Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The Leader advised that following the recent local elections for Kent County Council, there had been a change of administration at that authority. It was not yet known who the new Leader would be. Medway Council would work constructively with the new Kent administration, particularly in relation to issues that affected both Medway and Kent, such as health, Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution. Councillor Maple thanked the former Leader of Kent County Council, Roger Gough, for the partnership working that had been undertaken across the existing 14 councils in Kent and Medway.

The record of the meeting held on 8 April 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)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

Background:

The report presented the Cabinet with Medway’s Better Care Fund plan for 2025-2026, for approval.

The Better Care Fund (BCF) in Medway was a joint plan between NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Council with Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) as a key stakeholder. The BCF pooled budget was administered in accordance with a Section 75 agreement between Kent and Medway NHS and the Council.

The report had previously been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 10 April 2025 and the Cabinet thanked the Board for its comments which were set out in section 7 of the report.

Reasons:

Approval of the Better Care Fund Plan 2025-2026 formalises the submission made to NHS England, which had to take place as a provisional submission by 31 March 2025.

Background:

The report set out the Council’s One Medway Financial Improvement and Transformation Plan refresh for 2025-26. The Plan was intended to meet the requirement to produce an improvement and transformation plan, as a condition of the ‘exceptional financial support’ approved in principle by the Secretary of State. It was noted that the most significant challenges were in relation to social care and that the work to deliver the Plan was essential to ensure the financial sustainability of the Council. The refresh represented the second year of this journey.

Reasons:

Cabinet agreement of this Plan, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, represents the Plan against which the organisation will monitor achievement of the 2025/26 savings targets and sets out how the Council will deliver the improvements necessary to achieve the One Medway Council Plan objectives. It also fulfils the conditions attached to the ‘exceptional financial support’ approved in principle by the Secretary of State and the wider requirements of the ‘productivity plans’ proposed by Government.

Background:

The report provided the Cabinet with an update on the Medway 2.0 Delivery Plan.

The One Medway Financial Improvement and Transformation (FIT) Plan was originally agreed by Cabinet on 30 April 2024 and directly supported the implementation of the FIT Plan’s targets by providing dedicated service design and improvement capability, which would enable services to streamline and improve their operations, in particular customer-facing and support service activity.

It was noted that Medway 2.0 was an ongoing process, part of which involved moving services online. It was also noted that the introduction of new technology, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence to take notes from meetings with Council service users would free up staff time to use on activities that added the best value to services. The introduction of such technology was not intended to result in a reduction in staff numbers.    

Reasons:

It is important that the Cabinet receives regular progress reports regarding the Medway 2.0 Delivery Plan agreed on 30 July 2024.

The formation of a One Medway Access Hub approach for our Community Hubs would provide holistic support for residents and act as a joined up, unified, “front door” for essential services such as Housing, Homelessness, Benefits and Financial Welfare, Adult Social Care, and Frontline Services; allowing the Council to wrap these services around those in need.

Background:

The report sought approval to commence the procurement for a principal building contractor to remediate the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels and refurbish Gun Wharf.

The repair and refurbishment of Gun Wharf was seen as being essential in order to provide a good quality building for staff and residents accessing Council services and it was considered that the increase in value following the repairs would be greater than the cost of the investment.

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

Reasons:

The approach outlined is considered the most advantageous way to achieve value for money and attract the right contractor with a track record of successful delivery.

Background:

The report sought the Cabinet’s approval to updating the Employee Scheme of Delegation (and the associated financial limits) in respect of certain property matters. The updated delegations would cover: increasing the financial limits on matters that are delegated to officers in respect of the grant, entering into, or variation of the terms of leases or sub leases and similarly, to enter into and vary the terms of easements, licences, agreements, covenants or other rights or documents subject to financial limits; adding the giving and taking of surrenders of leases; and the appropriation of land and property.

Reasons:

Approval of these updates to the Employee Delegation Scheme and financial limits enables the Council’s Property team to complete income generating property.

Thanks were given to everyone involved in the organisation of the recent Rochester Sweeps Festival and the opening of the Limehouse Landing at Rochester Riverside. Thanks were given to the Council’s Events Team, security staff and to Council officer, Adam Taylor.

The Leader thanked the Council’s Democratic Services Team and ICT colleagues for their support of Cabinet meetings, the Communications Teams for keeping residents informed and local journalists, particularly the local democracy reporter. The Corporate Management Team and Cabinet Members were also thanked.

Thanks were given to partners and Council officers for organisation of the commemorations that would take place in Medway to mark the 80^th anniversary of Vicory in Europe (VE) Day. These included a parade and service at Rochester Cathedral and lighting of beacons on Thursday 8 May.