Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Van Dyke.

The record of the meeting held on 13 January 2026 was agreed by the Cabinet and signed by the Leader as a correct record.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

A period of 20 minutes is set aside for questions received.  

5 public questions and 10 Member questions had been received and were taken in the order set out in Appendix 1 to the report. Where Members were absent, the Leader advised that questions would receive a written response so that the questions from those present could be addressed within the allotted time.

Responses

It was noted that all question responses would be reported for information at the next meeting.

Background:

The report presented the draft new Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy for Kent and Medway (2026-2030). The new Strategy was drafted in summer 2025 following more than a year of stakeholder engagement. The Strategy had been out to formal public consultation from 23 July to 6 October 2025, and a consultation report summarising the key findings from the consultation had been prepared and published online, along with a ‘You Said, We Did’ document which highlighted the changes made following analysis of the consultation responses.

It was noted that, prior to being circulated for partners to publish, there would be some final minor amendments to text, which would include adding the name of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) contact once confirmed, and correcting any typing or formatting errors only.

The report had previously been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 20 November 2025 and by the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 4 December 2025 and the Cabinet thanked the Committees for their comments which were set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report.

It was noted that approval to adopt the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy for 2026-2030 had been given at the Kent County Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee meeting on Wednesday 21 January 2026.

Reasons:

Adoption of the 2026-2030 Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy will shape the direction of the Kent & Medway Suicide Prevention programme’s work for the next five years.

The Suicide Prevention Oversight Board, which includes representatives from Medway Council, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, and the ICB (who fund this programme) are fully supportive of this proposal.

Background:

The report sought approval to the River Medway Strategy, which had been developed following extensive consultation with key stakeholders with different interests in the use and future of the River Medway.

The Strategy recognised that the River Medway was an under-utilised asset and that there were key challenges to realising its potential. Medway Council and stakeholders had a common aspiration to overcome these challenges and maximise opportunities to make the most of the river economically, socially and environmentally to Medway’s benefit. The River Medway Strategy provided a framework to enable this alongside the further development of the two allied Heat Networks.

The report had previously been considered by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 11 December 2025 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in section 9 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

The River Medway Strategy provides a cohesive, partnership led approach to maintaining and improving the environs of the River Medway. Approving it provides a framework for future work. It is necessary to agree some initial finance (as set out in this report) to commence that activity. It is planned that this initial finance will be replaced with external funding in due course.</AI7>

Background:

The report set out the proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) and sought the Cabinet’s agreement to recommend to Council, a Council Tax Reduction scheme for the 2026/27 financial year.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

Reasons:

The scheme continues to balance the need for supporting those currently in receipt of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) and the ability of the Council to fund the scheme within the current budgetary constraints.

Background:

The report sought approval of a revised Corporate Debt Policy, updated to reflect changes in practice and new technology. Approval was also sought to a new Vulnerability and Financial Policy to support the collection of Council Tax where the taxpayer was experiencing financial difficulty or was vulnerable.

Diversity Impact Assessments for both policies had been undertaken and were attached at Appendices 3 and 4 to the report.

Reasons:

To support the collection of debt whilst accounting for the financial difficulty and vulnerability of taxpayers.

To promote a one Medway, collaborative approach to holistically support residents when they are challenged with vulnerability and/or financial difficulty and find themselves in debt to the Council.

Background:

The report presented an overview of treasury management activity for 2025/26 Quarter 3.

The report had previously been considered by the Audit Committee on 27 January 2026 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for all its work and for its comments which were set out in Appendix 3, circulated in the supplementary agenda.

Reasons:

In accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice for Treasury Management, there should be a report on treasury every quarter.

Background:

The report presented the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for the 2026/27 financial year. The Treasury Management Strategy incorporated within it the Treasury Management Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy.

The report had previously been considered by the Audit Committee on 27 January 2026 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in Appendix D, circulated in the supplementary agenda.

Reasons:

The Cabinet has the responsibility to make recommendations to Full Council on the approval of the Council’s Treasury Management, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and has responsibility for the implementation of the Treasury Management Practices and associated schedules.</AI11>

Background:

The report presented the results of the third round of the Council’s revenue budget monitoring process for 2025/26. The Council’s summary position was presented in section 5 of the report, with sections 6-10 providing the detail for each service area.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing a balanced budget in advance of each financial year. The Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that income and expenditure remain within the approved budget, including instructing corrective action to prevent any forecast overspend from materialising.

Background:

The report presented the results of the third round of the Council’s capital budget monitoring process for 2025/26.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing the capital programme. The Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that expenditure remains within the approved programme, including instructing corrective action to prevent any forecast overspend from materialising.

Background:

The reported presented a review of the Council’s One Medway Financial Improvement and Transformation Plan (FIT Plan) monitoring for Round 3 and was to be read in conjunction with the Revenue Budget monitoring for this period. This was the second year of the Council’s journey to financial sustainability by producing and monitoring a FIT Plan.

