Issue details

Summary

This report provides an update on the progress of Medway’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Bid – New Routes to Good Growth, which will provide much needed infrastructure to enable growth in and around the Hoo Peninsula.

The report asks Cabinet to agree to in principle that should it become necessary it will utilise compulsory purchase powers to ensure delivery of the required infrastructure of road, rail and Strategic Environmental Management Scheme (SEMS).

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will 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.

On this occasion it has not been practicable to provide this 28 clear days’ notice and therefore Section 10 (General exception) of the above regulations has been complied with. It was not possible to include this report on the Forward Plan with 28 days’ notice because discussions with Homes England have only now concluded which have identified a requirement to bring this report to Cabinet for consideration. In order to enter into the Grant Determination Agreement (GDA), agreement is required to demonstrate commitment to use Compulsory Purchase Powers should it become necessary.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private

This report will contain some 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 this 28 clear days’ notice and therefore Section 5 (Procedures prior to private meetings) of the above regulations has been complied with. The Chairman of the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed, in accordance with the provisions of the 2012 Regulations, that this matter is both urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 7 July 2020 to meet the target date for signing the GDA (30 June 2020).

The Cabinet’s response to any representations will be published on 1 June 2020 within the Cabinet Agenda. A final decision on whether this item will be determined in private will be taken during the meeting.