Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Committee is requested to appoint a Chairman for this meeting.

Discussion:

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Committee was requested to appoint a Chairman for this meeting.

Decision:

Councillor Fearn was elected Chairman for this meeting.

In the absence of the Vice Chairman, the Committee is requested to appoint a Vice Chairman for this meeting.

Discussion:

In the absence of the Vice Chairman, the Committee was requested to appoint a Vice Chairman for this meeting.

Decision:

Councillor Tranter was elected Vice Chairman for this meeting.

During this period, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was informally agreed between the two political groups to run Medway Council meetings with a reduced number of participants. This was to reduce risk, comply with Government guidance and enable more efficient meetings. Therefore, the apologies given reflects that informal agreement of reduced participants.

Apologies for absence were received from the Chairman Councillor Etheridge, the Vice Chairman Councillor Bhutia and Councillors Carr, Curry, Hubbard and Mahil.

Apologies for absence were also received from Ruth Dulieu, Assistant Director Front Line Services and Dawn Hudd, Assistant Director Regeneration.

To approve the Record of the Meeting held on 15 October 2020.

Decision:

The record of the meeting held on 15 October 2020 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report.

There were none.

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 4.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

Councillor Tranter referred to the annual scrutiny of the Community Safety Partnership and informed the Committee that as a Council appointed representative on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, whilst he would participate in the debate on this item, he would not take part in any scrutiny of the performance of the Fire Authority.

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) are under a duty to produce a Community Safety Plan to formulate and implement a strategy to reduce crime and disorder, combat substance misuse, and reduce re-offending.

This report provides information on the operation of the CSP from October 2019, which summarises the findings of the strategic assessment. This report provides information on the Community Safety Plan covering the period from 2020 to 2024.

Discussion:

The Chairman welcomed the partners of the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to the meeting.

The Committee discussed the following topics:

·         Covid-19 pandemic enforcement concerning business compliance and wearing of face masks – In response to a question concerning enforcement action against non-compliance with Covid-19 rules, the Head of Regulatory Services confirmed that his teams worked closely with the Police on enforcement and he provided a breakdown of the number and type of enforcement actions undertaken to date. This included 14 prohibition notices, 137 voluntary closures of non-compliant premises, 6,503 visits/engagements and the issue of 9 internet take down notices for prohibitive businesses.

He advised that Trading Standards were unable to enforce the wearing of face masks in places such as supermarkets.

Chief Inspector Dyball confirmed that the Police followed up complaints concerning non compliance with Covid-19 rules and undertook home visits where necessary. He advised that if an individual was unable to wear a face mask due to a medical condition or disability, they could wear a sunflower lanyard to indicate this to others.

• The impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health - In response to a question concerning the impact on mental health of the Covid-19 pandemic, Andy Willetts (Youth Services), Sarah Vaux (NHS CCG) and Aeilish Geldenhuys (Public Health) outlined the existing and additional workstreams and services put in place within their services for young people and within health services.

• Changes to the structure of the CCG following the STP transformation and lessons learnt – Sarah Vaux (NHS CCG) confirmed that the eight Kent and Medway CCG’s came together on 1 April 2020 to form the Kent and Medway CCG just as the Covid-19  pandemic was taking hold. She confirmed that functions had changed through the months of the pandemic and there had been a period of catch up through the Summer and a push for increased digitalisation and joint working.

• Re-organisation and transition of the Probation Service – In response to a question as to the reorganisation of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) and whether the Service’s website would be re-branded as a result of the re-organisation, Cynthia Allen (CRC) advised that the service continued to be operated by the private company Seetec until the contract end in June 2021. Work was underway in collaboration with the National Probation Service to ensure a smooth transition at the end of the contract.

• Recording of crime statistics – Chief Inspector Dyball advised that statistics could be interpreted in different ways and the Police avoided placing targets in plans as the Police was not a target driven organisation. He confirmed that crime statistics were submitted monthly to the Government and he was pleased to report that Kent Police had been graded outstanding by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for its crime data integrity.

He drew attention to the crime statistics referred to in the report for the last financial year and provided an update as to the crime statistics for the rolling year specifically,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 472.

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Resources which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

The Committee received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Resources which fell within the remit of this Committee.

