Agenda and minutes

None.  

The record of the meeting held on 6 June 2017 was agreed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.  

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

Background:

This report provided details of the outcomes of the consultation on the future of Thomas Aveling Public Library, where the Council had indicated its preferred option was to close the library. The proposal for the potential closure of the library was included in the Capital and Revenue Budgets 2017/18 report submitted to Full Council on 23 February 2017. An analysis of Thomas Aveling’s performance was undertaken and set out in the consultation document. Public consultation started on 21 April 2017, and ran to 15 June 2017.

Consultation documents, including analysis of the consultation findings were included in Appendices 1 and 2. The survey received 151 responses; of those responding, 145 identified themselves as current Thomas Aveling users.

Cabinet also considered an addendum report which set out the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 July 2017.

A Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) was included at Appendix 3 to the report.

Reasons:

The decision to close Thomas Aveling Public Library is due to it being a poorly performing library, with limited use by the local population. There is no scope to improve the library offer, as has been achieved elsewhere, due to the fixed and limited opening hours, with the library only available Monday to Friday from 3.00pm, not the most popular time that the public make use of libraries.

Alternative and better facilities and services for all users are available at other libraries, particularly the Community Hubs and these form a key part of a range of mitigation proposals that can be put into place.

Background:

This report provided details of the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS), which had originally been adopted by Council on 23 January 2013, and sought Cabinet’s approval to commence public consultation on options proposed to amend the eligibility criteria for CTRS discounts as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

The report noted that the outcome of the consultation would be reported to the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 November 2017 and Cabinet on 19 December 2017 for consideration, and that final approval of any revisions to the CTRS would be a matter for Full Council on 25 January 2018.

The report stated that a Diversity Impact Assessment would be undertaken following the consultation as part of the policy change process.

Reasons:

The Council has a legal duty to review its CTRS every year and consult on any proposed changes.

Background:

This report provided details of proposals for the creation of a Housing Company to maximise the opportunities to invest in or develop property within and outside Medway, and in the first instance to enable the development of a number of Council-owned sites.

The report set out options on the structure and governance arrangements for the proposed Housing Company at paragraph 5.

An Exempt Appendix provided details of a potential five-year programme.

Reasons:

To enable the generation of new and alternative revenue income streams for the Council and to deliver housing units principally in Medway.

Background:

This report provided details of a revised Code of Corporate Governance and sought Cabinet’s comments on the revised Code prior to consideration and approval at Full Council on 20 July 2017. The report stated that the revised Code was based on the CIPFA and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) guidance entitled ‘Delivering Good Governance’.

The report noted that the revised Code of Corporate Governance was considered by the Audit Committee on 29 June 2017 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

Reasons:

To ensure that the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance reflects the latest CIPFA and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) guidance.  

Background:

The Cabinet agreed to accept this report as urgent owing to the need to seek Cabinet’s views and recommendations on the proposals to enable consideration and final approval at Full Council on 20 July 2017.

This report presented a number of schemes which require Full Council approval to be added to the Capital Programme.

A revised report was subsequently circulated in Supplementary Agenda No.2.

Reasons:

Additions to the Capital Programme are a matter for Full Council.

Background:

This report provided an overview of treasury management activity during 2016/17.

Overall the Interest and Financing budget made a surplus over its targeted budget of £181k. Bank rate continued at the historically low rate of 0.5% throughout 2015/16, however, the overall rate achieved on cash based investments averaged 1.3%.

The report noted that the treasury management activity report was considered by the Audit Committee on 29 June 2017, and comments from this committee were set out in section 13 of the report.

Reasons:

Section 7.1(e) of the Council’s Financial Rules state that the Chief Finance Officer shall report to Cabinet and the Audit Committee not later than September on treasury management activities in the previous year.

Background:

The 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 and an addendum report and a recruitment form tabled at the meeting.

Reasons:

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