Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Etheridge, Filmer, Gulvin, McDonald, Patterson and Potter.

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 2.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

Councillor Doe declared an OSI in any reference to Medway Development Company Ltd because he is the company Chairman. Councillor Doe relied on a dispensation agreed by the Councillor Conduct Committee to enable him to take part in related discussion and voting.

Other interests

Councillor Cooper declared an interest in agenda item No.8 (Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places) as she is a governor of Rivermead School. Councillor Cooper remained in the room during discussion and consideration of the item.

To approve the records of the meetings held on 21 April 2022 and 18 May 2022.

The records of the meetings held on 21 April 2022 and 18 May 2022 were approved and signed by The Worshipful Mayor of Medway as correct.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway announced that Roger Malden, a former Civic and Ceremonial Officer, had recently passed away. Mr Malden had worked for the Council for a number of years before retiring in 2015, having continued to help on a number of occasions until 2019. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor offered condolences to his family.

The Mayor said she was saddened by the killing of the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and that she would be sending condolences to the cities of Ito and Yokosuka, which Medway had close ties with.

The Mayor welcomed visiting councillors from The Maldives, the Deputy High Commissioner and the 2nd Secretary from The Maldives' High Commission.

There were none. 

Public:

There were none.

Member:

Councillor Maple referred to a public petition, that had already been submitted to Democratic Services, in relation to Knowle Road and Lambourne Way. This related to a number of traffic related concerns.

Councillor Cooper submitted a petition on behalf of members of the public. The petition related to vehicles causing an obstruction at the car park for bungalows in Grange Road, Gillingham. The petition called on the Council to install appropriate signage.

Question A - Vivienne Parker of Chatham asked the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, the following:

“Given there are a lot of Medway people who are living in fuel poverty and cannot afford to heat their homes, what is the Council doing to increase the pitifully low number of Medway families who will benefit from Council grants to improve the fuel efficiency of their homes?”

Councillor Doe thanked Ms Parker for her question. He said that the Council was engaged with a number of Government schemes to assist households with grants. The rollout of these had been slower in 2022/23, mainly due to a national strain on resources to undertake specialist assessments, but it was expected to accelerate as assessors moved from previous programmes to the Sustainable Warmth programme.

Medway had an allocation of £2.9m for this programme, although Medway Council did not hold the funding or administer the grant, this was done on a regional level by a third party, Warmworks. The Council did signpost residents for assessment and, where eligible, for works.

Councillor Doe was pleased to confirm that the Council had recently appointed a Senior Sustainable Warmth Officer, who had responsibility for promoting this grant opportunity. Medway would also be working to maximise knowledge of available funding and promote other available grants and schemes to residents.

Medway Council was responsible for administering the Government’s energy rebates through the Council Tax system. To date, it had made £150 payments to more than 80,000 households and continued to work to distribute this funding to all eligible households. Medway would shortly be launching a discretionary scheme to support those households who were not eligible for the main scheme but needed support. 

Councillor Doe concluded that the Council continued to provide support to vulnerable households through the Government’s Household Support Fund, including helping with energy costs, water and food and home essentials. £321,000 had been distributed so far through this fund and a further £750,000 had been allocated for pensioners on low incomes and in receipt of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Residents who may need support were encouraged to make an application online or via one of the Council’s Community Hubs.

Question B – Alan Wells of Chatham submitted the following to the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, Councillor Filmer:

“In recent months there has been a number of fly tipping incidents in Strood Rural.

The sites targeted that I know of are:

Off Berwick Way approaching Medway City Estate (now cleared). In particular, the land between Hasted Road and Islingham Farm Road approaching the Wainscott Bypass, as well as other sites in the Frindsbury, Wainscott, and Upnor area.

I have seen for myself huge mounds of construction and commercial waste illegally dumped on an industrial scale in the area, which is affecting the immediate environment. Fly-tipping has a detrimental effect on the look and feel of our area and the dumpers,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

Discussion:

Members received the Leader’s Report. The following issues were discussed:

·       The development of the new integrated care model in Kent and Medway that aimed to transform NHS and Social Care provision and the development of the Kent and Medway Care Strategy.

·       Covid-19 community testing, including that Medway had been the first local authority area in the South East to offer this.