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as

follows:

• Public Space Protection Orders – In response to a question concerning the level of enforcement action under the Public Space Protection Orders, the Community Safety and Enforcement Manager advised that the number of tickets issued by the Council for dog related offences was low. As it was the Police that dealt with enforcement for alcohol and general anti social behaviour offences, this information would be supplied direct to the Member outside of the meeting.

• CCTV monthly reports and thresholds for the provision of new CCTV cameras - The Committee noted that a monthly report was generated by the CCTV control room listing activity levels on all CCTV cameras and requested that a copy of this monthly report be supplied to the Committee.

It was noted that if a Ward Councillor, member of the public or a Council officer considered that a location would benefit from the provision of a new CCTV camera, due to anecdotal evidence on increased activity in an area, this could be reported to the Community Safety team for investigation as set out within the report. However, there was a threshold which was required to be met before a CCTV camera could be provided and it was stressed that if a CCTV camera was provided, should the camera show no activity, Information Commission rules required that the camera be removed as CCTV cameras were not permitted to be used as a preventative measure.

The Committee requested that information as to the CCTV camera threshold be circulated outside of the meeting.

• Medway Task Force - Referring to the work of the Medway Task Force in both Luton and Wayfield and Gillingham North Wards, it was noted that both projects had provided positive results and the Committee sought information as to whether this work could be expanded to other parts of Medway.

In response, the Portfolio Holder referred to the successful award of £111,000 from the Home Office Safer Streets Fund for specific use in the residential area north of Gillingham High Street and advised that the Medway Task Force continued to investigate other funding opportunities. Meanwhile, the Task Force also continued its work in Luton.

He advised that it would not be possible to expand the work of the Task Force across the whole of Medway as the Task Force was specifically aimed at dealing with specific areas in certain Wards where there were issues that needed to be addressed.

• Support for the homeless – The Committee sought an assurance that rough sleepers were receiving support and advice from the appropriate agencies and were not the subject of enforcement, particularly where they had set up a tent encampment.

In response, the Portfolio Holder advised that Medway’s Housing Department and Public Health’s Blue Light Project were continuing to work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 473.

This report sets out a response to an issue, raised by Councillors Osborne and Paterson, concerning Public Space Protection Orders.

Discussion:

The Committee received a Member’s item submitted by Councillors Osborne and Paterson concerning the recent extension of the existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) across Medway for a further 3 years. Councillor Osborne advised that the maps and boundaries of the individual Orders were out of date and in some cases did not take into account new developments and he requested that in future, Members be given the opportunity to review the maps for their Wards and an opportunity to suggest amendments and changes which they considered to be relevant.

Using maps of Rochester, Strood and Chatham which were displayed at the meeting, Councillor Osborne indicated those areas where he considered the Orders should be extended to cover in the future. He commented that other Ward Councillors may wish to suggest amendments to the areas covered by a PSPO in their individual Wards and requested that they be given an opportunity to comment.

The Head of Regulatory Services advised that prior to the recent 3 year extension of the PSPOs, they had been the subject of consultation with the Community Safety Partnership and the Portfolio Holder for Resources. He explained that as the PSPOs had been in place since 2017 and were the subject of renewal, existing maps had been used prior to the recent extension. However, as boundary amendments could be made at any time to an Order, he was willing to take any proposed amendments to the Community Safety Partnership for consideration.

Councillor Osborne thanked the Head of Regulatory Services for providing clarification and noted that other Councillors would have an opportunity to look at the PSPO boundaries in their Wards and make any suggested amendments.

Decision:

The Committee noted that as the extension of the existing Public Space Protection Orders had now been agreed, for any variation, discharge or extension the process into varying the Orders could commence in early 2021 which would include a longer and wider consultation, including with Members.

This report presents the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2020/21. In accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet is required to develop ‘initial budget proposals’ approximately three months before finalising the budget and setting council tax levels at the end of February 2021.

The draft budget is based on the principles contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2021-2023 considered by the Cabinet on 17 November.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report providing an update on progress towards

setting the Council’s draft capital and revenue budgets for 2021/22.

The report set out the process by which the budget would progress through to Cabinet and Council in February 2021.

The draft minute of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the draft Capital and Revenue 2021/22 budget on 26 November 2020 had been circulated as a supplementary report.

