Agenda item

Motions

This report sets out the motions received for this meeting.

 

Please note that the Council Rules limit the number of speakers per motion to the proposer and seconder, plus up to 10% of each group (rounded up) as follows:

 

•  Labour and Co-operative Group – 4;

•  Conservative Group – 2;

•  Independent Group – 1;

•  Reform UK Group – 1;

•  Independent Members – 2.

 

The same number of speakers will be allowed for each amendment to a motion.

Minutes:

Motion A – proposed by Councillor Mrs Turpin and supported by Councillor Sands:

 

‘Protecting Cliffe, Hoo and Grain Fire Stations on the Hoo Peninsula

 

This Council notes:

 

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) deferred a decision on whether to proceed with a public consultation on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Resourcing Review (2026). 

 

  1. That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) proposed the closure of the standalone on-call fire stations at Cliffe and Grain.

 

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway, and includes twenty-five elected councillors, of whom four are appointed by Medway Council and twenty-one by Kent County Council.

 

  1. That Medway Council has functions in relation to civil protection and emergency planning, and that Medway Council and KFRS are both Category 1 responders within the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).

 

  1. That KFRS’s own draft assessment identifies geographic and resilience considerations on the Hoo Peninsula, including Grain’s isolated location and reliance on the A228 for access, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential housing and infrastructure growth, and Cliffe’s geographic isolation, limited road connectivity and vulnerable residents.

 

  1. That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) states that Hoo Fire Station would remain and be prioritised as a strategic on-call resource, with targeted recruitment investment.

 

  1. That Medway Council’s Chief Executive has written to KFRS seeking the removal of Grain Fire Station from the proposed closure options.

 

This Council believes:

 

  1. That decisions about emergency response provision on the Hoo Peninsula must fully reflect its rural geography, constrained road network, isolated communities, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential future growth and wider community resilience, and must not be assessed by reference to historic incident demand or station utilisation in isolation.

 

  1. That Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations collectively provide important locally based emergency response capacity and contribute to the resilience of communities across the Hoo Peninsula, and the wider Medway Towns area.

 

  1. That the closure of any of the three fire stations would represent an unacceptable loss of emergency response capacity for the Hoo Peninsula, and the wider Medway Towns area.

 

  1. That Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should therefore be retained and protected from closure.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

  1. Adopt, in light of Medway Council’s own civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, as the formal position of Medway Council that Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should be retained, and that the Council opposes any proposal arising from the current Resourcing Review (2026), or any subsequent resourcing review, to close any of the three stations.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive write to the Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Chair of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, setting out the Council’s formal position and urging the retention of Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive send a copy of this resolution to every member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, with a request that the Council’s position be taken into account in any further consideration of the Resourcing Review (2026), any subsequent public consultation and any future decision concerning the three stations.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive circulate this resolution to the Members of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Gillingham and Rainham, and Chatham and Aylesford;  all Medway Councillors;  and the following Parish Councils across the Hoo Peninsula:  Allhallows Parish Council, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council, Cooling Parish Council, Frindsbury Extra Parish Council, High Halstow Parish Council, Hoo St Werburgh & Chattenden Parish Council, Isle of Grain Parish Council, St Mary Hoo Parish Council and Stoke Parish Council.’

 

Councillor Spalding, supported by Councillor Finch, proposed the following amendment:

 

Motion Title: Protecting Cliffe, Hoo and Grain Fire Stations on the Hoo Peninsula Preservation of Fire and Rescue Provision in Medway

 

This Council notes:

 

  1. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) produced a Resourcing Review for consideration by the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) at the authority’s meeting on 25 June 2026.

 

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the governing and provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway.

 

  1. Said Resourcing Review is the first significant review since 2012 and represents the biggest proposed change to emergency cover since then.

 

  1. That the suggestions within the Resourcing Review (2026) recommends the closure of five standalone on call fire stations including those at Cliffe and Grain.

