This week in Kent:

Waste Management and School Expansion Spark Debate

Kent County Council committees addressed critical local issues this week, including waste management practices and educational infrastructure improvements.

Wastewater Works Expansion Approved Amid Resident Concerns

The Planning Applications Committee approved Southern Water's application to increase HGV movements at the Ashford Wastewater Treatment Works Ashford Wastewater Treatment Works (WTW) on bank holidays here. This decision, aimed at improving the efficiency of sludge processing, drew significant opposition from local residents.

• The Plan: Southern Water Southern Water Services Limited sought to increase permitted HGV movements on bank and public holidays from 6 to 15, between 08:00 and 13:00.
• The Justification: The council report stated the increase would reduce risks to the sludge digestion process, optimize biogas generation, and minimize the need for landfill capacity.
• Resident Opposition: Fifteen letters of objection cited concerns about foul smells, noise, vibration, and the suitability of Kinneys Lane for HGVs.
• Councillor Heaver's Question: Green Party Councillor Stuart Heaver questioned the level of enforcement of existing HGV restrictions, seeking assurance for residents.
• Council Response: Council officers stated that the Environment Agency monitors pollution control matters, while the County Council monitors planning permissions reactively, investigating complaints.
• Councillor Thomas's Concerns: Reform UK Councillor Paul Thomas questioned the lack of quantifiable calculations to justify the increase and suggested sound attenuation measures near residential properties.
• The Vote: Despite the concerns, the committee approved the application, citing the need for a sustainable management solution for sludge.

McAleer's Yard Expansion Approved Despite Local Objections

The Planning Applications Committee also approved a Section 73 application relating to McAleer's Yard McAleer's Yard, a waste recycling facility in Folkestone here. This decision allows for increased site throughputs, vehicle movements, and changes to operational hours, sparking concerns from residents and local councils.

• The Proposal: G McAleer Contracts Limited G McAleer Contracts Limited sought to increase annual waste processing to 320,000 tonnes and permit overnight deliveries with up to 40 HGV movements per night.
• Objections: Folkestone & Hythe District Council raised concerns about harm to residential amenities, while Folkestone Town Council objected due to drainage concerns.
• Resident Concerns: Residents voiced fears about residential amenity, pedestrian safety, public health, air quality, traffic, noise, drainage, and environmental impacts.
• Mitigation: The council imposed conditions to limit overnight vehicle movements to 60 working nights in any 90-day period and reimposed existing controls on noise and dust.
• Councillor Prater's Plea: Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Prater urged the committee to ban overnight deliveries, citing the impact on residents' sleep.
• The Vote: Despite the objections, the committee approved the application, citing the need for the facility and the mitigation measures in place.

Northfleet Technology College Expansion Approved to Address Shortfall in School Places

The Planning Applications Committee approved an application for a new two-story teaching block at Northfleet Technology College Northfleet Technology College in Gravesend here. This expansion aims to address a shortfall of year 7 places in the Gravesham and Longfield planning group.

• The Need: The Kent Commissioning Plan 2024/28 indicates a shortage of year 7 places in the area.
• The Plan: The new block will accommodate a dining hall, engineering workshops, classrooms, and staff facilities.
• Objections: One letter of objection raised concerns about increased traffic and anti-social behaviour.
• Sport England's View: Sport England raised no objection, as the building would be located on land incapable of forming a formal playing pitch.
• The Vote: The committee approved the application, citing the need for additional school places and the lack of material harm from the development.

County Council Discusses Member Allowances, Violence Against Women, and Blue Badges

The Kent County Council met to discuss a range of issues, including member allowances, violence against women and girls, and the Blue Badge system here.

• Member Allowances: The council discussed a report on the Member Allowances Scheme (MAS), including recommendations from the Leader of the Council and a review from the Member Remuneration Panel (MRP).
• Violence Against Women and Girls: Councillors proposed a motion for the council to develop a comprehensive Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, including public awareness campaigns, bystander training, and promoting women's safety in planning applications.
• Blue Badge System: Councillors proposed a motion to improve the council's Blue Badge system, requesting a report on waiting times and urging the government to abolish the three-year rule to support cancer patients and others with short-term mobility issues.
• Corporate Parenting Panel: The council noted the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting, which discussed children and young people's views on corporate parenting responsibilities and areas for improvement.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• An unknown committee will meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025 here.
• The Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee will meet on Thursday 17 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.
• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025 here.
• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) will meet on Wednesday 23 July 2025 here.
• The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) will meet on Monday 14 July 2025 here.

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.