Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Jane Chitty (Strategic Development and Economic Growth).

The record of the meeting held on 28 October 2014 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct.  

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

Councillor Mike O’Brien (Children’s Services (Lead Member)) declared an interest in agenda item 11 (Gateway 3 Contract Award: Danecourt Community Special School – Expansion Works) because members of his extended family worked at the school.  

Background:

This report presented the Council’s draft revenue budget for 2015/16.  In accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet was required to develop initial budget proposals before finalising the budget and setting council tax levels at the end of February 2015.

The draft budget was based on the principles contained in the Medium Term Financial Plan 2014/2018 approved by Cabinet on 30 September 2014 and reflected the formula grant assumptions for 2015/16 announced as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement 2014/15 and 2015/16 Technical Consultation in July 2014.

It was reported that the initial budget proposals showed a current forecast budget gap of £12.017 million for 2015/16 which would increase to £26.032 million for 2017/18.

It was noted that the Council would not know the definitive position in terms of Government support until the Final Settlement in January 2015, although the provisional settlement due in December would provide greater certainty.

Budget proposals incorporating pressures were set out within the report and accompanying appendices 1a-1c. In relation to the capital budget proposals for 2015/16 it was noted that, at this stage, it had been assumed that future investment would be restricted to the existing approved Capital Programme, supplemented by the Council’s expectations in relation to Government grant.

The report also set out details of the main factors and assumptions that would form the basis of the 2015/16 Housing Revenue Account budget.

Reasons:

It is the responsibility of Cabinet to develop draft budget proposals for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committees. These draft proposals are the first stage of the budget consultation process leading to further discussion by Cabinet on 10 February 2015 and formal council tax setting on 26 February 2015. 

The timetable for consideration by overview and scrutiny is as follows:

Business Support: 4 December 2014

Children and Young People: 9 December 2014

Health and Adult Social Care: 11 December 2014

Regeneration, Community and Culture: 18 December 2014

Business Support: 3 February 2015

Cabinet: 10 February 2015

Council: 26 February 2015.

Background:

This report provided details of the Strategy to Reduce Social Isolation in Medway, which had been identified by the Health and Wellbeing Board as a key priority to tackle during 2014/15. The report provided details of the definition of social isolation and how it differed from loneliness, emphasising that social isolation could have a negative impact on health and wellbeing including an increased risk of dementia, high blood pressure, stress levels, poorer immunity and death.

The Health and Wellbeing Board had determined social isolation as one of its key priorities and would oversee the implementation of the strategy. This strategy had been developed with the overarching aim of preventing and reducing the complex range of harms associated with being socially isolated.  In order to achieve this aim, three key strategic themes had been identified;
 

·              Raising awareness

·              Action for individuals

·              Community Action.

The Health and Wellbeing Board considered the Strategy at its meeting on 21 October 2014 and its comments were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed for the strategy and was set out in Appendix 2 to the report.  It was recommended that no further action was necessary.  The reason for this was due to the strategy not having actions that had negative effects on any of the protected characteristic groups.

Reasons:

The strategy aims to tackle the effects that social isolation can have on our community by raising awareness of the issue, exploring how the council and partners can take action with individuals and ensuring that we work with communities.

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to develop a local framework for tackling obesity, in which the framework would take a whole systems approach to obesity, and be explicit in outlining Medway Council’s and key partner’s roles in reducing obesity levels in Medway.

The report noted that obesity was a significant and increasing public health issue and was caused by a number of behavioural, biochemical and societal factors. Being obese or overweight impacts on health and social care costs as well as economic costs through loss of productivity. It was noted that reducing obesity levels required a sustained and coordinated approach by a number of local and national agencies.

An Obesity Summit was hosted by the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services and the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 3 June 2014. The event was well attended by a large number of private, public and voluntary sector partners who contributed to discussions on the day.

The report provided details of the proposed consultation process, noting that the Framework would be reported back to Cabinet in mid 2015 for final consideration and approval.

Reasons:

The development of a Tackling Obesity Framework for Medway will enable the Council, working with partners, to establish a systematic approach regarding obesity. 

