Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Adrian Gulvin (Portfolio Holder for Resources).

The record of the meeting held on 4 February 2020 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 details of an update on the activities already undertaken and work currently underway towards establishing a Climate Change Action Plan, following the Council’s declaration of a climate change emergency in April 2019 and a subsequent report to Cabinet in July 2019. That report set out the Council’s aspirations and approach to the delivery of an Action Plan. In addition, the Cabinet agreed the establishment of the Climate Change Member Advisory Group at this meeting.

The report set out a number of highlights since July 2019, including details of the Member Advisory Group and the Officer Steering Group. The report also detailed the decision on the 2020/21 budget at Full Council on 20 February 2020 to allocate £100,000 to support climate change work.

Reasons:

To ensure the Cabinet is informed of the progress to date.

Background:

This report provided details of the proposed long-term approach to reducing the childhood and adult obesity prevalence in Medway.

The report stated that Public Health England’s guidance on the whole system approach included six key phases, as set out in section 3 of the report: set up; building the local picture; mapping the local system; action; managing the system network and; reflect and; refresh. The report provided details of Medway’s approach under this process.

The Health and Wellbeing Board considered this report on 18 February 2020, details of which were set out in section 5 of the report.

Reasons:

With the majority of adults in England overweight or obese, and a substantial number of children on the same trajectory, particularly those in the most deprived areas, national and local action is needed now. There is no one single solution. Tackling such an ingrained problem requires a long-term, system-wide approach that makes obesity everybody’s business.

Background:

This report provided details of the Food Poverty Action Plan, which had been prepared following discussions with a range of local voluntary and public sector partners, researching national examples of best practice and reviewing the evidence base for effective food poverty interventions. The development of an Action Plan would ensure that there was systematic and evidenced based approach to reducing food poverty.

The report stated that following the approval of a Motion at Full Council in April 2019, the Health and Wellbeing Board had considered reports on the issues in September 2019 and February 2020. In particular, the Board had considered the Action Plan on 18 February 2020, details of which were set out in section 5 of the report.

It was noted during discussion on the item that the Council’s involvement in the Medway Food Partnership should not include the provision of any financial subsidies.

Reasons:

The establishment of a Medway Food Partnership and the development of an Action Plan will ensure that there is systematic and evidenced based approach to reducing food poverty.

Background:

This report provided details of how the Council had performed during quarter 3 in 2019/20 against the Council’s three priorities and the actions being taken to improve performance. There were 44 Council Plan measures for 2019/20, of which it was currently possible to report on 39 as one was data only and four were not available for the reporting quarter.

In summary, 25 out of 39 measures had met or exceeded target, six were slightly below target and eight were significantly below target.

The report also presented the quarter 3 2019/20 review of the Strategic Risk Register. Proposed amendments to the Risk Register were set out in paragraphs 2.2-2.4 of the report and the revised Risk Register was attached at Appendix 5 to the report.

It was noted that this report would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees during March-April 2020.

Reasons:

Regular monitoring of performance and risks by management and Members is best practice and ensures achievement of corporate objectives.

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).

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.