Agenda and minutes

To approve the record of the meetings held on 25 January 2018 (special meeting and ordinary meeting).

The record of the two meetings held on 25 January 2018 were agreed and signed by The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chishti, Gilry, Royle, Shaw and Williams.

Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct. Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 3.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

Councillor Griffiths declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 (Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018/19) should there be any substantive reference to Medway Community Healthcare Community Interest Company (MCH) because he is the Deputy Chairman of MCH. He stated that MCH had some pre-existing contractual arrangements with the Council and whilst there was no specific reference to MCH in the report, he would leave the meeting should there be any specific reference to MCH.

Other significant interests

There were none.

Other interests

The Worshipful the Mayor of Medway stated that he had been advised by the Monitoring Officer that a personal and potentially financial interest regarding pay for some officers should be recorded in the minutes on behalf of any officers present affected by the proposals.

Councillor Opara declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda items 8 (Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018/19) and 10 (Pay Policy Statement 2018/2019) because her daughter is employed by the Council. She stated that having taken advice from the Monitoring Officer there was no need for her to leave the meeting.

Councillor Saroy declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda items 8 (Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018/19) and 10 (Pay Policy Statement 2018/2019) because she has family who works for the Council.

With support of all Members of the Council, The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway placed on record Members’ condolences to the family of Gary Vyse who very sadly died last week. Gary was Chief Executive of The Williamson Trust and in that role oversaw the running of six schools in Medway including his own school, The Hundred of Hoo Academy. The Mayor stated that he would be greatly missed. Councillors Mackness and Khan also paid tribute to Gary Vyse.

The Mayor reported that Councillor Royle was not at the meeting as he was unwell and that he would send on Members’ best wishes to him for speedy recovery.

The Mayor reminded Members of his forthcoming charity events:

Tuesday 20 March 2018 – Charity Theatre Night at the Oasthouse Theatre in Rainham, featuring “Ladies’ Night”, a comedy by Amanda Whittington.

Tuesday 27 March 2018 – A second Charity Chinese Night at Confucius as the Chinese New Year Night held on 13 February had been oversubscribed.

Saturday 14 April 2018 – Murder Mystery Night with a 3-course Dinner at the St George’s Centre.

He stated that further information was available from the Mayor’s PA.

The Mayor proposed to suspend Council Rule 11.1.1 in respect of time limits on speeches in relation to agenda item 8 only (Revenue and Capital Budgets 2018/19) to allow oneMember from each Group to speak for an unlimited time. The normal time limits would then apply. This was agreed.

The Mayor asked Members to speak clearly into the microphones to ensure people in the public gallery could hear and he reminded those present that the meeting was being audio recorded and the recording would be made available on the Council’s website. In addition, he asked Members to provide written copies of any amendments to the top table first. 

There were none.

This report seeks approval to the refresh of the Council Plan, following consideration by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the annual review of the Council Plan which was undertaken to ensure that it remained relevant and that the Council continued to focus resources on its priorities. The summary of proposals was set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

The report had been considered by both the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee (30 January 2018) and Cabinet (6 February 2018), comments of which were set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the report respectively.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals as set out in Appendix B to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Turpin, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the comments of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet as set out in sections 5 and 6 of the report respectively.

b)    The Council approved the proposed changes to programmes summarised in Table A at paragraph 3.2 and key measures of success and targets as detailed in Appendix A of the report.

c)    The Council agreed to grant delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, to make any necessary changes to align the Plan’s indicator set to the agreed budget.

This report seeks approval to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for the 2018/2019 financial year, following consideration by the Audit Committee and the Cabinet.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for the 2018/2019 financial year. The Strategy had been prepared in line with CIPFA’s Local Authority Treasury Management Code, and set out the Council’s borrowing requirement and strategy, its strategy in respect of investments and details of the Council’s current portfolio position. It also provided details of the prudential and treasury indicators that would be used to monitor and measure treasury performance.

The report had been considered by the Audit Committee (9 January 2018) and Cabinet (6 February 2018), comments of which were set out in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the Strategy as set out in Appendix B to the report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the comments of the Audit Committee and the Cabinet, as set out in sections 6 and 7 of the report respectively.

b)    The Council approved the Treasury Management Strategy 2018/2019, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

This report provides details of the Cabinet’s proposals for the capital and revenue budgets for 2018/19. In accordance with the Constitution, Council is required to approve the capital and revenue budgets, rent increases and Council Tax for 2018/19.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the revenue and capital budget proposals for 2018/2019.

The Cabinet had considered initial budget proposals on 21 November 2018, which had been developed in accordance with the principles set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. In accordance with the budget and policy framework rules within the Constitution the Overview and Scrutiny Committees had then considered the Cabinet’s proposals prior to Cabinet’s consideration of the draft budget on 6 February 2018.

