Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The record of the meeting held on 17 December 2013 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct. 

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

Councillor Filmer declared an interest in agenda item 10 (Review of Medway Norse, Joint Venture Company for Facilitities Management) because he was a Director of Medway Norse. He chose to leave the room during consideration and determination of this item.

Background:

This report provided details of the outcome of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group in-depth review of Mental Health Services. A copy of the Task Group report was attached at Appendix A to the report.

It was noted that the Task Group had undertaken a broad review of Mental Health services across Medway, with a focus on people using services and carer experience, along with the outcomes of using services across all age groups. The Task Group had reviewed and tested the strengths and weaknesses of current mental health services in Medway, which included aspects of health, social care and housing.

The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 18 December 2013 and details of its consideration were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening exercise had been undertaken on the recommendations, as set out in Appendix B to the report.  It was reported that in taking these recommendations forward, organisations would be asked to ensure that they complied with equalities obligations in line with good practice and legislation.  The process of implementation would also provide opportunities to consult further with those groups representing the interests of those who had protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and these would be reflected in the implementation work plan.

Background:

This report provided Cabinet with details of the provisional Local Government settlement announced by Government on 18 December 2013.

It was noted that the provisional settlement was an important step in the process of setting the 2014/2015 budget. It covered the 2-year period of the Spending Review 2013 and encompassed announcements made in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announced on 5 December 2013.

Members were advised that the overall settlement figure, as announced as the ‘Settlement Funding Assessment’, was £10.112 million less than the equivalent figure for 2013/2014. The report set out details as to how these figures were constructed.

Reasons:

These provisional levels of grant form a fundamental component of the 2014/15 budget, and their announcement is a further stage in the process of preparing a balanced budget.

Background:

This report provided details of the Better Care Fund and its implications for Medway.

It was reported that in the 2013 Spending Round, the Government announced a national £3.8 billion pooled budget for health and social care services, building on the current NHS transfer to social care services of £1 billion. The Spending Round document stated that ‘the Government will introduce a £3.8 billion pooled budget for health and social care services, shared between the NHS and local authorities, to deliver better outcomes and greater efficiencies through more integrated services for older and disabled people’.

The report noted that this fund was not ‘new money’ but represented a transfer of money from the NHS to Local Authorities that may already be committed to existing services.  Members were informed that the funding must be used to support adult social care services that also had a health benefit.  The funding could be used to support existing or new services or transformation programmes where such programmes were of benefit to the wider health and social care system and where positive outcomes for service users had been identified.

The report set out the timetable for the development of the Better Care Plan and its submission to the Local Government Association (LGA) and NHS England by 14 February 2014.It was noted that delegated authority was sought to approve the plan; this was due to the governance journey required, the receipt of further guidance and officers working on the Plan based on initial indications provided by LGA/NHS England that now had more substance.

It was noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board considered the report on 9 January 2014 and its views were set out in an addendum report. The addendum report also advised that confirmation had been received that the Fund would be allocated to local areas in pooled budgets under Section 75 NHS Act 2006

Reasons:

Developing a Better Care Fund Plan is a national requirement of all Local Authorities in conjunction with their CCG partners. 

Background:

This report provided details of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan, which was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Medway had a proportion of the Kent Downs AONB within its jurisdiction, located to the south of Medway around Halling and Cuxton, Nashenden and south of the M2 near Parkwood. The Management Plan set out the policies for the conservation and enhancement of this protected landscape, and supported the social and economic wellbeing of its communities. It was noted that the policies in the plan were not land use planning policies but were for the wider management of the AONB.

The report provided details of the review process and the content of the Management Plan. It was considered that the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan (Second Revision) had been prepared appropriately and fulfilled the requirements of the statutory obligations placed on the Council under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. This had been confirmed by Natural England.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the issue on 14 August 2013 and its comments were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, had been carried out on the management plan. It was found that the plan did not favour any particular social groups and that there were no differential impacts on local communities.

It was noted that the plan was going forward for adoption to al local authorities within the administrative areas in the Kent Downs AONB, with a mutually agreed adoption date of 14 Mach 2014.

Reasons:

To fulfil the statutory requirements on the authority to produce and revise a management plan for the AONB.

Background:

This report provided details of the outcome of the informal consultation period on the Council’s proposals to enlarge the premises at Brompton Westbrook Primary School, by way of statutory prescribed alterations.

The first stage in the statutory process required the Council to hold a period of informal public consultation and this had taken place over a four-week period between 30 September 2013 and 27 October 2013. The results of this were set out in paragraph 4 and 5 of the report. It was noted that there were 16 written responses in total to the consultations in the form of reply slips and emails. 15 supported the proposals with one objection. The report also provided details of a public consultation meeting held on 1 October 2013.

It was noted that the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the report on 10 December 2013 and its comments were set out in paragraph 8 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening form was attached at Appendix 2 to the report. This highlighted that there could potentially be some impact upon certain groups, however it showed that any impacts were expected to be positive.

Reasons:

To ensure the Council meets its duty to provide sufficient good school places.

To comply with the actions in the approved School Organisation Plan 2011-16, which highlight the need for additional places in the Gillingham area.

Approval to proceed to a four-week period of statutory representation will ensure the council complies with its duty to follow the full consultation process when proposing changes to school organisation.

Background:

This report provided details of the 2012/2013 Annual Public Health Report, which was set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that the report focused on the health of school aged children and aimed to inform the development of the Healthy Child Programme (5-19) and the commissioning and provision of services. The report stated that although the health of children in the UK was improving, the UK did not compare well to other advanced economies in measures of child wellbeing. Similarly at a local level there was scope for taking more action to ensure that all children growing up in Medway did so in an environment and with services that promote health.

The Annual Public Health Report had also been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board, with comments set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the report. The comments of the Health and Wellbeing Board were set out in an addendum report.

Appendix 1 to the report outlined progress made in implementing the recommendations contained within the 2011/2012 Annual Public Health Report.

Reasons:

The production of the Annual Public Health Report is a statutory requirement. 

Background:

This report provided details of a six-monthly update of the facilities management work undertaken by the joint venture company Medway Norse since 1 June 2013.

The report focused on the mobilisation and implementation of Medway Norse, the type of work undertaken and performance, together with an update on external work that Medway Norse had been seeking.

It was noted that the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee was considering monitoring reports on a quarterly basis, details of which were set out in paragraphs 3.18-3.19 of the report.

Reasons:

When Cabinet agreed to establish the joint venture company it was also agreed that regular monitoring reports would be brought back to Cabinet. 

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.