Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Wildey (Children’s Social Care).  

The record of the meeting held on 17 August 2010 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct.  

Councillor O’Brien declared a personal interest in any discussion that took place during the course of the meeting with reference to the NHS because some of his family members are employed by the NHS.

Councillor Filmer declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 13 (Gateway 3 Contract Award: Quality Public Transport Corridors) because his company undertakes work for one of the tenderers, and left the meeting for the duration of the consideration of the item.

This report provided details of the Annual Public Health Report 2009/2010 from the Director of Public Health for Medway. The report was themed on programme budgeting relating to spending money, achieving outcomes and comparing with peers. The Annual Public Health report covered in detail the main causes of ill health and premature death in Medway including circulatory disease, cancer and mental health disorders.

The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 23 August 2010 and its comments were set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

Reasons:

To provide the Cabinet with an analysis of NHS expenditure and health outcomes achieved in Medway.

This report set out the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Medway. The framework for the strategy reflected the need to take action to reflect the health needs of people in Medway including tackling health inequalities, healthy places, healthy lives and healthy services.

Priorities and actions had been identified across the framework reflecting contributions to health improvement from many partners and the strategy would be monitored using outcome, output and process measures.

The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 23 August 2010 and its views were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in appendix 2 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.  

Reasons:

The Strategy sets out a shared context and vision for health and well-being across Medway, together with shared priorities and actions. It provides a framework for addressing health inequalities in partnership.

This report set out the proposals for changes to the Historic Rochester Conservation Area following a recent review and consultation process. The Area Appraisal was a planning tool which would set out the important features of the area and proposed principles for the preservation and enhancement of it. A Management Plan accompanied the appraisal which set out the principles and actions for the future management of the Conservation Area. It was also proposed to amalgamate two smaller Conservation Areas (Victoria Street and Church Fields) into the Rochester Conservation Area. The report also set out proposals regarding Article 4 directions and additional advertisement controls.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 18 August 2010 and its views were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in appendix 4 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to undertake a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

The Rochester Conservation Area Appraisal and management plan will help the Council provide clear guidance and robust justification in planning decisions.

Article 4(2) directions and additional advertising controls will help ensure the Council can uphold its statutory duty to ‘preserve’ or ‘enhance’ the character of the conservation area.

This report set out the outcome of consultation on the proposals for a Masterplan for the Gun Wharf area of Chatham. Cabinet approved a six week programme of consultation on 16 February 2010 and the comments received back were set out in appendix 1 to the report. It was noted that English Heritage had raised some concerns about elements of the draft plan to which a number of changes to the plan had been proposed.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 18 August 2010 and its comments were set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in appendix 3 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

An up to date masterplan for the Gun Wharf area will inform planning decisions and encourage investment in the area.

This report set out the outcome of consultation on the proposals for a Masterplan for the Best Street/High Street area of Chatham. Cabinet approved a six week programme of consultation on 30 March 2010 and the comments received back were set out in appendix 1 to the report.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 18 August 2010 and its comments were set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in appendix 3 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

To ensure there is an up to date planning framework for this important part of Chatham that will guide investment and planning decisions.

This report presented details of the Council’s performance for the first quarter of 2010/2011. In particular it included performance against indicators and actions agreed in the Council Plan 2010/2011.

It was noted that of the 45 key measures that could be reported this quarter 22 (49%) had achieved or outperformed the annual target and a further 9 (20%) were below target but within acceptable variance limits. 14 (31%) key measures were below the annual target.

In addition, the report set out a number of proposed amendments to the Council Plan in light of changes to some inspection regimes and in-year budget reductions agreed by Council on 29 July 2010. It also set out the targets for approval for the measures of success in the Council Plan used to track delivery of the Council’s priorities.

Reasons:

Full and accurate performance reporting to Members is consistent with best practice, and allows Members to review the Council’s performance.

This report set out the Private Sector Housing: Harassment and Illegal Eviction Policy. The policy stated how the Council would deal with reported incidences of harassment and illegal eviction, including the taking of legal proceedings against landlords when required. The draft policy was consulted with a number of stakeholders to which one response was received.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been completed, as set out in appendix 2 to the report, and it was noted that it had not been necessary to carry out a full impact assessment.

Reasons:

An effective policy for dealing with harassment and illegal eviction will significantly add to the safety of tenants in Medway, deter landlords from taking such actions and consequently reduce applications for re-housing and homelessness.  By providing an improved policy framework for dealing with these issues, the Council can ensure that decisions regarding possible enforcement action are made in a consistent, fair, transparent manner and proportionate to any breaches in legislation.

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 and included supporting Portfolio Holder comments.

Reasons:

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

This report set out details of the proposed renewal of the lease held by the Council for Medway Street car park, Chatham. The Council had originally approved the use of the car park in Autumn 2008 and it was noted that the car park was often full to capacity, following the loss of the Globe Lane car park due to the development of the Chatham Dynamic Bus Facility.

The proposed terms and conditions for the extension of the lease for a further 24 months was set out in the exempt appendix.

Reasons:

The renewal of this lease will ensure that sufficient parking provision is maintained in this part of Chatham.

This report set out the basis for the engagement of the recommended contractor, Interserve, for the completion of works for two Quality Public Transport Corridors (QPTC) road improvement schemes (Corporation Street, Rochester, bus priority measures and Strood Riverside, sustainable transport link). It was noted that the preferred contractor had been procured through the Highways Agency East and South East Asset Management Framework.

The costings used for the original tendering of the Management Framework were set out in an exempt appendix.

The Cabinet considered that the decisions set out below were urgent and should therefore not be subject to call-in. In line with rule 16.11 of Chapter 4, Part 5 of the Constitution, call-in could be waived where any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the Public’s interests. It was considered that a call-in of the decision set out below would jeopardise the ability to complete the works before 31 March 2011 and for funding therefore to be retained.

The Cabinet agreed to accept this as an urgent item. It was noted that the Chairman of the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed to waive call-in on this report on the basis that this matter is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency.

Reasons:

To enable the scheme to be delivered within the available funding requirements and to minimise the traffic impact of the works.

This report set out a review of the contract to provide corporate and staff catering services at Gun Wharf. It was noted that the current contract expired on 31 March 2011 and the proposed approach for procuring a new catering services contract was set out in the report.

The contractor’s performance was set out in an exempt appendix to the report, together with a service improvement plan.

Reasons:

To provide details of performance to date, the actions that have been taken to address shortcomings and the agreed Service Improvement Plan.