Background:

This report summarised the performance of the Council’s Key Measures of Success for July – September (Quarter 2) 2014/15 as set out in The Council Plan 2013/15.

The report included progress reports on performance against 51 Key Measures of Success and 24 Key projects. It also included feedback from the council’s customers using GovMetric, a customer satisfaction measurement at the point of contact (phone, web and face to face). The performance results and associated service comments were set out under each of Medway’s four key priorities and two values.

The report highlighted the following:

·        69% (29/42) of Council Plan measures were achieving target in Quarter 2.

·        58% (23/40) of Council Plan measures had an improving long trend

·        81% of residents were satisfied with the way the Council ran its services (Tracker)

·        75% of respondents were happy with their contact with the Council (GovMetric)

·        The Council had achieved Investors in People Gold award.

Reasons:

Regular monitoring of performance by management and Members is best practice and ensures achievement of corporate objectives. 

Background:

This report presented information on vacancies that officers had requested approval to commence recruitment for, following the process agreed by Cabinet on 7 January 2003 (decision number 9/2003). Appendix 1 to the report provided details of the posts.

Reasons:

The posts presented to Cabinet will support the efficient running of the Council.

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of a development partner to support the delivery of the Rochester Riverside Development. In September 2014 Cabinet approved the adoption of the 2014 Rochester Riverside Development Brief and Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document to the Local Plan. The Development Brief established a set of strategic parameters and illustrative guidance to steer the future development of the site, provided planning and design guidance to developers, and would inform future development management decisions.

The report had been approved for submission to Cabinet after review and discussion at Regeneration Community and Culture Directorate Management Team Meeting on 23 October 2014 and Procurement Board on 5 November 2014.

An exempt appendix contained key financial analysis information.

Reasons:

The procurement of a development partner or partners will allow the comprehensive regeneration of Rochester Riverside, one of the Council’s key priorities. 

Background:

This report provided details of the Monitoring Officer’s decision, in consultation with the Procurement Board, regarding the procurement of a car salary sacrifice scheme for employees for a period of three years, to Tusker Direct, via the Everybody Benefits North Yorkshire County Council framework agreement.

It was noted that the Council was continually seeking to enhance its employee benefit provision and as such the green car salary sacrifice scheme would allow the Council to provide employees with a brand new fully maintained and insured car at a lower cost than they could normally achieve in the retail market. The scheme would not only save money for employees but could also create significant savings for the council too.

The Business Support Directorate Management Team had recommended that this project be approved as a Category B, Medium risk procurement and was considered at the Procurement Board on 8 October 2014 where it was agreed that the report be submitted to Cabinet for information.

An exempt appendix contained key information in respect of the financial analysis of the scheme.

Reasons:

The scheme enables staff to be provided with a new low emission car of their choice, fully maintained and insured. 

Background:

This report sought permission to award a contract for the expansion works at Danecourt Community Special School, Gillingham. This report had been approved for submission to the Cabinet after review and discussion at the Children and Adults Directorate Management Team Meeting on 28 October 2014 and Procurement Board on 5 November 2014.

An exempt appendix contained both information regarding the financial analysis and tender evaluation and award.

Reasons:

The preferred contractor has demonstrated best value to Medway Council to deliver the new accommodation required, to enable 40 additional places to be available from September 2015.

The contract will achieve the outputs and opportunities as identified in section 3 of this report.

Background:

This report provided details of an update as to the progress of the contract currently delivered by Family Action for the provision of family group conferences (FGC). An FGC was a family led approach that enabled family members to reach decisions based on the best interests of a child or vulnerable adult who was at risk. The report provided details of the current service provision and a recent variation to the contract as a consequence of a low rate of referrals to the FGC service.

This report was presented to the Children and Adults Directorate Management Team on the 28 October 2014 and the Procurement Board on 5 November 2014.

An exempt appendix contained key information in relation to whole life costings.

Reasons:

This will enable the provider to recruit permanent staff and reduce the waiting list for Family Group Conferences.