This week in Kent:

Job Support and Business Disposal Dominate Council Discussions

This week, Kent County Council committees tackled issues ranging from employment strategies to property disposals, with a focus on economic development and community well-being.

Get Kent & Medway Working Plan Aims to Boost Employment

The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee met on Tuesday to endorse the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan here, a government-funded initiative designed to address economic inactivity and skills gaps in the region.

• The Goal: The plan aims to improve job opportunities, support local businesses, and grow the economy. Councillor Paul King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, emphasized the plan's focus on helping people reach their potential.
• The Challenge: Steve Samson, Head of Economy, highlighted that approximately 215,000 people in Kent and Medway may wish to work but face barriers such as caring responsibilities (affecting around 75,000 people) and mental health issues among young people.
• Data Doubts: Councillor Mike Sole questioned the accuracy of employment rate data for different districts, particularly for Canterbury, which had the lowest rate. He raised concerns about factors like student populations and early retirement not being adequately considered.
• Next Steps: Councillor Paul Thomas, chair of the committee, requested a costed scope of works and plan of action for future consideration.

Strategy to Help People With Health Conditions Stay in Work

The committee also endorsed the Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent and Medway here, a partnership with the NHS and Medway Council, designed to support people with long-term health conditions in accessing and staying in work.

• Employer Support: The strategy aims to build employer confidence, provide skills and training, help individuals find job opportunities, and support a healthy workforce.
• Small Business Focus: Mr. Samson noted that 90% of businesses in Kent and Medway employ fewer than nine people and often lack information about supporting their workforce.
• Flexible Working Debate: Councillor Sole raised concerns about comments from Reform UK regarding flexible working. Councillor King responded that the strategy related more to health and wellbeing than directly to working from home.
• Job Carving Explained: Councillor Paul Stepto asked for a definition of job carving [^1]. Mr. Samson explained that it involves shaping a job around an individual's skills and needs, while also meeting the needs of the employer. [^1]: Job carving is a strategy used in supported employment to create a customized job for an individual with disabilities or other barriers to employment. It involves restructuring existing job tasks to better match the individual's skills and abilities.

Old Rectory Business Centre Disposal Sparks Debate

The committee approved a recommendation to extend the management contract for the Old Rectory Business Centre in Northfleet here, while steps are taken to dispose of the site as a going concern.

• Why Dispose? Councillor Connie Nolan questioned why the council was disposing of an income-generating asset and suggested exploring other options, such as asking the tenants if they wish to buy the enterprise.
• Tenant Concerns: Councillor James Defriend asked if a covenant would be placed on the building to ensure it remains for its current use.
• Compromise: The committee agreed to extend the contract for three months and undertake a procurement process for management services for a further 12 months, while also considering other options for the site's future.

Flood Risk Committee Discusses Weather Warnings and Emergency Response

The Kent Flood Risk and Water Management Committee met to discuss flood risk and water management in Kent here.

• Alerts and Warnings: The committee received an update on Environment Agency and Met Office warnings, as well as KCC's severe weather response activity.
• Rainfall Deficit: The report highlighted that rainfall in England during April was only 51% of the long-term average, and soils in the central parts of south-east England were much drier than expected.
• Incident Responses: The report detailed recent incident responses, including a thunderstorm and flash flooding in Dover, and concerns about increased demand on water supplies during a heatwave.
• Future Presentations: The committee agreed to invite the Environment Agency and the Met Office to present at future meetings.

Other Matters

• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) met to discuss transport-related appeals here. Due to the nature of the appeals, the press and public were excluded from the meeting.
• The Member Development Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled.
• The Governance and Audit Committee met to discuss risk management, audit plans, counter fraud activity, and treasury management here. The committee noted that the corporate risk register contains 18 risks, 13 of which are rated as 'High'.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a quick look at the meetings scheduled for next week:

• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) will meet on Monday 14 July 2025 here.
• The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025 here.
• The Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025 here.
• The Scrutiny Committee will meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025 here.
• An unknown committee will meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025 here.
• The Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee will meet on Thursday 17 July 2025 here.
• The Planning Applications Committee will meet on Wednesday 09 July 2025 here.
• The County Council will meet on Thursday 10 July 2025 here.
• The Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025 here.
• The Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 08 July 2025 here.

This week in Kent:

Finance Chief Appointment Still Shrouded in Secrecy

Following two closed-door meetings the previous week to interview candidates, the Personnel Committee - Member Appointment Panel met again on Wednesday, June 25th here to discuss an update from the Corporate Director of Finance.

• Exclusion of Public: As with the prior meetings, this discussion was held in private, excluding the press and public. The reason cited was the need to protect confidential information under the Local Government Act 1972.
• Why it matters: The Corporate Director of Finance plays a vital role in managing the council's budget and ensuring financial stability. The continued secrecy surrounding discussions about this role raises concerns about transparency and accountability.
• What's next: The council has still not announced who has been appointed to the role.