 

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) deferred a decision facing a binary choice from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) on whether to proceed or not with a public consultation on and other matters arising from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Resourcing Review (2026).resourcing review agreed a six week delay to any decision whether or not to:

 

Thata) Approve the publication of the draft Resourcing Review (2026) proposed the closure of the standalone on-call fire stations at Cliffe and Grain.Strategic Case document at appendix 1 of the Resourcing Review (2026).

 

That KMFRA is responsible forb) Approve the provisionpublic consultation document at appendix 2 of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway, and includes twenty-five elected councillors, of whom four are appointed by Medway Council and twenty-one by Kent County Council. That Medway Council has functions in relation to civil protection and emergency planning, and that Medway Council and KFRS are both Category 1 responders withinthe Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).That KFRS’s own draft assessment identifies geographic and resilience considerations on the Hoo Peninsula, including Grain’s isolated location and reliance on the A228 for access, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential housing and infrastructure growth, and Cliffe’s geographic isolation, limited road connectivity and vulnerable residents.

 

That the draft the Resourcing Review (2026) states that Hoo Fire Station would remain and be prioritised as a strategic on-call resource, with targeted recruitment investment.

 

That Medway Council’sc) Approve the public consultation survey at appendix 3 of the Resourcing Review (2026).

 

d)   Approve that any minor amendments to the text of the review be delegated to the Chief Executive. has written to KFRS seeking the removal of.

 

e)   Approve that agreement on the final date for changes to wholetime fire engine changes be delegated to the Chief Executive.

 

In order for the formation of a cross party working group to consider alternative options.

 

  1. Since that meeting Grain Fire Station has been removed from the proposed closure options current resource proposals and will remain operational while the situation is reviewed over the next two years but all other proposals remain.

 

This Council believes:

 

That decisions about emergency response provision on the Hoo Peninsula must fully reflect its rural geography, constrained road network, isolated communities, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential future growth and wider community resilience, and must not be assessed by reference to historic incident demand or station utilisation in isolation.

 

  1. This review is not just about using resources efficiently nor simply about saving money. It is a combination of both, and because this is the first significant review since 2012, the importance of getting it right is paramount.

 

  1. Medway is a vast and diverse area with significant rural areas as well as concentrated urban living. The current fire and rescue cover reflects that from whole time crewing at Chatham, Rochester and Strood, supplemented by on call stations at Rainham, Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations which separately and collectively provide important locally based emergency response capacity and contribute to the resilience of communities across the Hoo Peninsula, and the wider Medway Towns area.additional emergency response capability.

 

  1. That the closure of anyof the three fire stations locally, and in particular on the peninsula, would represent an unacceptable loss reduction of emergency response capacity capability for the Hoo Peninsula, and the widerMedway Towns area.

 

That Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should therefore be retained and protected from closure.

 

  1. With planned expansion of Medway through the draft local plan, now is not the time to reduce fire and rescue coverage locally. Now is the time to reinforce and enhance it.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

Adopt,1. Oppose any reduction in light of Medway Council’s own civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, asthe Fire and Rescue Service coverage in, or that affects, Medway and the surrounding areas be it by station closures or job cuts, and adopt the formal position of Medway Council that Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should remain operational and be retained, and that the Council opposes any proposal arising from the current Resourcing Review (2026), or any subsequent resourcing review, to close any of the three stationsprovided with resources to enable their capability to be expanded.

 

Request that Medway Council’s2. Require the Chief Executive write and council officers to continue to present the case opposing closure of Cliffe Fire Station.

 

3.Requests the Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Chair ofto write to the three local members of parliament asking them to lobby the government for additional funding and other assistance for KFRS to enable it to meet its commitments and protect the people of Medway and Kent.

 

4.Request the elected members of Medway Council who serve on the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, setting out the Council’s formal position and urging the retention of Cliffe, Hoo to continue to use their best endeavours to ensure Medway maintains and Grainreceives the best possible fire stations. and rescue coverage.

 

Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive send a copy of this resolution to every member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, with a request that the Council’s position be taken into account in any further consideration of the Resourcing Review (2026), any subsequent public consultation and any future decision concerning the three stations.

