Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mahil and Murray.

The record of the meeting held on 30 July 2024 was agreed by the Cabinet and signed by the Leader as correct. 

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

Background:

This report provided the Cabinet with an overview of a protest that had taken place in Medway on the evening of Wednesday 7 August 2024. This had involved approximately 150 individuals, consisting of protestors and a group of anti-protestors. The situation had been successfully managed by Kent Police and had culminated in three arrests confirmed for public order offences. There had been no substantive violence, injuries or damage to property.

Thanks were given to colleagues across the Council, in particular the Community Safety and Communications teams and to Kent Police, for their work in addressing the protest and dealing with associated issues. It was highlighted that thuggery and anti-social behaviour were not acceptable in Medway. 

Reasons:

To provide the Cabinet with an update on the protest that took place in Medway on 7 August 2024.

Background:

This report set out initial projections of the Council’s income and of the cost of services for 2025/26 and across the medium term.

The report provided details of initial projections which indicated a potential budget gap for 2025/26 of £28.844million, or £45.147million excluding Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). This cumulative projected gap rose to £114.205million across the medium term (£140.807million excluding EFS in 2025/26). Difficult decisions would be needed to ensure that the Council spent money and generated income efficiently.

Progress in reducing the projected gap would be reflected in the Draft Budget 2025/26 which would be presented to the Cabinet in November 2024.

It was noted that the new Government had highlighted the prospect of additional powers and resources being granted to local authorities. While the Council was keen to explore what this could mean in practice, Medway would not want to see the creation of an elected Mayor of Kent and Medway or for there to be local government reorganisation in Medway.

Reasons:

The Medium Term Financial Outlook (MTFO) provides the framework that underpins the budget setting process for 2025/26 and beyond.

Background:

This report considered the outcomes of the independent examination of the Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Plan. It set out the Examiner’s assessment of the submitted plan, and his recommendations, which included a number of modifications to the plan to improve clarity and compliance with national planning policy.

The report explained that the Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Area had formally been designated by the Council in December 2018 for the purposes of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The work had been led by the Neighbourhood Planning group set up by Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Parish Council.

Following iterative consultation, the Parish Council had submitted its draft plan to Medway Council in October 2023. The Council had published the draft plan for representations at Regulation 16 in January 2024. The plan had then been submitted for examination in Spring 2024.

It was recommended that the Cabinet accept the Examiner’s recommendations and approve sending the plan to referendum.

Reasons:

To enable timely decision making in the Neighbourhood Plan process.

Background:

This report provided details of the work completed by the Fostering Service over the last year (April 2023 to March 2024), how it had met the needs of Medway’s looked after children and detailed the work which should be undertaken in the coming year.

The annual report had been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 August 2024, details of which were set in section 8 of the report.

Reasons:

The National Minimum Standards for Fostering (2011) require that Fostering

Agencies report the activity of the fostering service to its governing bodies.

Background:

This Regional Adoption Agency, comprising of the London Borough of Bexley, Kent County Council and Medway Council had been formed in September 2020. Its Annual Report, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, provided information and an overview of the service, performance set against government targets and service and practice development for the period April 2023 to March 2024.

The report had previously been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 August 2024 and its comments were set out in section 4 of the report.

Reasons:

Statutory guidance requires adoption agencies to report on adoption agency activity in the previous year.

Background:

This report requested the Cabinet’s agreement to approve the contract award for the Assessment Bed Service.

The report advised that the provision of the Assessment Bed Service was key to Medway Council achieving its strategic objective of ensuring adults maintained their independence in the community and lived healthy lives.

An exempt Appendix to the report set out financial analysis in relation to the procurement and recommended the provider the contract should be awarded to.

Reasons:

The procurement of the Assessment Bed Service will deliver a service that will enable the following:

Outcomes Focused Care – To ensure the care received supports the achievement of individual outcomes to maximise independence, wellbeing and choice.

Introduce an Alternative Pathway – Working alongside existing rehabilitation and reablement services, to maximise options in our local health and social care system.

Maximise Independence – For residents, who, following a stay in the service return to their own home; requiring none, or some ongoing care, or discharged into alternative accommodation in the community e.g. extra care, or residential care.

Digital Innovation/Transformation – To ensure that patients returning home are supported to remain as independent with the use of assistive technology, such Telecare or Telehealth equipment.