Other Matters

• The Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th here was postponed.
• The Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th here was postponed.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a quick look at the meetings scheduled for next week:

• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) will meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to discuss panel business and a number of appeals here.
• The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 to discuss the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan, and the Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent & Medway here.
• The Kent Flood Risk and Water Management Committee will meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025 here.
• The Governance and Audit Committee will meet on Thursday 03 July 2025 here.

This week in Kent:

ACCESS Committee Discusses Investment Strategy Behind Closed Doors

The ACCESS Joint Committee met on Monday, June 16th, 2025, to discuss the business plan, budget, and risk management, including updates on Project Castle¹ and alternative assets. You can find the meeting details here.

• Exclusion of Public: A significant portion of the meeting, including discussions on Project Castle, alternative assets, and investment performance, was held in private, excluding the press and public. This was justified under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the press and public when the discussion involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.
• Why it matters: These discussions involve significant financial decisions that impact the pension funds of local government employees. Holding these discussions in private limits transparency and public scrutiny of how these funds are managed.
• Business Plan and Budget: The committee reviewed the Business Plan, Budget & Risk Summary report, noting a £209,179 overspend in 2024/25, mainly due to external professional costs.
• Future Discussions: A review of the 2025/26 budget, totalling £13,309,633, was necessary, including considerations around cost-sharing, and these matters were expected to be brought to the next meeting in September.

Other Matters

• An unknown committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 18 June 2025 here, but no video was provided.
• The Regulation Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th here was cancelled.
• The Personnel Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 19th here was cancelled.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a quick look at the meetings scheduled for next week:

• The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 here.
• The Devolution and Local Government Re-organisation Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 here.
• The Kent Flood Risk and Water Management Committee will meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025 here.
• The Governance and Audit Committee will meet on Thursday 03 July 2025 here.
• An unknown committee will meet on Thursday 03 July 2025 here.
• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) will meet on Tuesday 01 July 2025 here.

This week in Kent:

Schools Recognised for Inclusive Religious Education

The Kent Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, to discuss religious education in schools, including the WIRE Awards, RE advisor updates, and the Development Plan for 2024-25. You can find the meeting details here.

• WIRE Awards: The WIRE Awards recognise schools' efforts to widen inclusion in religious education.
• Ditton Infant School Ditton Infant School was recognised for activities such as attending an RE conference on Islam and a visit to St Peter's Church Ditton by year 1 pupils.
• Lady Boswell's Primary School Lady Boswell's Primary School was recognised for activities such as attendance at SIAMS training[^1] by the RE co-ordinator and members of the leadership team and governors, and a visit to Rochester Cathedral by year 6 pupils. [^1]: SIAMS stands for Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. It is a framework used to evaluate the distinctiveness and effectiveness of Church of England and Methodist schools.
• Why it matters: These awards highlight the importance of inclusive religious education in fostering understanding and respect for different faiths and beliefs among young people.

RE Advisor Update Focuses on Interfaith Week and National Curriculum Review

The RE advisor was scheduled to provide a verbal update on several key areas:

• Interfaith Week: An update on Interfaith Week, including a reference to the Inter Faith Week Consultation Report by The Faith & Belief Forum[^2]. [^2]: The Faith & Belief Forum, formerly known as the Three Faiths Forum, is a non-profit organisation that promotes understanding and cooperation between people of different faiths and beliefs.
• National Curriculum Review: An update on the curriculum review and RE's inclusion in a new National Curriculum, referencing the government's Curriculum and Assessment Review: interim report.
• WIRE Awards: Wire Awards Submissions from Ditton Infant School and Lady Boswell's Primary School

Development Plan Aims to Improve RE Quality

The council was scheduled to discuss the Development Plan for 2024-25, which outlines the SACRE's key objectives and strategies. The plan prioritises advising the local authority on RE in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus¹. Key areas of focus within the plan include:

• Advice and Guidance for Teachers: Providing analysis of exam results, holding SACRE meetings, and advising the local authority on RE and collective worship matters.
• CPD for Kent Schools: Continuing with local network groups and supporting collective worship in schools.
• Monitoring Provision of RE: Encouraging teachers to use the Kelsi website[^4] and revisiting monitoring websites. [^4]: Kelsi (Kent Education Learning Skills Information) is Kent County Council's online platform providing information, resources, and services for education, learning, and skills development in Kent.
• The WIRE Award: Encouraging schools to participate in the award and providing advice.
• Management of SACRE: Raising the profile and status of Kent SACRE, ensuring membership reflects the diversity of religions and the teacher community, and providing training for members.
• Support High Quality CPD: Advising the local authority to commission CPD, collaborating with dioceses, and collaborating with Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) and the Regional (NATRE) Hub.

Other Matters

• The Planning Applications Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th here was cancelled.
• The Governance and Audit Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 12th here was cancelled.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a quick look at the meetings scheduled for next week:

• The ACCESS Joint Committee will meet on Monday, June 16th to discuss the ACCESS business plan, budget and risk summary, as well as updates on Project Castle and alternative assets here.
• An unknown committee will meet on Wednesday, June 18th here.
• The Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 24th here.
• The Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 25th here.