Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The record of the meeting held on 10 April was agreed and signed by the Leader as a correct record.  

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

Background:

This report provided an assessment of the expression of interest, submitted to the Council by the Deangate Community Partnership, to deliver community sport, wellbeing and leisure activities at the Deangate Ridge Golf and Sports Complex.

The report noted that the Council had received a letter dated 16 April 2018 from Mytime Active which stated that the expression of interest had been submitted without their authority or agreement. This letter was set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

The report explained that the expression of interest had met the requirements of Section 81(1)(a) of the Localism Act 2011 and therefore the Council was required to consider whether the expression of interest met the requirements set out in Section 81(1)(b) of the Act. Paragraphs 5.5.3 to 5.5.5 of the report provided an analysis of the details of the financial resources provided by the Deangate Community Partnership.

The report also explained ten grounds on which the expression of interest may be rejected and concluded that the expression of interest be rejected on six grounds for the reasons set out in paragraphs 5.6.3 to 5.6.6 to the report.

Exempt Appendix 1 to the report set out the commercially sensitive budget projections from the Deangate Community Partnership and Exempt Appendix 2 to the report set out the officer analysis of the projected budget information.

Reasons:

The expression of interest is rejected on the following grounds:

·         The Council has made a decision to close Deangate Ridge Golf Course (Ground 4).

·         The Council considers that the financial information provided in respect of the expression of interest application is incomplete and inadequate (Grounds 1, 2 and 3), particularly since the letter dated 16 April 2018 from Mytime Active confirms what is said in the expression of interest overstates matters and that there is no agreement to work with the Partnership.

·         The Council considers that the expression of interest could, in the circumstances, be considered as a way of frustrating the Council’s Local Plan process which is currently going through consultation (Ground 9).

·         The Council considers accepting no rent or nominal rent in respect of the site will be in breach of its duty under section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (Ground 10). 

Background:

This report presented the updated Medway Guide to Developer Contributions and Obligations, set out at Appendix A to the report, which had been prepared following a six week consultation period. The consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Medway Statement of Community Involvement and Cabinet’s agreement to undertake consultation on the draft Guide (decision no. 4/2018 refers).

The report stated that 21 representations to the consultation had been received. A table of the responses and the evaluation of the issues was set out at Appendix B to the report. It was explained that common responses to the consultation included queries concerning the proposed increase in charges, the derivation of the occupation figure of 2.43 persons per dwelling and the absence of the section on environmental mitigation.

The report explained that the Council would undertake a further review of the Guide to align with the new Local Plan and to take account of impending updated government policy and guidance on developer contributions towards the funding of infrastructure. The report noted that the Cabinet had previously agreed to update the existing Guide to Developer Contributions 2014, to provide a more robust policy basis, pending the further progress of the Local Plan and government reforms to the Planning system (decision no. 2/2018 refers).

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

Reasons:

The Medway Guide to Developer Contributions and Obligations will provide an effective basis for the collection of contributions from development to appropriately mitigate the impacts through the provision of services and infrastructure.

Background:

This report provided details of the six monthly review of the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. The report also articulated the outcome of the Risk Management Audit undertaken in August 2017. 

The comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee were set out in section 6 to the report, together with the Chief Finance Officer’s comments in response to the key issues raised at the Committee in respect of Risk SR09b (Keeping Vulnerable Young People Safe and on Track).

Reasons:

The establishment of a corporate framework for risk management is recommended by CIPFA and SOLACE and will complement and support the work already being carried out within each directorate to manage risks.

Background:

This report presented information on a number of 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 will support the efficient running of the Council.

Background:

This report sought approval to commence the procurement of a Temporary Accommodation Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) following review and discussion at Procurement Board on 28 March 2018.

The report noted that the contract would cover a period of 4 years with the option to extend for a further 2+2+2 (total 10 years).

An Exempt Appendix provided details of the financial analysis in respect of procurement of this service.

Reasons:

Pursuing this course of action would ensure that there is an adequate number of competitive suppliers who are accessible by the Council to immediately meet the ongoing needs.