Issue details

Summary

This report will ask the Cabinet to approve the commencement of procurement of advocacy co-ordination to meet the needs of mothers whose children are on the edge of or in care, so they can protect and care for themselves and their children.

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.

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 not been practicable to provide this 28 clear days’ notice and therefore Section 10 (general exception) of the above regulations have been complied with. It was not possible to include this report on the Forward Plan with 28 days’ notice because relevant details had not been received at this point.

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 possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice. The Chairman of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed, in accordance with Section 5 (procedures prior to private meetings) of the above regulations, that this matter is both urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 16 November 2021 to enable the procurement to commence at the earliest opportunity in order to avoid delay to the process.The Cabinet’s response to any representations will be published on 11 October 2021 within the Cabinet Agenda. A final decision on whether this item will be determined in private will be taken during the meeting.