Agenda and decisions

Cabinet - Tuesday, 20 July 2004

Items
No.	Item
1.	Review of Primary School Places: Fairview Infant and Junior Schools, Rainham View the background to item 1. View the decision for item 1. Decision: The Cabinet agreed to a review of primary school places in Fairview and to go out to public consultation on the proposed options.
2.	Corporate Enforcement Policy View the background to item 2. View the decision for item 2. Decision: The Cabinet approved the policy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, as amended by sections 5 and 6 in the report. The Cabinet noted the levels of activity contained in Appendix 2 of the report.
3.	Chatham Centre and Waterfront Development Framework View the background to item 3. View the decision for item 3. Decision: The Cabinet approved the Chatham Centre and Waterfront Development Framework as supplementary planning guidance informed by decisions 287/2004 and 288/2004 below. The Cabinet agreed that the Director of Development and Environment, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, be authorised to agree the final document to reflect changes proposed by Cabinet prior to publication. The Cabinet approved the preparation of development briefs for the major developments as the next step, including site options for the development of the new Chatham library, civic facilities and performing arts space. The Cabinet approved the commission of further transport capacity testing and highway design work ahead of major highway infrastructure changes.
4.	Older People's Plan View the background to item 4. View the decision for item 4. Decision: The Cabinet agreed to officers commissioning work in order to present to Cabinet an evaluation of the different procurement and partnership options that are available to the Council for delivering the required and potentially other developments. The Cabinet agreed to the preparation of an outline business case for the phased development of Shaws Wood for approval. The Cabinet agreed to the preparation of a service specification and outline business case for the Woodlands development, for Cabinet to approve, and the exploration of using the health flexibilities legislation to enable the whole site to be managed by a lead partner. The Cabinet agreed to the outline proposals for phase 2 developments as detailed in the draft Commissioning Plan (Appendix 2 of the report), that will enable other sites used or owned by the Council to be redeveloped to provide more services of a higher quality, for older people. The Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council the virement of £400,000 from the Shaws Wood scheme to meet the costs of the project team and the commissioning of specialist work essential to the delivery of the agreed programme.
5.	Provision of Services and Respite Care for Disabled Children View the background to item 5. View the decision for item 5. Decision: The Cabinet approved, subject to Council approving its addition to the capital programme, the proposal to refurbish the Patrixbourne Unit as a residential respite unit which would provide a much needed facility for disabled children. The Cabinet recommended to Council that this scheme be added to the approved capital programme for 2004/2005. The Cabinet agreed to ensure that information is provided to local residents to inform them about the proposed new use of the Patrixbourne Unit. The Cabinet noted that the joint children's services task group would consider the options for improving the service's ability to meet the increased demand. These options would include how the service might engage with the youth service, schools and other partners to help improve the quality of life for Patrixbourne residents.
6.	Budget Monitoring 2004/2005 - Capital View the background to item 6. View the decision for item 6. Decision: The Cabinet noted that spending on the approved budget amounted to approximately £6.6m. The Cabinet noted the proposed use of capital resources available to fund the programme, as referred to in table 2 of the report.
7.	Budget Monitoring 2004/2005 - Revenue View the background to item 7. View the decision for item 7. Decision: The Cabinet noted this initial monitoring report and directors' intentions to ensure action was taken to maintain spending within budget.
8.	Recruitment Freeze View the background to item 8. View the decision for item 8. Decision: The Cabinet agreed to unfreeze the following posts, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, to enable Directors to commence the recruitment process: Development and Environment a) Visitor Information Centre Assistants x 2 (part time) Education and Leisure b) Key Stages 3/4 Admin Officer Finance and Corporate Services c) Technical Support Engineer d) Senior Network Engineer Health and Community Services e) Temporary IT Trainer f) Adaptations Officer (Technical) g) Service Manager Family Support and Assessment h) PA to the Assistant Director - Social Care i) Planning and Management Information Officer
9.	Temple Waterfront View the background to item 9. View the decision for item 9. Decision: The Cabinet agreed that officers prepare a development brief for the wider Temple Marsh area in accordance with the policy in the Medway Local Plan and, following consultation, this be reported to Cabinet for adoption as supplementary planning guidance. The Cabinet agreed that officers work with the Football Club to identify a suitable site within Medway for a new football stadium and ancillary development.
10.	Medway Rural Action Plan View the background to item 10. View the decision for item 10. Decision: The Cabinet approved the Rural Action Plan for publication to support policy and projects in rural Medway and building partnership working.
11.	LIFT Business Case View the background to item 11. View the decision for item 11. Decision: The Cabinet agreed the Medway LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) Business Case. The Cabinet agreed to authorise the Assistant Director (Legal & Contract Services) in consultation with the Director of Health and Community Services and the Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Services to agree revisions to the standard LIFT documents and to agree any ancillary documents. The Cabinet agreed that the people identified in paragraph 5.3 of the report be identified as authorised signatories on closure of the LIFT Project and that the certificate required by the Strategic Partnering Agreement (SPA) identify them as such. The Cabinet agreed the summary of decisions set out in the Appendix to the report and that the minutes of this meeting be incorporated in the summary. The Cabinet agreed that the Assistant Director (Legal & Contract Services) be authorised to produce a certified copy of the minutes approving the Council's execution delivery and performance of the SPA and to execute and deliver such documents and any other documents to be delivered pursuant to the SPA.
12.	Disposal of Various Properties View the background to item 12. View the decision for item 12. Decision: The Cabinet agreed that the St Nicholas Cemetery Cottage, Maidstone Road, Rochester is declared surplus to enable the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to dispose of it at best consideration using delegated powers. The Cabinet agreed that 615 Lower Rainham Road, Rainham is declared surplus to enable the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to dispose of it at best consideration using delegated powers. The Cabinet agreed to ratify the previous decision to declare surplus 29 High Street, Gillingham now that there was no longer a requirement for a town centre manager's office in the property to enable the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to dispose of it at best consideration using delegated powers. The Cabinet agreed to defer the consideration of the land at Stake Lane, Halling and land adjoining 27 The Street, Upper Halling until the next meeting on 7 September 2004.