·       Improvements made to Council’s Children’s Services and the commitment to improving the lives of children in Medway.

·       Completion of the Innovation Park Medway southern site improvement works and the submission of a Levelling Up funding bid in support of the southern and northern sites.

·       Phases 1-3 of the Rochester Riverside development were nearing completion, with 331 units already occupied for phases 1 and 2. Work on a new school site had commenced in July 2021.

·       The Council acquisition of the former Debenhams building in Chatham High Street using £2.2million of Future High Street Fund allocations. A Capital Additions request to enable development of the site would be considered later in the meeting.

·       Delivery of the Healthy Living Centre in Chatham, including the addition of £10million to the Council’s capital programme.

·       Housing Infrastructure Fund public consultation was taking place from June to July 2022 in relation to Hoo Wetlands and the Lodge Hill Countryside site.

·       The award of £263,000 of Heritage Lottery development funds to allow a bid to be made for £2.5million of funding to run a series of projects on the Hoo Peninsula.

·       Concern about the increased cost of living and the impact of taxes.

·       The award shortlisting of Medway’s Public Health team for work to help expectant mothers and their babies to remain healthy.

·       Concerns around bullying allegations and the responsibility that Councillors had towards one another.

·       The Medway Housing Delivery Test, including that defined housing needs had not been met by this standard.

·       Suggestion that vouchers for children to be provided meals during the summer holidays should be available to all those eligible for free school meals rather than only those attending a summer activity programme.

Discussion:

Members received a report on overview and scrutiny activity and raised the following issues during debate:

·       Recommendations that had been made to Cabinet by the Business Support and Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committees. These related to governance, accountability and project governance.

·       The importance of the transition process from children’s services to adult services and the difficulties arising from mental health challenges. The importance of this was highlighted in the context of Medway aspiring to be a child friendly city.

·       The development and improvement of mental health services in Medway.

·       The Parent and Carer Forum conference in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, held on 4 July 2022, was commended.

·       The progression of the Member Task Group looking at access to GP appointments. The first meeting was considered to have been successful.

·       The importance of women’s health being considered by Overview and Scrutiny.

·       Good support provided locally to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine but also concern that the Council had taken legal action against the Government to prevent it having to take on further Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

·       The impact of bullying on mental health.

It was noted that a report titled, “Member's Item: Gillingham Football Club (GFC) School” had been considered by the Children and Young People at its meeting on 8 June 2022. This had been omitted from the Overview and Scrutiny activity report submitted to Council due to an administrative error.

Decision:

The Council noted the report.

This report sets out Members’ questions received for this meeting. 

Question A – Councillor Johnson asked the Portfolio Holder for Education and Schools, Councillor Potter, the following:

“Given the government’s derisory increase of 7p to the funding for Universal Infant Free School Meals and the consequent threat to the quality of meals for Medway’s young people and the risk to school meals providers’ long-term viability and willingness to continue contracts, what action has he taken to ensure that Medway’s young people have a healthy daily school meal in September?”

Responding on behalf of Councillor Potter, Councillor Mrs Josie Iles thanked Councillor Johnson for his question. She said that the Council was working with school catering contractors to ensure that children and young people were getting, healthy, nutritious meals and were working within the Food Plan and Government guidelines. 

All catering contractors provided food for life silver menus as they were all part of the Soil Association. Contractors were governed by the conditions set by the Soils Association regarding ingredient quality.

Contractors had been permitted to uplift the meal price from September and they were working with schools to pass the increased funding onto providers to help cover the additional costs, enabling the continued provision of a healthy meal. 

Question B – Councillor Edwards asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, the following:

“Fair taxation is vital to making sure that local government can run decent and well-funded public services. Yet research commissioned by the Fair Tax Foundation showed that between 2014 and 2019, UK public procurement contracts worth £37.5bn were won by businesses with connections to a tax haven. If they choose to, progressive councils can help tackle this by promoting responsible tax conduct through their own procurement processes.

Will Medway Council join the 20+ councils across the UK that have so far signed the Fair Tax Foundation’s Councils for Fair Tax declaration?

