Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor James (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture) declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 (Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy) through his role as Chair of Marketing Gloucester Limited.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the last meeting held on 12November 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no public questions.

There were no petitions or deputations.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which sets out the Council’s Draft Money Plan proposals from 2015/16 to 2019/20 and revisions to the current year’s revenue budget.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the assumptions contained in the Council’s Draft Money Plan from 2015/16 to 2019/20 and revisions to the current year’s revenue budget be approved.

2.    That the uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in this report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing be noted.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which outlined the Council’s Draft Money Plan Proposals from 2015/16 to 2019/20 and revisions to the current year’s budget.

Councillor Norman (Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources) summarised the key areas of the report and the proposals put forward to continue to meet the savings targets. He remarked that the process was on-going, with further discussions taking place with Cabinet Members and further public consultation exercise taking place before presentation to Council in February 2015. 

Cabinet Members noted the challenging financial conditions and acknowledged that, based on Central Government financing, the Draft Money Plan may be subject to change. 

Cabinet Members were pleased to note the level of public consultation that had been undertaken during the process and welcomed support for the Council’s focus on effective service delivery and City’s economic growth. They placed on record their commendations to Officers involved.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the assumptions contained in the Council’s Draft Money Plan from 2015/16 to 2019/20 and revisions to the current year’s revenue budget be approved.

(2)  That the uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in this report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing be noted.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which sets out an Allotment Strategy detailing how the City Council intends to manage its allotment holding over coming years.

RESOLVED:

The Allotment Strategy as attached at Appendix 1 is adopted for purpose of managing allotments in Gloucester City.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment seeking approval for an Allotment Strategy for the management of the Council’s allotment holdings.

Councillor Porter (Cabinet Member for Environment) explained that feedback from allotment holders had been taken into account during the development of the Strategy and that the majority were supportive of the proposed approach.

Cabinet Members acknowledged the importance of public consultation and opinion in shaping policy, and praised the Cabinet Member for Environment for his efforts in this regard. They were pleased to note that improved use of allotment sites would additionally benefit public health and welfare.

RESOLVED:

That the Allotment Strategy be adopted for purpose of managing allotments in Gloucester City.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which seeks approval for the City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy following the close of the consultation phase for the Draft Policy.

RESOLVED

1)         The contents of this report be noted.

2)         The City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy at Appendix 1 be approved for implementation as of 1st January 2015

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment seeking to adopt a trade waste collection policy for the City centre.  

Councillor Porter explained that the policy was required due to increased concern with regards to the impact of trade waste on economic growth and the reputation within the City centre. He remarked that traders and partners had been widely consulted with a majority in favour of the new policy.

Cabinet praised the innovativeness of the policy and emphasised that strong enforcement by officers would ensure its effectiveness. Cabinet Members also remarked that it would bring additional benefits for tourism and environment.

RESOLVED

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

(2)       That the City Centre Trade Waste Collection Policy be approved for implementation from 1st January 2015

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which sets out a five year strategy for the Growing Gloucester Visitor Economy.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy strategy be adopted.

2. That the Action Plan forms the basis of a work programme over the next 5 years.

3. That the relevant officers be instructed to work with Marketing Gloucester to implement the Action Plan, identifying the necessary resources and allocating ownership for delivery.

4. That the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy strategy be reviewed annually.

Councillor James declared a personal interest in Agenda item 9 (Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy) through his role as Chair of Marketing Gloucester Limited.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the proposed five year strategy for growing Gloucester’s visitor economy.

Councillor James explained that the proposals set out a clear plan of how to achieve growth and advised that consultation would take place with key stake holders and Councillors.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report, noting that a clear strategy would have a positive effect on public confidence and pride and would ultimately generate income from local and international visitors to the city. Cabinet Members endorsed the role of Marketing Gloucester Limited and emphasised the importance of holding them to account.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy strategy be adopted.

(2)   That the Action Plan forms the basis of a work programme over the next 5 years.

(3)   That the relevant officers be instructed to work with Marketing Gloucester to implement the Action Plan, identifying the necessary resources and allocating ownership for delivery.

(4)  That the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy strategy be reviewed annually.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which sets out the range of documents the Council is obliged to keep and maintain consistent with its obligations as the local planning authority and which seeks approval to use the Joint Core Strategy Submission Plan (the JCS) as a material consideration in future planning decisions.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture concerning the range of documents the Council was obliged to keep and maintain consistent with its obligations as the local planning authority and seeking approval for the use of the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) Submission Plan as a material consideration in future planning applications and update of the Council’s existing policy.

Cabinet Members welcomed the proposed Statement of Community Involvement and commended the progress of the JCS adoption process to date. They noted the importance of community consultation and acknowledged that the main aim of the JCS was to ensure that the City could meet the needs of the growing population. 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(1)          That the Local Development Scheme (the LDS) at Appendix1 be approved;

(2)          That the revised Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) AT Appendix 2 be approved for consultation purposes and

(3)          That the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) be endorsed for use as a material consideration in all future planning decisions. 

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which sets out and seeks approval to pursue a proposed project to combine the City Council’s Historic Environment Record (HER) with the Countywide HER run by the County Council’s Archaeology Service and for the HER to be jointly operated in future under a service level agreement.

RESOLVED

1.    The approach of linking the City HER with the County Council HER be supported;

2.    Authority be delegated to the City Archaeologist to:

a.    Produce a project design in partnership with the County Council; and

b.    Approach English Heritage (EH) for funding for a temporary post to undertake the required data transfer.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Legal and Policy Development, in consultation with the Head of Planning and the City Archaeologist, to negotiate and enter into a Service Level Agreement for the joint operation of the HER

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member of Regeneration and Culture concerning proposals to pursue a proposed project to combine the City and Countywide Historic Environment Record (HER) run by the County Council’s Archaeology Service and for the HER to be jointly operated in future under service level agreement. 

Cabinet Members endorsed the proposed approach noting that partnership working was the appropriate option and that it would also generate a small income in future years.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the approach of linking the City HER with the County Council HER be supported;

(2)  That authority be delegated to the City Archaeologist to:

a.    Produce a project design in partnership with the County Council; and

b.    Approach English Heritage (EH) for funding for a temporary post to undertake the required data transfer.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Legal and Policy Development, in consultation with the Head of Planning and the City Archaeologist, to negotiate and enter into a Service Level Agreement for the joint operation of the HER

PLEASE NOTE:  Following publication of the agenda this item has now been withdrawn.

This report was withdrawn from the agenda.