The Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for 22 January 2026 was set to cover a range of significant council business, including a focused inquiry into water quality and supply issues, the draft revenue budget and capital programme for the coming years, and a detailed report on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme and address any items called in by members or placed on the agenda for discussion.

Short Focused Inquiry into Water Quality and Supply

A key item on the agenda was the establishment of a Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) into the failure of the water supply in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas, which occurred on 29 November 2025, affecting up to 24,000 properties. This inquiry, agreed upon by the County Council on 18 December 2025, aims to identify lessons learned from previous water outages between 2022 and 2025 that were not enacted. It will also examine the recent water outage in Tunbridge Wells and other parts of Kent, seeking steps to prevent recurrence and build greater resilience, particularly for vulnerable services like care homes and schools. The inquiry will also consider how Kent County Council (KCC) can best contribute to effective support and relief efforts in the event of similar incidents in the future. The proposed terms of reference include investigating South East Water's (SEW) preparedness and response, identifying lessons learned by SEW that were not enacted, and recommending actions to strengthen local and regional resilience, customer protection, and accountability. Evidence is expected to be drawn from KCC leadership, emergency teams, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, South East Water, water industry regulators, the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, and representatives from care homes, schools, and community stakeholders.

Draft Budget and Capital Programme

The committee was scheduled to scrutinise the draft revenue budget for 2026-27, the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026-29, and the draft Capital Programme for 2026-2036. This comprehensive financial review is a constitutional requirement ahead of final proposals being considered by Cabinet and then Full Council. The draft budget aims to balance the Council's statutory obligations with the administration's strategic priorities, acknowledging difficult decisions regarding service levels and provision. The capital programme prioritises safety vital works to meet legal and regulatory requirements, with a secondary focus on reducing revenue budget impact. The draft capital programme includes significant investment in school buildings, roads, and infrastructure, funded through a combination of government grants, developer contributions, capital receipts, external funding, and existing borrowing commitments, with no new borrowing planned for 2026-27. The revenue budget proposals highlight planned net expenditure for 2026-27, with significant allocations to adult social care and children's services. The MTFP indicates projected net spending increases for subsequent years, with a notable shortfall in government settlement funding. The budget process has involved public consultation, with respondents generally supporting council tax increases to maintain services and favouring increased spending on adult and children's social care.

SEND Scrutiny - Education Health and Care Plans

A deferred item from a previous meeting, the committee was set to discuss SEND Scrutiny, focusing on Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). A report accompanying this item provides evidence and discussion on SEND-related data, highlighting that Kent issues EHCPs at a rate significantly above national and regional comparators. The report details the national legislative framework, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, and discusses historical Ofsted reviews. It examines Kent's data in relation to key comparators, including EHCP rates and placement patterns, noting that children and young people are more likely to attend special schools in Kent. The report explores potential reasons for Kent being an outlier, considering socio-economic factors, premature births, environmental factors, and the influence of diagnostic criteria and awareness. It also discusses the impact of the system's leadership and management on demand, referencing KCC's entry into the DfE's Safety Valve Programme to address significant deficits. The report outlines KCC's strategic response to inspection outcomes, including a strengthened policy framework, a transformed service model, improved commissioning of school places, and enhanced management of statutory processes.

Short Focused Inquiry into Water Quality and Supply

The committee was scheduled to discuss the establishment of a Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) into the failure of the water supply in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas. This inquiry, prompted by a motion tabled at the County Council meeting on 18 December 2025, aims to identify lessons learned from previous water outages, steps to prevent recurrence, and measures to build greater resilience. It will also examine how KCC can best contribute to effective support and relief efforts in future incidents. The proposed terms of reference include investigating South East Water's (SEW) preparedness and response, and identifying measures to improve SEW's infrastructure and embed learning.

Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to note its Work Programme, outlining items identified for upcoming meetings. This included discussions on VAT and Business Rates on private school fees, the winter flu pressures and vaccine rollout, and a follow-up review of previous SFI recommendations. Future items for discussion include the cost of supporting a successful and sustainable SEND system, winter road maintenance, and the effectiveness of health services in supporting SEND.

The meeting also included standard committee business such as apologies, substitutes, and declarations of interest, as well as the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. Some items were designated as restricted, meaning the meeting would likely not be open to the public during their discussion.