 

Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive circulate this resolution to the Members of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Gillingham and Rainham, and Chatham and Aylesford;  all Medway Councillors;  and the following Parish Councils across the Hoo Peninsula:  Allhallows Parish Council, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council, Cooling Parish Council, Frindsbury Extra Parish Council, High Halstow Parish Council, Hoo St Werburgh & Chattenden Parish Council, Isle of Grain Parish Council, St Mary Hoo Parish Council and Stoke Parish Council.

 

Amended motion reads:

‘Motion Title: Preservation of Fire and Rescue Provision in Medway

 

This Council notes:

 

  1. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) produced a Resourcing Review for consideration by the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) at the authority’s meeting on 25 June 2026.

 

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the governing and provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway.

 

  1. Said Resourcing Review is the first significant review since 2012 and represents the biggest proposed change to emergency cover since then.

 

  1. That the suggestions within the Resourcing Review (2026) recommends the closure of five standalone on call fire stations including those at Cliffe and Grain.

 

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) facing a binary choice from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) on whether to proceed or not with a public consultation and other matters arising from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service resourcing review agreed a six week delay to any decision whether or not to:

 

a)  Approve the publication of the draft Resourcing Review (2026) Strategic Case document at appendix 1 of the Resourcing Review (2026).

 

b)  Approve the public consultation document at appendix 2 of the Resourcing Review (2026).

 

c)  Approve the public consultation survey at appendix 3 of the Resourcing Review (2026).

 

d)  Approve that any minor amendments to the text of the review be delegated to the Chief Executive.

 

e)  Approve that agreement on the final date for changes to wholetime fire engine changes be delegated to the Chief Executive.

 

In order for the formation of a cross party working group to consider alternative options.

 

  1. Since that meeting Grain Fire Station has been removed from the current resource proposals and will remain operational while the situation is reviewed over the next two years but all other proposals remain.

 

This Council believes:

 

  1. This review is not just about using resources efficiently nor simply about saving money. It is a combination of both, and because this is the first significant review since 2012, the importance of getting it right is paramount.

 

  1. Medway is a vast and diverse area with significant rural areas as well as concentrated urban living. The current fire and rescue cover reflects that from whole time crewing at Chatham, Rochester and Strood, supplemented by on call stations at Rainham, Cliffe, Hoo and Grain which separately and collectively provide important locally based additional emergency response capability.

 

  1. That the closure of any fire stations locally, and in particular on the peninsula, would represent an unacceptable reduction of emergency response capability for Medway.

 

  1. With planned expansion of Medway through the draft local plan, now is not the time to reduce fire and rescue coverage locally. Now is the time to reinforce and enhance it.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

  1. Oppose any reduction in the Fire and Rescue Service coverage in, or that affects, Medway and the surrounding areas be it by station closures or job cuts, and adopt the formal position that Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should remain operational and be provided with resources to enable their capability to be expanded.

 

  1. Require the Chief Executive and council officers to continue to present the case opposing closure of Cliffe Fire Station.

 

  1. Requests the Chief Executive to write to the three local members of parliament asking them to lobby the government for additional funding and other assistance for KFRS to enable it to meet its commitments and protect the people of Medway and Kent.

 

  1. Request the elected members of Medway Council who serve on the Kent and Medway Fire Authority to continue to use their best endeavours to ensure Medway maintains and receives the best possible fire and rescue coverage.’

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

 

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

‘Motion Title: Protecting Cliffe, Hoo and Grain Fire Stations on the Hoo Peninsula This Council notes welcomes:

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) voted to deferred defer a decision on whether to proceed with a public consultation on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Resourcing Review (2026). The proposal to defer the decision to proceed with the consultation was proposed by Cllr Vince Maple and supported by the majority of members including Cllr Barry Kemp, Cllr Mark Prenter and Cllr Zoe Van Dyke.

 

  1. That following the decision to defer to proceed with the consultation that Grain Fire Station has now been withdrawn from the draft Resourcing Review.

 

  1. That the vote on the 25th June also set up a cross party working group which is currently going through a series of meetings.

