Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rodney Chambers (Leader) and Les Wicks (Children’s Services).  

The record of the meeting held on 6 September 2011 was agreed and signed by the Deputy Leader as correct.

There were none.  

Background:

This report provided details of the draft Children and Young People’s Plan 2011/2014. This Plan provided the key priorities for children’s services in Medway together with the key priorities for partnership action to improve outcomes for Medway’s children and young people. The Plan was informed by the Every Child Matters needs assessment which explored current data about needs and outcomes for children and young people together with an analysis of a range of information from a variety of multi-agency partners.

It was noted that there were 12 partnership priorities, which had a number of associated key actions that would drive the implementation of the priorities across the partnership. The priorities were attached to the following age groups: Pregnancy and Early Years; School Years and; Becoming an Adult.

The report had been previously considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee (19 July 2011) and the Children’s Trust Board (4 September 2011).

Details of a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form were set out in Appendix B to the report. The report stated that a full impact assessment was not required as all areas of activity covered in the plan were subject to the equalities policies of the relevant organisations involved in the partnership.

Additional information was tabled at the meeting which presented some revisions to the Plan, replacing pages 26, 50, 63, 78/79, 80/81, 85/86 and 93 of the Plan set out in the Cabinet agenda.

Reasons:

The Children and Young People’s Plan is currently one of the key documents in the authority’s policy framework. 

This Plan sets the vision and strategic direction for Medway Council and the partners of the Medway Children’s Trust to collectively improve children’s lives and ensure Medway is a great place in which to live, learn and grow up.

Background:

This report provided details of the Better for Less Programme with particular regard to the establishment of new models for customer contact and administration. The programme had been agreed as part of the Council Plan 2011/2012 and that following extensive staff engagement, new models of shared customer contact and administration had been developed which would build on the existing practice present in different parts of the Council. These models were scheduled to be implemented in four phases over three years, with the first phase due to go live in January 2012.

The report stated that the models and associated staffing changes had been subject to formal consultation with those staff potentially affected within phase 1 services and it was noted that the numbers included in the consultation had been significant at over 500.

The report stated that the Council was complying with the requirements of its Diversity Impact Assessment process. A Diversity Impact Assessment was being carried out considering any issues that might arise as a result of staffing restructures and that this would be reported to a future meeting of the Employment Matters Committee.

Reasons:

The authority, to make the structural and budget changes, is required to allow implementation of the new models for customer contact and administration.  Staff recruitment to the new model is scheduled to take place from November onwards, to allow the new models to go live for phase 1 services in January 2012. 

Background:

This report provided details of the draft Housing Strategy which contained information about the housing market in Medway, demographics, housing needs and prioritisation and target setting. The Strategy aimed to reflect policies and priorities at national, regional and local level and would help to deliver the strategic housing priorities for Medway.

The report stated that the Strategy was designed around three aims consisting of: bridging the gap; early prevention and; health and housing, the aim of which was to produce seven outcomes.

The report had been considered by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 September 2011 and the Committee’s views, alongside officers’ responses, were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

Details of a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form were set out in Appendix 2 to the report. The report stated that the screening found that it was not necessary to proceed to a full assessment.

Reasons:

Approval of the Strategy will enable the Council to comply with the requirement of Section 87 of the Local Government Act 2003 that the Council has a Local Housing Strategy and ensure that there is a common understanding of Medway’s housing market and how gaps in housing and/or housing related support can be addressed. 

Background:

This report set out details of the business case, based on an initial feasibility study, for the Autistic Spectrum Disorders Unit at Bradfields School, Chatham. The Council had agreed to add this scheme to the capital programme in the sum of £1.5 million at the budget setting meeting on 24 February 2011. Subsequently, the Cabinet had agreed, on 2 August 2011, for a public consultation to take place to make prescribed alterations to the School including: an expansion of the upper and lower age limits; an addition to the SEN categories and; an increase in the number of pupils.

The report provided details of two options for the development of the School, with option 2 being the preferred option of the Design Team and the School.

An exempt appendix set out the detailed finance and whole-life costing information.

Reasons:

Option 2 is the preferred choice of the design team and the school, as it provides the provision of the new accommodation adjacencies allowing for opportunities of fuller integration between the two existing school buildings. This option also provides best value for money.