Signing the declaration would involve Medway Council leading by example in its own tax conduct, demanding greater transparency from suppliers, and joining calls for more meaningful powers to tackle tax avoidance amongst suppliers when buying goods and services. Doing so would no doubt be popular with Medway residents, with polls showing that almost two-thirds of the public agree that the government and local councils should consider a company’s ethics and how they pay their taxes, as well as value for money and quality of service, when undertaking procurement. We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and need every pound of tax possible to support local people and local services. I hope that Medway Council will commit to being part of the solution.”

Councillor Jarrett thanked Councillor Edwards for her question. He said that

the Council’s Selection Questionnaire had been used on all tenders since 2017 that were valued at £100,000 or greater. Sections relating to discretionary and mandatory exclusion inclusive of tax requirements set out how due diligence was currently conducted.

The questionnaire set out reasons for exclusion from the procurement process. This included evidence of convictions related to specific criminal offences, including, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

This report seeks the approval of Full Council of an addition to the capital programme to fund the development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.

The report was considered by the Cabinet on 7 June 2022.

Background:

This report advised that in July 2021, the Cabinet had agreed to instruct officers to develop detailed proposals for a new Splashes Sports Centre in Rainham to provide modern, family-friendly sports and physical activity facilities in the east of Medway, complementing other Council sports facilities.

Following Cabinet’s decision, the previous sports centre had been demolished and a professional design team appointed through open tender to design a fun, family-friendly sports centre on the site of the previous centre. This had been funded using the £5m funding for Splashes redevelopment within the existing capital budget.

The latest report had been considered by the Cabinet on 7 June 2022. The Cabinet had recommended full Council to approve an addition of £12.850million to the Splashes Redevelopment Scheme in the Capital Programme to enable development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.

The Deputy Leader and Porfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, supported by Councillor Kemp, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Maple, supported by Councillor Edwards, proposed the following amendment:

delete the following:

11.1    “The Council is asked to approve an addition of £12.850million to the Splashes Redevelopment Scheme in the Capital Programme to enable development of the new Splashes Sports Centre.”

and replace with:

11.1    “… notes the Cabinet decision on 7^th June 2022.”

11.2    “Council asks officers to prepare a detailed report on:

a.    What options there are to find the ongoing £918,953 revenue costs  proposed in this agenda item.

b.    A estimate of the likely budget subsidy recognising increases in areas such as staffing and utilities since it was stopped.

This report to be received with the substantive Splashes report to the October 6th Full Council.”

11.3  “Furthermore, Council requests an up to date review of all Medway’s leisure and sports facilities to reassure Members on the condition of the buildings and associated infrastructure. This will be of benefit both to avoid similar problems to the one that led to the demolition of the Splashes complex and help with the review of our estate needed for our Climate Action Plan. This review will be received by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee prior to Cabinet.”

Amended recommendations read:

11.1    “The Council notes the Cabinet decision on 7th June 2022.”

11.2    “Council asks officers to prepare a detailed report on:

a.    What options there are to find the ongoing £918,953 revenue costs  proposed in this agenda item.

b.    A estimate of the likely budget subsidy recognising increases in areas such as staffing and utilities since it was stopped.

This report to be received with the substantive Splashes report to the October 6th Full Council.”

11.3   “Furthermore, Council requests an up to date review of all Medway’s leisure and sports facilities to reassure Members on the condition of the buildings and associated infrastructure. This will be of benefit both to avoid similar problems to the one that led to the demolition of the Splashes complex and help with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

This report asks the Council to agree the borrowing of £12million total against future capital receipts for a building (£8million) and car park (£4million) on the Southern Site of the Innovation Park Medway (IPM).

The report was considered by the Cabinet on 5 July 2022.

Background:

This report asked the Council to agree the borrowing of £12million against future capital receipts to fund a building (£8million) and car park (£4million) on the Southern Site of the Innovation Park Medway (IPM).

The report advised that IPM had been awarded a total of circa £10.3m external funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Growing Places Fund (GPF) through the Southeast Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) for the enabling infrastructure on the IPM site, in addition to the Council borrowing against future business rates.

The report stated that IPM was a priority project for Medway Council, which would provide over 60,000sqm of high-quality innovative business space on an area of land mainly within Medway Council ownership. The Delivery and Investment Plan, agreed by Cabinet in June 2019, had set out the approach to delivery of the site.