Reasons:

Full Council is responsible for agreeing a balanced budget in advance of each financial year. Cabinet is responsible for ensuring that income and expenditure remain within the approved budget, including instructing transformation activities or corrective action to prevent any forecast overspend from materialising.

The FIT Plan, which is reviewed regularly at CMT, is one of the key tools for ensuring delivery of savings in the current financial year and implementing a range of key actions to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Medway Council.

Background:

This report presented the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital and revenue budgets for 2026/27 and provided details of proposed rent and service charge levels for 2026/27. The report also contained the latest revised forecasts of the HRA Business Plan. 

The report had previously been considered by the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 January 2026 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in section 18 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 6 to the report.

Reasons:

The Council is required to carry out a review of rents and notify tenants not less than 28 days prior to the proposed date of change. The Council is required under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to ensure that the Housing Revenue Account does not fall into a deficit position.

Background:

The report set out the Cabinet’s proposals for the Capital and Revenue budget for 2026/27. In accordance with the Constitution, this would be submitted to Full Council on 25 February 2026, the meeting convened to set the Council Tax.

The report had previously been considered by all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as summarised in Appendix 1 to the report and Appendix 1 part B as circulated in the supplementary agenda. The Cabinet thanked those Committees for their comments and took the opportunity to thank the Employment Matters Committee for its work too.

The Leader advised that new information had been received since publication of the report, as this report would be considered by Full Council unaltered, a short supplementary appendix would accompany it detailing the new information for consideration.

Reasons:

The Constitution requires that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Background:

The report presented the 2026/27 key performance indicator refresh for the One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024-28.

The report had previously been considered by the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 January 2026 and the Cabinet thanked the Committee for its comments which were set out in Appendix 3, circulated in the supplementary agenda.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

The One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024-28 sets the high-level objectives and direction for the Council and includes the performance indicators that will measure progress and outcomes. Agreement of the key performance indicators for the One Medway Council Plan will ensure continued delivery of the objectives and effective monitoring of performance.

Background:

The report presented the annual review of the Risk Strategy, in accordance with the Council’s Risk Strategy.

The report had previously been considered by the Audit Committee on 27 January 2026, and the Business Support and Digital Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29 January 2026. The Cabinet thanked the Committees for their comments which were set out in Appendix 3, circulated in the supplementary agenda.

Reasons:

The establishment of a corporate framework for risk management is

recommended by CIPFA and SOLACE and will complement and support the

work already being carried out within each directorate to manage risks.

Background:

The report and appendices summarised performance in Quarter 3 2025/26 on the delivery of the One Medway Council Plan (OMCP) 2024/28 priorities. The report also presented the Quarter 3 2025/26 review of strategic risks.

Reasons:

Regular monitoring of performance and risks by management and Members is best practice and ensures achievement of corporate objectives.

Background:

The report presented a Procurement Gateway 1 & 3 paper for consideration. As well as an addition of the £400,000 to be funded from Capital receipts to the relevant budget, it was noted that the Council had submitted a grant funding bid for £1.5m to the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF), a cross government initiative between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and One Public Estate (OPE). The site had been declared surplus to requirements (Cabinet decision number: 49/2025). If successful, the bid would unlock the redevelopment of the Brook Multistorey Car park to deliver 100 residential units, in line with the Chatham Design Code.

It was noted that if the bid was successful, the funder required two milestones to be achieved: that the contractor be appointed by March 2026; and that the land be released by September 2027.

Reasons:

Subject to a successful bid, it is proposed that MDC is appointed as Project Manager and Contractor to deliver the BLRF works to bring forward the site. The teckal exemption would be utilised to appoint MDC as Project Manager and Contractor. Cabinet approval is required due to the value of the direct award (over £1 million) and the nature of the Brook Multistorey Car Park being a high-profile site. The funding requirements stipulate that a contractor needs to be appointed by March 2026.

If successful, the BLRF grant will fund the enabling works on site, however, to meet the land release milestone of September 27, the Council needs to develop the residential design up to a Planning application, and cover project management fees, requiring an addition of £400,000. Post award of a successful Planning application the site would transfer to MDC (subject to MDC Shareholder Sub Committee approval and best consideration being met) or an alternative developer.

If successful, the grant can only be accepted with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Background:

The report sought agreement to the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership Business Plan for 2026 to 2029.

An Exempt Appendix to the report provided the South Thames Gateway Building Control Partnership Business Plan 2026-2029.

Reasons:

The constitution of the Joint Committee requires approval of the Business Plan for the following year by the Cabinet of each Partner Authority.

Background:

The report sought permission to commence the procurement of the Medway All Age Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Service Contract.

An Exempt Appendix 1 to the report provided further information in respect of the financial analysis.

Reasons:

A competitive procurement process enables a thorough exploration of the marketplace, ensuring that the best possible offer is secured for the Medway community. It promotes value for money, innovation, and quality by encouraging providers to demonstrate how they can meet local needs effectively.