Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 16^th September be 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 the report on the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources updating Members on Treasury Management Activities in Quarter 1 (1^st April 2015 to 30^th June 2015).

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources updating Members on Treasury Management Activities in Quarter 1 (1^st April 2015 to 30^th June 2015).

Councillor Norman (Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources) highlighted key areas of the report commenting that City Council had now repaid the outstanding debt associated with the housing stock transferred to Gloucester City Homes (GCH) on the 17^th March 2015.

Cabinet Members endorsed the approach and were pleased to note that the City Council were not borrowing in advance of need at the end of Quarter 1.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval for the temporary withdrawal of Tewkesbury Borough Council from the Gloucestershire Business Rates pool and the formation of a revised business rates pool.

RESOLVED:

1.    That subject to further work being undertaken by Gloucestershire Chief Financial Officers prior to 31 October 2015 deadline, that the current pool be disbanded in principle to enable Tewkesbury Borough Council to be withdrawn from the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool for the financial year 2016/2017.

2.    That authority be delegated to the s151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, to manage on an on-going basis the Council’s position with regard to Pool membership.

3.    That authority be delegated to the s151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, the agreement of any amendments in relation to the existing pooling agreement.

4.    That authority be delegated to the S151 Officer to enter into revised pooling agreements on such terms as considered appropriate, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval for the temporary withdrawal of Tewkesbury Borough Council (TBC) from the Gloucestershire Business Rates pool and the formation of a revised business rates pool.

Cabinet Members welcomed the proposals reaffirming their commitment to remaining a member of a county wide pool noting that this would encourage economic growth across the district.

RESOLVED:

1.    That subject to further work being undertaken by Gloucestershire Chief Financial Officers prior to 31 October 2015 deadline, that the current pool be disbanded in principle to enable Tewkesbury Borough Council to be withdrawn from the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool for the financial year 2016/2017.

2.    That authority be delegated to the s151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, to manage on an on-going basis the Council’s position with regard to Pool membership.

3.    That authority be delegated to the s151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, the agreement of any amendments in relation to the existing pooling agreement.

4.    That authority be delegated to the S151 Officer to enter into revised pooling agreements on such terms as considered appropriate, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on work that has been undertaken to review the Council’s Dog Warden Service, and to seek approval to make arrangements for the collection service to be provided by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) for a trial period of 12 months.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and in particular the improvements that have been made through the transfer of stray dog kennelling and re-homing to Worcestershire Regulatory Services;

That approval be granted to extend the existing shared arrangement with Worcestershire Regulatory Services for a trial period of 1 year to wholly deliver the Dog Warden Service including the collection of stray dogs, and

That approval be granted to implement a formal variation to the AMEY Street-care Contract in accordance with contract provisions, in order to remove the requirement for them to provide a stray dog service.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on work that has been undertaken to review the Council’s Dog Warden Service, and to seek approval to make arrangements for the collection service to be provided by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) for a trial period of 12 months.

Cabinet Members endorsed the approach commenting that the proposals were fiscally prudent, generating modest savings that would contribute to the Council’s savings programme. They noted that this move alongside the introduction of micro chipping would encourage more responsible dog ownership. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted and in particular the improvements that have been made through the transfer of stray dog kennelling and re-homing to Worcestershire Regulatory Services;

2.    That approval be granted to extend the existing shared arrangement with Worcestershire Regulatory Services for a trial period of 1 year to wholly deliver the Dog Warden Service including the collection of stray dogs, and

3.    That approval be granted to implement a formal variation to the AMEY Street-care Contract in accordance with contract provisions, in order to remove the requirement for them to provide a stray dog service.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on energy usage across the City Council’s buildings during 2014/2015 and reduction in consumption and costs due to improved management.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the positive progress that has been made in reducing energy usage, consumption and costs across the Council’s buildings during 2014-15 be noted.

2.    That the continued implementation of projects to minimise energy usage across the Council’s buildings be supported and;

3.    That the adoption of the framework agreement with Advanced Demand Side Management Ltd (ADSM Ltd) to access the ‘Aquafund’ for water conservation improvements across the Council’s buildings be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on energy usage across the City Council’s buildings during 2014/2015 and reduction in consumption and costs due to improved management.

Cabinet Members endorsed the approach noting that it delivered both environmental and financial benefits and commented that continual monitoring of new technology and processes could help to deliver future savings. Councillor Norman expressed his hope that given the fall in the cost of energy production Officers would ensure best value was being obtained and competitively negotiate with the Council’s energy supplier if necessary. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the positive progress that has been made in reducing energy usage, consumption and costs across the Council’s buildings during 2014-15 be noted.

2.    That the continued implementation of projects to minimise energy usage across the Council’s buildings be supported and;

3.    That the adoption of the framework agreement with Advanced Demand Side Management Ltd (ADSM Ltd) to access the ‘Aquafund’ for water conservation improvements across the Council’s buildings be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the progress made with the Robinswood Hill Master Plan Project and to seek approval to pursue Heritage Lottery Fund, Parks for People funding in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT).

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted;

2.    That the draft Memorandum of Understanding (included at Appendix 2) be endorsed for completion;

3.    That approval be granted for Officers to jointly develop a Master Plan in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust;

4.    That use of the plan in providing a framework for decision making on Robinswood Hill over the next 10 years be supported;

5.    That approval be granted for Officers to work in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to develop a Big Lottery/Heritage Lottery Fund, Parks for People funding bid for improvements to Robinswood Hill, and

6.    That capital receipts raised from the sale of Woods Orchard Car Park be utilised to jointly fund a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust post over 2 years, which will have a specific remit to develop Master Plan, gather necessary evidence to submit a Parks for People Funding Bid and prepare and submit the Bid.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the progress made with the Robinswood Hill Master Plan Project and to seek approval to pursue Heritage Lottery Fund, Parks for People funding in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT).

Cabinet Members welcomed the proposals acknowledging that a successful bid would help to deliver further improvements to the Hill already an important community asset and site of a wide variety of cultural events. They were pleased to note that an asset based approach had been adopted and the views of local residents were being sought and considered.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted;

2.    That the draft Memorandum of Understanding (included at Appendix 2) be endorsed for completion;

3.    That approval be granted for Officers to jointly develop a Master Plan in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust;

4.    That use of the plan in providing a framework for decision making on Robinswood Hill over the next 10 years be supported;

5.    That approval be granted for Officers to work in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to develop a Big Lottery/Heritage Lottery Fund, Parks for People funding bid for improvements to Robinswood Hill, and

6.    That capital receipts raised from the sale of Woods Orchard Car Park be utilised to jointly fund a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust post over 2 years, which will have a specific remit to develop Master Plan, gather necessary evidence to submit a Parks for People Funding Bid and prepare and submit the Bid.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval for the proposed interim planning policy for mobile catering units for the purposes of public consultation.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed interim planning policy for mobile catering units be approved for a six week period of public consultation.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval for the proposed interim planning policy for mobile catering units for the purposes of public consultation.

Cabinet Members endorsed the approach commenting that once finalised the policy would help to ensure an appropriate location for the units in line with local resident’s views and business appetite.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed interim planning policy for mobile catering units be approved for a six week period of public consultation.