Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no public questions.

There were no petitions or deputations.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which updates Cabinet on progress that has been made in achieving the Cultural Strategy’s targets from January to June 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the achievements made in delivering the Cultural Strategy over the last six months (January 2014-June 2014) be noted.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which provided an update on progress that had been made in achieving the Cultural Strategy’s targets from January to June 2014.

Cabinet were informed that the strategy was adopted in 2007 and it had been agreed that a six monthly update would be presented to Cabinet detailing how well the City had achieved its cultural targets.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture referred to the following:

·         A metal plaque to mark the 300^th anniversary of the birth of George Whitefield.  There had been a lot of activity over the heritage weekend and more would continue in 2015.

·         USA participation in the Rugby World Cup.

·         It was hoped that the Jolt Festival would be repeated.

·         As a result of the recent Paint Jam event, interest in street art had increased and the Arts Council were keen to invest in the city’s cultural offer.  

·         The Strike a Light Festival in the City had been well received.

·         Construction had started on the Gloucester Rowing Club Boat House.

·         Transformational projects – at the time of developing the Cultural Strategy it was not clear what these projects should be.  It was agreed to look at extra cultural facilities within the City.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report which identified the excellent achievements that had been made.  The report also highlighted the cultural, historical and diversity within the City.

RESOLVED:

That the achievements made in delivering the Cultural Strategy over the last six months (January 2014-June 2014) be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which asks Cabinet to approve a Draft City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy for formal consultation.

RESOLVED:

1)     That the contents of this report be noted.

2)     That the Draft City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy currently out for formal consultation be endorsed by Cabinet.

3)     Subject to consultation with City Centre Businesses, the Policy be considered for adoption, in December 2014, with an implementation date of 1^st January 2015

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which sought approval for a Draft City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy for formal consultation.

Cabinet were informed that previously there had been no policy in place to support trade waste collection.  Businesses generate varying levels of trade waste and there had been some offenders who had not supported efforts to keep the streets clean and tidy.

The policy would regulate trade waste collection and inform businesses how to dispose of their waste.  A mechanism would also be in place to penalise those who committed an offence.

The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that he had met with the Chairman of the Gloucester Branch of Federation of Small Businesses and the President of the Chamber of Trade who welcomed the policy.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Environment said there had been a small minority who regularly offended.  He believed that by having a City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy in place would ensure businesses would have a clear and consistent message to assist them in complying with the law.

Cabinet Members recognised the need to have a policy in place to provide clarity and endorsed the report.

RESOLVED:

1)     That the Draft City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy currently out for formal consultation be endorsed.

2)     Subject to consultation with City Centre Businesses, the Policy be considered for adoption, in December 2014, with an implementation date of 1^st January 2015

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which informs Cabinet of a trial project that is being developed in partnership with Amey to collect additional items at the kerbside for recycling.

RESOLVED:

1)     That the contents of this report be noted.

2)     Cabinet are asked to endorse the trial project involving the kerbside collection of two additional items for recycling.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which informed them of a trial project that was being developed in partnership with Amey to collect additional items from the kerbside for recycling.

Cabinet were informed that a range of cost effective options to collect additional materials had been explored to increase recycling rates.  It was agreed that food and drink cartons and aerosols would be considered as many requests to recycle these items had been received from residents.

A trial was currently being developed to collect food and drink cartons and aerosols which would be placed out for collection in the existing recycling box.  The trial would be undertaken in the Longlevens ward and it was proposed to start on 15 September 2014 and run for four weeks.  This ward had been chosen as it achieved the highest rates of recycling.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Environment advised that if the trail was successful, it would be launched in December and rolled out across the City.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report which detailed the progress which would be made to increase recycling within the City.

RESOLVED:

1)     That the trial project involving the kerbside collection of two additional items for recycling be endorsed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which updates Cabinet on treasury management activities for the quarter 1 April 2014 to 30 June 2014.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources fulfilling one of the requirements of the revised Code of Practice for Treasury Management in November 2011 recommending that Members should be updated on treasury management activities at least twice a year, but preferably quarterly. This report covered Quarter 1, 1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014.

Cabinet were informed that the report had been presented to the Audit and Governance Committee on 8 September 2014.  The report had received positive feedback and the Committee had resolved that the report be noted and that no changes would be required to the prudential indicators.

Cabinet noted that no borrowing was undertaken during the quarter.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report which provided concise and detailed information.  Members were satisfied that the borrowing situation was under control and commented on the vast improvements which had been made.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which informs Cabinet of financial monitoring details including budget variances, year-end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the first quarter ended 30 June 2014.  The report also highlights some key performance indicators.

RESOLVED that:

1)    In year savings already achieved total £663k be noted.

2)    A further £467k of savings are currently in the process of implementation.

3)    The forecast year end position for 14/15 is currently an overspend against     budgets of £44k.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which informed them of the financial monitoring details including budget variances, year-end forecasts and progress made against agreed savings targets for the first quarter ending 30 June 2014 (Quarter 1).  The report also highlighted some key performance indicators.

Cabinet were informed that the report had been presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 September 2014.  The report had received positive feedback which provided encouraging figures and showed that the City Council was moving forward.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had raised the following matters:

1)        The Committee had requested that they receive more up to date information, particularly regarding savings on the Amey contract.  It was noted that up to date reports would be provided to the Committee earlier.

2)        Discussions had also taken place on projected figures for the garden waste collection service. The Committee believed it was unfortunate that the scheme had not generated the budgeted level of income. The Committee noted that the Cabinet Member for Environment was keen to make improvements and would be reviewing the current process.

Cabinet Members endorsed the report which provided encouraging figures and showed the progress which had been made.

RESOLVED that:

1)    In year savings already achieved total £663k be noted.

2)    A further £467k of savings which are currently in the process of implementation be noted.

3)    The forecast year end position for 14/15 that is currently an overspend against budgets of £44k be noted.