It was noted that an overarching Diversity Impact Assessment, as set out in Appendix 8 to the report, summarised the results of the Diversity Impact Assessments which had been completed for each of the services affected by the proposed budget changes.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the recommendations in the report, together with the following detailed changes listed below in relation to recommendation 26.3 on page 125 of the Agenda:

“That the following reductions, generating £1,783,000 of headroom, are made to revenue allocations as follows:

·         Education Grants: Charge the 0-25 team to the DSG High Needs Block giving £833,000.

·         Centralisation of ICT contracts giving £200,000.

·         Rephasing the BRMF (Building Repairs and Maintenance Fund) programme giving £750,000.

And that this headroom is invested as follows:

It should also be noted that car parking charges for pay and display for 2018/19 in Medway are frozen, with the intention of no increase for a further two years, that is until 2020/21.”

In accordance with rule 12.5 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the

proposal was taken.

For: Councillors Aldous, Avey, Bhutia, Brake, Carr, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Franklin, Griffin, Gulvin, Hicks, Mrs Josie Iles, Steve Iles, Jarrett, Joy, Kemp, Mackness, Opara, Potter, Purdy, Saroy, Tejan, Tranter, Turpin, Wicks and Wildey. (32)

Against: Councillors Bowler, Cooper, Craven, Freshwater, Godwin, Griffiths, Johnson, Khan, Maple, McDonald, Murray, Osborne, Pendergast, Price, and Stamp. (15)

Note: Councillors Hall and Howard were not present for the recorded vote.

The proposal was agreed.

Decision:

a)    The Council approved the recommendations of Employment Matters Committee on 31 January 2018 regarding the proposals for a pay award as set out at paragraph 4.5 of the report, as amended by decision b) below.

b)    The Council approved the general fund gross, income and net revenue estimates as summarised in Appendix 1 to the report in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 788.

This report seeks approval to proposals that Medway Council assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s HR functions, following consideration by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet.

Discussion:

This report provided details of proposals that Medway Council should assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s HR functions. This was permitted under Section 101(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 which allowed local authorities to delegate non-executive functions to other local authorities.

The report had been considered by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee (30 January 2018) and the Cabinet (6 February 2018), comments of which were set out in paragraphs 7 and 8 respectively. In addition, a report on the proposals had been considered and approved by Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet on 4 September 2017.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Mackness, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council agreed option two, set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report, whereby Medway Council shall assume responsibility for the discharge of Gravesham Borough Council’s HR Services functions under Section 101(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 which allows local authorities to delegate non-executive functions to other local authorities.

b)    The Council agreed to accept the delegation by Gravesham Borough Council of its HR Services functions to Medway Council.

c)    The Council agreed to delegate authority to Medway’s Assistant Director - Transformation to assume responsibility for the management and delivery of HR services for Gravesham Borough Council jointly with the services provided for Medway Council and for this to be reflected in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, as set out in paragraph 9.5 of the report.

This report deals with the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2018/2019, following consideration by the Employment Matters Committee.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Pay Policy Statement (PPS) for the financial year 2018/2019 in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. It was noted that the PPS must be approved by a resolution of Full Council before it came into force and had to be prepared and approved before 31 March 2018 for the following financial year.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been carried out on the PPS, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Chairman of the Employment Matters Committee, Councillor Wicks supported by Councillor Tranter, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved the Pay Policy Statement 2018/2019, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

This report seeks approval to the establishment of a new Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Kent County Council, Medway Council, East Sussex County Council and Bexley Council to meet the requirements of health scrutiny legislation in relation to consultation by the NHS with these local authorities on proposed changes to Hyper Acute and Acute Stroke Services in Kent and Medway.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the proposal for the establishment of a new Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Kent County Council, Medway Council, East Sussex County Council and Bexley Council to meet the requirements of health scrutiny legislation in relation to consultation by the NHS with these local authorities on proposed changes to Hyper Acute and Acute Stroke Services in Kent and Medway.

The report provided details of the background to this matter including the NHS’s proposed changes to the provision of Hyper Acute and Acute Stroke Services in Kent and Medway and its potential impact on East Sussex and Bexley and the informal discussions between the four local authorities regarding the membership of the proposed Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Purdy, supported by Councillor the Portfolio Holder for Adults’ Services, Councillor Brake, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council agreed:

(i)    the establishment of a new Joint Health and Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Kent County Council, Medway Council, East Sussex County Council and Bexley Council with Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  that the Committee should comprise 12 seats allocated as follows; Kent County Council 4, Medway Council 4 , East Sussex County Council 2 and Bexley Council 2;

(iii)the allocation of the Medway seats as follows; three seats to the Medway Conservative Group and one seat to the Medway Labour Group in accordance with the legislation on political balance;

(iv)the appointment of Councillors Purdy, Wildey, Royle and Murray to the Committee;

(v)  to delegate authority to the Chief Legal Officer to agree any further minor amendments to the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.