Issue - meetings

Background:

This report followed Full Council’s approval of a motion on 16 October 2014, in which it noted the special contribution made by the Medway Queen Paddle Steamer to the history of the UK and requested that Cabinet receive a report setting out details of any funding streams and other support available to the Medway Queen Preservation Society to:

·              enable the ship to participate in Operation Dynamo in Ramsgate in May 2015, and to

·              help restore the Medway Queen to full operational use in the longer term.

It was noted that Heritage Lottery Funding had been awarded to the Medway Queen Preservation Society. The report also explored the options available to the Council in providing practical support to assist the Medway Queen Preservation Society in securing full operational reuse of the Medway Queen in the longer term. It was noted that the options for longer-term support come at no cost to Medway Council, so were without sustainability consequences.

Reasons:

This represents a full and considered response to Full Council’s request of 16 October 2014.