Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gurung and Louwella Prenter.

The record of the meeting held on 6 May 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.

A period of 20 minutes is set aside for questions.  

The Leader of the Council introduced the item by acknowledging the historic step of trialling questions to Cabinet, previously limited to full Council, and reaffirming a commitment to democratic transparency and public engagement.

Three public questions had been received as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Responses

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Highways and Enforcement, Councillor Alex Paterson responded to each questioner. It was noted that his full responses, including the supplementary questions and responses, would be reported for information at the next meeting.

Before taking this item, the Leader invited the Assistant Director, Legal and Governance to reiterate advice that Members had received concerning issues of predetermination and bias. Members were reminded of the advice previously circulated, particularly with regard to having an open mind until a full debate had occurred. If historical conduct might lead to a perception of bias or predetermination, they should consider stating at the meeting that they would consider all options and only arrive at a settled position once the debate closed, and before a vote was taken.

Background:

The report outlined the work carried out in preparing the draft Medway Local Plan and provided information on the processes followed and evidence collated to prepare the Draft Plan, in advance of its submission for independent examination. The report sought the Cabinet’s agreement to recommend that full Council approve the next steps towards adoption of the new Medway Local Plan. It was noted that this would be considered at a special meeting of Full Council on 26 June 2025.

Reasons:

To meet the legal requirements of the plan-making process and to support a timely progress towards adoption of the new Medway Local Plan.

Background:

The report sought Cabinet approval to publish the Housing Delivery Test action plan to meet government requirements and to confirm the measures being taken by the Council to support housebuilding in Medway. The new Medway Local Plan was highlighted in the action plan as a critical means of boosting housebuilding in Medway.

Reasons:

To meet the requirements to publish an Action Plan within six months of the test’s publication, where the Housing Delivery Test result is less than 95%.

Background:

The report sought Cabinet approval to the establishment of the Corporate Parenting Board (a Cabinet Advisory Group) and appointment of Members to this group.

It was noted that in addition to its establishment, the requirement to submit an annual report to Full Council in recognition of the important work undertaken by this body, would continue.

Reasons:

The re-establishment of this group will support the Cabinet in decision-making and the development of policies.

Background:

The report presented a review to Cabinet of the Financial Improvement and Transformation (FIT) Plan monitoring for the financial year 2024/2025, which should be read in conjunction with the Revenue Budget monitoring for the same period.

Producing the FIT Plan, and implementing the FIT Plan Tracker, continued to be a valuable exercise, allowing the Council to track and highlight savings and increases in income and to identify streams of work that may not deliver in-year savings, or savings for budget setting, but may deliver greater long-term benefits. The refreshed plan built on results from 2024/25 and incorporated recommendations and insights from the latest CIPFA financial review.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing a balanced budget in advance of each financial year. Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that income and expenditure remain within the approved budget, including instructing transformation activities or corrective action to prevent any forecast overspend from materialising.

The FIT Plan, which is reviewed on a monthly basis at CMT, is one of the key tools for ensuring delivery of savings in the current financial year and implementing a range of key actions to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Medway Council.

Background:

The report advised the Cabinet on performance in Quarter 4 2024/25 in relation to the delivery of the Council’s priorities as set out in the One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024/28 and presented the Quarter 4 2024/25 review of strategic risks.

Th Cabinet welcomed the report and the detailed insight it provided. It was also noted that this would also be presented for consideration, to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Reasons:

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

Background:

The report provided the Cabinet with details of the final revenue and capital outturn position for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. These figures would form part of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, which would be presented to the Audit Committee following the completion of the External Audit. The report also presented a summary of debts written off during the 2024/25 financial year in line with the constitutional requirement to submit a report to Cabinet on an annual basis setting out details of all debt written off.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing a balanced budget in advance of each financial year. Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that income and expenditure remain within the approved budget.

Background:

The report provided the Cabinet with an update on all activities since the inception of the Gun Wharf Improvement Programme Board in September 2024. This was the first annual update in the programme cycle.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing additions to the Capital Programme and Cabinet is responsible for ensuring effective Capital Programme Delivery through Quarterly Capital Budget Monitoring Reports.

Background:

The report sought Cabinet approval to the Medway Adult Education (MAE) Annual Accountability Statement for submission to the Department for Education (DfE) as part of its annual grant agreement. The statement was used by the DfE to assure the use of public funds. It was also a useful strategic document to share with partners and as a backdrop to strategic conversations with the DfE. Providers in scope were all further education colleges, all sixth form colleges, institutes for adult learning/designated institutions and local authorities delivering post-16 provision in excess of £1m. Medway Adult Education was in scope. It was noted that the first Accountability Statement had been agreed and submitted to DfE in August 2023.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

The draft accountability statement meets the DfE requirements and demonstrates MAE’s contribution to national and local priorities, alongside partnership working with key stakeholders. It is line with last two years approved statement.

Background:

The report sought Cabinet approval to commence the procurement of the Medway Therapeutic Alliance Contract.

The ‘Medway Therapeutic Alliance’ would provide support to children and young people in Medway aged 5-18 years (inclusive of their 19th Birthday) and up to the age of 25 years for those who were care leavers or those already in the service with special educational needs who required on-going therapeutic support.

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

Reasons:

Approval of the decision to procure the ‘Medway Therapeutic Alliance’ through option 5 (Competitive Process) will ensure Medway children and young people (and their families) are provided with appropriate and timely mental health and emotional wellbeing support and services. As the service will provide early intervention and preventative support for children and young people, this should in turn reduce onward referrals to specialist mental health services by meeting children and young people’s emotional wellbeing needs and outcomes through positive impact.

Background:

The report sought Cabinet approval to grant delegated authority to the Director of Place to either: vary or take a surrender of the existing lease and supplemental agreement in respect of Northbank House and to grant a new lease and any necessary supplemental agreements for the best consideration reasonably obtainable; or to grant a reversionary lease of the property and any necessary supplemental agreements, (which would commence when the existing lease expired) for the best consideration reasonably obtainable. Alternatively the Cabinet could choose to reject the proposal the Council’s Corporate Landlord Board (CLB) and the property could be sold subject to the existing lease and supplemental agreement.

An Exempt Appendix 1 to the report provided further information in respect of the variation of or surrender and renewal of the lease or grant of a reversionary lease of Northbank House.

Reasons:

To help the tenant of the property IPS International Ltd (IPS) to secure its future and to make the property more attractive to potential purchasers.