Agenda and minutes

None.

The record of the meeting held on 11 July 2017 was agreed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

The record of the urgent decision taken by the Leader on 28 July 2017 was agreed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.  

Disclosable pecuniary interests

In relation to item 6 on the agenda, Councillor Mackness stated that his wife held a tenancy in 95 High Street, Rochester (The Medway Visitor Information Centre), which he had registered as a disclosable pecuniary interest. Councillor Mackness stated that he would participate in the discussion and vote because he had taken advice from the Monitoring Officer that the matter being considered was not closely aligned to his registered disclosable pecuniary interest.

Other interests

In relation to item 4 on the agenda, Councillor Turpin stated that he was the parent of a disabled child and, as such, accesses some children’s services. He said, having discussed this with the Monitoring Officer, he considered he could participate in the discussion and vote on the matter.

Background:

The Cabinet accepted this report as urgent to enable consideration of the outcome of consultation, the comments of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the business case prior to making a final decision on the way forward at the earliest possible time in the light of the budget agreed by Full Council on 23 February 2017.

This report provided details of the outcome of the Transformation of Early Help Services’ public consultation carried out between 31 May and 12 July 2017.  It also provided an overview of the business case, which analysed all the counter proposals together with the comments of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The report stated that the consultation captured a broad range of views and included ten public consultation meetings, five meetings with professional representatives from education and health, a direct e-mail address for comments, 19 meetings at existing centres with staff and users and an online and paper based survey. The consultation process was summarised in paragraph 3 of the report and the outcome of consultation was set out in Appendix 2 to the report. In addition, a petition was submitted to Full Council, details of which were set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report. The Lead Petitioner addressed the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Petition Scheme, details of which were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.

The Business Case examined each option (A-G) and recommended that Option G (Children and Family Hub and Children and Family Wellbeing Centres)be implemented, as detailed in section 5 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services asked for his thanks to the officers who had organised the consultation exercise and analysis of outcomes to be placed on record.

Reasons:

The agreed option will allow Medway Council to continue to deliver flexible and effective Early Help services within a significantly diminished revenue budget.  Creation of four new Family Hubs will allow the extension of services to a wider range of families.  The proposed model delivers the most effective and far-reaching  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Background:

This report provided details of the background to Medway Council’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2017-19, the consultation process, and the refinement of the strategy based on feedback received.

The report set out the background to the review process, which was undertaken between June – August 2016, following which the Strategy was drafted and was subject to consultation between March 2017-April 2017.  The outcome of consultation was summarised in paragraph 2.5 of the report and detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 6 July 2017 and its comments were set out in section 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the Strategy, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

Reasons:

Approval of the Strategy will allow Medway Council to meet the legal requirements of the Homelessness Act 2002.

Background:

This report provided details of the Corporate Property Strategy 2017-2022. The Strategy set out the broad aims of the Council in the management of an extensive and varied portfolio which included 157 operational buildings, 682 operational sites (including 71 Car parks, 506 parks and greenspaces), 40 shops and business centres, 3 major regeneration sites, 3 civic amenity sites, 13 cemeteries and a crematorium.

The broad aims of the Strategy included rationalisation of surplus estate and better space utilisation, as well as a series of key actions to be delivered over the medium term together with the aim to realise £20 million of capital receipts over the life of the Strategy.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the Strategy, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

Reasons:

To enable a co-ordinated approach to estate management that encourages partnership working and joint local estate solutions.

Background:

This report provided details of the outcomes of the formal consultation (statutory representation) period on the Council’s proposals to enlarge the premises and change the lower age limit at St Mary’s Island CE Primary School, by way of statutory prescribed alterations.

At the Cabinet meeting on 4 April 2017, the Cabinet had authorised the Director of Children and Adults Services to commence the formal consultation stage of the statutory process (decision no. 35/2017 refers). This took place over a five-week period between 15 May and 18 June 2017. There were three responses to the formal consultation, including one formal objection on the issues of parking, traffic and children coming from off St Mary’s Island. These objections were responded to in paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

Where an objection has been made during formal consultation to the proposals for prescribed alterations to a School, the Cabinet must consider the objection(s) and decide whether to approve the proposals.

Approval to proceed with the proposals will ensure that the Council meets its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

Background:

This report detailed the revenue budget forecasts as at the end of June 2017. The report noted that, after management action, the forecast outturn for 2017/18 was a potential overspend of £1.909m, with an expectation that this figure would be reduced further as the financial year progressed.

The report set out an explanation of the pressures being faced and the corrective management action proposed by directorate management teams.

Reasons

Cabinet has the responsibility to ensure effective budgetary control to contain expenditure within the approved limits set by Council.

Background

This report presented the capital monitoring information for the first quarter of the financial year, including outturn forecasts and reference to any new schemes for approval. The approved capital programme for 2017/18, and future years, was £78.305m, comprising £64.526m in respect of brought forward schemes and £13,779m of new approvals.

Reasons

Cabinet has the responsibility to ensure effective budgetary control to contain expenditure within the approved limits set by Council.

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.

Reasons:

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