Agenda and minutes

The Leader passed on the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Spring’s, thanks to everyone who had helped him at the recent full Council meeting following a medical incident. The Leader wished the Deputy Mayor well for his recovery.

The Leader referenced a recent article in the Guardian Newspaper. He had written to the Leader of Kent County Council (KCC) seeking urgent clarification. This related to discrepancies in the KCC Cabinet’s apparent view of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The letter had also expressed concern that accusations had been made of ignorance regarding LGR amongst the other councils in Kent and an allegation that the Leader of Kent had suggested that other Council Leaders did not like working with her because she was a woman.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Gurung.

The record of the meeting held on 26 August 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 received.  

4 public questions and 1 Member question had been received and were taken as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Responses

It was noted that all questions responses would be reported for information at the next meeting.

Background:

The report sought approval to formally commence consultation for the recommended Additional Licensing Scheme in the nominated wards of Chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South and Luton and Watling and Selective Licensing Schemes in the recommended wards of Chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North and Frindsbury and Watling.

The report also requested the Cabinet to review the consultation outcomes and make a formal decision whether to approve a new discretionary licensing scheme to be effective from Summer 2026.

The report explained that the Housing Act 2004 gave local authorities powers to tackle poor property conditions in the private rented sector. The Act also introduced different types of landlord licensing schemes, with mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Additional Licensing allowed local authorities to introduce licensing for a wider range of HMOs. Selective Licensing allowed local authorities to implement licensing of all private rented properties, in order to address issues such as antisocial behaviour (ASB), poor housing quality and deprivation.

A Diversity Impact Assessment was attached at Appendix D to the report. An Exempt Appendix C set out estimated staffing costs.

Reasons:

To ensure that Cabinet has considered all options and consultation findings before deciding on whether or not to proceed with a new five-year discretionary Licensing Scheme/s.

This report was withdrawn and was therefore not considered or determined by the Cabinet.

Disappointment was expressed that Locate in Kent and Visit Kent had closed. Staff at these organisations were thanked for their work as were officers at Medway and Kent County Council (KCC) for their innovative approach in responding to the challenges presented by these closures.

The report had been withdrawn from the agenda because Medway had been contacted after publication of the Cabinet agenda with a request from the KCC Cabinet to increase Medway Council’s financial contribution by 100%. Frustration was expressed regarding this late request but it was emphasised that Medway was open to further discussions with KCC.

Background:

Adoption Partnership Southeast is a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) providing adoption services for Medway, Kent, and the London Borough Bexley.

The fifth RAA Annual Report provided information and an overview of the adoption service activity and practice development for the period April 2024 - March 2025.

The annual report provided information that would assist Members in respect of their responsibilities as Corporate Parents for Looked After Children. The agency was committed to fulfilling the requirements of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the Children and Families Act 2014 by ensuring the provision of a high-quality adoption service which guaranteed the best possible standards of care, safety and protection for children or young people who were looked after and who needed adoptive placements.

The report was previously considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 2 October 2025, and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out at section 8 of the report.

Reasons:

Statutory guidance required adoption agencies to report on adoption agency activity in the previous year.

Background:

This report set out the Flag Flying Protocol for consideration and approval. Policy approval would formalise the established practices relating to flag flying on Council buildings only.

The report advised that the Protocol was consistent with the provisions of the One Medway Council Plan, in particular, the following value: “Respectful: Valuing Medway's diversity, heritage and each other.”

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the Protocol which was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

Approval of the Policy will formalise the established practices relating to flag flying on Council buildings.

Background:

The report presented the consultation results for the review of the taxi tariff in line with the Taxi Tariff Review Policy and sought approval of a new taxi tariff.

The report explained that ‘a district council may fix the rates or fares within the district for time as well as distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a vehicle or with the arrangements for the hire of a vehicle, to be paid in respect of the hire of hackney carriages by means of a table (hereafter in this section referred to as a ‘table of fares’) made or varied in accordance with the provisions of this section’.

It was therefore at the discretion of the Council, as licensing authority, to set a tariff for licensed taxis operating within Medway. By fixing the fares, the Council was effectively setting the maximum fare that taxi drivers could charge. Legally, taxi drivers may charge less than this rate but may not charge more.

Reasons:

Approval of the recommendations will enable any revisions to the tariff to be advertised as prescribed in legislation. If no objections are received during this period, the tariff will take effect.

There is a quick turnaround, once the advertising has ended, to ensure that the trade can get their meters updated for Christmas. We are therefore asking that any objections be considered by the Assistant Director and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.