Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Rodney Chambers OBE (Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships).

The record of the meeting held on 9 May 2017 was agreed and signed by the Leader of the Council as a correct record.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

Councillor Filmer declared an interest in agenda item 10 (Update on Medway Norse) because he is a Director of Medway Norse. He withdrew from the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.

Other interests

Councillor Mackness declared an interest in agenda item 4 (Children’s Traded Services) because he is the Chairman of the Medway Commercial Group Ltd Board. He withdrew from the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.

Background:

This report provided details of proposals to create a traded service for the delivery of children’s traded services. The report gave details of six potential models and recommended that the services be provided by a Local Authority Trading Company, Medway Commercial Group Ltd (MCG), from 1 August 2017.

The report stated that the following services were included in the scope of the proposed transfer:

·         Schools Services including:

·                School contracts (catering, cleaning and waste);

·                Free school meal eligibility.

·         Governance Services;

·         Teacher Recruitment.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. This had identified there would be minimal or no impact on users. 

An exempt appendix set out the outline business case, options appraisal and detailed business case.

Reasons:

Transferring services to Medway Commercial Group Ltd represents the most time and cost effective solution that would allow Medway Council to benefit financially in the short, medium and long term.

Current services traded with schools have a consistent track record and desktop market analysis demonstrates that there is a considerable, as yet, untapped market for services.

Background:

This report provided details of proposed changes to the delivery of music education in Medway. Currently, Medway Council was the lead partner for Dynamics – The Music Education Hub. Given that the Music Education Hub had now developed firm foundations, it was proposed that a community interest company (CIC) be set up to act as lead partner, independently of the Council.

The report stated that Dynamics CIC would be developed by DBA Ltd, a delivery partner for Dynamics, which currently undertook the day-to-day management of music provision, as per the Arts Council England funding agreement, on behalf of Medway Council.

The report also stated that whilst the Council would have no ownership of the CIC, it would have Member representation on the Board of Directors with a public interest veto, to ensure that board decisions would always be in the public interest.

A Diversity Impact Assessment screening had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report. The key change related to governance with the CIC replacing the Council as the lead partner and as such there was deemed to be no impact on individual groups.

Reasons:

It is not a requirement for local authorities to lead local Music Education Hubs. This proposal will provide for a governance model which allows the successful current provision to continue to develop in an agile and flexible manner whilst maintaining partnership links with the Local Authority.

Background:

This report provided details of the Integration and Better Care Fund (iBCF) 2017/2019 and the requirement to establish a pooled budget in accordance with Section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 for the purpose of joining-up health and care services.

The report provided details of the iBCF and additional adult social care funding allocations and it was noted that the additional adult social care funding of £3,962,308 would be referred to Full Council to be added to the revenue budget.

The report also stated that whilst there was no requirement to consult on the totality of the iBCF arrangements, the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group was a joint signatory and would be involved in agreeing the final plan. Further to this, the Health and Wellbeing Board and the A&E Delivery Board would also be engaged on the development of the plan.

Reasons:

Delegating authority to the Director of Children and Adults Services, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Adults’ Services allows more time to establish the pooled fund agreement within the foreshortened timeframes within which NHS England operates.

Regular reports on the progress of the iBCF programme will be provided but this arrangement will sit better with existing governance arrangements.

Background:

This report provided details of the Risk Based Verification Policy, the aim of which was to target resources at higher risk cases and to remove the need for low risk claims to be evidenced beyond statutory requirements, in relation to housing benefit and council tax reduction scheme claims.

The report stated that the Department for Work and Pensions had issued guidance on this type of Policy and had advised that it should not be made publicly available. It also stated that the introduction of the Policy would allow greater efficiencies to be gained in processing by reducing the level of customer contact and correspondence flowing through the system.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, including an action plan to be undertaken following implementation of the Policy.

An Exempt Appendix set out details of the Policy.

Reasons:

To gain efficiencies in the benefit administrative process whilst increasing protection against fraudulent claims.

Background:

This report provided details of the final revenue and capital outturn position for the financial year ended 31 March 2017 including the draft Statement of Accounts, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

An updated version of the report was tabled at the meeting.

The updated report stated that following the quarter 3 forecast which had indicated a £1.8 million pressure, the final outturn for the year had resulted in an underspend of £217,000.

The updated report also stated that the draft Statement of Accounts would be reported to the Audit Committee on 29 June 2017, following which they would be subject to external audit before being considered by the Audit Committee for final consideration and approval on 28 September 2017.

Reasons:

The Cabinet is the body charged with the executive management of the Council’s budget. Therefore, it is important that the final outturn is reported to Cabinet.

Background:

This report provided details of how the Council had performed in 2016/17 against the Council’s three priorities using 32 key measures of success and 13 key projects.

It was noted, with regards to quarter 4, that 70% of key measures of success were on target and that 55.2% of key measures of success had improved over the long term. In addition, it was noted that for 2016/17 overall, 71.9% of key measures were on target.

It was noted that the report would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees between June-August.

Cabinet Members highlighted a number of key issues during discussion.

Reasons:

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

Background:

This report provided details of the achievements and performance of Medway Norse up to the end of the fourth quarter in its fourth year of trading.

The report stated that Medway Norse provided services to the Council in three main areas: Facilities Management, Grounds Maintenance and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport. The report gave details of these areas of operation, together with information relating to governance, local business participation, the corporate client function and the rebate for the Council.

An addendum report provided details of year-end figures in relation to local business participation.

The report also stated that the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee would consider this report on 6 July 2017.

Reasons:

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

Background:

This report provided a review of the various Cabinet Advisory Groups and asked the Cabinet to agree to the re-establishment of the Groups for 2017/2018.  The report noted that these Groups did not have any decision making powers and could consist of both executive and non-executive Councillors.

Reasons:

The re-establishment of these groups would support the Cabinet in decision-making and the development of policies.

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).

Details of the posts were set out within Appendix 1 to the report and an addendum report, which was tabled at the meeting.

Reasons:

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