Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Doe and Councillor Hamilton.

To approve the Record of the Meeting held on 25 March 2025.

The record of the meeting held on 25 March 2025 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 report sets out a response to a Member’s item raised by Councillor Field, in relation to Southern Water.

Discussion:

The Chairperson explained that he had requested the Members item as he felt it would be useful for the Committee to meet with Southern Water to discuss the issues outlined in the report and thanked colleagues for attending.

Mike Russell and Paul Morgan explained their roles at Southern Water and explained that Tom Williams (Regional Operations Manager for water network) was unable to attend due to a family emergency.

The Committee was then given a presentation by Southern Water highlighting how they engaged with the community, services provided, the business plan, investments and projects in the waste water network and medium and long term plans.

Members raised the following queries:

Pentagon Centre Flooding – Members expressed concern about the issues caused for the Town Centre and lack on investment. Paul Morgan explained that £400k had been set aside this year to work on the pumps at Waterfront Rats Bay as the site is very old and Southern Water are looking at investment in the next period to revamp the whole station. Officers requested a meeting at a senior level with Southern Water to discuss the impact of flooding on the Pentagon Shopping Centre. Southern Water were also asked to confirm the catchment area for Waterfront Rats Bay.

Disposal of sludge – Members were concerned about the disposal of sludge if it could not be spread on farmers fields. Paul Morgan will refer this query back to the treatment team at Southern Water and respond to Members outside of the meeting.

Low water pressure at Allhallows – Members queried whether a water tower was planned for Allhallows due to the low water pressure and Southern Water agreed to refer this query back to Tom Williams and respond to Members.

Balancing investment against prices - Mike Russell explained that the price increase this year had been around 40% however in the previous 5 to 10 years the price had hardly increased. The Committee were informed that whilst Ofwat protected consumers this had left an investment gap and blocked certain levels of investment however it had been agreed not in increase prices as sharply over the next 4 years. Mike explained that essential tariffs for benefit claiming residents which are 40% lower, had seen investment doubled and information on essential tariffs could be found on Southern Water’s website.

Care Home with no water supply – An issue was reported to Councillors when a Care Home in Cuxton had no water and Members and officers had to support vulnerable residents during this incident. Southern Water responded to say that this should not have happened, and they would look into the incident if officers could provide further details.

Climate Change – The Committee were informed that work is ongoing to use solar power and be more energy efficient where possible as well as reducing leaks by 50% and Mike Russell offered to provide further information regarding climate change outside of the meeting.

Salaries and Bonuses – Members queried the level of bonuses and salaries  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

This annual report provides an account of the role of the Portfolio Holder for Business Management. 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 Business Management, Councillor Van Dyke, which fell within the remit of this Committee.

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

Progress with property disposals - The Portfolio Holder explained that officers had been recruited, agents/auctioneers had been appointed and non-operational properties disposed of so far had exceeded valuations. Officers informed the Committee that targets for disposal income were likely to be exceeded.

Medway 2.0 – The Committee was informed that officers were now progressing the movement of files over to SharePoint to enhance the flow of information between services and to digitise paper files wherever possible. Single points of contact are also being utilised for services such as nuisance vehicles.

Healthy Living Centre – Officers reported that the decision to reassign funds from Strood to the Healthy Living Centre was made by the Integrated Care Board.

Gun Wharf – The Portfolio Holder reported that the RAAC had now been tested, and roof repairs were underway. Officers added that the works were at the end of stage 2 (concept designs) and were now moving to stage 3 overlayed with the RAAC improvement works. Officers explained that savings would be made by remediation works to allow for investment elsewhere in the property and the aim was to complete the works at Gun Wharf by the end of 2026. Officers said that a hybrid working model would be adopted as there would not be enough desks for all staff including those at Broadside that needed to be moved to Gun Wharf. Members asked that consideration be given to creating community spaces in the building. Members asked to be sent a list of teams that had moved back in to Gun Wharf.

