Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th March 2014.      .

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th March 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no public questions.

There were no petitions or deputations.

To present to Cabinet for formal approval a new Open Space Strategy, setting out a robust, strategic framework for managing open space resources in Gloucester.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment)

Cabinet agreed that

(1)       The Open Space Strategy for Gloucester 2014-2019 be          approved.

      (2)       Officers should progress the completion of Open Space Action                    Plans for each city ward, in consultation with local residents,                                 ward members and community groups.

      (3)       Up to 15% of the available S.106 monies (allocated for fees in                      the legal agreements) may be used to procure consultants’ input                     for expediting the implementation of S.106 funded open space              projects.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which presented for formal approval a new Open Space Strategy setting out a robust, strategic framework for managing open space resources in Gloucester.

            Councillor Wood welcomed the investment identified in the report notwithstanding changes to boundaries that may arise through the boundary review.

Cabinet Members also acknowledged that the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been addressed.

Reference was made to a question asked of Councillor Patel at the last Council meeting concerning whether there was intention by the Grange School to fence off their field.  The Cabinet was advised that clarification of the school’s intention was awaited and that the Cabinet Member would be briefed by the Corporate Director of Services and Neighbourhoods when a response from the school had been received.

            RESOLVED

(1)       That the Open Space Strategy for Gloucester 2014-2019 be approved.

(2)       That Officers should progress the completion of Open Space Action                       Plans for each city ward, in consultation with local residents,               ward members and community groups.

(3)       That upto 15% of the available S.106 monies (allocated for fees in              the legal agreements) may be used to procure consultants’ input                     for expediting the implementation of S.106 funded open space               projects.

To receive an update on the projects within the City Centre Investment Fund delivery programme.

(Report by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture)

Cabinet agreed to

(1) Reallocate the sum of £40,000 from the replacement of the boundary wall at Station Road Car Park to improve existing street furniture within the City Centre.

(2) Note the updates in respect of the specific funding proposals.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture updating Members on the projects within the City Centre Investment Fund delivery programme.

In presenting the report, the Cabinet Member in particular highlighted the following -

·         schemes that had already been awarded grants totalling £33,170 as set out in paragraph 4.7.2 of the report

·         in addition to the refresh work to Kings Square identified in paragraph 4.13 of the report, the possibility of providing improved quality paving in areas that will not be affected by the planned Kings Walk Development Scheme

·         now that the position with English Heritage had been clarified, priority to be given to a start on repairs to St Michael’s Tower and the removal of scaffolding.

·          the introduction of controllable bollards at the entrances to the gate streets to improve the pedestrian environment.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report.

RESOLVED

 (1)      That the sum of £40,000 be reallocated from the replacement of the           boundary wall at Station Road Car Park, to improve existing street            furniture within the City Centre.

(2)       That the updates in respect of the specific funding proposals be noted.

To set out a number of Environmental Projects to that are be delivered across the City in 2014/15.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment)

Cabinet agreed to

(1)          Note the ongoing partnership working across the City to improve the          environment, on road verges, open spaces, in the City Centre and at             Robinswood Hill.

(2)          Endorse the proposals to extend the successful Urban Wildflower               Planting to provide a suitable floral WWI commemoration in the City.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment setting out a number of Environmental Projects that are to be delivered across the City in 2014/15.

Councillor Organ welcomed the work with partners in respect of Robinswood Hill, the links with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, involvement with the community and especially children and young persons. Councillor Organ also welcomed the proposal to create a Westgate Leisure Park and Councillor Wood welcomed the encouragement for more floral displays in the City and the proposal to supplement World War One celebrations through a planting scheme.

RESOLVED

(1)          That  the ongoing partnership working across the City to improve the          environment, on road verges, open spaces, in the City Centre and at             Robinswood Hill, be noted.

(2)          That the proposals to extend the successful Urban Wildflower                      Planting to provide a suitable floral WWI commemoration in the City, be      endorsed.

To advise members of the progress that has taken place in relation to the development of housing in Gloucester and the financial benefit this has given in relation to the New Homes Bonus.

(Joint Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources)

Cabinet agreed to note the content of the report.

Cabinet considered a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advising members of the progress that had taken place in relation to development of housing in Gloucester and the financial benefit this had given in relation to the New Homes Bonus.

The Leader of the Council highlighted that the City ranked the second City in the Country for housing growth and Councillor Organ referred to the opportunities to secure the future maintenance of housing stock through the CoCo model and the housing stock transfer to Gloucester City Homes.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To receive and update on the Empty Homes programme.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure)

Cabinet agreed to note the contents of the report and the success of the Empty Homes Strategy to date.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure updating on the Empty Homes programme.

(Councillor Dallimore, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, joined the meeting at this point)

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report and the success of the Empty Homes Strategy to date be noted.

To receive a report looking at the successes of the Housing Service in helping residents find housing solutions to meet their individual needs. The report also sets out the excellent work done through homelessness prevention, working with partners and reducing the use of emergency bed and breakfast accommodation.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure)

Cabinet agreed –

(1)       The continued use of the Homelessness Prevention Grant to provide         Housing Options for vulnerable households threatened with             homelessness, and

(2)       To support the Housing Service to achieve ‘The Gold Standard Award’      by striving for continuous improvement in front line housing services.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure drawing attention to the successes of the Housing Service in helping residents find housing solutions to meet their individual needs.  The report also informed of the excellent work delivered through homelessness prevention, working with partners and reducing the use of emergency bed & breakfast accommodation.

RESOLVED

(1)       That the continued use of the Homelessness Prevention Grant to   provide Housing Options for vulnerable households threatened with             homelessness, be endorsed, and

(2)       That the Housing Service to achieve ‘The Gold Standard Award’ by            striving for continuous improvement in front line housing services be supported.

To inform Cabinet of when a Heritage Statement is required and apprise Cabinet of the work completed in this year that relates to the historic environment and associated events within the City.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration)

Cabinet agreed to note the report for information on the progress of work from April 2013 – March 2014 only.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture informing when a Heritage Statement was required and apprising Cabinet of the work completed in the current year relating to the historic environment and associated events within the City.

Cabinet expressed their support to Project Pilgrim which was currently the subject of a Heritage Lottery application submitted by the Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral.

Cabinet Members welcomed that the report which highlighted the richness of the City’s heritage and the measures and steps being taken to enhance and promote awareness.

RESOLVED

That the report on the progress of work from April 2013 – March 2014 be noted.

To update members on progress against key issues for delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture)

Cabinet agreed to note the progress against key issues for the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture updating Members on progress against the key issues for the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Cabinet Members recognised the economic benefits to the City of being a host nation and the return on investment that the Council had agreed to pledge in support of the event. Cabinet Members also saw the importance of having a schedule of events for those who may not wish to watch the games.

The Leader of the Council expressed the need to find ways of engaging local businesses to support events, The City Council had committed £350,000 and Cabinet were confident at this stage that the City Council’s contribution would be contained within this amount.

RESOLVED

That the progress against key issues for the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015 be noted.

To introduce and outline a specific aspect of the Healthy Lives Project, namely the Schools Programme.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure)

Cabinet noted the contents of the report and the achievements of the programme to date.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure introducing and outlining a specific aspect of the Hearty Lives Project, namely the Schools Programme.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report and the achievements of the programme to date be noted.

To update Cabinet on the work that is being undertaken to review the waste and recycling services.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment)

Cabinet agreed to note the contents of the report.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating on the work being undertaken to review the waste and recycling services.

Cabinet Members highlighted the improvements in recycling rates through innovative ways and also recognised the need to engage those residents who were currently not participating.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report be noted.

To update Cabinet on the positive impact that our flood risk management work is having in protecting our communities against flooding during extreme weather or tidal events.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment)

Cabinet agreed to note the report.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating on the positive impact that the flood risk management work was having in protecting communities against flooding during extreme weather and or tidal events.

In presenting the report, the Cabinet Member drew attention to the work undertaken by officers ‘behind the scenes’ and the investments that had been made by partnering organisations (including the County Council, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water) which had proved successful in alleviating flooding during the recent months of heavy rain fall.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To outline the funding that has been received by the Safer Gloucester Community Safety partnership from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, including where this funding was allocated and the achievements to date.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods)

Cabinet agreed to note the achievements of the Safer Gloucester Community Safety Partnership in securing funds from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and actions arising.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods outlining the funding that had been received by the Safer Gloucester Community Safety Partnership from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, including where the funding was allocated and the achievements to date.

RESOLVED

That the achievements of the Safer Gloucester Community Safety Partnership in securing funds from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and actions arising be noted.

To receive a summary report of financial performance for 2013/14.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources)

Cabinet agreed to note the report.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources summarising the expected year end position for the period April 2013 to March 2014 for both revenue and capital expenditure. The report also included a summary of the Treasury Management activities up to quarter 3, as reported to the Audit and Governance Committee.

The special circumstances for non-compliance with Access to Information Rule 5 and Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) were that the information was not available at the time of publishing the agenda.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted. 

To seek Cabinet approval to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for 134 Reservoir Road, Gloucester.

(Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure)

Cabinet agreed that the Compulsory Purchase Order made on 20^th November 2013 in respect of 134 Reservoir Road, Gloucester be confirmed.

That the steps required for the acquisition of the property be noted.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure seeking approval to confirm a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for 134 Reservoir Road, Gloucester.

The special circumstances for non-compliance with Access to Information Rule 5 and Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) were that the information was not available at the time of publishing the agenda and a decision is required in order to meet the relevant deadline.

The Cabinet Member commented that in most circumstances, where acquisition was considered necessary, it was desirable to achieve this through negotiation rather than compulsory powers and such powers were only used in exceptional circumstances as merited.

RESOLVED

(1)       That the Compulsory Purchase Order made on 20^th November 2013 in      respect of 134 Reservoir Road, Gloucester be confirmed.

(2)       That the steps required for the acquisition of the property be noted.