Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barrett, Etheridge, Myton and Sands.

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)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

To approve the records of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 16 October 2025, which was adjourned to 13 November 2025 and of the two special meetings of the Council also held on 13 November 2025.

The records of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 16 October 2025, which was adjourned to 13 November 2025 and of the two special meetings of the Council, also held on 13 November 2025, were approved and signed by the Worshipful Mayor as correct.

The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway announced that former Councillor Chris Nickless had recently passed away. He had been a councillor from the early 1970s through to 1991, in the Rochester area of Medway, as an Independent Member. On behalf of all Members, the Mayor offered condolences to the family. The Leader of the Council also offered his condolences.

The Mayor announced that Parish Councillor Bill Budd was retiring after serving continuously on St Mary Hoo Parish Council for over 25 years. The Mayor paid tribute to his public service and dedication and wished him well for retirement.

The next events taking place to help fundraise for the Mayoral charities, Caring Hands and Slide Away, would be a pantomime on 29 January, a charity quiz night at the Anchorians Clubhouse, Gillingham on 13 March and a Thanksgiving Celebration at the Corn Exchange, Rochester on 1 May. Tickets would be available from the Mayor’s office.

The Mayor advised that revisions to some Council Rules had been agreed at the last full Council meeting, which meant that previously trialled changes were now permanent.

Speakers per motion were limited to the proposer and seconder, plus up to 10% of each group (rounded up) as follows:

·       Labour and Co-operative Group – 4

·       Conservative Group – 2

·       Independent Group – 1

·       Reform UK Group – 1

·       Independent Members – 1

The same number of speakers would be allowed for each amendment to a motion.

There were none. 

Public:

There were none.

Member:

There were none.

Question A – Matthew Broadley of Chatham asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Vince Maple, the following:

‘The 2021 census indicates that there were 2,041 residents unable to vote in local elections in Medway in 2021. It is likely that this number is now higher. These people live, work, study, make use of public services, and call the UK their home. Many foreign-born residents in Medway from EU and Commonwealth countries can vote in our local elections. Yet, voter registration levels are low, and this is often due to the complex eligibility rules that make registering to vote inaccessible to residents. Over 1 million residents across England & Northern Ireland do not have a right to vote.

Migrant Democracy Project are inviting local councils to pass their motion on the right to vote for all residents, as set out below:

“This Council notes:

·       The right to vote is the most important foundation of our democratic system. Yet, we do not yet have a universal franchise.

·       That all residents, no matter their nationality, bring significant value to the area.

·       One in six usual residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK.

·       Over 1.2 million residents across England and Northern Ireland do not have a right to vote at all and 4.4 million residents do not have the right to vote in General Elections.

·       2,041 residents do not have the right to vote in Medway.

·       Scotland and Wales have extended the franchise to allow all residents with lawful immigration status to vote.

·       Over 50% of people agree that every resident, no matter where they are from, should have the right to vote at least in local elections.

·       21 local authorities across England have passed motions asking for the right to vote to be extended to all residents in local elections.

This Council resolves:

·       Write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the relevant shadow frontbenchers requesting that the franchise for local elections be extended to all qualifying foreign nationals in England and Northern Ireland in the upcoming Elections Bill in line with eligibility criteria in Scotland and Wales.

·       Write to the local Member(s) of Parliament asking for their support ensuring that the upcoming Elections Bill includes the extension of franchise to all residents in local elections.”

Will the Council today commit to supporting this motion and joining 21 other councils across England & Northern Ireland to support this initiative?’

In response, Councillor Maple said that it was not for him to specify what motions would be coming forward. It was for all members of political groups to decide what motions to put forward and for individual councillors. Some changes had been made to how motions were dealt with at meetings of Medway Council.

Councillor Maple wholeheartedly supported the principles of the campaign. He had been pleased to meet with the Migrant Democracy Project and the MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Naushabah Khan, at the Labour Party Conference.

Councillor Maple said that he would consider what he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 644.

This report sets out the motions received for this meeting. 

Motion A – proposed by Councillor Maple and supported by Councillor Perfect:

‘This Council condemns the violence, intimidation, and serious disruption that occurred at a recent meeting of Swale Borough Council, including the throwing of objects, intimidation of Councillors, and criminal damage to Council premises which prevented the orderly conduct of democratic business and caused distress to Councillors, officers, and members of the public.

This Council believes that:

• To “disagree agreeably” is a core democratic principle, requiring that even the strongest differences of opinion are expressed peacefully, respectfully, and within the law.
• Elected Members and Council officers must be able to conduct democratic processes in public, openly and transparently, without fear of intimidation, harassment, or violence.
• Violence or the threat of violence, regardless of motivation or cause, has no place in democracy and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.
• The right to protest does not extend to actions that seek to silence debate, disrupt lawful meetings, or intimidate those participating in democratic decision-making.

