The Kent Public Service Board - Overview

Background

The Kent Public Service Board was set up in September 2004 and comprises leaders from the public sector and includes representation from GOSE and SEEDA. It currently meets every 3 months. It is a non-statutory body which can be characterised as the "Group Board" for Kent's public services, each of which continues to operate independently but spending a combined annual budget of about £7 billion. It exists within and is accountable to the Kent Partnership.

Roles and responsibilities of Board Members

It was agreed that the role and responsibilities of Board members include the development of a shared agenda for Kent. The purpose of the Board is to support the work of the Kent Partnership in realising the Vision and to join together the totality of public services in Kent. It will establish a shared agenda of priorities and seek greater freedoms and flexibilities from central government. The Board aims to reconcile competing interests and combine resources where necessary to deliver joint outcomes and transformational change.

The Board addresses:

• The major strategic issues confronting the county and an agreed Agenda to improve the quality of life for the people of Kent;
• The progress of the Kent Agreement (i.e. the Local Area Agreement and Local Public Service Agreement 2) achieved through a new form of partnership between Kent and Central Government;
• Better co-ordinated direction of public services in the county with the potential to produce 'cutting edge' improvements in service delivery for users and better value for money.
• The need for freedom from regulations and central control.

Public Service Board Diagram

Local Authorities Leader	Higher Education Vice-Chancellor	The Health Service Chairman
Payment of Benefits Director		Further Education Chairman
Community Safety Chief Constable		District Council Representative
Community Safety Chief Fire Officer		Director LSPA2

For Further Information Please Contact:

Colin Maclean
Public Service Board Manager
E-mail - colin.maclean@kent.gov.uk
Tel - 01622 694109
Fax - 01622 694135