COUNTY COUNCILLOR MIKE SNELLING

Report to Higham Annual Parish Assembly- 16 April 2009

My previous Annual Reports have all been characterised by a reference to Council Tax ( and the annual rises in such) being a major issue for those I represent, and I am aware that this continues to be the case, Kent County Council continues to receive government grant below that required to keep pace with the inflationary pressures and the extra services it is asked to provide ( and- disappointedly-less than many other parts of the Country). However- by making savings of £39 million for the coming year, the rise has been pegged at 2.44% ( the lowest ever I understand)

You may have read that pay increases for KCC staff have been limited to 1%- we think this is fair in the current financial situation nationally.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment- Kent retained its 4-Star assessment- giving it the top slot for seven years running. It is now recognised as the best-performing County in the Country

The Business Enterprises within KCC for which I have responsibility continue to perform well- a current contribution to help reduce Council Tax of nearly £6 million- with a higher figure being looked at for the coming year. . Inevitably this brings some criticism/concerns from the local businesses with which we compete, but I am convinced this is the right thing to do.

Joint Working with the Borough and District authorities in Kent is taking shape (especially in Gravesham where I can combine my two roles)- this is leading to shared back-office services - bringing economies and efficiency. The debate on Unitary Authorities has taken even more of a back seat

You will be aware of the formation of “ Neighbourhood Forums” ( bringing together Parish, Borough , and County Councils to discuss issues of local importance and ways to resolve such. The Rural forum has just held its second meeting and the indications are that we can fine-tune these to produce tangible results.

Schools-the £150 million programme to rebuild all of Gravesham’s Secondary schools is now even closer to becoming a reality – albeit a slight delay because of funding uncertainties.

There is a real problem this year with uncertainties on admissions to Grammar schools in Gravesham- primarily because there are too many successful 11 plus students for too few places ( mainly boys). We need to be allowed to provide more Grammar schools!.

Highways Issues/Complaints-continue to dominate my post-bag and Parish Council discussions. There is never enough cash to do what is needed, and I acknowledge that the internal reorganisation of Kent Highways has not gone as smoothly as hoped. There is another major reorganisation presided over by Paul Carter himself, plus an injection of £38.5 million extra over the next 3 years.

I am happy to deal with any queries raised,- but am hopeful of better performance for the future

Local & Regeneration Issues- the Kent Thameside regeneration agenda is gathering further pace- with the inception of the high-speed commuter link to London ( 24 mins) starting this coming December.

The A2 widening brought its inevitable problems to some villages through increased traffic, but in general went very smoothly. We are now realising the benefits of such.
The question of a “ Lower Thames Crossing” is STILL under discussion ( strategically I see as inevitable)- as both the local KCC Councillor but also as Leader of GBC- I have a pledge from both government and KCC that I will have a “ seat at the table” when discussions commence on the findings of the initial appraisal- but there are delays in publishing such !?

Icelandic Cash-it has been reported very widely that KCC had £50 million deposited with Icelandic Banks when they spectacularly failed. There has also been a great deal of mis-reporting about how this occurred.

I am advised that the vast majority of the cash will be recovered and can only hope that this is the case . In the meantime- it has no impact on KCC Services.

Finally- as I invariably and entire correctly do in these Reports –take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work of your whole Parish Council. This is “ localism” at its very best, and your village would be a lesser community without the hard work of all your Councillors.

 

Mike Snelling

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