 

2.  That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) proposed the closure of the standalone on-call fire stations at Cliffe and Grain.

This Council notes:

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway, and includes twenty-five elected councillors, of whom four are appointed by Medway Council and twenty-one by Kent County Council. The members are appointed by political balance with current membership: Reform UK 13; Labour 4; Liberal Democrat 3; Conservative 2; Restore Britain 2; Green 1.

 

  1. That Medway Council has functions in relation to civil protection and emergency planning, and that Medway Council and KFRS are both Category 1 responders within the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).

 

  1. That KFRS’s own draft assessment identifies geographic and resilience considerations on the Hoo Peninsula, including Grain’s isolated location and reliance on the A228 for access, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential housing and infrastructure growth, and Cliffe’s geographic isolation, limited road connectivity and vulnerable residents.

 

  1. That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) states that Hoo Fire Station would remain and be prioritised as a strategic on-call resource, with targeted recruitment investment. Hoo has at no point in this process been at risk.

 

  1. That Medway Council’s Chief Executive has written to KFRS seeking the removal of Grain Fire Station from the proposed closure options.

 

This Council believes:

  1. That decisions about emergency response provision on the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river must fully reflect its rural geography, constrained road network, isolated communities, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential future growth and wider community resilience, and would expect any decision making from KMFRA to consider those matters. must not be assessed by reference to historic incident demand or station utilisation in isolation.

 

  1. That Cliffe,the decision to retain Hoo and Grain fire stations is welcomed, particularly with additional focus on recruitment and retention. collectively provide important locally based emergency response capacity and contribute to the resilience of communities across the Hoo Peninsula, and the wider Medway Towns area.

 

  1. That during the pause in the process, examination particularly of any proposals from the FBU Trade Union should take place before any public consultation.

 

3.  That the closure of any of the three fire stations would represent an unacceptable loss of emergency response capacity for the Hoo Peninsula, and the wider Medway Towns area.

  1. That Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should therefore be retained and protected from closure.any proposals within the Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.  Clarify the formal position of Medway Council that, in light of its civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, any proposals arising from the current or future resourcing reviews should enhance community safety within Medway, reflecting Medway’s specific safety risks and vulnerabilities.Adopt, in light of Medway Council’s own civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, as the formal position of Medway Council any proposals within the current proposed or any future resourcing reviews should improve community safety for Medway recognising the specific challenges and risks that Medway has. that Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations should be retained, and that the Council opposes any proposal arising from the current Resourcing Review (2026), or any subsequent resourcing review, to close any of the three stations.

 

2.  Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive write to the Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Chair of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, setting out the Council’s formal position and urging welcoming the retention of Cliffe, Hoo and Grain fire stations and that any proposals within the current proposed Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

3.  Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive send a copy of this resolution to every member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, with a request that the Council’s position be taken into account in any further consideration of the Resourcing Review (2026), any subsequent public consultation and any future decision. concerning the three stations.

 

4.  Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive circulate this resolution to the Members of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Gillingham and Rainham, and Chatham and Aylesford; all Medway Councillors; and all parish councillors within Medway. the following Parish Councils across the Hoo Peninsula: Allhallows Parish Council, Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council, Cooling Parish Council, Frindsbury Extra Parish Council, High Halstow Parish Council, Hoo St Werburgh & Chattenden Parish Council, Isle of Grain Parish Council, St Mary Hoo Parish Council and Stoke Parish Council.’

 

Amended motion reads:

‘This Council welcomes:

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) voted to defer a decision on whether to proceed with a public consultation on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Resourcing Review (2026). The proposal to defer the decision to proceed with the consultation was proposed by Cllr Vince Maple and supported by the majority of members including Cllr Barry Kemp, Cllr Mark Prenter and Cllr Zoe Van Dyke.

 

  1. That following the decision to defer to proceed with the consultation that Grain Fire Station has now been withdrawn from the draft Resourcing Review.

 

3.    That the vote on the 25th June also set up a cross party working group which is currently going through a series of meetings.

