Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Animashaun, Doe, Myton and Williams.

To approve the Record of the Meeting held on 15 August 2024.

The record of the meeting held on 15 August 2024 was agreed and signed by the Chairperson as a correct record

The Chairperson will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she 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

There were none.

This annual report provides an account of the role of the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration. It details their ambitions for their areas of responsibility, how they have and will undertake political challenge and leadership and what their priorities and ambitions are for the year ahead.

Discussion:

The Committee received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, Councillor Curry, which fell within the remit of this Committee.  

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:  

Rights of Access and Public Footpath at Maritime School – The Committee were informed by the Portfolio Holder that the Local Access Forum now meets regularly so there was an opportunity to raise the issue of the footpath at Maritime School and report back on this query. The ambition for walking routes was also discussed as was the use of volunteers to assist with this.

Timetable for Local Plan and Costs – Members queried when the Local Plan would be presented to the Committee and the costs involved. The Portfolio Holder reported that the target date was for the adoption of the Local Plan in 2026, that the Regulation 19 stage would be submitted by June 2025 and would be presented to the Committee before it was submitted. The Portfolio Holder committed to provide the costs of the Local Plan outside the meeting and recognised the hidden costs of not having a Local Plan in place.

Bird Mitigation Spending – The Committee were informed by the Portfolio Holder that spending was managed through the SAMMS Project and was based on raising awareness, education and conservation work. The Portfolio Holder would provide details of the exact spending outside of the meeting.

Improvements to Front Line Services – The Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that the Waste Strategy was underway, new vehicles were being introduced and there had been a focus on partnership working with Medway Norse Ltd.

Public Transport & Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) – The Committee were informed that there were currently 7.5m trips per year on the Medway Bus network and the target was to increase this to 9m trips per year by 2028. It was reported that Arriva had introduced more Euro 6 Buses, and a Bus Workshop had taken place to strengthen partnership working. The Committee were informed that bus routes would be reviewed as part of the Local Transport Plan and BSIP.

Bus Franchising – The Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that the council had responded to the government consultation to support bus franchising and that the new Bus Bill next year is expected to provide more detail on how this could work in practice.

Climate Change Resilience – Members queried how the reliance of the infrastructure for climate change was going to be improved. The Portfolio Holder reported that the climate change strategy had been refreshed and the team focused on 5 key areas – knowledge and engagement, energy reduction, sustainable transport, resource efficiency and green and resilient Medway however resilience presented a number of challenges. Electric Vehicle charging points were also discussed and the Committee were informed that the strategy was limited as it was dependent on funding, grants and private sector engagement.

Trees in Hoo – Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 329.

This report presents an updated Property Asset Management Strategy (PAMS) which will help the Council to meet the challenges of the CIPFA Resilience Review January 2024 which amongst other things recommended that the Council should carry out a property review to identify surplus property assets.

Alongside this updated Strategy, this report also presents phase 1 of the resulting property review in relation to those non-operational property assets which have been identified as being suitable for being declared surplus, so that they can potentially be disposed of, following appropriate consultation with stakeholders, including the Council’s Corporate Landlord Board (CLB.).

This report is being presented to this Committee for pre-decision scrutiny prior to consideration by the Cabinet on 29 October 2024.

Discussion:

Officers summarised the background and rationale for the Asset Management Strategy and Property Review for the Committee and explained the methodology for selection of the properties that should be recommended for disposal.

The Committee was informed that this was an early stage of the process and that all properties would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Place, in consultation with the Council’s Corporate Landlord Board (CLB) before being disposed of.

Members raised the following comments and queries:

• The principle of disposing of properties that yield low income, were derelict, of no economic value or require expensive maintenance makes sense.

• Members queried whether the methodology took into account fluctuating interest rates. Officers advised that going forward any decision to dispose of the properties would be made in liaison with the Council’s CLB and fluctuating interest rates would be taken into consideration. Members suggested providing Cabinet with different scenarios based on different interest rates and officers responded that these would only be “snapshots” and that it would be preferable for CLB to consider, the current values of properties, current income and interest rates prior to the disposals.

• Officers were asked if there was any way to restrict the future use of properties that were disposed of. Officers responded to explain that there were various ways to address this, but this would be a matter for the CLB when looking at disposal as this could impact on values.

