Issue details

Summary

This exempt report will set out details of a proposal for acquiring commercial property.

A special Cabinet meeting will be held at 3pm on Tuesday 12 February 2019, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR for this purpose.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) would normally be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services.

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make a key decision.

On this occasion it has neither been practicable to provide 28 clear days’ notice, nor provide 5 clear days’ notice, therefore, Rule 17 (Special Urgency) of the Access to Information Rules, as set out in the Council’s Constitution, has been complied with. As the position of Chairman of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee is currently vacant, the Mayor has agreed that consideration of this report is urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2019 to enable confidential negotiations to take place with appropriate authority at the earliest opportunity.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private

This report will contain information which the Cabinet may decide to consider in private. This is because, in the view of the Proper Officer, consideration of the information in public would give rise to the disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). Should you wish to make any representation for the discussion of this item to be held in public, you should contact: Democratic Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of a Cabinet meeting to be held in private. On this occasion it has not been practicable to provide 28 clear days’ notice, therefore, Rule 13 (Procedure Prior to a Private Meeting of the Cabinet) of the Access to Information Rules, as set out in the Council’s Constitution, has been complied with. As the position of Chairman of the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee is currently vacant, the Mayor has agreed that consideration of this report is urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2019 to enable confidential negotiations to take place with appropriate authority at the earliest opportunity.

The Cabinet’s response to any representations will be published within the Cabinet Agenda. A final decision on whether this item will be determined in private will be taken during the meeting.