This Council notes:

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway, and includes twenty-five elected councillors, of whom four are appointed by Medway Council and twenty-one by Kent County Council. The members are appointed by political balance with current membership: Reform UK 13; Labour 4; Liberal Democrat 3; Conservative 2; Restore Britain 2; Green 1.

 

  1. That Medway Council has functions in relation to civil protection and emergency planning, and that Medway Council and KFRS are both Category 1 responders within the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).

 

3.    That KFRS’s own draft assessment identifies geographic and resilience considerations on the Hoo Peninsula, including Grain’s isolated location and reliance on the A228 for access, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential housing and infrastructure growth, and Cliffe’s geographic isolation, limited road connectivity and vulnerable residents.

  1. That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) states that Hoo Fire Station would remain and be prioritised as a strategic on-call resource, with targeted recruitment investment. Hoo has at no point in this process been at risk.

 

  1. That Medway Council’s Chief Executive has written to KFRS seeking the removal of Grain Fire Station from the proposed closure options.

 

This Council believes:

  1. That decisions about emergency response provision on the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river must fully reflect its rural geography, constrained road network, isolated communities, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential future growth and wider community resilience, and would expect any decision making from KMFRA to consider those matters.

 

  1. That the decision to retain Hoo and Grain fire stations is welcomed, particularly with additional focus on recruitment and retention.

 

  1. That during the pause in the process, examination particularly of any proposals from the FBU Trade Union should take place before any public consultation.

 

  1. That any proposals within the Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

This Council resolves to:

  1. Clarify the formal position of Medway Council that, in light of its civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, any proposals arising from the current or future resourcing reviews should enhance community safety within Medway, reflecting Medway’s specific safety risks and vulnerabilities.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive write to the Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Chair of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, setting out the Council’s formal position welcoming the retention of Hoo and Grain fire stations and that any proposals within the current proposed Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive send a copy of this resolution to every member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, with a request that the Council’s position be taken into account in any further consideration of the Resourcing Review (2026), any subsequent public consultation and any future decision.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive circulate this resolution to the Members of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Gillingham and Rainham, and Chatham and Aylesford; all Medway Councillors; and all parish councillors within Medway.’

 

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

Councillor Pearce requested that his vote against the amendment be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, in accordance with Council Rule 12.6.

Decision:

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

This Council welcomes:

  1. That at its meeting on 25th June 2026, the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) voted to defer a decision on whether to proceed with a public consultation on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) Resourcing Review (2026). The proposal to defer the decision to proceed with the consultation was proposed by Cllr Vince Maple and supported by the majority of members including Cllr Barry Kemp, Cllr Mark Prenter and Cllr Zoe Van Dyke.

 

  1. That following the decision to defer to proceed with the consultation that Grain Fire Station has now been withdrawn from the draft Resourcing Review.

 

3.    That the vote on the 25th June also set up a cross party working group which is currently going through a series of meetings.

This Council notes:

 

  1. That KMFRA is responsible for the provision of fire and rescue services across Kent and Medway, and includes twenty-five elected councillors, of whom four are appointed by Medway Council and twenty-one by Kent County Council. The members are appointed by political balance with current membership: Reform UK 13; Labour 4; Liberal Democrat 3; Conservative 2; Restore Britain 2; Green 1.

 

  1. That Medway Council has functions in relation to civil protection and emergency planning, and that Medway Council and KFRS are both Category 1 responders within the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).

 

  1. That KFRS’s own draft assessment identifies geographic and resilience considerations on the Hoo Peninsula, including Grain’s isolated location and reliance on the A228 for access, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential housing and infrastructure growth, and Cliffe’s geographic isolation, limited road connectivity and vulnerable residents.

 

  1. That the draft Resourcing Review (2026) states that Hoo Fire Station would remain and be prioritised as a strategic on-call resource, with targeted recruitment investment. Hoo has at no point in this process been at risk.

 

  1. That Medway Council’s Chief Executive has written to KFRS seeking the removal of Grain Fire Station from the proposed closure options.

