Paul Thomas

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.

Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 17th September, 2025 2.00 pm

The Kent County Council Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Older Persons Residential and Nursing Care Service and the council's asset disposal strategy. The committee requested more frequent reporting on the Older Persons Residential and Nursing Care Service contract and raised concerns about transparency and community value in the asset disposal strategy.

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.

Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) - Monday, 15th September, 2025 9.15 am

The Regulation Committee Appeal Panel (Transport) of Kent Council met on Monday 15 September 2025, to discuss several transport-related appeals. Due to the nature of the appeals, the press and public were likely excluded from the meeting. The meeting was scheduled to cover ten different appeals.

Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee - Thursday, 11th September, 2025 10.00 am

The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the Kent and Medway Business Fund, infrastructure, and community safety. The committee agreed to endorse a proposal to allocate up to £6 million from the Kent and Medway Business Loan Fund to the No Use Empty Commercial scheme, and also agreed to reallocate Getting Building Funding to the A249 Bearsted Road Project. The committee also noted updates on infrastructure projects, the Active Kent and Medway programme, and the work of the Community Protection team.