Kent County Council

One of Kent County Council’s key areas of focus has been on catering for members as individuals. From April 2008, just prior to the introduction of local assessment of complaints and ahead of the County Council elections in June 2009, the authority reviewed its approach to development and training.

“I joined the authority in April 2008,” says Peter Sass, Deputy Monitoring Officer and Head of Democratic Services & Local Leadership, “When local assessment came in, we had to do a lot of work very quickly with the standards committee and members so that everyone knew what to expect. The role of the committee is highly respected in the authority. There was no resistance to the new arrangements and members were supportive.”

Peter describes Kent as being proud of its high ethical standards. Its system of making members’ annual reports available on the authority’s website was just one of the innovative measures which saw it make the Standards and Ethics Award shortlist. Now in its eighth year, Peter says the system is something the authority values.

“Kent is very proud of its annual reports. Members are encouraged to record information about meeting attendance, remuneration, learning and development, and constituency activity.” The reports are used for the dual purpose of internal performance management by party group leaders and also to demonstrate accountability and ensure the public are kept informed.

Increasing confidence in democracy is something the authority has given a lot of thought to, says Peter. A select committee was introduced, which focused on democracy and participation, to identify ways for the public to become more involved in the authority as a whole. Meetings are also broadcast on the web to allow members of the public to see decision-making in action.

Kent provides training on ethical standards and the Code of Conduct, which the standards committee agreed all members should attend. But flexibility is also important to ensure that individual training needs are met, says Peter: “We work hard to ensure that all members are supported with bespoke learning and development, taking into account their often busy schedules. This is particularly important for those who are double or triple-hatted.

“The overall calibre of members here is high. We have a supportive standards committee, which has a very good working relationship with group leaders and others. The committee is not in the face of members because it doesn’t need to be. The work of the committee is proportionate and risk-based.”