 

This Council believes:

  1. That decisions about emergency response provision on the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river must fully reflect its rural geography, constrained road network, isolated communities, major industrial and energy infrastructure, potential future growth and wider community resilience, and would expect any decision making from KMFRA to consider those matters.

 

  1. That the decision to retain Hoo and Grain fire stations is welcomed, particularly with additional focus on recruitment and retention.

 

  1. That during the pause in the process, examination particularly of any proposals from the FBU Trade Union should take place before any public consultation.

 

  1. That any proposals within the Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

This Council resolves to:

  1. Clarify the formal position of Medway Council that, in light of its civil protection and emergency planning responsibilities, any proposals arising from the current or future resourcing reviews should enhance community safety within Medway, reflecting Medway’s specific safety risks and vulnerabilities.
  2. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive write to the Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Chair of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, setting out the Council’s formal position welcoming the retention of Hoo and Grain fire stations and that any proposals within the current proposed Resourcing Review should improve community safety for the Hoo Peninsula and the wider community of Medway to the west of the river.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive send a copy of this resolution to every member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, with a request that the Council’s position be taken into account in any further consideration of the Resourcing Review (2026), any subsequent public consultation and any future decision.

 

  1. Request that Medway Council’s Chief Executive circulate this resolution to the Members of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Gillingham and Rainham, and Chatham and Aylesford; all Medway Councillors; and all parish councillors within Medway.’

 

Motion B – proposed by Councillor Mark Prenter and supported by Councillor McDonald:

 

‘This Council notes that the current points-based arrangements for the nomination of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were designed to operate over the long term, enabling political groups to progress through the scheme over successive years. In light of the extension of Medway Council's term ahead of local government reorganisation, there will now be one final additional year before the Council is abolished. It is therefore appropriate that, for this final year, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by the Council following nomination by the largest political group.

 

This Council resolves to amend Council Rule 20 – Nomination of Mayor and Deputy by removing the following:

 

20.1      Each political group as constituted in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 shall be credited on the 1 January every year with a number of points equivalent to the number of members of the Council within that group.

 

20.2      A report setting out the outcome of the calculations in accordance with the scheme shall be submitted to the first meeting of the Council after 1 January each year.

 

20.3      The political group with the highest number of points after the process described in paragraph 20.1 shall be invited to nominate a candidate for the Mayoralty in the ensuing year and shall, at the first ordinary Council meeting following such qualification, accept or decline the nomination.

 

20.4      In the event that two or more political groups have the same number of points and no agreement is reached between them as to which group shall have the right to nominate a candidate for the Mayoralty, the matter will be referred to Council for decision.

 

20.5      The formal procedure of election of that candidate as Mayor will take place at the annual meeting.

 

20.6      The political group nominating a candidate for the Mayor shall also have the right to nominate a candidate for Deputy Mayor.

 

20.7      In the event of any political group having the right to nominate the Mayor for the ensuing year declining to do so, that political group shall nevertheless be deemed to have exercised its right and its points shall be adjusted accordingly.

 

20.8      Any political group not having been represented on the Council for a continuous period of 15 months or more shall be eliminated from the points system.

 

20.9      The political group that was entitled to nominate the Mayoralty in the immediately preceding January shall on the next 1 January be debited with a number of points equivalent to the whole number of members of the Council.

 

And replacing with:

 

20.1    The Mayor shall be elected by the Council from among the Councillors at the annual meeting and, unless a casual vacancy occurs, the Mayor shall continue in office until a successor is elected.

 

20.2    The Deputy Mayor shall also be elected by the Council from among the Councillors at the annual meeting.

 

20.3    Except in the year of Medway Council elections, the Council at its ordinary meeting before the annual meeting shall nominate candidates to be recommended for election as Mayor and Deputy Mayor at the annual meeting.’

 

In accordance with Paragraph 16.2 of the Council Rules, which stated that “Any motion to add to, change or withdraw these Council rules will, when proposed and seconded, be taken forward without discussion to the next ordinary meeting of the Council”, the motion was taken forward without discussion for debate at the next ordinary meeting of the Council in October.

Supporting documents: