Category: Consultations

Kent County Council (KCC) has launched a public consultation on its Community Services, which runs until 26 March 2023.

The consultation proposes changes to the way it uses buildings to deliver some of its community services. Your feedback on the proposals is sought as part of this consultation.

Why is KCC proposing changes?

The Council has experienced big increases in costs and has less money to spend.  So KCC needs to look ahead and do things differently to make sure it can still help residents in the years to come. Whilst ensuring effective support for residents who need the services, KCC needs to:

• tackle the rising costs of maintaining its many buildings
• find savings, so the Council can balance the budget
• reduce the Council’s carbon footprint to meet its Net-Zero ambitions.

What services are included in the proposals?

Children’s Centres and Youth Hubs, Public Health Services for Children and Families, Community Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Community Learning and Skills, and Gateways.

What are the proposals?

• Having fewer permanent buildings, meaning that some of the Council’s buildings would close – KCC want sto keep buildings in areas where they are needed the most
• co-locating more of the Council’s services, meaning more than one service would be available from some of the buildings you might visit
• continuing to deliver some services by outreach, which means they do not take place in a dedicated or permanent space, but move around to when and where they are needed
• ensuring residents can continue to access services and information online.

KCC’s proposals have been designed by considering where there is greatest need for its services.

Find out more and share your views

Please visit www.kent.gov.uk/communityservicesconsultation to view the consultation document, design handbooks, a video summarising the proposals, and the Equality Impact Assessments. You can respond via the online questionnaire (or download the Word version). You can also joint a drop-in event where you can ask any questions you may have. Details of the drop-in sessions can be found below. If you have any queries, please contact communityservicesfeedback@kent.gov.uk.

Kent County Council is inviting comments on a draft Home to School Transport Policy for children and young people aged 4 to 16. 

This policy brings together information on how procedures work, making it clearer for parents and carers when securing transport for their children. 

They are also seeking views on their Post 16 Transport Policy Statements for 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.

The Statement for 2024-25, which includes support for 19+ learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan proposes a number of changes and they want parents and students to be able to consider these and tell them their views.

The consultation closes 21 March.

Sevenoaks District Council is set to unveil revised plans to provide additional parking, a new community hall and community shop plus other improvements on the Spitals Cross Estate in Edenbridge.

The club and shop were built in the 1960s and have served the community well for the best part of 60 years. But both facilities are now in need of improvement. Parking has also become a problem in recent years. Few people owed a car when the Estate was constructed, but now the area is congested with residents struggling to park their vehicles.

Following a consultation earlier this year, the Sevenoaks District Council has improved its initial proposals having taken on board residents’ comments. The new plans include fewer new homes and additional parking spaces for residents throughout the Estate, improved play provision, a community hall that enables flexible uses and other improvements including better signage and landscaping. The new homes would pay towards the community improvements.

Sevenoaks District Council is keen hear residents’ views on its updated plans.

Residents can find out more and have their say at two drop in sessions (no appointment necessary) at the FTRA Club on Farmstead Drive on:

• Wednesday 7 December 12.15pm to 7pm
• Saturday 10 December 10am to 3pm

An online survey seeking residents’ views will be open from Wednesday 7 December until 5pm on Wednesday 14 December 2022.

Sevenoaks District Council is proposing to lodge a planning application for the improvements in the New Year once it has reviewed residents’ latest feedback.

Further information is available at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/spitalscross.