Claudine Russell

Devolution and Local Government Re-organisation Cabinet Committee - Tuesday, 30th September, 2025 10.30 am

The Devolution and Local Government Re-organisation Cabinet Committee met to discuss the ongoing collaborative work on local government reorganisation (LGR) across Kent and Medway, and to consider Kent County Council's (KCC) proposed position. The committee agreed to note the collaborative work to date and KCC's commitment to continued engagement, but did not support an amendment to oppose a single unitary authority for Kent and Medway. Members also discussed key financial statistics related to the reorganisation.

County Council - Thursday, 18th September, 2025 10.00 am

Kent County Council met on 18 September 2025, for its third meeting of the Reform Administration, during which councillors debated a range of issues, including the council's strategic direction, environmental policies, and senior management structure. A key decision was made to rescind the council's climate emergency declaration, a move that sparked considerable debate. The meeting also saw discussions on improving services, managing the council's finances, and responding to urgent needs within the community.

Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 10.00 am

The Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee met to discuss several key issues, including increasing the number of places at Nexus Foundation Special School, funding for school services, and commissioning short break day activities for disabled children. The committee endorsed the decision to release capital funding for the second phase of works at Nexus School, while also endorsing, with some reservations, a decision regarding the funding of services to schools, and a decision to commission short break day activities. The committee also reviewed the Local Authority Designated Officer Education Safeguarding Service Annual Report 2024-25 and the Private Fostering Annual Report 2024-25, and noted the work programme.

Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee - Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 2.00 pm

The Children's, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee met to discuss several key issues, including the removal of residential provision at Broomhill Bank School, and proposed changes to the post-16 transport policy. The committee agreed to stop residential provision at Broomhill Bank School and endorsed the proposed decision regarding the post-16 transport policy. They also endorsed the proposed decision on the Children's Social Care Prevention Grant.

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 10.00 am

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss general practice funding, winter planning, wellbeing support for NHS staff, urgent treatment centres and community service procurement. Councillor Oliver Bradshaw was elected Chair of the committee, and Mr Robert Mayall was elected Vice Chair. The committee agreed to note reports on the Carr-Hill formula, the 2024/25 winter plan review, wellbeing support for NHS staff, the urgent treatment centre review update, and the community services procurement and engagement update.