Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The record of the meeting held on 14 February 2012 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct.

Councillor Mason declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (Park and Ride Site, Marconi Way, Rochester), as he was a member of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority who may have an interest in the site. He retained his right to speak and vote on the item.

Councillor Mason also declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (Tobacco Control Update) due to his work as a hypnotherapist. He retained his right to speak and vote on the item.

Background:

This report set out proposals for the development of additional Medway based Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, based on an analysis of need, including actual and forecast pupil numbers for the next five years.

The report set out the background to the proposals, including the provisions set out in the Special Educational Needs – An Inclusive Policy and Strategy for Medway 2009-2014 and the School Organisational Plan. The report set out details of the individual proposals including the need for additional SEN provision at sites across Medway together with information on site provision and the funding position.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 6 December 2011 and its comments and recommendations were set out in paragraph 9 of the report.

It was noted that a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form would be completed in relation to any specific proposals that were taken forward.

Reasons:

The report would be brought back to a future meeting of the Cabinet following further examination of the options and more work on the financial models.

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to establish a CCTV Services Partnership involving Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway and Swale Councils. The report set out the history of the Medway Control Centre, which had been in operation since 1998 and had expanded from around 20 cameras to the current network of around 550 cameras. The report stated that the Council had been awarded a contract for the complete management of Swale Borough Council’s CCTV infrastructure in 2010 and that more recently Gravesham Borough Council had also agreed the transfer of its CCTV infrastructure to the Council and Maidstone Borough Council had also awarded a tender to the Council to manage its CCTV infrastructure. This would see a further increase from 550 cameras to 700 cameras from 1 April 2012.

The report set out the basis for the establishment of a CCTV Services Partnership between these local authorities in terms of financial benefits, expertise and greater capacity.

An exempt appendix set out the outline business case, detailed financial implications, partnership structure and provisional heads of terms.

Reasons:

The proposed Partnership will enable the provision of improved and more cost effective CCTV services.

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to declare surplus or lease the Pier Road Depot, Gillingham. The report provided details of the site history, which related to the property being used by the Council and its contractors as a waste transfer facility and depot for a number of years. The current lessee, Veolia, had made its own arrangements and had terminated the lease on Pier Road.

The report also stated that the site did not have a direct frontage onto the public highway, with highway access currently being across Council owned private highway. It was proposed that this land was offered with the benefit of a right of way to the public highway.

Reasons:

This will reduce revenue costs, realise revenue income and or capital receipts and gain investment in the Medway area.

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to declare surplus the Park and Ride site, Marconi Way, Rochester, to enable its disposal. The report stated that following a review of the park and ride bus service, a decision had been made to withdraw the service and close the car park from 1 April 2012. It was considered that it was not worth keeping the car park on a contingency basis owing to the costs involved.

Reasons:

To reduce revenue costs, realise a capital receipt and gain investment in the Medway area.

Background:

This report provided details of progress on tobacco control including information on the three priority areas for Medway: tackling illegal supply; de-normalising smoking and; advancing the smokefree agenda, as developed by the Tobacco Control Alliance.

The report provided detailed information on a number of issues including the prevalence of smoking in Medway, health statistics, achievements to date, current activity and planned activity.

The report stated that the Tobacco Control Alliance, supported by the NHS funded Tobacco Control Coordinator, would continue to develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of work.

Reasons:

To ensure that a comprehensive programme of work to tackle tobacco issues is given a clear focus within Medway and that the Cabinet can be assured that progress is being made.

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 provided details of the proposed procurement process for tendering for a number of school transport contracts, including services to students with Special Educational Needs, for the 2012/2013 academic year.

The Strategic Procurement Board considered this report on 15 February 2012 and supported the recommendations set out in the report.

An exempt appendix provided key information in respect of finance and whole-life costing, as well as the cost of the contracted routes with end dates of July 2012.

Reasons:

This approach will ensure that services can be in place by end of July which will minimise the disruption to students with special educational needs and therefore reduce the number of actual complaints from parents in respect of the retendering process as well as mitigating the severity of any complaints.

In expediting the process of procuring these substantive SEN contracts, the Council will also secure a lower spend in providing these transport services by negating the need for more costly temporary arrangement should this process not be complete by the start of the new academic year.

The tendering process for SEN transport contracts this year, like last, will provide for an efficient and pro-active contract management. The comprehensive terms and conditions together with the improved evaluation method will demand the highest level of quality in the service.

Background:

This report provided details of the proposed contract for Connexions Services as required to fulfil Medway’s statutory obligations under s68 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. This placed an obligation on local authorities to make available to young people under 19 and relevant young adults (i.e. those aged 20-25 with learning difficulties) support which would encourage, enable or assist them to participate in education and training.

An exempt appendix provided key information in respect of finance and whole-life costing and detailed procurement process tender evaluation information.

Reasons:

To enable further consideration at the Strategic Procurement Board.

Background:

This report provided details of progress on the Community Meals contract currently delivered by Apetito Ltd. Cabinet agreed the original contract award on 29 October 2002 and subsequently agreed a single source exemption to award the contract to the current service provider on 19 February 2008. The service currently provided around 220 Medway residents with a meal service 365 days per year.

The Strategic Procurement Board considered this report on 15 February 2012 and supported the recommendations set out in the report.

An exempt appendix provided key information in respect of finance and whole-life costing.

Reasons:

On the basis of the requirement to provide social care service users with increased choice and control about the services that they receive.

Background:

This report provided details of progress with the Learning Disability Care Services Contract currently delivered by multiple providers. The report sought permission to extend the contract for residential and nursing care by 12 months to 31 March 2013, and to include a variation to the current contract terms and conditions for the same period.

It was noted that the commencement and delivery of this service pre-dated the establishment of a Procurement Board for Medway Council and no previous Gateway reports were available.

This report had been approved for submission to the Cabinet after review and discussion at the Children and Adult Directorate Management Team meeting on 2 February 2012 and Strategic Procurement Board on 15 February 2012.

An exempt appendix provided key information in respect of finance and whole-life costing, providers and an efficiencies spreadsheet.

Reasons:

The extension of the Learning Disability Care Services contracts will allow for the continuation of a successful and necessary service.  It will also allow officers additional time to prepare for the restructuring of the service post March 2013 to ensure further continuity, service improvements and potential cost savings. The contract variation and inclusion of the Care Funding Calculator tool will ensure that for the remaining twelve-month period the service is operating with improved efficiencies. The additional twelve-month period will also allow for more robust analysis of the operation of the Calculator and its possible future use.

Background:

Members heard from the Chief Executive regarding the settlement of a staffing issue for resolution. 

Due to the urgency of the matter, as set out in the report, it was exempt from call-in in line with rule 16.11 of Chapter 4, Part 5 of the Constitution. The Chief Executive confirmed that this had been agreed by the relevant chairmen of the overview and scrutiny committees. Additionally, and in line with Rule 16 (Special Urgency) Access to Information Rules (Part 2 of Chapter 4 of the Constitution), it was noted that the chairmen of the overview and scrutiny committees had agreed that the taking of these decisions could not be reasonably deferred.

Reasons:

The reasons were explained in the report.