The cost estimates indicate that the preferred scheme, which will deliver the identified accommodation requirements, should be affordable within the provisional budget envelope of £1.5m. Accurate cost estimates will be developed during the detailed design stage and presented for approval at Gateway 1 stage, prior to going out to tender.

Background:

This report provided details of the options and future costs of young people’s concessionary travel in Medway. It was noted that the Council had agreed an additional £250,000 for this purpose, at the budget setting meeting on 24 February 2011 and subsequently, modelling work was carried out by the Council’s consultants, MCL, on the options. This included an improved half fare scheme and flat/capped fares for either £1 or 50p per single journey.

The report analysed the options and provided details of the actions required to ensure the scheme would be operational by January 2012.

Details of the Diversity Impact Assessment on the change in services was attached at Appendix B to the report. The screening form stated that it was not necessary to proceed to a full assessment.

Reasons:

The proposed extension to the existing half fare travel concession on bus services will provide the young people of Medway with much improved transport opportunities and represents good value for money. 

Background:

This report provided details of proposals to continue to issue the single use clear sacks to work alongside the reusable bags. The report explained the current system in terms of kerbside recycling collection and the operational issues arising as a consequence. Three options had been developed in terms of how the service could continue which were detailed in paragraph 3 of the report. The report also provided details of the financial implications regarding the continuation of the service.

Details of a Diversity Impact Assessment regarding the twin stream recycling service was attached as Appendix 3 to the report. The screening form stated that it was not necessary to proceed to a full assessment.

Reasons:

This provides the Council with a sustainable approach for recycling collection services, enabling the Council to continue to encourage and increase recycling rates whilst providing best value for money. 

Background:

This report provided details of the proposed development of a new supermarket and Community Hub in Strood Town Centre. The report provided details of a number of Council sites which could be declared surplus and disposed of to facilitate the Community Hub (consisting of a library and potentially other services) within a new Tesco supermarket development.

An exempt appendix provided details regarding the potential short term lease of part of the Civic Centre site and detailed financial implications.

Reasons:

To secure a new Community Hub in Strood Town Centre, rationalise the property estate and realise capital receipts from the sale of surplus property assets.

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 one of the posts, with details of four further posts tabled at the meeting.

Reasons:

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

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of the Connexions Services contract in Medway, to begin in April 2012 for a five year term with an option to extend for a further two years. The contract would enable the Council to make available to young people below the age of 19 and relevant young adults (i.e. those aged 20 –25 with learning difficulties) support that would encourage, enable or assist them to participate in education and training.

The Strategic Procurement Board considered this report on 7 September 2011 and recommended approval to the Cabinet.

An exempt appendix provided details of finance and whole life costings.

Reasons:

The proposal underpins the Core Values of Medway Council and will meet the business needs of Children and Adults Directorate in line with the Department for Education requirements.

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of a Family Group Conference (FGC) service for a period of three years with the provision to extend for a further two years. The contract would provide for FGCs which would enable a child’s or vulnerable adult’s family and support network to establish a plan to keep the child or adult safe and deal with a range of issues that may be affecting them adversely.

The Strategic Procurement Board had considered this report on 7 September 2011 and exercised its duty under contract procedure rule 2.3.7 to upgrade this medium risk project to a high risk project for Cabinet consideration.

An exempt appendix provided details of the detailed finance and whole life costings.

Reasons:

This method of procurement will provide the opportunity to deliver much improved services.

These services will be supported by a robust objective to improve service excellence that ensures that children and young people remain safe and vulnerable adults are protected.

The Family Group Conference model is an internationally recognised method of meeting the required outcomes for children on the cusp of care. Family Group Conferences are also recognised in court proceedings as providing solutions to a range of issues, including finding alternative carers for children.

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of a range of services from April 2012 for three years with provisions to extend the contract for a further year. The contract would provide a range of services providing housing related support to vulnerable adults in Medway under the supporting people programme. Details of a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form were set out in Appendix B to the report. The report stated that the procurement of the project would not have an adverse effect on the equality of access to the supporting people services.

The Strategic Procurement Board had considered this report on 7 September 2011 and recommended approval to Cabinet.

Reasons:

This method of procurement will provide the opportunity to deliver much improved services. These services will be supported by a robust objective to improve service quality and maximise independence for service users ensuring that more vulnerable people can have access to services that meet their needs and aspirations.