To support our priorities, we have developed a number of principles that will inform the work we do at Medway Council. Together, these priorities, values and behaviours and principles will drive service delivery and performance.
Financial sustainability and value for money
We know that residents expect to see that taxpayers’ money is well spent. In a climate of reducing financial resources and increasing levels of demand for our services, particularly for Adult and Children Social Care Services, Medway Council has committed to an ambitious improvement journey, rethinking how we operate, support, and deliver high quality services to help us deliver our One Medway Council Plan in a financially sustainable way.
One Medway Financial Improvement and Transformation Plan is an action plan that responds to the Financial Resilience Review carried out by Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy at the end of 2023. Our journey will involve harnessing the benefits of new technologies, prioritising resources to where they are most impactful, demanding the best value for money and ensuring that our services are aligned with our partners such that together we achieve more. We are committed to maintaining good quality services and continuing to improve the outcomes for our residents.
Productivity Plan 2024 to 2025
In April 2024, local authorities were asked to formally begin the process of Productivity Plans. Our Productivity Plan addresses the themes and questions posed by government.
Read the Medway Council Productivity Plan 2024 to 2025.
Climate action/response
Medway Council declared a climate emergency in April 2019 and committed to reduce our carbon footprint, provide our local community with a clean, green future, and be a place that people want to work and live that has a sustainable future.
Our Climate Change Action Plan sets out our priority areas for action across all our areas of service delivery.
Equality and diversity in all we do
Medway is a vibrant and diverse community which welcomes people of all cultures, backgrounds and religions. We will work to become a more equal and inclusive Medway, where everyone can thrive at all stages of their life.
We want everyone in Medway to feel included and valued and want to make a difference to the lives of the people of Medway by ensuring equality of access to our services, inclusion and respect for people from different backgrounds, challenging inequality, harassment, discrimination and racism.
We will also ensure that the council’s own employment practices are fair and transparent with equal opportunities for all.
Child-Friendly Medway
Looking after and protecting children and young people is one of the most important jobs that councils do and when a child, for whatever reason, cannot safely stay at home, it is up to us as the local authority to step in and give them the care, support and stability that they deserve. This responsibility in Medway Council falls to every councillor and member of staff who are charged with looking out for our most vulnerable children and young people and we will ensure that everyone plays their part in doing everything we can for every child in the council’s care – and every care leaver – to give them the opportunities that other children get.
We want to ensure that the voice of our children and young people is at the heart of our thinking, planning and policymaking. This cross-cutting pledge runs through all our services ensuring that we keep young people at the centre of our services, helping them to aim high and achieve their dreams and goals for the future.
In addition, our dedicated Child-Friendly Medway project provides a universal year-round programme of fun, educational and inclusive activities for babies and youngsters up to 25.
Working in partnership
Medway has a substantial track record of working successfully in partnership with others from education, business and health to regeneration and cultural organisations. By working together with a clear vision and committed resources harnessing skills, knowledge, funding and passion, we can have a significant and positive impact in our communities.