• Members asked whether any property disposal should await until the outcome of the Local Plan as some sites could be needed for infrastructure. Officers confirmed that where appropriate the disposal process would be informed by the Local Plan Process and would involve promoting sites for development where it was beneficial to do so.

• In response to a question about maintenance costs and potential savings, officers confirmed that properties in the non-operational property review were mostly unused or let so there were no large maintenance costs for Medway Council. The savings in future maintenance costs would be identified in the forthcoming review of the Council’s operational properties.

• Members questioned why properties had been purchased outside of Medway and were informed that the 10 properties recommended for disposal were the only properties out of areas and that it was unlikely any other properties would be purchased out of area.

• Assets of Community Value were discussed and how Members could support this. The Committee was informed that some of the sites were already leased to community groups and they would be given the opportunity to purchase the sites which they occupy. Officers clarified that in the operational property review that would follow there could be properties that groups want to list as assets of community value and there would be a process to follow for this.

• Confidence levels of officers for raising approximately £20m from the disposal programme were queried and officers confirmed that they were confident that this could be achieved.

• Officers were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 330.

This report introduces the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy to 2030 which replaces the 2019-2024 Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy approved by Cabinet in 2019.

The Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out Medway’s strategic approach for homelessness services and details how the Council will enable the delivery of these services.

This paper sets out the background to Medway Council’s Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy to 2030, the consultation process, and the refinement of the strategy based on feedback received to date.

Discussion:

Officers informed the Committee of the partnership working required to deliver the Strategy and the lived experience that had been used to influence the document.

Members discussed the differences from the last Strategy, the purpose of the lettings agency proposed and the impact of changes to the market regarding the availability of private rented property.

Officers explained that the proposed letting agency would provide a service that was not available on the High Street with regards to guaranteed rent and would assist with relationships with landlords and households allowing earlier intervention and better outcomes.

Future supply of properties was discussed, and officers explained how they were working with providers to progress this. In response to a query from Members regarding members of the Armed Forces, officers confirmed this was already a priority in the allocations criteria and we did not have any Armed Forces rough sleepers when the last count took place.

Members expressed concern about the impact of dispersals from Home Office funded accommodation and officers confirmed they were aware of this and work closely with the Home Office and South East Migration Partnership.

Members were keen to see the use of modular homes explored as well as the greater use of data to aid earlier intervention.

Decision:

The Committee recommended  to Cabinet to approve the Draft Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy to 2030, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

This report covers the outcomes of the public consultations carried out seeking views on the introduction of a Medway wide Dog Control PSPO. The introduction of the PSPOs should help to control several issues that arise as a result of people failing to exercise proper control of dogs in public places.

The PSPO includes controls on dog fouling, defining areas where dogs are not permitted – such as playgrounds; and requiring dogs to be on leads in some public spaces across Medway and over the long-term improve the quality of life for residents, visitors, and local businesses.

Discussion:

Officers summarised the measures included in the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog control, explained that public consultation had been carried out and that this would be an enforcement tool for officers.

Members discussed the challenges of enforcement and what this would add in terms of enforcement. Concerns were expressed about the resources available to support enforcement and the impact on dog walking business owners who Members felt the council should continue to work with.

Officers informed the Committee that enforcement was challenging but this would be a tool to assist with enforcement and would also help to advise and educate residents.

Decision:

The Committee recommended Cabinet to recommend Full Council to introduce a Medway wide Dog Management PSPO, in accordance with s59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This report advises the Committee of petitions received by the Council which fall within the remit of this Committee including a summary of the responses sent to the petition organisers by officers.

Discussion:

Members considered a report which advised the Committee of petitions received by the Council which fell within the remit of the Committee, including a summary of the responses sent to the petition organisers by officers.

Decision:

The Committee noted the petition responses and appropriate officer actions in paragraph 4.1 of the report

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:

Members considered a report regarding the Committee’s work programme.

In response to a query regarding where Section 106 contributions were used, it was confirmed that this was included in the Annual Infrastructure Funding Report presented to the Committee.

Decision:

a)    The Committee noted the report and agreed the work programme as set out at Appendix A to the report.

b)    The Committee noted the action log as set out at Appendix B to the report.

This report summarises the content of the appendix to agenda item 6, which, in the opinion of the proper officer, contains exempt information within one of the categories in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. It is a matter for the Committee to determine whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of document.