Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rodney Chambers OBE (Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships) and Martin Potter (Educational Attainment and Improvement).  

The record of the meeting held on 6 September 2016 was agreed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

Councillor Filmer declared an interest in agenda item 9 (Gateway 1 Procurement Commencement: Household Waste Recycling Centres) because he is a Director of Medway Norse. He left the room during consideration of this item.

Other interests

There were none.

Background:

This report set out the major financial issues facing the Council over the next four years. It also provided a framework for the more detailed preparation of the draft Revenue Budget for 2016/2017.

The report included details of the Council’s financial position, together with an overview of the Government’s spending plans and the need for the Medium Term Financial Plan. An assessment of likely available resources and details of a number of key spending issues across the Council’s directorates were set out in the report and accompanying appendices. It was also noted that Diversity Impact Assessments would be undertaken and reported to Members as part of the budget and service planning process as the quantum of resources and the impact on Council services unfolded.

It was reported that there was a forecast deficit of £11.7 million in 2017/2018.

Reasons:

This is a preparatory document to meet the budget process and timetable set out within the Constitution.

Background:

This report provided details of the proposed Medway Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Strategy 2016-2020, the aim of which would be to promote, support and encourage greater inclusion for Medway children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities within their local schools and communities, enabling them to have independent living and work skills by the time they reach adulthood.

In addition, the strategy was an integral part of a wider Council strategy on making Medway a more inclusive community, developing resilience and enabling all residents to fulfil their potential.

This report had been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 September 2016 and its comments were set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been carried out on the draft Strategy, as set out in Appendix C to the report. This had indicated there was overall support for the introduction of the Strategy.

Reasons:

Approval of the strategy will enable the Council to promote, support and encourage greater inclusion for Medway children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities within their local schools and communities, enabling them to have independent living and work skills by the time they reach adulthood.

Background

This report gave the Cabinet an update on progress that had been made against the School Organisation Plan 2011-16. The report was submitted annually to highlight areas of emerging need and to ensure a sufficient supply of good quality school places was maintained.

The report set out three areas of emerging need, which had been brought to the attention of the Education Funding Agency (EFA);

·         primary provision in Strood and Gillingham/Rainham;

·         secondary provision in Strood and Rainham;

·         special provision for primary Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The report also highlighted to Cabinet that, overall, in Medway there was potential for a deficit in primary capacity and that additional capacity would be required to meet demand, with reference to individual proposals, as summarised in paragraph 3.11 of the report.

Diversity Impact Assessments would be undertaken on individual proposals brought forwards as a result of actions arising from this report.

Reasons:

To ensure that the Council meets its statutory duty to ensure sufficient good quality school places are available.

Background

This report summarised the performance of the Council’s Key Measures of Success for April-June (Quarter 1) 2015/16 as set out in the Council Plan.

The report and accompanying appendix included progress reports on performance in Quarter 1 2016/17 against these priorities using 32 Key measures of success and 31 Key projects. However, this report was only including information on 22 as 10 of these were either data only, or data was not expected until after the report was published.

The report highlighted the following:

Key Measures of Success:

·         72.7% (16 out of 22) were on target.

·         9.1% (2 out of 22) were just below target

·         18.2% (4 out of 22) were significantly below target.

Results of the Citizen Panel survey: ‘how satisfied are you with the way the council runs its services?’

·         62.5% were very or fairly satisfied with the way the Council runs it services

·         10.6% were very satisfied.

·         24.9% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. 

·         11.1% were very or fairly dissatisfied.

Results of the Citizen Panel survey (May 2016): ‘do you agree that the council provides value for money services?’

·         53.6% agreed with the statement

·         10.7% disagreed with this statement 

·         31.7% neither agreed or disagreed.

The Cabinet Members discussed a number of key highlights for Quarter 1.

It was noted that the report would be considered by the four Overview and Scrutiny Committees during October 2016.

Reasons:

Regular monitoring of performance by management and members is best practice and ensures the achievement of corporate objectives.

Background:

This report presented information on a vacancy that officers had requested approval to commence recruitment for, following the process agreed by Cabinet on 7 January 2003 (decision number 9/2003).

Details of the post were set out within Appendix 1 to the report.

Reasons:

The post presented to Cabinet would support the efficient running of the Council.

Background:

The Cabinet agreed to accept this as an urgent item to enable its views to be submitted to Full Council on 13 October 2016.

This report presented the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017, which had been approved by Full Council alongside the Capital and Revenue Budgets on 26 February 2016. This report would also be considered by the Audit Committee on 29 September 2016 prior to final consideration at Full Council on 13 October 2016.

The report included an economic update for the first six months of 2016/2017 and reviewed the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy; the Council’s investment portfolio and borrowing strategy for 2016/2017; a review of any debt rescheduling undertaken during 2016/2017 and, compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2016/2017.

Reasons:

In accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice for Treasury Management, there should be a review of the strategy at least half yearly.

Background:

This report sought approval to commence the progression of the recommended management option partner for the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

The contract was currently delivered by FCC Environmental and was due to expire on 30 September 2017. This report put forward four options to Cabinet for running the HWRCs post-September 2017.

The report noted that the preferred option (Teckal Exemption) was permissible in accordance with paragraph 1.8.2.8 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

Reasons:

To enable negotiations with Medway Norse to achieve the best outcome for the Council.