Agenda and minutes

Discussion:

Councillor Kemp, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Growth and Regulation, Councillor Chitty, proposed the nomination of Councillor Steve Iles to the Office of Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year. Councillor Steve Iles was duly elected.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor Mackness, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Adults’ Services, Councillor Brake, proposed the nomination of Councillor Tejan to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year. Councillor Tejan was duly appointed.

The newly elected Mayor made the declaration required by law and signed the declaration of acceptance of office. The Mayor also accepted the ceremonial sword and silver oar as symbols of his office as Constable of Rochester Castle and Admiral of the River Medway from Sheerness to Hawkwood respectively.

The newly appointed Deputy Mayor made the declaration required by law and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Chief Executive read out a message of congratulation for the newly elected Mayor received from Lieutenant General Sir Mark Mans for and on behalf of the Chief Royal Engineer.

The Mayor then addressed the Council and announced that his nominated charity would be Guide Dogs for the Blind (Medway branch).

There followed musical performances by two Medway students, Dhananjay Venkataraman and Tang Ng, from Dynamics – the Medway Music Education Hub Community Interest Company (CIC).

Councillor Purdy, supported by Councillor Griffin, proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Wildey. The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Wildey, responded to the vote of thanks.

Flowers were presented to the outgoing Mayoress, Mrs Wildey and the outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Opara. 

Decision:

a)    The Council elected Councillor Steve Iles to the Office of the Mayor of Medway for the 2018/2019 municipal year.

b)    The Council appointed Councillor Tejan to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the 2018/2019 municipal year.

The Mayor announced that Reverend Canon Matthew Rushton had accepted an invitation to act as his Chaplain for the forthcoming year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Chishti, Craven, Gilry, Hall, Jarrett and Osborne. An apology for absence was also received from Honorary Alderman Harriott.

Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct. Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 5.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

With the support of all Members of the Council, The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway placed on record Members’ condolences to the families of Geoffrey Fagg and Chris Cornish who had both recently died.

Geoffrey Fagg was a long serving Councillor on Gillingham Borough Council from 1976 to 1995 representing Rainham ward. Chris Cornish had served as a Councillor on Rochester upon Medway City Council from 1987 to 1991 representing Temple Farm ward. The Mayor stated that they would both be greatly missed.

This report advises the Council of the Members of the Cabinet for 2018/2019 as appointed by the Leader of the Council and their portfolios, as set out in Appendix A (to follow).

It also sets out appointments and nominations made by the Leader to Executive outside bodies, as set out in Section F of Appendix C to Agenda item 8, and the delegation of executive functions to officers agreed by the Leader as set out in Appendix B (which also incorporates the scheme of officer delegations for matters which are not the responsibility of the Cabinet and have to be agreed by the Council).

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Members of the Cabinet for 2018/2019 as appointed by the Leader of the Council, and their Portfolios.

Details of the Cabinet portfolios were tabled at the meeting as Appendix A to the report. The report also included details of the delegation of executive functions to officers agreed by the Leader as set out in Appendix B to the report. This also incorporated the scheme of officer delegations for matters which were not the responsibility of the Cabinet and were a matter for Council.

The report also referred to the appointments and nominations to executive bodies as set out in section F of Appendix C to agenda item 8 (Establishment of Committees, Appointments and Schedule of Meetings 2018/2019).

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

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the details of those appointed by the Leader to serve as Deputy Leader and Members of the Cabinet and the extent of their individual portfolios, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

b)    The Council noted the appointments and nominations to executive bodies as set out in section F of Appendix C to agenda item 8 (Establishment of Committees, Appointments and Schedule of Meetings 2018/2019).

c)    The Council noted the delegations to officers agreed by the Leader in relation to executive functions as set out in Appendix B to the report.

d)    The Council agreed to the delegation of non-executive functions to officers as set out in Appendix B to the report.

This report sets out the position regarding the overall allocation of seats on committees. On 26 April 2018, the Council agreed to make recommendations to this meeting regarding the committees and other bodies to be appointed for 2018/2019 and a programme of meetings.