The report had previously been considered by the Cabinet on 5 July 2022. The Cabinet decision was set out at section 7 of the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships, Councillor Rodney Chambers OBE, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council agreed that the borrowing of £12million be added to the Capital Programme for the design and build of S1.1 and S1.2 (as set out in Appendix 1 to the report) to accommodate the anchor tenant (as set out in option 3.1.2 of the report).

This report requests an addition to the Capital Programme, to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Debenhams site, which requires Full Council approval.

The regeneration of the former Debenhams building provides a valuable opportunity to proactively diversify the high street, providing an active frontage and residential development in the heart of Chatham.

The report was considered by the Cabinet on 5 July 2022.

Background:

This report asked the Council to agree an addition to the Capital Programme, to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Debenhams site.

The report advised that the regeneration of the former Debenhams building provided a valuable opportunity to proactively diversify the high street, providing an active frontage and residential development in the heart of Chatham. The redevelopment of Debenhams would unlock a key strategic site in Chatham high street. It would enable a currently vacant brownfield site to be brought back into use and increase the provision of much needed residential use and diversification of commercial space. It was proposed that residential development be delivered above the ground floor commercial space.

An exempt appendix to the report set out details of the costs of the redevelopment of the Debenhams building.

The report had previously been considered by the Cabinet on 5 July 2022. The Cabinet decision was set out at section 5 of 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.

Councillor Curry, supported by Councillor Adeoye, proposed the following amendment:

Add to the recommendations:

10.2    “Council agrees for a feasibility study to be produced looking at the move of Chatham Library/Community Hub from its current location to be part of the ground floor non-residential section of this development in the heart of Chatham High Street. This study will be received by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee prior to Cabinet.”

Amended recommendations read:

10.1    The Council is recommended to approve the addition of £17,878,916 from short-term borrowing (to be repaid from future capital receipts generated by the site) to the Capital Programme for the redevelopment of the former Debenhams site.

10.2    Council agrees for a feasibility study to be produced looking at the move of Chatham Library/Community Hub from its current location to be part of the ground floor non-residential section of this development in the heart of Chatham High Street. This study will be received by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee prior to Cabinet.

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

Decision:

The Council approved the addition of £17,878,916 from short-term borrowing (to be repaid from future capital receipts generated by the site) to the Capital Programme for the redevelopment of the former Debenhams site.

This report recommends a revised schedule of polling districts and polling places to reflect the new Ward boundaries that will come into place for the Local & Parish elections on 4 May 2023 and updates the Council on the likely allocation of polling stations by the Returning Officer in preparation for those elections.

Background:

This report recommended that the Council agree a revised schedule of polling districts and polling places to reflect the new Ward boundaries that would come into place for the Local and Parish elections on 4 May 2023.

The report also updated the Council on the likely allocation of polling stations by the Returning Officer in preparation for those elections.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councill Hackwell, supported by Councillor Buckwell, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council:

a)    Approved the scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, in respect of Parliamentary elections and to designate the Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places as the Polling Districts and Polling Places for Local Government elections.

b)    Noted the designation of all polling stations recommended by the Returning Officer as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

c)    Authorised the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Informal Working Group on Polling Districts and Polling Places to designate a Polling Place where no suitable polling station is available within the original Polling Place.

d)    Noted that the Chief Executive would consult with the Informal Working Group on Polling Districts and Polling Places if it is necessary to change any polling stations prior to the elections on 4 May 2023.

This report seeks Full Council approval to delegate authority to the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive to amend non-executive functions within the Employee Scheme of Delegations, with regards to Regulatory Services in the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Directorate. The report was considered by the Cabinet on 10 May 2022.

Background:

This report sought Council approval to delegate authority to the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive to amend non-executive functions within the Employee Scheme of Delegations, with regards to Regulatory Services in the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Directorate.

The report had been considered by the Cabinet on 10 May 2022. The Cabinet had agreed an officer delegation in relation to executive functions within the Employee Scheme of Delegations and recommended approval to Full Council of an officer delegation in relation to non-executive functions. The Cabinet decision was set out at section 5 of the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Hackwell, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive to exercise and to delegate to officers at an appropriate grade the non-executive functions set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report.

This report recommends proposed changes to the Health and Wellbeing Board’s terms of reference following the establishment of NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board on 1 July 2022.