The Committee questioned the reason for the significant difference in the forecast for 2021/22 for the Regeneration, Culture and Environment (RCE) Directorate to that contained previously in the Medium Term Financial Forecast published in September 2019. In response, it was confirmed that a number of functions had been transferred from the RCE Directorate to Business Support Directorate including ICT, Human Resources and Transformation and that this had been reflected in the reduction in the budget for the RCE Directorate for 2021/22. The Committee requested that it receive a detailed breakdown of the transferred functions outside of the meeting.

Referring to the Capital Budget, the Committee requested that it be supplied with a schedule setting out the Capital Programme expenditure outside of the meeting.

The Committee discussed the pressures upon the Directorate as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, not only related to increased costs but the loss of income. In response, the Head of Finance Strategy outlined the compensation scheme for local authorities that had been announced by the Government.

In response to a question concerning the income received from the sale of the Conservancy Building, the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the proceeds had been allocated to works at the Corn Exchange and the provision of a new Dickens exhibition at the Guildhall Museum.

The Head of Finance Strategy also explained the background to the projected levels of New Homes Bonus and Council Tax for 2021/22 as set out in Table 1 of the report. She informed the Committee that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the collection of Council Tax had been reasonably steady and the Government had provided an assurance that any deficit could be recovered over a 3 year period rather than the usual one year period.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            noted that Cabinet has instructed officers to continue to work with Portfolio Holders in formulating robust proposals to balance the budget for 2021/22 and beyond.

b)            requested that the following additional information be supplied to the Committee:

·         a detailed breakdown of the functions transferred from the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Directorate to the Business Support Directorate.

·         a schedule setting out the projects included in the Capital Programme expenditure.

This report presents the Medway-wide Cultural Strategy, as partnership strategy with a shared ambition for the future, built on extensive engagement across Medway, demonstrating how important culture is to Medway’s future, enabling everyone to have the opportunity to take part in, or contribute to cultural life.  

It establishes how the council, as a key partner, can participate, contribute, and facilitate, understanding that our resources and influence are considerable, and we can support and enable the vision, values, and themes significantly and provides a framework for the council to work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to understand, promote and secure Medway’s cultural and creative landscape for present and for future generations.

Discussion:

The Committee was requested to consider the proposed Medway Cultural Strategy ahead of it being submitted to Cabinet on 12 January 2021.

The Interim Assistant Director Culture and Community advised that the ten year Medway-wide partnership strategy was a shared ambition for the future, built on extensive engagement across Medway, demonstrating how important culture was to Medway’s future and enabling everyone to have an opportunity to take part in or contribute to cultural life. A Member briefing on the Strategy had taken place on 20 October 2020.

The Strategy was a ground-breaking model creating a new way of partnership working that in the short term shaped opinions, actions and behaviours leading to social and economic benefits and in the longer term would positively transform Medway.

The Committee discussed the Strategy and in particular, the following:

• The benefits of partnership working – The Committee referred to the established working relationship of the partners involved in the Community Safety Partnership and stressed the importance of partnership working to underpin the Cultural Strategy and be prepared to respond as one body to funding opportunities as they arise.

The Head of Culture and Libraries advised that in the last week, the five Creative Medway Working Groups had come together for the first time and approximately 30 – 40 people had been involved in each. He considered that this indicated faith in the process of recreating and evolving the Strategy partnership at the core.

He confirmed the intention to have projects ready so that action could be taken to maximise possible funding opportunities.

• Lessons from other City of Culture bids – In response to a query as to what lessons could be learnt from other City of Culture bids, the Interim Assistant Culture and Community advised that work was ongoing to assess and learn from other previous bids and in particular, the programme evaluation from Hull.

The Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive stated that the innovation and level of engagement, especially with the Universities, was unique to Medway in comparison with engagement work undertaken elsewhere and he stressed that the involvement of the Universities played a central role to Medway’s bid. He commended the Head of Culture and Libraries in the work that he had undertaken on ensuring a high level of engagement.

It was also confirmed that the Cultural Strategy would form the bedrock of Medway’s bid for City of Culture.

• Engagement – Concern was expressed that due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, it would be challenging to ensure wide engagement and inclusivity.

In response, the Head of Culture and Libraries confirmed that one of the five Working Groups was the Community and Engagement Working Group and it would be the role of this Working Group to ensure that as many people as possible could be involved by the creation of a diverse range of cultural engagement and participation opportunities.

