Approval has been given by Medway Council to the creation of a Children's Trust Board to look after the interests of the area's younger residents.

The organisation will have wide powers, but no legal responsibilities.

It will investigate any child's death, oversee the 50 targets agreed for young people by the local strategic partnership, and set its own targets to ensure healthy children achieve their ambitions.

Agreement was given by the Cabinet on behalf of the council.

The board will work with police, schools, youth teams, jobs service Connexions and the Learning Skills Council, together with the voluntary sector, carers and young people.

They will have responsibility for anyone under 20, those in care or with learning disabilities up to their 25th birthdays.

The Cabinet also approved the plan to prepare its local development framework.