed barrister, and his wife was a Probation Officer although she did not work with young offenders.

·       Mr Jeffrey was a member of the Youth Justice Board and would not take part in the debate or vote.

·       Dr Sullivan’s husband was Deputy Leader of Gravesham Borough Council and Chair of the Gravesham Community Safety Partnership.

·       Mr Sandhu was a Trustee of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be approved as a correct record. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel held on 31 May 2023 be noted.

Mr Leyland Ridings

(1)    The Chairman reminded Members that following the sad passing of Mr Leyland Ridings, MBE, the Council resolved at its meeting on 13 July a motion of condolence.

(2)    The Chairman welcomed Mr Ridings’ daughter and grandson to the meeting and offered, on behalf of the Council, his heartfelt sympathies for their loss.

(3)    The Chairman provided a personal tribute to Mr Ridings.  He explained that Mr Ridings was elected to the Council in 1997 where he first worked in the area of Children, Young People and Education.  He said Mr Ridings was always knowledgeable and helpful with a great sense of humour and his passion for helping young people to be the very best that they could be was always apparent.

(4)    The Chairman invited Members to speak, and tributes were made by Mr Gough, Dr Sullivan, Mr Lehmann, Mrs Dean and Sir Paul Carter.

Local Cricket

(5)    The Chairman was pleased to inform Members that the Leeds & Broomfield Cricket Team played in the Voneus Village Cup Final on 3 September 2023 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Whilst victory was elusive, the Chairman congratulated the team on their achievement.

In accordance with Sections 14.15 to 14.22 of the Constitution, 16 questions were submitted by the deadline and 15 questions were put to the Executive as one questioner had given apologies, 11 questions were asked, and replies given. A record of all questions put and answers given at the meeting is available online with the papers for this meeting.

Questions 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16 were not put in the time allocated but written answers were provided.

(1)       The Leader opened his report by referring to the financial situation of the Council and of councils across the country.  He said the issue was considered at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 17 August and he highlighted the importance of addressing the matter early, particularly in consideration of recent announcements and news reports from across the sector. 

(2)       Mr Gough said Section 114 notices issued so far by local authorities included evidence of severe mismanagement and often involved poor investment decisions or specific failings.  He said the sector was now facing a wider set of pressures which impacted on adult social care, children’s social services placement costs and home to school transport (particularly in relation to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)) and, for district and unitary authorities, temporary housing costs.

(3)       The Leader said the unsustainable pattern of spending and financing in local government, that he and the Leader of Hampshire County Council jointly wrote to Ministers about last year, remained.  He said several management actions were being taken to address the in-year pressures that the Council faced, and significant progress was being made.

(4)       He explained that a medium- and longer-term plan, ‘Securing Kent’s Future’, would address the build-up of pressures for 2024/25 and beyond, and was built on a detailed understanding of the drivers of budget pressures, comparisons between the Council’s own position and that of other councils, and the sector as a whole.  ‘Securing Kent’s Future’ would address policy and practice, high costs placements measures, uses of technology, the Council’s cost base and its partnership with the NHS.  Mr Gough said there were sector wide pressures of growing intensity and although they would be addressed with government, ‘Securing Kent’s Future’ sought to do everything it could within the Council’s power.

(5)       Mr Gough turned to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and the Council’s legal obligations.   He explained that the High Court judgment of 27 July 2023 coupled with large scale arrivals meant that the number of UASC in the Council’s care had risen rapidly and this potentially had financial, service, and safeguarding implications for the Council.  He said an effective operation of the National Transfer Scheme would enable the Council to deliver on all its statutory duties and the Council continued to raise the financial and service challenges with national government.  He and the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, along with senior officers, recently held a constructive meeting with relevant ministers, however detailed and practical steps to address the challenges were awaited.  Mr Gough said the Council had a proud record of sustaining outstanding children’s services and he paid tribute to the exceptional dedication of staff who were working long hours under great pressure.

(6)       The Council’s expression of interest for a devolution deal was submitted to government on 4 August 2023.  Mr Gough emphasised that the Council’s approach should be as inclusive as possible, and it was important not to focus on structures but on the needs of Kent and Medway.

(7)       The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172.

(1)       The Monitoring Officer provided an explanation of the Section 5 report and answered technical questions from Members.

(2)       Mr Watts said he would consider, with the Cabinet Member and officer colleagues, a request made by Mrs Dean.

(3)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the report.

(1)       Mrs Chandler proposed, and Mr Ross seconded the motion that

“The County Council approves the Youth Justice Plan.”

(2)       The Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)       RESOLVED that the County Council approves the Youth Justice Plan.

The Labour Group, Rich Lehmann, Mr Campkin, Mr Stepto and Jenni Hawkins asked for their votes to abstain from the recommendation be noted in the minutes.

(1)       Mr Oakford proposed, and Mr Rayner seconded the motion that

“The County Council notes the report.”

(2)       Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion set out in paragraph 1.

(3)       RESOLVED that the County Council notes the report.

Motion for Time Limited Debate 1 – ‘Boys Need Bins’

(1)       Mr Sole proposed, and Mr Passmore seconded the following motion for time-limited debate:

“a.        This Council believes that it is important to make life more comfortable and dignified for those who suffer from incontinence.

b.          This Council supports the provision of sanitary bins in all toilets the authority manages so that waste products can be disposed of in a discreet and hygienic manner.

c.          To recommend to the Executive:

a.       All toilets managed by this authority, whether for public or internal use, have at least one sanitary waste bin.

b.       To encourage other authorities in Kent to provide sanitary waste bins in all their managed toilets.”

(2)       Mr Oakford proposed, and Mr Watkins seconded the following amendment:

a.                 This Council believes that it is important to make life more comfortable and dignified for those who suffer from incontinence and welcomes the pilot for sanitary provision of products related to male urinary incontinence that is currently being undertaken by KCC. 

b.                 This Council supports a review and exploration of the provision of sanitary bins or alternative sanitary solutions in all toilets the authority manages so that waste products can be disposed of in a discreet and hygienic manner.

c.                 To recommend to the Executive:

a.              That the outcome of the pilot and further understanding of the issue of wider provision in toilets in Kent and the impact of male urinary incontinence is explored further by the Health Reform and Public Health Cabinet Committee.

b.              That the outcome of the investigation by the Health Reform and Public Health Cabinet Committee also feeds into the review of the KCC estate for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, and by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee if so required, for consideration of any changes to our existing policy that will be required for wider implementation in light of the pilots and subsequent reports.

a.       All toilets managed by this authority, whether for public or internal use, have at least one sanitary waste bin.

b.                  To encourage other authorities in Kent to provide sanitary waste bins in all their managed toilets.

(3)       Following the debate, the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph 2 to the vote.

Amendment carried.

(4)       The Chairman put the substantive motion set out in paragraph 2 to the vote.

Substantive Motion carried.

(5)       RESOLVED that:

a.                 This Council believes that it is important to make life more comfortable and dignified for those who suffer from incontinence and welcomes the pilot for sanitary provision of products related to male urinary incontinence that is currently being undertaken by KCC. 

b.                 This Council supports a review and exploration of the provision of sanitary bins or alternative sanitary solutions in all toilets the authority manages so that waste products can be disposed of in a discreet and hygienic manner.

c.                 To recommend to the Executive:

a.              That the outcome of the pilot and further understanding of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 176.