• Increased reference to greenspaces and the outdoor environment – The Committee suggested that the Strategy should have an increased emphasis on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 476.

The report will provide an update on the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (KMELES) and present it for formal adoption.

Members are asked to note the current status of the Strategy and its submission to Cabinet.  The Strategy will inform the Council’s emerging Climate Change Action Plan.  Where new funding is required to tackle the climate emergency, this would also need to be agreed by Council.

Discussion:

The Committee was requested to give consideration to the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy ahead of it being considered by Cabinet on 12 January 2021.

The Strategy had been produced by Kent County Council following a public consultation carried out during July to September 2019 and Medway Council, along with other Kent local authorities had been invited to participate and respond as part of the consultation process.

Following the evaluation of comments received during the consultation process, a final draft Strategy had been produced with 10 high level priorities identified for action. The Strategy had been further reviewed and amended during May 2022 to account for Covid–19.

Local authorities across Kent were now being asked to take the strategy through their own internal process for formal adoption.

The Committee sought clarification as to why Kent and Medway had set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 when other local authorities had set a shorter timescale. In response, the Environmental Protection Team Leader advised that when reviewing the Strategy, consideration had been given to setting the target for net-zero emissions at 2030, but Kent County Council had decided to retain the target at 2050.

The Head of Environmental Services confirmed that Medway officers were in the process of developing a separate Medway Climate Change Action Plan in discussion with the Climate Change Member Advisory Group which was scheduled for presentation to Cabinet in Spring 2021.

Referring to the priority actions, the Committee sought an assurance that the aspirations of the Strategy were supported across the Council and the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive gave an assurance that climate change was a corporate priority for the Council and there was a willingness to be involved across the Council. In addition, climate change formed an important part of the Council’s bid for City of Culture.

Decision:

The Committee noted the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy prior to its submission to Cabinet on 12 January 2021 for formal consideration and adoption.

Medway’s Council Plan 2016/21 sets out the Council’s three priorities. This report and appendices summarise how we performed in Quarter 2 (Q2) of 2020/21 on the delivery of the two priorities relevant for this Committee: Place and Growth.

This report also presents the Q2 2020/21 review of strategic risks.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out performance for Quarter 2 against the Council's two priorities Place and Growth insofar as they fell within the remit of this Committee.

The Head of Business Intelligence informed the Committee that in response to a request for additional contextual information to be provided, this had been included within the report at Appendix 1.

Decision:

The Committee noted the Quarter 2 2020/21 performance against the measures used to monitor progress against the Council’s priorities.

This report advises the Committee of a petition received by the Council which falls within the remit of this Committee including a summary of the response sent to the petition organiser by officers.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report advising of petitions received by the Council which fell within the remit of this Committee, including a summary of the response sent to the petition organisers by officers.

The Committee noted that the following two petitions had been referred to this Committee and would be considered at the next meeting on 14 January 2021:

·         Petition to address issues relating to Dominos Pizza, Walderslade

·         Petition for the installation of a warden operated gating system at the access in Cozenton Park from Cranford Close.

Decision:

The Committee noted the petition response set out in paragraph 3 of the report and the two petition referrals scheduled for January 2021.

This item advises Members of the current work programme and allows the Committee to adjust it in the light of latest priorities, issues and circumstances. It gives Members the opportunity to shape and direct the Committee’s activities over the year. 

Discussion:

The Committee received a copy of its current work programme and was informed of items discussed at the pre agenda meeting on 5 November 2020.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:

a)            that the Annual Review of Waste Contract report be moved back to its original date of March 2021 in light of the fact that the team will be busy throughout December with the preparations for the Christmas/New Year waste collections but requested that in future years the annual review report tie in closer to the contract start date and suggested that in 2021, the next update be in October and then annually in October thereafter.

b)            that a report on 20s Plenty be submitted to this Committee in January 2021.

c)            noted that a briefing note will be initially produced on the Lifecycle Report on the Highways Network with the proviso that any Member could request that the matter referred to this Committee as a report. Therefore, it was agreed that this remain on the outstanding reports list under ‘Dates to be determined’ until such time it is decided it can be removed.

d)                  that a report on the partial cessation of the use of herbicides be brought to this Committee in January 2021.