Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no public questions.

To receive any petitions or deputations provided that no such petition or deputation is in relation to:

·         Matters relating to individual Council Officers, or

·         Matters relating to current or pending legal proceedings

There were no petitions or deputations.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment concerning the flood alleviation works which have been completed across the City throughout 2013/2014, those that are currently in progress and to outline future planned works.

RESOLVED

(1)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)      That the importance of flood alleviation works within the City to minimise the risk and impact of flooding events be recognised.

(3)      That the partnership work that is being undertaken to reduce flood risk in the City be acknowledged and supported.

(4)      That officers continue to investigate additional sources of funding to maximise opportunities to reduce flood risk for residents and businesses across the City.

(5)      That opportunities to provide information, education, and signposting and to undertake consultation be pursued to help reduce the impact of the reduction in funding available for schemes.

Cabinet considered a report which informed them of the flood alleviation works that had been completed across the City in 2013/14 and those that were currently in progress.  The document also outlined future planned works.

Cabinet endorsed the report and commented on the innovative work which had taken place and the progress which had been made.  Cabinet placed on record its thanks to the Officers involved.

RESOLVED

(1)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)      That the importance of flood alleviation works within the City to minimise the risk and impact of flooding events be recognised.

(3)      That the partnership work that is being undertaken to reduce flood risk in the City be acknowledged and supported.

(4)      That officers continue to investigate additional sources of funding to maximise opportunities to reduce flood risk for residents and businesses across the City.

(5)      That opportunities to provide information, education, and signposting and to undertake consultation be pursued to help reduce the impact of the reduction in funding available for schemes.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the Annual Review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Procedural Guide.

RESOLVED – That the changes to the Procedural Guide at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Cabinet considered a report which sought their approval for a review and update of the Council’s procedural guidance on RIPA.

Cabinet was informed that the changes would also be considered by the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee, prior to the matter being examined at a meeting of Full Council on 20 November 2014.

Cabinet endorsed the report.

RESOLVED – That the changes to the Procedural Guide at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning financial monitoring report details including budget variances, year end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 2nd quarter ended 30th September 2014.

RESOLVED TO NOTE THAT:

(1)   In year savings already achieved total £833k.  This is an improvement on the previous position at Quarter 1 of £663k, meaning that savings of £170k have been achieved in Quarter 2.

(2)   the forecast year end position for 14/15 is to increase the Council’s general fund balance by £320k.

Cabinet considered a report which set out financial monitoring details including budget variances, year end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the second quarter ended 30^th September 2014.  The report also highlighted some key performance indicators.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources remarked that the report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10 November 2014 when Members had noted the recommendations and requested a further breakdown of the figures outlined in paragraph 6.1.

Cabinet acknowledged the satisfactory progress made despite the challenges faced by the organisation.   It was recognised that whilst some savings were taking longer to accrue than had been anticipated  that the General Fund balance would continue to be added to.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture placed on record his thanks to the Officers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning projects within the City Centre Investment Fund delivery programme.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the public toilet allocation of £100,000 be used to provide a new facility at the relocated Tourist Information Centre, subject to the outcome of detailed feasibility studies.

(2)       That a further £5,000 be allocated to cover the cost of the Urban Designer to develop the Lighting Schemes up to 30^th September 2015.

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

(4)       Confirm the prioritisation of Longsmith Street Car Park and the Eastgate Street frontage of the Kings Walk Car Park for the treatment of their facades.

Cabinet considered a report which updated them on projects within the City Centre Investment Fund delivery programme.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture summarised the key headlines in the report.  He commended Gloucestershire Highways for their assistance and remarked that the Gloucester Historic Buildings Company had indicated support for proposed works to 26 Westgate Street.

Cabinet was pleased to note the various schemes which benefited from the Investment Fund which would help to make the City more vibrant and attractive to  entrepreneurs and tourists.  Cabinet further noted that the outcome of a Round 1 Heritage Lottery Fund bid in respect of the City Museum was expected during November.

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RESOLVED

(1)       That the public toilet allocation of £100,000 be used to provide a new facility at the relocated Tourist Information Centre, subject to the outcome of detailed feasibility studies.

(2)       That a further £5,000 be allocated to cover the cost of the Urban Designer to develop the Lighting Schemes up to 30^th September 2015.

