Agenda and draft minutes

Congratulations were given to Councillor Alex Paterson, whose success in a recent raffle would result in primary schools in Rochester and Strood receiving additional financial literacy support.

In reference to a report, The Childhood Lottery, that had just been published by the Children’s Commissioner for England, the Council would be writing directly to the Children’s Commissioner to highlight some of the positive things happening in Medway. Some of these had happened since the data used for the report had been collected. This included the Child Friendly Medway survey, which had received thousands of responses, many of which were very positive. The Council had some good practice available to share around improvements that had already been made in some of the areas highlighted by the Commissioner.

A summit was being planned to bring together the Council and partner organisations to look at the issues raised by the report, consider progress made and where more could be done. The Children’s Commissioner would be invited to the summit.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Coombs, Mahil and Van Dyke.

The record of the meeting held on 22 September 2026 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 Paterson declared an interest in agenda item No.7 (Compulsory Purchase of 364 High Street, Rochester ME1 1DJ (Former Mak's Curry Nest)) as he is a trustee of Chatham Intra Community Trust. Councillor Paterson left the room during consideration of and voting on the item.

Other interests

There were none.

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

Two public questions had been received. Questions were taken in the order set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Background:

The report presented a draft Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy 2025 – 2028, which set out how Adult Social Care would attract, retain, develop and support a skilled, stable, inclusive and future-ready workforce capable of delivering safe, effective and person-centred services for Medway residents. It had been developed with Council staff and aimed to support both staff and service users.

The Strategy established a clear framework for workforce improvement through six strategic priorities focused on workforce capability, ethical practice, inclusion, recruitment and retention, leadership, and workforce intelligence. The strategy also provided a three-year delivery roadmap and framework for measuring impact and assuring progress.

The report had previously been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 3 September 2026 and by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13 October 2026. The Cabinet thanked the Committees for their comments which were set out in section 9 of the report and an addendum report in the Supplementary Agenda No.1, respectively.

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

Reasons:

Approval of the Strategy will help ensure that the Council can attract, retain, develop and support a skilled, stable, inclusive and future-ready workforce capable of delivering safe, effective and person-centred services for Medway residents.

This report was withdrawn from the agenda and was therefore not discussed.

Background:

The report sought approval for the acquisition of the former Mak’s Curry Nest at 364 High Street Rochester ME1 1DJ, through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).

It was considered that the CPO would result in the property being brought back into use, and was necessary and justified as a last resort, as this benefit could not be achieved by agreement.

The report set out that the property had been empty, and for a large part of that derelict, for over 10 years. Its condition had steadily deteriorated in recent years and was now proving to be detrimental to the character of the conservation area and neighbourhood. The lack of use of both ground and upper floors was impacting on the vitality of the area as well as not providing for suitable residential accommodation in an area with high housing demand.

Reasons:

The property has been empty, and for a large part of that derelict, for over 10 years. Its condition has steadily deteriorated in recent years and is now proving to be detrimental to the character of the conservation area and neighbourhood.  The lack of use of both ground and upper floors is impacting on the vitality of the area as well as not providing for suitable residential accommodation in an area with high housing demand.

Officers and external agencies have also been unable to locate the owner who owes over £50,000 in business rates debt.

The property has attracted a number of complaints from local residents and therefore is having a detrimental effect on them,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Background:

The report sought approval of a Heritage Signage and Wayfinding Strategy which set out a long-term vision for a more connected, accessible and distinctive Medway, built around the principle of One Medway. 

The Strategy built on the original 2023 Heritage Wayfinding work, expanding the focus from the Chatham to Rochester corridor to a Medway-wide framework connecting Medway's towns, waterfront destinations and communities through a shared approach to wayfinding, identity and storytelling. The Strategy aimed to improve how residents and visitors discovered, navigated and experienced the area's towns, heritage sites, public spaces, cultural destinations and transport hubs, while celebrating the unique character of individual communities.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 4 to the report.

Reasons:

The Heritage Signage and Wayfinding Strategy establishes a shared vision for improving connectivity, accessibility, active travel, visitor experience and heritage interpretation across Medway.

The Strategy will support Medway's ambitions to grow the visitor economy, encourage sustainable travel, improve health and wellbeing, strengthen connections between destinations and contribute towards the creation of healthier, more inclusive and connected communities.

Background:

The report sought agreement to a delegated authority for future strategy amendments to the Lower River Medway Strategy (previously called the River Strategy), in conjunction with progress of delivery of projects resulting from the strategy’s partnership board and four themed sub-groups, and in line with the One Medway Council Plan and the developing Local Plan 2041. It also sought agreement to publishing a second iteration of the strategy, which included some amendments following further consultation with some key river stakeholders.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

Thanks were given to Council officers Adam Taylor, Kayleigh Nelson and Aimee Hubbard for their work on the Strategy.

Reasons:

Approval of the latest version of the Strategy is recommended to enable delivery of the strategy within the funding constraints set out at Cabinet in February 2026 and the proposed delegated authority allows for changes to be made as needed.

Background:

The report presented the Medway Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029. The Plan set out strategic direction for youth justice services in Medway over the period 2026-2029 and fulfilled the Council's statutory duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to prepare and publish a Youth Justice Plan. The Plan had been developed by the Youth Justice Partnership Board and its statutory partners, including Children's Services, Kent Police, Health, Education and Probation.

The Plan responded directly to the findings of the HM Inspectorate of Probation Inspection (HMIP) undertaken in May 2026, and outlined Medway's commitment to a Child First approach: reducing offending and reoffending; supporting victims; tackling disproportionality; and strengthening the partnership response to risk and vulnerability.

The report had previously been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 October 2026, 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:

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, requires Local Authorities to have a Youth Justice Plan, which is updated annually to set out how youth justice will be delivered locally within available resources.

Background:

This report outlined the background and options for Medway Council to voluntarily designate Vinall Green, Gillingham, as a Town Green under section 15 (8) of the Commons Act 2006. This followed on from a formal request from the Friends of Vinall Park for the Council to support the Friends in their aim to better protect the park in perpetuity from threats of development and inappropriate activities that might be deemed contrary to its use as a valuable local park for quite informal recreation, the enjoyment of the outdoors, sport, play, nature and for community events.

Thanks were given to the Friends of Vinall Park and to the local ward Councillors for their work in relation to the park and requested Town Green designation.

Reasons:

A Town Green designation will help to provide a legal framework for the parks protection and also help to reinforce the Councils commitment to protect parks and open spaces which help to provide outdoor spaces for all to enjoy as part of their daily lives. This will also help to protect the local environment, enhance biodiversity and provide facilities for sport, play, community led outdoor events and quite informal recreation.

As well as offering a valuable local facility, Vinall Park has had an active Friends Group for many years helping the Council to improve and maintain the park, as well as providing outdoor events such as community picnics for local people to enjoy. They also organise regular litter picks, lead on practical tasks such as hedge planting and act as the Council’s eyes and ears to help protect and look after the park.

The designation of Vinall Park as a Town Green will help to foster goodwill between the Council and the local community Park helping to celebrate local action to protect the environment.

Background:

The report sought permission to commence the re-procurement of the Dementia Assessment Bed Service contract. The Assessment Bed Service would be fully funded from the Better Care Fund.

An Exempt Appendix 1 set out the financial analysis.

Reasons:

The re-procurement of the Assessment Bed Service will allow for the continued delivery of a service that enables the following:

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

Continuation of a Hospital Discharge Pathway – Working alongside existing discharge, 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 lower-level accommodation in the community e.g. extra care, or residential care.</AI12>

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