This Council resolves to:

• Write to Swale Borough Council to express this Council’s full support and solidarity with all Councillors and officers, affected by the incident.
• Write to the Chief Constable of Kent Police to seek assurance that all elected Members and officers can carry out their duties without fear, and to ask what additional steps can be taken to ensure the safety and integrity of council meetings.
• Write to the Secretary of State at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to raise concerns about the safety of elected members and officers in local government, and to request consideration of what further national measures or guidance may be required to protect democratic participation at a local level.’

Councillor Lammas, supported by Councillor Finch, proposed the following amendment:

‘This Council condemns the violence, intimidation, and serious disruption that occurred at a recent meeting of Swale Borough Council, including the throwing of objects, intimidation of Councillors, and criminal damage to Council premises which prevented the orderly conduct of democratic business and caused distress to Councillors, officers, and members of the public.

This Council believes that:

• To “disagree agreeably” is a core democratic principle, requiring that even the strongest differences of opinion are expressed peacefully, respectfully, and within the law.
• Elected Members and Council officers must be able to conduct democratic processes in public, openly and transparently, without fear of intimidation, harassment, verbal abuse or violence.
• Violence or the threat of violence, regardless of motivation or cause, has no place in democracy and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.
• The right to protest does not extend to actions that seek to silence debate, disrupt lawful meetings, or intimidate those participating in democratic decision-making.

This Council resolves to:

• Write to Swale Borough Council to express this Council’s full support and solidarity with all Councillors and officers, affected by the incident.
• Write to the Chief Constable of Kent Police to seek assurance that all elected Members and officers can carry out their duties without fear, and to ask  ...  view the full minutes text for item 645.

Discussion:

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

·       Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution progress and forthcoming Government consultation.

·       Parklands Resource Centre Ofsted Inspection, four areas that had been reviewed were now good.

·       Development of the new Medway Local Plan which, which was submitted for examination on 17 December 2025.

·       The variety of events held across Medway including the Dickensian Christmas, the Spotlites Jaws, the Panto, in Chatham which was featured on BBC Breakfast, Child Friendly Medway events and the River Festival.

·       Other events included the Festival of Remembrance held in Rochester and the Topping Out Ceremony for the Commissioner’s House in Chatham Historic Dockyard.

·       Improvements to Luton Library using Section 106 funding.

·       The agreement of a Council Flags Protocol and the variety of flags flown by the Council to mark a range of events and organisations.

·       Reopening of St John’s Church in Chatham.

·       The replacement of Visit Kent and Invest in Kent organisations by in house Council provision.

·       Hosting of the Make a Difference Medway Council staff awards, which had been fully funded by sponsors.

·       Agreement by the Cabinet of the recommendations made by the Air Quality, Public Transport and Active Travel Overview and Scrutiny Member Task Group.

·       Publication of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, “The Power of Sleep - a Wake-up Call.”

·       Creation of the Horsted Valley nature reserve.

·       Additional controls introduced by the Council in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation and private sector housing.

·       Agreement of the Medway Greenspaces Memorial Policy.

·       Qualification by Chatham Town Women for the last 16 of the FA Cup.

·       Provision of Pride in Place Funding for Medway.

·       Financial pressures facing the Council, the need for Exceptional Financial Support and the cost of refurbishing Gun Wharf.

·       Concern about changes to rules relating to motions submitted to Council meetings.

·       The reintroduction of Elm Trees at Four Elms Hill and the planting of many new species across the Hoo Peninsula.

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

Question A – Councillor Pearce asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Maple, the following:

“Labour Group Councillors Hubbard and Shokar have submitted objections to the Labour administration’s Regulation 19 Local Plan consultation. Both Councillors declared the plan is unsound and fails the Duty to Cooperate. Councillor Shokar declared the plan is not legally compliant.

Does Councillor Maple agree with his two Labour Group colleagues?”

In response, Councillor Maple said he referred Councillor Pearce to the comments he had made in his Leader’s report.

Question B – Councillor Mrs Turpin asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Maple, the following:

“Will the Leader of the Council confirm that he will oppose and agree to not cancel or delay any local elections?”

In response, Councillor Maple highlighted his track record. This included the first ever opposition Chairperson of a scrutiny committee, reestablishment of the Mayoral Points System and the permitting of supplementary public questions at Full Council. Cabinet meetings now also included public and Member questions for the first time and Medway Matters Live events provided an opportunity to hear from both Councillor Maple, as Leader of the Council and from the Chief Executive. All these things had opened up democracy for the people of Medway.

Councillor Maple referred to the letter he had sent to Jim McMahon, the then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, on the issue of elections being delayed. Councillor Maple had stated he did not believe it was appropriate for seven year council terms, which would have been the case for some councils, had elections being delayed in 2025 and might now be the case in some areas. He did not consider that to be acceptable.

Where transitions were taking place to create new unitary authorities, it was perfectly normal to delay elections. Councillor Maple stated that Robert Jenrick, the former Conservative, had delayed elections in 2021 because it would risk confusing voters in view of transitions to unitary authorities.