Background:

This report recommended proposed changes to the Health and Wellbeing Board’s terms of reference and membership following the establishment of NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board on 1 July 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults' Services, Councillor Brake, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council agreed the revisions to the Health and Wellbeing Board’s terms of reference and membership, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

This report provides details of recent usage of urgency provisions contained within the Constitution.

Discussion:

This report provided details of recent usage of urgency provisions contained within the Constitution.

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:

The Council noted the report with regards to the use of urgency provisions set out in the report.

This Council, acting as landowner, commits to the following sites (in their entirety) remaining in the Council's ownership until further notice:  

1.  Capstone Farm Country Park site (approximately 281 acres).

2.  Former Deangate Ridge Golf Course site (approximately 170 acres).

3.  Great Lines Heritage Park site (approximately 170 acres).

4.  Riverside Country Park site (approximately 247 acres).

“This Council, acting as landowner, commits to the following sites (in their entirety) remaining in the Council's ownership until further notice:  

1.  Capstone Farm Country Park site (approximately 281 acres).

2.  Former Deangate Ridge Golf Course site (approximately 170 acres).

3.  Great Lines Heritage Park site (approximately 170 acres).

4.  Riverside Country Park site (approximately 247 acres).”

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

This Council appreciates the initiative of those litter pickers across Medway who have set up voluntary groups to remove litter and restore Medway’s clean streets together with the efforts of our own street scene team and our community wardens. We hope to reinforce the idea that residents and visitors to Medway should not litter and there will be consequences for their actions, helping to maintain Medway as a family & child-friendly city.

To support this aim, we, as a Council, commit to advertising the below fines on our Council owned assets:

• Maximum fine of £2,500 for littering
• Unlimited fine and/or prospect of 5 years imprisonment for flytipping
• Maximum fine for graffiti is unlimited and/or imprisonment  

This Council agrees to advertising these fines on our assets, as appropriate and that this will have a marked impact on helping to keep Medway a clean and welcoming place.

“This Council appreciates the initiative of those litter pickers across Medway who have set up voluntary groups to remove litter and restore Medway’s clean streets together with the efforts of our own street scene team and our community wardens. We hope to reinforce the idea that residents and visitors to Medway should not litter and there will be consequences for their actions, helping to maintain Medway as a family & child-friendly city.

To support this aim, we, as a Council, commit to advertising the below fines on our Council owned assets:

• Maximum fine of £2,500 for littering
• Unlimited fine and/or prospect of 5 years imprisonment for flytipping
• Maximum fine for graffiti is unlimited and/or imprisonment  

This Council agrees to advertising these fines on our assets, as appropriate and that this will have a marked impact on helping to keep Medway a clean and welcoming place.”

Councillor Curry, supported by Councillor Cooper, proposed the following amendment:

To add an additional paragraph to the end of the Motion:

“This Council further notes that the incidents of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour have increased since this Council moved away from its policy of one Council warden linked to each ward. Therefore, this Council commits to the reintroduction of a council warden linked to each ward.”

Amended Motion reads:

“This Council appreciates the initiative of those litter pickers across Medway who have set up voluntary groups to remove litter and restore Medway’s clean streets together with the efforts of our own street scene team and our community wardens. We hope to reinforce the idea that residents and visitors to Medway should not litter and there will be consequences for their actions, helping to maintain Medway as a family & child-friendly city.

To support this aim, we, as a Council, commit to advertising the below fines on our Council owned assets:

• Maximum fine of £2,500 for littering
• Unlimited fine and/or prospect of 5 years imprisonment for flytipping
• Maximum fine for graffiti is unlimited and/or imprisonment  

This Council agrees to advertising these fines on our assets, as appropriate and that this will have a marked impact on helping to keep Medway a clean and welcoming place.

This Council further notes that the incidents of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour have increased since this Council moved away from its policy of one Council warden linked to each ward. Therefore, this Council commits to the reintroduction of a Council warden linked to each ward.”

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

Decision:

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

“This Council appreciates the initiative of those litter pickers across Medway who have set up voluntary groups to remove litter and restore Medway’s clean streets together with the efforts of our own street scene team and our community wardens. We hope to reinforce the idea that residents and visitors to Medway should not litter and there will be consequences for their actions, helping to maintain Medway as a family & child-friendly city.

