Lib Dems Question Kent County Council - December 2009

1.32.16pm GMT Tue 8th Dec 2009

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a series of questions to the full Kent County Council meeting on 10th December. The questions cover education issues, Kent TV, pay-offs for Council staff, key contracts for Kent Highway Services, SEEDA cultural funding and the appointment process for the new Chief Executive.

The questions tabled for answering at full council are:

Question by Mrs T Dean to the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education

Will the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education please explain why 28.5% of children in the year 6 cohort entered grammar schools in Kent in September 2009 in comparison with county norm of 25%?

Question by Mr M Robertson to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste

Will the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste please advise the County Council if he will take the opportunity offered by next year's break clause of the contract between Kent Highways Services and Jacobs to fully investigate all options on how to deliver Highways Services in future to a high standard and the lowest cost to KCC?

Question by Mr I Chittenden to the Leader of the Council

Will the Leader of the Council please advise the County Council when this Council will have the opportunity to debate the review of Kent TV and vote on the continuation of the internet TV channel? Will he also advise the Council what was the process for selecting CapGemini to carry out the evaluation of KentTV's first two years?

Question by Mr T Prater to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support Services and Performance Management

Will the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support Services and Performance Management please advise over the last five years how many people and what value has this Council offered an exit package to avoid the possibility of an unfair dismissal claim? If the individual settlements are confidential can the Leader provide the total sum spent in this way.

Question by Mr G Koowaree to the Leader of the Council

Will the Leader of the Council please inform the County Council when will the process of appointing a new Chief Executive commence?

Question by Mr D S Daley to the Cabinet Member for Communities

There is a report that SEEDA is withdrawing its funding for Cultural purposes in Kent.

In view of the fact that this County has such an enormous output in Heritage and Cultural terms with its many attractions, museums, orchestras, choirs, music schools, art galleries (even before Turner) and important national and international collections which need to be maintained and fostered, would the Cabinet Member for Communities please tell me what action he has taken or is to take to plead the need for continuing SEEDA Cultural Grant support?