The Council is also asked to make recommendations to the Joint Meeting of Committees immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Council, in respect of the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and the establishment and membership of Sub-Committees.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the establishment of Committees and the appointment of Members to serve on Committees and other bodies and the programme of meetings.

The Mayor referred to a proposed change to appointments to outside bodies (Appendix C). He stated that the Council was required to appoint one Councillor to the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust rather than two and it was proposed that Councillor Rodney Chambers OBE should be appointed to this position.

Decisions:

a)    The Council agreed the establishment of committees, their size and the allocation of seats to political groupsas set out in Appendices A and B to the report, together with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s constitution.

b)    The Council agreed the establishment of an ad hoc committee to consider the removal of Council-appointed school governors as and when necessary and to waive political balance in respect of this Committee.

c)    The Council the appointment of members to each Committee as set out in Appendix B to the report, including the appointment of voting and non-voting co-optees on Committees as listed.

d)    The Council agreed that appointments should be made to Joint Committees, outside bodies and other bodies as set out in Appendix C, subject to an amendment to the appointment to the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust as follows:

e)    The Council agreed the timetable of meetings for the 2018/2019 municipal year as set out in Appendix D incorporating the change set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report.

f)     The Council recommended to the Joint Meeting of Committees to agree the appointment of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees as set out in Appendix B to the report.

g)    The Council recommended to the Joint Meeting of Committees to approve the establishment of Sub Committees (with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution), one Task Group, their size and the allocation of seats to political groups as set out in Appendix B to the report, with the waiver of political balance in relation to the membership of Licensing Hearing Panels in line with established practice for these Sub Committees.

h)    The Council recommended to the Joint Meeting of Committees to appoint members to serve on each Sub Committee and Task Group as set out in Appendix B to the report.

At the conclusion of the Annual Meeting there will be a brief Joint Meeting of Committees.

Joint Meeting of Committees (except Health and Wellbeing Board):

Agenda

(1)  Election of Chairman

(2)  Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other significant interests

(3)  To appoint Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in Appendix B to agenda item 8 on the Annual Meeting of Medway Council agenda

(4)   To agree the establishment, allocation of seats to political groups and membership of Sub-Committees and one Task Group, as set out in Appendix B to agenda item 8 on the Annual Meeting of Medway Council agenda.

Discussion:

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, on behalf of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Maple proposed a vote of thanks to staff.

Councillor Doe, thanked staff for the council’s successes over the past year. In particular, he praised the Council’s regeneration efforts which had been commended by independent reviewers during last year’s Corporate Peer Challenge. They had described the work as truly remarkable and recognised that it was positioning Medway as one of the most promising growth areas in the UK as well as being passionate about supporting its communities. Councillor Doe stated that this was only possible through the commitment of staff.

He also highlighted some further successes as follows:

·         Housing staff who had reached the finals of the UK Housing Awards. This recognised the Council as one of the very best landlords in the country;

·         Adult Education staff whose last Ofsted inspection was rated as good and were now awaiting the outcome of the recent inspection, which he was confident would also be successful;

·         Adult Social Care staff who had adopted the three conversations model which had greatly improved accessibility and the quality of service provision;

·         Children’s Services staff who had delivered the new Integrated Children’s Hubs, Wellbeing Centres and Outreach facilities;

·         The launch of the new Medway Development Company which would speed up the delivery of housing and provide more affordable accommodation for residents;

·         The successful restoration of Eastgate House and its ongoing development as a major tourist attraction;

·         Finance staff who had produced the Annual Statement of Accounts earlier than ever before; and

·         The annual festival programme which included in excess of 30 days of events.

Councillor Doe concluded by placing on record his thanks to the senior management team.

Councillor Maple, Leader of the Labour Group, supported the vote of thanks. He stated that whilst the opposition may not always agree with the Council’s policies and procedures on a political level, all Members valued the hard work of staff. He also considered that staff were quite often working with reducing resources, smaller teams and increasing service pressures and in many cases continuing to excel for local residents.

In addition, Councillor Freshwater, Leader of the UKIP Group, also praised all staff and thanked Chief Officers and Democratic Services for their help

The Chief Executive responded on behalf of staff.

Decision:

The Council agreed that a vote of thanks be given to staff.