Agenda item

Motions

Meeting of Council, Thursday, 17 July 2025 7.00pm (Item 156.)

This report sets out the motions received for this meeting.

Minutes:

Motion A – Proposed by Councillor Finch and supported by Councillor Vye:

“This Council recognises the urgent need for fairer access to mobility support for residents facing serious but time-limited health conditions, such as cancer treatment or recovery from major injury, who currently fall outside the eligibility criteria of the national Blue Badge scheme.

We note the growing support for the KentOnline “Blue Badge Battle” campaign, including cross-party backing from all 18 Kent MPs, who have called for a temporary Blue Badge concession scheme to support those in genuine need.

This Council further notes that:

· The Department for Transport’s current guidance restricts eligibility to conditions expected to last at least three years, which excludes many residents enduring serious but non-permanent impairments.

· Medway Council already follows national guidance but is now, appropriately, in active discussions about the potential for a local scheme, as confirmed by Council officers.

· Introducing a carefully designed temporary concession scheme could offer vital short-term support while reinforcing Medway’s reputation as a compassionate, resident-focused authority.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1) Support, in principle, the creation of a Medway-based temporary parking concession scheme for residents with significant mobility impairments arising from serious but time-limited conditions.

2) Request that officers continue to work with Parking Services and other departments to develop a viable, clearly communicated local framework, with suitable eligibility criteria and enforcement guidance.

3) Urge the administration to bring forward proposals for this scheme via the appropriate governance routes, with an update to Full Council no later than January 2026.

4) Call on Medway’s MPs to raise this issue in Parliament and press for a national legislative amendment to embed such flexibility in the statutory Blue Badge scheme.”

Councillor Maple, supported by Councillor Murray, proposed the following amendment:

We note the growing support for the Kent Online “Blue Badge Battle” campaign, including cross-party backing from all 18 Kent MPs, who have called for a temporary Blue Badge concession scheme to support those in genuine need.

This Council further notes that:

· Medway Council already follows national guidance but is now, appropriately, in active discussions about the potential for a local scheme, as confirmed by Council officers;

· Introducing a carefully designed temporary concession scheme could offer vital short-term support while reinforcing Medway’s reputation as a compassionate, resident-focused authority.

· The Council currently has a system in place in those circumstances where individuals have received an SR1 form because their condition is moving towards an end-of-life situation. In those circumstances a blue badge in the existing system is normally dispatched within a few days.

This Council welcomes:

· The letter from the Leader of the Council to the 18 MPs of Kent and Medway and the Leader of Kent County Council proposing a meeting to explore the practical issues of the proposed scheme. In the letter it is suggested with Local Government Reorganisation on the horizon there is consideration for a cohesive approach across both upper tier authorities in the region.

· The positive cross party Westminster Hall Debate on 16^th July secured by Helen Grant MP which included contributions from Tris Osborne MP alongside other MPs from both the Region of Kent & Medway and beyond.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1) Support, in principle, the creation of a Medway-based temporary parking concession scheme for residents with significant mobility impairments arising from serious but time-limited conditions. This scheme should be a cohesive system alongside Kent County Council recognising Local Government Reorganisation is on the horizon.

2) Request that officers continue to work with Parking Services and other departments to develop a viable, clearly communicated ~~local framework~~ scheme, with suitable eligibility criteria and enforcement guidance.

3) ~~Urge the administration to bring forward proposals for this scheme via the appropriate governance routes, with an update to Full Council no later than January 2026.~~Welcome the administration’s commitment to the principle of this local scheme and that they will bring forward proposals as soon as practicably possible including relevant pre decision scrutiny.

4) ~~Call on Medway’s MPs to raise this issue in Parliament and press for a national legislative amendment to embed such flexibility in the statutory Blue Badge scheme~~Welcome the support of Medway’s three MPs alongside the 15 other MPs from our region and the shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Gareth Bacon MP, with the campaign being led on a cross party basis by Helen Grant MP, Tris Osborne MP and Mike Martin MP.

5) Welcome the positive contribution by Minister Lilian Greenwood at the July 16^th Westminster Hall Debate on behalf of the government recognising work is being done and consideration for cross department work required to consider next steps.

6) Thank all hard working council officers who are responsible for ensuring that this vital provision is made available to those who need it.”

Amended Recommendation reads:

We note the growing support for the Kent Online “Blue Badge Battle” campaign, including cross-party backing from all 18 Kent MPs, who have called for a temporary Blue Badge concession scheme to support those in genuine need.

This Council further notes that:

· Medway Council already follows national guidance but is now, appropriately, in active discussions about the potential for a local scheme, as confirmed by Council officers;

· Introducing a carefully designed temporary concession scheme could offer vital short-term support while reinforcing Medway’s reputation as a compassionate, resident-focused authority.

This Council welcomes:

This Council therefore resolves to:

1) Support, in principle, the creation of a Medway-based temporary parking concession scheme for residents with significant mobility impairments arising from serious but time-limited conditions. This scheme should be a cohesive system alongside Kent County Council recognising Local Government Reorganisation is on the horizon.

2) Request that officers continue to work with Parking Services and other departments to develop a viable, clearly communicated scheme, with suitable eligibility criteria and enforcement guidance.

3) Welcome the administration’s commitment to the principle of this local scheme and that they will bring forward proposals as soon as practicably possible including relevant pre decision scrutiny.

4) Welcome the support of Medway’s three MPs alongside the 15 other MPs from our region and the shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Gareth Bacon MP, with the campaign being led on a cross party basis by Helen Grant MP, Tris Osborne MP and Mike Martin MP.