To support this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127B)

The Council notes that:

• The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has seen household fuel bills soar to the highest levels in history forcing people to decide whether to eat or heat their homes and excluding many from internet access because they can no longer afford the payments.

• The government’s planned rebate will do little to help to those living with meters in their rooms in HMOs or anyone who relies on pre-payment meters who already pay more. The rebate is being paid via household electricity bills and there is no decision on whether prepayments will be credited or vouchers issued. Furthermore, there is no obligation on landlords who include the cost of gas and electricity in tenants’ bills to pass the rebate on.

• Those excluded from the rebate are often from the most economically disadvantaged sectors of our community.

• The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on sick and disabled people has been grossly underestimated. According to Disability Rights UK spending on this group of people has been cut by £5 billion over the last decade and they are the hardest hit by Austerity. Since April 2017 new claimants have £30 per week less and Universal Credit has excluded the severe disability premium worth around £65 per week to those formerly entitled to it. Disabled people have higher household fuel costs because they often need additional heating and water or to have to run life saving equipment such as oxygen ventilators or dialysis machines.

To address these inequalities and ensure meaningful help is forthcoming the Council resolves to:

• Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, condemning the decision to exclude vulnerable people from meaningful support with the cost-of-living crisis and calling for an emergency budget to address these inequalities by increasing cost of living help payments available to sick and disabled people with immediate effect and reinstating the £20 per week addition paid during the covid crisis for Universal credit claimants.

• Write to the three Medway MPs asking them to support the Council’s call for an emergency budget.

• Produce and publicise an information leaflet for private sector landlords in Medway who charge for household fuel as part of rent urging them to pass on the rebate to their tenants especially those in shared houses or HMOs.

“The Council notes that:

• The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has seen household fuel bills soar to the highest levels in history forcing people to decide whether to eat or heat their homes and excluding many from internet access because they can no longer afford the payments.

• The government’s planned rebate will do little to help to those living with meters in their rooms in HMOs or anyone who relies on pre-payment meters who already pay more. The rebate is being paid via household electricity bills and there is no decision on whether prepayments will be credited or vouchers issued. Furthermore, there is no obligation on landlords who include the cost of gas and electricity in tenants’ bills to pass the rebate on.

• Those excluded from the rebate are often from the most economically disadvantaged sectors of our community.

• The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on sick and disabled people has been grossly underestimated. According to Disability Rights UK spending on this group of people has been cut by £5 billion over the last decade and they are the hardest hit by Austerity. Since April 2017 new claimants have £30 per week less and Universal Credit has excluded the severe disability premium worth around £65 per week to those formerly entitled to it. Disabled people have higher household fuel costs because they often need additional heating and water or to have to run life saving equipment such as oxygen ventilators or dialysis machines.

To address these inequalities and ensure meaningful help is forthcoming the Council resolves to:

• Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, condemning the decision to exclude vulnerable people from meaningful support with the cost-of-living crisis and calling for an emergency budget to address these inequalities by increasing cost of living help payments available to sick and disabled people with immediate effect and reinstating the £20 per week addition paid during the covid crisis for Universal credit claimants.

• Write to the three Medway MPs asking them to support the Council’s call for an emergency budget.

• Produce and publicise an information leaflet for private sector landlords in Medway who charge for household fuel as part of rent urging them to pass on the rebate to their tenants especially those in shared houses or HMOs.”

In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the motion was taken.

For:  Councillors Adeoye, Browne, Cooper, Curry, Edwards, Howcroft-Scott, Hubbard, Johnson, Khan, Lloyd, Mahil, Maple, Murray, Osborne, Prenter, Price, Andy Stamp, Chrissy Stamp and Van Dyke. (19)

Against: Councillors Ahmed, Aldous, Barrett, Brake, Buckwell, Carr, Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers, Chitty, Clarke, Doe, Fearn, Griffin, Hackwell, Mrs Josie Iles, Jarrett, Kemp, Lammas, Opara, Purdy, Tejan, Thompson, Thorne, Tranter, Mrs Elizabeth Turpin, Rupert Turpin and Wildey. (27)

Abstain: None

Note: In addition to the Councillors named in the minutes of agenda item no. 2, Apologies for Absence, Councillors Pendergast, Sands and Williams were not present for the recorded vote.

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127C)