Agenda and minutes

Background:

Councillor Griffin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Hackwell, proposed the nomination of Councillor Aldous to the Office of Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year.

Councillor Aldous was duly elected to the Office of the Mayor of Medway.

Councillor Buckwell, supported by Councillor Tejan, proposed the nomination of Councillor Barrett to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year. Councillor Barrett 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 her office as Constable of Rochester Castle and Admiral of the water of 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.

Councillor Kemp, supported by Councillor Tejan, proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Aldous in her capacity as the outgoing Mayor. The Mayor responded to the vote of thanks and also addressed the Council as the incoming Mayor for 2022/23.

The Mayor then addressed the Council and announced that her nominated charities would be Parkinson’s UK and the Hands and Gillingham Volunteer Centre.

Flowers were presented to the Mayor’s Consort, the outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Carr and her Deputy Mayoress and Consort.

Decision:

a)    The Council elected Councillor Aldous to the Office of the Mayor of Medway for the 2022/2023 municipal year.

b)    The Council appointed Councillor Barrett to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the 2022/2023 municipal year.

The Mayor announced that Major Ian Payne had accepted an invitation to act as her Chaplain for the forthcoming year.

There followed musical performances by Noah Lock and Esther Lock from the Medway Music Association and Dynamics Community Interest Company.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Diane Chambers, Rodney Chambers OBE, Khan, McDonald, Price and Andy Stamp.

Apologies for absence were received from Clive Mailing and Lenny Williams (voting co-opted Members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee) for the Joint Meeting of Committees, which followed this meeting.

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 5.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

There were none. 

This report sets out the position regarding the overall allocation of seats on Committees. The Council is asked to approve the recommendations in paragraph 6.1 relating to Committees and other bodies to be appointed for 2022/2023 and a programme of meetings.

The Council is also asked to make recommendations to the Joint Meeting of Committees on 18 May 2022, 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.

Background:

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

The report also set out details of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership Joint Committee, to be established by Medway Council, Kent County Council and the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board.

An Addendum report set out some updated information with regards to nominations and appointments to outside bodies.

The Mayor of Medway, Councillor Aldous, supported by Councillor Kemp, proposed the revised recommendations set out in the addendum report.

Decision:

The Council agreed:

a)    The establishment of committees, their size and the allocation of seats to political groups as 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 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.

c)    The appointments and nominations to Joint Committees, outside bodies and other bodies as set out in Appendix C to the report, as amended by the updated information set out in the addendum report.

d)    The timetable of meetings for the 2022/2023 municipal year as set out in Appendix D to the report.

e)    The terms of reference of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership Joint Committee, as set out in Appendix E to the report and agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any minor changes to the terms of reference, as necessary, on the basis set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report.

f)      To convene a Special meeting of the Council on 21 July 2022 to consider a proposal to grant the freedom of Medway to such organisations as determined by the Council in recognition of their contribution to the Falklands War, as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report.

This report advises the Council of the Members of the Cabinet for 2022/2023, 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 7, 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.

Background:

This report provided details of the Members of the Cabinet for 2022/2023 as appointed by the Leader of the Council, and their Portfolios. Details of the Cabinet portfolios, as set out in Appendix A to the report, were included in Supplementary Agenda Number 2.

The report also included details of the delegation of executive functions to officers agreed by the Leader as well as incorporating the scheme of officer delegations for matters which were not the responsibility of the Cabinet and were a matter for Council. These details were set out in Appendix B to the report.

The report also referred to the appointments and nominations by the Leader to executive bodies, as set out in section F of Appendix C to agenda item 7 (Establishment of Committees, Appointments and Schedule of Meetings 2022/2023).

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:

a)    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)    Noted the appointments and nominations to executive bodies, as set out in section F of Appendix C to agenda item 7 (Establishment of Committees, Appointments and Schedule of Meetings 2022/2023).

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

d)    Agreed to the delegation of non-executive functions to officers 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 7 on the Annual Meeting of

Medway Council agenda

4.    To agree the establishment, allocation of seats to political

groups and membership of Sub-Committees, as set out in

Appendix B to agenda item 7 on the Annual Meeting of

Medway Council agenda.

Discussion:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group, Councillor Maple proposed a vote of thanks to staff.

Councillor Jarrett thanked Council staff for how they had adapted to new ways of working, taken on new responsibilities and taken pride in continuing to provide Council services during the Covid-19 pandemic. He acknowledged how staff had risen to every challenge presented to them and also to the challenges presented by the Ukraine crisis. Councillor Jarrett hoped that the people of Medway realised how much the Council and its staff had done for the area. He asked the Chief Executive to pass on his comments, thanks and praise and that he looked forward to the same level of service being provided in the future.

Councillor Maple supported the vote of thanks. He said that Medway residents had recognised the importance of local government during the pandemic and that he recognised the resilience of staff in responding to Covid-19. The pandemic still presented a challenge and it would be important to ensure that support continued to be available. Councillor Maple was proud that Medway staff were recognised through the Make a Difference Awards and said that pay increases needed to better match their efforts.

The Chief Executive responded on behalf of staff and thanked Councillors Jarrett and Maple for their kind words. He stated that Council had immensely talented individuals and that staff were dedicated to Medway Council, Medway the place and the residents that they served.

Decision:

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