6) Thank all hard working council officers who are responsible for ensuring that this vital provision is made available to those who need it.”

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was agreed.

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried:

This Council recognises the urgent need for fairer access to mobility support for residents facing serious but time-limited health conditions, such as cancer treatment or recovery from major injury, who currently fall outside the eligibility criteria of the national Blue Badge scheme.

We note the growing support for the Kent Online “Blue Badge Battle” campaign, including cross-party backing from all 18 Kent MPs, who have called for a temporary Blue Badge concession scheme to support those in genuine need.

This Council further notes that:

· Medway Council already follows national guidance but is now, appropriately, in active discussions about the potential for a local scheme, as confirmed by Council officers;

· Introducing a carefully designed temporary concession scheme could offer vital short-term support while reinforcing Medway’s reputation as a compassionate, resident-focused authority.

· The council currently has a system in place in those circumstances where individuals have received an SR1 form because their condition is moving towards an end-of-life situation. In those circumstances a blue badge in the existing system is normally dispatched within a few days.

This Council welcomes:

This Council therefore resolves to:

1) Support, in principle, the creation of a Medway-based temporary parking concession scheme for residents with significant mobility impairments arising from serious but time-limited conditions. This scheme should be a cohesive system alongside Kent County Council recognising Local Government Reorganisation is on the horizon.

2) Request that officers continue to work with Parking Services and other departments to develop a viable, clearly communicated scheme, with suitable eligibility criteria and enforcement guidance.

3) Welcome the administration’s commitment to the principle of this local scheme and that they will bring forward proposals as soon as practicably possible including relevant pre decision scrutiny.

6) Thank all hard working council officers who are responsible for ensuring that this vital provision is made available to those who need it.

Motion B – Proposed by Councillor Joy and supported by Councillor Lawrence:

“The Council welcomes the announcement that the Government has made to bring in further free school meals to the most disadvantaged children in Medway. The Council notes the positive reception from the administration over the increased £2.3bn worth of funding to education across the country.

The Council notes that the Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education has undertaken research on the issue of funding for schools through a survey of all local schools and academies with over thirty schools responding. This showed that the level of funding on offer is putting the future of our children at risk due to decisions made by the Government.

The Council notes the outcomes of this research, which highlights the following concerns:

1) The increase in employer national insurance, that the Government stated would be fully funded for schools: the reality is very stark, with the goal posts being moved to a rate per pupil. This is acceptable for schools with a full roll and a low average length of service of staff members, however with a lot of Medway schools, this is not the case, some with spaces in their year groups, others with long time experienced teachers which is causing shortfalls of up to £37,000 per year in funding.

2) General annual grant (GAG) funding showing discrepancies of actual cuts to below inflation increases, ranging from cuts of 1.9% to increases of 2.0%, which is well below the inflation rate of 3.2%: this in reality is a cut of 5% of schools’ budgets, while still being expected to meet the challenges of an increase in required SEND provision across all schools.

3) The reality of the welcomed 4% increase for teacher’s pay, with schools having to find 1% of this from already stretched budgets: this will force the primary sector to cut support staff to make budgets fit, which will result in less support for the most vulnerable in our schools and the secondary sector having to increase class size, which is proven to limit the chances of progress for our children. Money has been cut from renewing educational resources and deferring building maintenance as a result of this.

4) Kent and Medway being some of the worst funded areas for children’s education: our schools have already been pushed to the brink and have been very lean with regards to finances, leaving little room for manoeuvre.

The Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask that the Government honours the original commitment to fully fund all employer national insurance increases to all Medway schools, fully fund the teacher pay award of 4% and request an urgent review of funding, ensuring that all children are treated fairly.

In accordance with Rule 12.4 of the Council Rules, a recorded vote on the Substantive motion was taken:

For: Councillors Anang, Barrett, Brake, Clarke, Crozer, Etheridge, Fearn, Filmer, Finch, Gilbourne, Gulvin, Hackwell, Hyne, Joy, Kemp, Lammas, Lawrence, Pearce, Perfect, Sands, Spalding, Spring, Tejan, Mrs Turpin, Vye, Wildey and Williams. (27)

Against: Councillors Bowen, Campbell, Cook, Coombs, Curry, Field, Gurung, Hamindishe, Hamilton, Howcroft-Scott, Hubbard, Jackson, Jones, Mahil, Mandaracas, Maple, McDonald, Murray, Myton, Nestorov, Nestorova, Paterson, Peake, Louwella Prenter, Mark Prenter, Price, Skokar, Stamp and Van Dyke. (29)

Abstain: None.

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Motion C – Proposed by Councillor Spalding and supported by Councillor Lawrence:

“Executives from Southern Water recently presented to and answered questions from an Overview and Scrutiny committee. While the planned investment in certain areas in Medway is welcomed, it does not appear to be sufficient nor coming online soon enough to meet current needs let alone future demand.

Not a week goes by without complaint from residents about low water pressure, sewage and wastewater disposal or burst pipes causing supply interruption as well as traffic disruption from the resulting repairs.

Now the Local Plan has been published, Southern Water, and all utility and service providers, should, in my opinion be reviewing their short and long terms plans so areas in immediate desperate need of improvement such as the villages within All Saints ward can receive the attention they require, while plans are made to cope with future development.

This Council requests the Chief Executive of the Council and Leader of the Council to jointly write to the Chief Executive of Southern Water to request Southern Water carries out an urgent review of its future plans for Medway and implements a strategy whereby current problems are addressed, and provision is made to satisfy future demand.”

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was lost.

Supporting documents: