Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council declared a personal interest in item 7 in respect of his employment with a letting agency.

Councillors Organ and Porter declared a personal interest in item 7 as landlords within the City.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 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 a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the progress of the “Cladding of Ugly Buildings” scheme as part of the City Centre Investment Fund allocation.

RESOLVED -

(1)       That the cladding proposals for Kings Walk car park and the Bridge over Eastgate Street be approved.

(2)       That treatment of Longsmith Street car park as a green wall as detailed in the report be approved

(3)       That the treatment of the upper floors of B&M and Paddy Power  with a trompe l’oeil canvas or a cladding system be approved

(4)       That more deliverable public art options at Wilkinsons, Northgate Street be investigated subject to co-operation of the owner;

(5)       That the estimated costs of each of the proposals be noted; and

(6)       That authority be delegated to Officers in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture to determine:

(a)       the final design of the cladding for Kings Walk Car Park and the Bridge over Eastgate Street, following targeted consultation on the detailed proposal;

(b)       the final design of the trompe l’oeil canvas or cladding system to the upper floors of B & M and Paddy Power, following targeted consultation on the detailed proposal;

(c)       the level of funding and, in consultation with other stakeholders, the final design of any façade treatment for Wilkinsons, Northgate Street.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the progress of the scheme as part of the City Centre Investment Fund allocation and the proposals to improve the attractiveness of a number of City Centre 1960s and 1970s facades using a variety of innovative techniques.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the importance of ensuring that a number of facades within the City Centre are improved.  Cabinet were informed that the images within the report were indicative and a programme of works would not be undertaken until the final decision had been agreed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commented that he supported the report and believed that assurance should be sought to ensure the correct type of cladding is used which would be fit for purpose.

Cabinet Members welcomed the scheme which would improve a number of unattractive facades within the City Centre.

RESOLVED -

(1)       That the cladding proposals for Kings Walk car park and the Bridge over Eastgate Street be approved.

(2)       That treatment of Longsmith Street car park as a green wall as detailed in the report be approved

(3)       That the treatment of the upper floors of B&M and Paddy Power  with a trompe l’oeil canvas or a cladding system be approved

(4)       That more deliverable public art options at Wilkinsons, Northgate Street be investigated subject to co-operation of the owner;

(5)       That the estimated costs of each of the proposals be noted; and

(6)       That authority be delegated to Officers in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture to determine:

(a)       the final design of the cladding for Kings Walk Car Park and the Bridge over Eastgate Street, following targeted consultation on the detailed proposal;

(b)       the final design of the trompe l’oeil canvas or cladding system to the upper floors of B & M and Paddy Power, following targeted consultation on the detailed proposal;

(c)       the level of funding and, in consultation with other stakeholders, the final design of any façade treatment for Wilkinsons, Northgate Street.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture seeking approval for the establishment of a Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee and approval of the draft Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED:

(a)       The Council becomes a member of the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) in accordance with Sections 101 and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972 and under Section 9EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and pursuant to the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions)(England)Regulations 2012;

(b)       authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise and complete the Inter Authority Agreement (including the Constitution) and any other necessary documentation on terms to be approved by the Head of Legal and Policy Development and to take all necessary steps to create the GEGJC;

(c)       the above recommendations will not be effective until equivalent resolutions have been passed by all the Gloucestershire Councils named in this report;

(d)       the delegation to the GEGJC of this Council’s functions as described in Appendix 1 and subject to the protocols proposed, be authorized upon the establishment of the GEGJC;

(e)       the appointment of Gloucestershire County Council as Administering Authority be approved; and

(f)        the Leader be appointed to be the Council’s representative on the GEGJC and that the Deputy Leader be appointed as his substitute.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the establishment of a Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee, approval of the draft Terms of Reference for the Joint Committee and to make Council aware of the progress being made towards a Strategic Economic Partnership.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the importance of co-operating with neighbouring Councils, whilst also pursuing the City’s own priorities. The City Council’s Economic Development Team would continue to play an important role ensuring that Gloucester achieved the maximum benefit from the new arrangements.

The City Council would become a member of the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) and the Leader would be appointed as the Council representative and the Deputy Leader would be appointed as a substitute.

It was proposed that a new Joint Scrutiny Committee would be created by the County Council. Councillor McLellan had been nominated to attend this Committee.  Councillor Haigh would act as a substitute member.

RESOLVED:

(a)       The Council becomes a member of the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) in accordance with Sections 101 and 102 of the Local Government Act 1972 and under Section 9EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and pursuant to the Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012;

(b)       authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise and complete the Inter Authority Agreement (including the Constitution) and any other necessary documentation on terms to be approved by the Head of Legal and Policy Development and to take all necessary steps to create the GEGJC;

(c)       the above recommendations shall not be effective until equivalent resolutions have been passed by all the Gloucestershire Councils named in this report;

(d)       the delegation to the GEGJC of this Council’s functions as described in Appendix 1 and subject to the protocols proposed, be authorized upon the establishment of the GEGJC;

(e)       the appointment of Gloucestershire County Council as Administering Authority be approved; and

(f)        the Leader be appointed to be the Council’s representative on the GEGJC and that the Deputy Leader be appointed as his substitute.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure concerning an update on the condition of the private rented housing sector and proposals for future actions to achieve improvement.

RESOLVED:

a)        that the current condition of private sector housing is noted and that the direction towards a more proactive approach to inspection and intervention be supported.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure which outlined the current condition of the private rented housing sector and proposed future actions to achieve improvement.

It was proposed to create capacity for a proactive neighbourhood approach which would require the Private Sector Housing Team to work in a less reactive way.  It was intended that this approach would help to identify poorly managed and maintained properties in the private sector.

Cabinet were informed that the report had been submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 23 June 2014.  It was agreed that a Task and Finish Group would be established to look into proposed actions to improve housing conditions in the private rented sector. The Task and Finish Group would report back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with their findings.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure advised that the Private Sector Housing Team had identified areas of concern relating to the conditions in HMO’s and these would be inspected to ensure they comply with housing standards.

Cabinet Members welcomed the proactive approach which would be undertaken to enable continuous improvements to be made which would have a positive impact for the health and wellbeing of tenants and for the Council.

RESOLVED:

a)        that the current condition of private sector housing is noted and that the direction towards a more proactive approach to inspection and intervention be supported.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Resources concerning an update on treasury management activities for Quarter 4, covering the period 1 December 2013 to 31 March 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided an update on treasury management activities for Quarter 4 (1 December 2013 to 31 March 2014).

Cabinet were informed that the report would be considered by the Audit and Governance Committee at it’s meeting on 26 June 2014.  Members of the Committee would be undertaking a Treasury Management training event prior to the meeting.

The report highlighted the positive outcome relating to borrowing and lending.  The Council had not borrowed in advance in all of 2013/14.

It was noted that the reports presented to the Audit and Governance Committee for the first three quarters contained some errors in prudential indicator limits which had now been corrected.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods concerning an annual update on management of the Council’s safeguarding responsibilities and the Safeguarding Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that all City Council staff and members complete the e-learning package for safeguarding children; and

(b)       agree the proposals set out in the Future Work section (6.0) of the report.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods which provided an annual update on how the organisation managed its safeguarding responsibilities and acknowledged the action plan produced as a result of the annual completion of the annual Section 11 audit.

Cabinet were informed that a Safeguarding update had been created in May 2013.  The City Council has a duty of care to work with each local authority and ensure arrangements are in place to promote and safeguard the welfare of children in need within their area.

It was noted that a forthcoming Peer Review of all the district councils would be led by Andrew North at Cheltenham Borough Council.   

A robust discussion took place regarding the need to report safeguarding of adults. The Corporate Director of Services and Neighbourhoods advised that the City Council was a partner on the Safeguarding Board of Adults and any concerns that have not been met should be directed to this body.

Cabinet recognised the need to ensure that all City Council staff and Members were required to undertake training to ensure they had a good level of understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. It was noted that some members of staff would require different levels of training. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       that all City Council staff and members complete the e-learning package for safeguarding children; and

(b)       agree the proposals set out in the Future Work section (6.0) of 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 3: information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

13                                            Paragraph 5: information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

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 these items there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

Minute                       Description of Exempt Information

11 and 2        )           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 revised proposals for the Kings’ Quarter land acquisitions and the construction of a new bus station.

RESOLVED:

As per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered an exempt report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the revised proposals on the Kings’ Quarter land acquisitions and the construction of a new bus station leading to the variation of the Stanhope (Gloucester) Limited Development Agreement.

RESOLVED that the exempt recommendations to Council, as detailed in the report, be approved. 

To receive a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources.

RESOLVED:

As per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered an exempt report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources dated 25 June 2014.

RESOLVED that the exempt recommendations contained in the report be noted.

Cabinet expressed their thanks to the Corporate Director of Resources and wished him well in his new role at Bristol City Council.