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

(4)       That the prioritisation of Longsmith Street Car Park and the Eastgate Street frontage of the Kings Walk Car Park for the treatment of their facades be confirmed.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the regeneration of the Indoor Market Hall at the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

RESOLVED that:

(1)      the City Council continue negotiations with their headlease holder, Rockspring Investors, to create a new indoor market either on the first floor or split between the ground and first floors of the Eastgate Shopping Centre subject to:

a)    acceptable arrangements for layout and rental levels being agreed with a focus on attracting new food and other retailers and subject to all existing market traders being offered an opportunity for a new stall if they so wish.

b)    final agreement as to costs with Rockspring Investors and a proper return being achieved for the City Council’s leasehold investment.

c)    acceptable lease terms being agreed to ensure longevity and flexibility for both the new first floor and the existing ground floor premises.        

d)    satisfactory Consultant’s report to demonstrate best value.

(2)      only essential repairs are undertaken to the existing market hall for the very short term with a view to closing the building once the new market is fully operational. Negotiations with Rockspring to take place to minimise any essential repairs following service of their dilapidations notice. The cost of these essential repairs could form part of the service charge recovery in accordance with normal practice until the market moves to the new location.

           (3)      officers negotiate with Rockspring Investors regarding the future of the existing market hall site and how this asset maybe used for the benefit of the Council, the Eastgate Shopping Centre and the city centre generally, and report back to Cabinet in due course.

Cabinet considered a report which updated them on options for the regeneration of the Indoor Market Hall at the Eastgate Shopping Centre and which sought approval to progress negotiations with the head leaseholder, Rockspring Investors.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture summarised the current position and advised on the outcome of discussions by the indoor market working group and the results of consultation with market traders.  The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture stressed that no decisions were being taken at this point in time and that the Council had time to consider options pending the sale of the Rockspring Investors lease for the Eastgate Centre.  He added that NABMA, an organisation which promoted the interests of market traders, would also be consulted.

Cabinet acknowledged the importance of the market whilst recognising that it could not go on forever in its existing location.  Cabinet endorsed the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED

(1)      That the City Council continue negotiations with their headlease holder, Rockspring Investors, to create a new indoor market either on the first floor or split between the ground and first floors of the Eastgate Shopping Centre subject to:

a)    acceptable arrangements for layout and rental levels being agreed with a focus on attracting new food and other retailers and subject to all existing market traders being offered an opportunity for a new stall if they so wish.

b)   final agreement as to costs with Rockspring Investors and a proper return being achieved for the City Council’s leasehold investment.

c)    acceptable lease terms being agreed to ensure longevity and flexibility for both the new first floor and the existing ground floor premises.        

d)   satisfactory Consultant’s report to demonstrate best value.

(2)      That only essential repairs are undertaken to the existing market hall for the very short term with a view to closing the building once the new market is fully operational. Negotiations with Rockspring to take place to minimise any essential repairs following service of their dilapidations notice. The cost of these essential repairs could form part of the service charge recovery in accordance with normal practice until the market moves to the new location.

           (3)      That officers negotiate with Rockspring Investors regarding the future of the existing market hall site and how this asset may be used for the benefit of the Council, the Eastgate Shopping Centre and the city centre generally, and report back to Cabinet in due course.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Policy Development and Head of Finance concerning the granting of an exemption to the application of Contract Standing Orders to the procurement of a contractor to sell advertising space for the streetlight and bridge banners erected in connection with the Rugby World Cup.

RESOLVED – That an exemption to the application of Contract Standing Orders to the procurement of the contractor to sell advertising space for the streetlight and bridge banners erected in connection with the Rugby World Cup be granted for the reasons set out in this report.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval for an exemption to the application of Contract Standing Orders to the procurement of a contractor to sell advertising space for the streetlight and bridge banners erected in connection with the Rugby World Cup.  Cabinet endorsed the recommendation in the report.

RESOLVED – that an exemption to the application of Contract Standing Orders to the procurement of a contractor to sell advertising space for the streetlight and bridge banners erected in connection with the Rugby World Cup be granted for the reasons set out in the report.

To resolve:-

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration of this item there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended”.

Agenda Item No.                 Description of Exempt Information

12                                           Paragraph 1: information relating to any individual.

Paragraph 3: information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration of this item there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

Agenda Item No.               Description of Exempt Information

12                                           Paragraph 1: information relating to any individual.

Paragraph 3: information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the governance arrangements for Gloucestershire Airport Limited (report to follow).

RESOLVED that the recommendations be agreed as per the exempt report.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the exempt report be approved.