Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Curry.

The record of the meeting held on 3 June 2025, was agreed by the Cabinet and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

Councillor Louwella Prenter declared an other significant interest in agenda item 7, ‘Street Naming and Numbering Exemption’, as her husband had made the application. She advised that she would leave the meeting during the consideration and vote on this item.

Other interests

There were none.

A period of 20 minutes is set aside for questions received.  

Two public questions and five Member questions had been received and were taken as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Responses

It was noted that the full responses given would be reported for information at the next meeting.

Background:

The report sought approval for adoption of the Medway Air Quality Action Plan 2025-30. The Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) had been produced to satisfy the requirements of the Environment Act 1995.  The Council had a statutory duty to develop and implement an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to improve air quality within a designated Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This Action Plan targeted the main source of emissions within the Central Medway, Gillingham and Rainham AQMAs, however wider air quality improvements could be expected through implementation of the measures. The measures in the Action Plan would have a positive health benefit for all residents and visitors to Medway, and in particular for children and the elderly who were more susceptible to the effects of higher levels of pollution.

The report had previously been considered by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2025 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in section 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

To satisfy the requirements of the Environment Act 1995.

Background:

The report sought approval of the creation of a Medway Armed Forces Partnership Board. Medway Council had signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which was a promise from the nation that those who serve or had served in the Armed Forces, and their families, were treated fairly and wanted to continue to deliver the covenant and support the Armed Forces community in the best way possible.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

Medway Council has a strong history of supporting the Armed Forces community, but there is significant appetite from both within the Council and external partners to coordinate and do more. The Kent & Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board has demonstrated the power of coming together across a Kent & Medway geography, however setting up a more localised board will enable more focus on the Armed Forces community within Medway.

(Having declared an interest, Councillor Louwella Prenter left the meeting before consideration of the next item.)

Background:

The report asked the Cabinet to determine if it should exempt the 20-year restriction on using the name of a recently deceased individual in street naming, specifically to allow the naming of a new street at the former Lennox Wood site, Petham Green, after Alderman Paul Harriott. Consideration of the exemption was requested based on an application made by the Twydall ward Councillors and on the basis of Alderman Harriott’s exceptional 52-year record of public service to Medway. Officers had confirmed family consent and had found no evidence in the public record that would make the name unsuitable.

The exemption process, as outlined in the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering policy allowed for such consideration in exceptional cases one year after a person’s death. The proposed naming affected a small side street of five properties, limiting potential future reputational and financial risks should a renaming exercise be required. These risks were further mitigated by research of public records and the decision being made publicly by the Cabinet.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Members of the Cabinet took the opportunity to remember Alderman Harriot and reflect on his legacy.

Reasons:

Cabinet is the decision maker for the use of names of recently deceased persons within the naming and numbering of streets and properties in Medway.

A decision to exempt the Street Naming and Numbering (SNN) policy only applies where there has been less than 20 years since a person’s death and there is evidence of that person having given or been recognised for outstanding service to Medway and its communities.

Officers have researched the public record for Alderman Paul Harriott in doing so have found evidence of an exceptional contribution to Medway and have not found evidence that would suggest their name is unsuitable for use as a street name.

Officers have been provided with evidence that family consent has been given.

(Councillor Louwella Prenter returned to the meeting before consideration of the following items.)

Background:

The report set out the division of Licensing functions between the Licensing and Safety Committee and the Cabinet as provided for within the Functions Regulations.

The report had previously been considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 16 June 2025 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in section 6 of the report.

Reasons:

To update the Cabinet on the divide responsibility for taxi licensing functions between Full Council and Cabinet.

Background:

The report presented the responses to the consultation and further engagement for the Taxi Tariff Review Policy and requested Cabinet approval of the Policy and the amendment of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2021-2026.

The report was previously considered by the Licensing and Safety Committee on 10 April 2025 and by the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 June 2025. The Cabinet thanked the Committees for their comments which were set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix E to the report.

Reasons:

Approval of the recommendations will enable implementation of the Taxi Tariff Review Policy and associated amendment to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2026, as proposed by the Licensing and Safety Committee.