Brook Theatre Progress – The Committee was informed that the hoardings had been put up and work had started with completion due early 2027 and aiming for opening in May 2027.

Decisions:

a)    The Committee noted the report.

b)    Members requested information on the Teams that had now moved back into Gun Wharf.

The vision of the proposed Climate Change Action Plan aligns with the One Medway Council Plan priority “enjoying clean, green, safe and connected communities.”

This is the third update to the Climate Change Action Plan since the Council’s declaration of a climate change emergency in 2019.  The aims of the plan are to reduce carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2050 and increase resilience against the impacts of climate change for both Medway Council and Medway “the Place”.

As well as updated actions, the proposed Climate Change Action Plan has been refreshed to reflect the Council’s current approach to climate action.

Discussion:

Officers informed the Committee that the plan includes practical measures that are already in place and Members noted previous investments such as LED lighting and the living bus stop roof in Chatham that contribute towards making improvements.

Members queried progress with on street electric vehicle charging points and were informed that officers were currently procuring a delivery partner so that implementation and construction can be progressed. Officers agreed to provide further information on timelines and funding outside of the meeting.

Members requested that the link to the full survey results of the public consultation on page 10 of the Climate Change Action Plan be updated as not currently a valid link.

Decisions:

a)    The Committee commented on the proposed Climate Change Action Plan and supporting documentation and noted that the Cabinet will be asked to agree the Plan on 26 August 2025. 

b)    Officers were requested to provide further information on EV charging points implementation timelines and funding.

c)    Officers were requested to ensure that future Climate Change plans include information on relationships with wider partners.

The purpose of this report is to present the Medway Air Quality Action Plan 2025-30 to the Committee. The Committee is asked to recommend the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to the Cabinet for approval and formal adoption. The AQAP has been produced to satisfy the requirements of the Environment Act 1995.

Discussion:

Members queried the impact of diesel engines on air quality, the possibility of electric buses and the how air quality outside of Medway has an impact.

Officers explained that emissions were now reducing due to the introduction of Euro 6 vehicles and for larger vehicles emissions abatement technology was in place.

With regards to electric buses officers informed the Committee that that main barrier to this was the lack of suitable electric depot.

Officers explained that external factors that impacted Medway were mainly short-term pollution episodes and residents with health conditions affected by poor air quality could find out when episodes were likely to occur using the Air Quality Forecast Service at www.kentair.org.uk.

Members sought clarification that the Local Plan was supported by a Strategic Transport Assessment and corresponding Air Quality Assessment that considered increased traffic modelling and was emissions compliant. Officers explained that whilst they had offered advice and been involved in the Local Plan process, this would be a question for Planning officers to respond to.

Decisions:

a)    The Committee commented on the proposed Medway Air Quality Action Plan 2025-2030 and noted that the Cabinet will be asked to agree the Action Plan on 8 July 2025.

b)    Members requested a copy of the Local Plan Strategic Transport Assessment and corresponding Air Quality Assessment which form part of the Local Plan.

The One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024/28 sets out the Council’s priorities and the performance indicators used to monitor performance. This report and appendices summarise how we performed in Quarter 4 (Q4) 2024/25 on the delivery of these priorities. This report also presents the Q4 review of strategic risks which fall under the remit of this committee.

Discussion:

Members noted that Local Government Reorganisation had been added to the Risk Register as a new risk.

Members queried where fixed penalty notices and moving traffic enforcement fines were reported. Officers explained that data for this was included in the published parking account that is produced annually.

In response to a query regarding action being taken to increase employment in Medway, especially for young people aged 18 to 24, officers agreed to respond outside of the meeting.

Decisions:

a)    Members are asked to consider the Q4 2024/25 progress of the performance indicators used to monitor progress of the Council’s priorities, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

b)    Members are asked to note the Strategic Risk Summary as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

c)    Officers were requested to provide information on action being taken to increase employment for young people aged 18 to 24 outside of the meeting.

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.

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:

The Committee considered the work programme.

Decisions:

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.