Councillor Maple concluded that he anticipated elections would take place in Medway in May 2027 for the new unitary authority, the size and shape of which would be determined by the Secretary of State.

This report asks the Council to approve the proposed Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy.

Background:

This report asked the Council to approve the proposed Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy.

The report explained that the Strategy set out the Council’s approach to combating of fraud and corruption and was designed to ensure the risk of such activity would be reduced to its lowest possible levels.

The Strategy was reviewed annually to ensure it remained fit for purpose and reflected the latest best practice and legislative requirements.

The report had previously been considered by the Audit Committee on 11 September 2025, by the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 23 October 2025 and by the Cabinet on 16 December 2025.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Van Dyke, supported by Councillor Browne, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)    The Council noted the comments and decisions made by the Audit Committee on 11 September 2025, by the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 23 October 2025 and by the Cabinet on 16 December 2025, as set out in sections 6, 7 and 8 of the report.

b)    The Council approved the Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy document presented at Appendix A to the report.

c)    The Council agreed that a briefing, for all Members of the Council, be arranged in relation to the new Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy.

This report sets out a review of the recent trial of public and Member questions at Cabinet meetings and seeks to make these changes permanent by amending the Constitution as necessary.

Background:

The matter of how Council meetings were conducted continued to be kept under review by Group Leaders and at the Cross-Party Governance meetings, with any proposals being reported to full Council for consideration.

As reported to full Council on 23 January 2025 and 24 April 2025, following initial discussion at the Cross Party Governance meeting on 22 November 2024 and the Group Leaders’ meeting on 10 January 2025, it was agreed that proposed changes to the arrangements for dealing with public and Member questions be trialled for six months starting from the beginning of the 2025/2026 municipal year.

The report set out a review of the trial of public and Member questions at Cabinet meetings and sought to make these changes permanent by amending the Constitution as necessary.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Maple, supported by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Murray, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)             The Council approved the changes to the Council Rules, as set out in Appendix A to the report, regarding the arrangements for public and Member questions at full Council meetings.

b)             The Council approved the changes to the Leader and Cabinet Rules, as set out in Appendix B to the report, regarding the arrangements for public and Member questions at Cabinet meetings.

This report sets out the position regarding the overall allocation of seats on committees on receipt of a notice from the Reform UK Group requesting a review following notification that Councillor Lammas had joined the Reform UK Group in October 2025.

This report sets out the results of the calculations under Council Rule 20 to select the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

The report also seeks approval to membership changes on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and sets out the provisional programme of meetings for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

Background:

This report set out the position regarding the overall allocation of seats on committees on receipt of a notice from the Reform UK Group requesting a review following notification that Councillor Lammas had joined the Reform UK Group in October 2025.

The report set out the results of the calculations under Council Rule 20 to select the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

The report also sought approval to membership changes on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and set out the provisional programme of meetings for the 2026/2027 municipal year.

Councillor Peake, supported by Councillor Kemp, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decisions:

a)      The Council noted the allocation of seats on the committees of the Council, as set out in section 3 of the report.

b)      The Council agreed the allocation of seats on the committees of the Council, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

c)      The Council agreed to remove the following Conservative Group members from the following committees: Councillor Filmer from the membership of the Licensing and Safety Committee and Councillor Kemp from the membership of the Governor Ad-Hoc Committee.

d)      The Council agreed to add the following Reform UK Group members to the following committees: Councillor Lammas to the membership of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Vye to the membership of the Licensing and Safety Committee.

e)      The Council agreed to appoint Jessica Beer to the teacher position on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee for a two year term.

f)       The Council agreed to appoint Jacqueline Rudden as the named teacher substitute on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee for a two year term.

g)      The Council noted the entitlement of the Labour and Co-operative Group to nominate a Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026/2027 municipal year and that the entitlement would be accepted or declined at the Council meeting on 25 February 2026.

h)      The Council agreed a provisional programme of Council and Committee meetings for 2026/2027, as set out in Appendix D to the report, for recommendation to the Annual Meeting of the Council on 13 May 2026.

The Mayor, supported by the Deputy Mayor, will move the following reports, which will be noted without debate in accordance with Rule 2 of the Council Rules.

Background:

This agenda item set out the following reports for the information of the Council:

Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Review Report 2025/26

This report provided an overview of treasury management activity since 1 April 2025 and presented a review of the Treasury Strategy approved by Council on 27 February 2025.

Disposal of the Former Civic Centre Site, Strood Waterfront

This report advised the Council of the sale of the former Civic Centre site in Strood.

Disposal of the Freehold of Gillingham Business Park

This report advised the Council of the sale of the freehold of Gillingham Business Park.

Use of Urgency Provisions

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

The Mayor, supported by the Deputy Mayor, moved that the reports be noted without debate, in accordance with Rule 2 of the Council Rules.

Decision:

The Council noted the reports.