Agenda and minutes

The Leader stated that this special Cabinet meeting had been called to enable consideration of the three month update report with regard to the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Arrangements for the Protection of Children.

The Leader also welcomed Councillors Kelly Tolhurst (Educational Improvement) and David Carr (Community Safety and Customer Contact) to their first Cabinet meeting.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Alan Jarrett (Finance).

The record of the meeting held on 16 April 2013 was agreed and signed by the Leader as correct.  

There were none.

Background:

This report provided a summary of the actions undertaken in the first three months since the Ofsted inspection of the local authority arrangements for the protection of children in Medway. In terms of leadership issues, it was noted that a Children’s Improvement Board had been established which included an independent external Chair, Jane Held and an external Director of Children’s Services, Julian Wooster (Portsmouth City Council). An internal Children’s Programme Board, chaired by the Chief Executive, had also been established to ensure that the Council was mobilising the necessary resource, maintaining focus on key activities to support the improvements that were required and that officers were held to account for delivering on these outcomes. A new Independent Chair, Eleanor Brazil, had been appointed to the Medway Safeguarding Children Board (MSCB) on 1 May 2013. Additionally, Full Council had agreed on 25 May 2013 to appoint David Quirke-Thornton as a Deputy Director in Children and Adults Services with responsibility for the MSCB.

The report also provided details of action taken in the first three months in relation to staffing, systems and processes and the quality of practice, together with details of action being taken as next steps.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services responded to the actions undertaken in the first three months since the Ofsted inspection and the next steps for the Council.  

A revised edition of the report was tabled at the meeting which corrected a number of typographical errors.

Reasons:

To inform the Cabinet of the arrangements that are being implemented to secure urgent and sustainable service improvements.

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to dispose by way of lease or sale the Victorian building and playground at Wainscott Primary School, which was no longer required by Wainsott Primary School.

It was noted that, currently, part of the Victorian building, together with its playground was used by a local provider for a day nursery and after school clubs. To enable the day nursery and after school club provision to continue, officers were working with the provider to safeguard and expand their current occupation of the Victorian building and its playground by either lease or sale. This would enable the provider to continue its service to local residents and vacate the temporary building in order to facilitate the primary school’s expansion.

Reasons:

To enable the continued use of the premises for nursery and after school club provision. 

To minimise the management costs of retaining premises not required for operational needs and generate either revenue income or a capital receipt.

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).

Appendix 1 to the report provided details of the posts, with details of one further post tabled at the meeting.

Reasons:

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

Background:

This report provided details of the proposal to let the café at the Strand, Gillingham. The current lease was due to expire at the end of May 2013, therefore, a four and a half year lease with a mutual break option on four months’ notice was offered. The highest bids received were in excess of the Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Service’s delegated authority limit of £20,000 per annum. A summary of the marketing process was set out in the exempt appendix.

Reasons:

To improve the service to visitors to the Strand and to provide a revenue stream from the asset. 

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of a range of services providing housing related support to vulnerable adults in Medway.

It was noted that housing related support, distinct from social care housing or property management was designed to ensure that a person was supported to maintain a tenancy and/or secured the housing tenancy of their choice. The services reduced the risk of homelessness and thereby the risk of service user’s entering crisis or emergency support.

The Gateway 1 report had been approved for submission to Cabinet after review and discussion at Regeneration, Community and Culture Directorate Management Team meeting on 10 April 2013 and Procurement Board on 17 April 2013.

An exempt appendix set out key information in respect of finance and whole-life costings.

Reasons:

This decision will provide the opportunity to deliver much improved services. These services will be supported by a robust objective to improve service quality and maximise independence for service users ensuring that more vulnerable people can have access to services that meet their needs and aspirations.