Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2016.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th February 2016 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

Mr O’ Connor presented a petition on behalf of residents of Kemble Close, Tuffley who were experiencing major issues in gaining access to the area due to obstructions caused by the lack of sufficient parking spaces. He requested that City Council make some provision to release a small amount of land to provide 3 additional car parking spaces recognising the difficulty in accepting this request. He reported that the petition had attracted a modest number of signatures as the issue only affected a limited number of residents.

Councillor James (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy) thanked Mr O’ Connor for his attendance noting that this request would need to be considered by Officers before a response could be provided.

Councillor Organ (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) stated that he was fully aware of the issue, caused by a combination of a lack of sufficient space and the attitude of a local resident. He assured Mr O’ Connor that Officers would examine the issue in detail and provide Mr O Connor with a response.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure concerning the proposed draft Cultural Strategy 2016-2026.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:

1.    That the Cultural Strategy 2016 - 2026 be adopted;

2.    That the Council notes the establishment of a new Cultural Board, as set out in paragraphs 3.5 – 3.7;

3.    That the Council authorises the Corporate Director to enter into an agreement with the formed Cultural Board on terms approved by the Council Solicitor to deliver the Cultural Strategy on behalf of the Council for the period 2016- 2018; and

4.    That the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure be appointed as the Council’s nominee on the new Cultural Board.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure (Councillor Noakes) concerning the proposed draft Cultural Strategy 2016-2026.

Councillor Noakes highlighted key areas of the report advising that the strategy had been developed with £15,000 funding from the Arts Council in addition to the £10,000 funding provided by the City Council and had incorporated feedback gathered from responses to the online public consultation. She advised that a Culture Board would be established to deliver the ambitious plans laid out in the strategy, noting that the independent Board would report back to the City Council regularly on the progress being made. She expressed her thanks to all members of the interim culture board for their efforts in developing the strategy within such a tight timescale.

Cabinet Members welcomed the strategy acknowledging the importance of continuing to develop culture within the City. Councillor Dallimore (Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods) encouraged the continued use of asset based community development approach to help deliver the strategy’s aims noting that fully constituted Culture Board should be representative of communities within the City.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:

1.    That the Cultural Strategy 2016 - 2026 be adopted;

2.    That the Council notes the establishment of a new Cultural Board, as set out in paragraphs 3.5 – 3.7;

3.    That the Council authorises the Corporate Director to enter into an agreement with the formed Cultural Board on terms approved by the Council Solicitor to deliver the Cultural Strategy on behalf of the Council for the period 2016- 2018; and

4.    That the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure be appointed as the Council’s nominee on the new Cultural Board.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure concerning progress made in achieving the Cultural Strategy’s targets from July to December 2015.

RESOLVED:

1.    That achievements made in delivering the Cultural Strategy from July to December 2015 be noted.

2.    That the planned activities by various stakeholders as contributing to the Cultural Strategy aims and objectives be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure which updated Members on progress made in achieving the Cultural Strategy’s targets from July to December 2015.

Councillor Noakes summarised key areas of the report and advised Members that future reports would be presented in an altered format following the implementation of the new Cultural Strategy.

RESOLVED:

1.    That achievements made in delivering the Cultural Strategy from July to December 2015 be noted.

2.    That the planned activities by various stakeholders as contributing to the Cultural Strategy aims and objectives be noted.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the outcomes of the Council’s Host City project as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC) celebrations and the ongoing legacy priorities.

RESOLVED:

That the outcomes of being a RWC Host City and the ongoing work of the RWC Legacy Group set up to ensure a real legacy is achieved be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which updated Members on the outcomes of the Council’s Host City project as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC) celebrations and the ongoing legacy priorities.

Councillor James reported that a Legacy group had been set up to explore the long term benefits of the RWC15 and to deliver the future projects planned across the City noting that the City Council had delivered a large programme of cultural events over and above the requirements of a Host City. He reported that owing to the considerable financial impact that the Host City Project had on the City, Gloucester would be used as a case study in an economic impact report being produced by England 2015.

Cabinet Members praised Officers for delivering the project and associated cultural programme within the agreed budget, noting that the City had been allocated a much smaller budget in comparison to other Host Cities. They placed on record their thanks to community groups and volunteers for their involvement and efforts in the project and expressed their hope that the City would be able to attract more events of a similar scale.

RESOLVED:

That the outcomes of being a RWC Host City and the ongoing work of the RWC Legacy Group set up to ensure a real legacy is achieved be noted.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods outlining how grant funding has been allocated for the period 2014 to 2016 and the proposed approach for 2016 to 2017.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the allocation of grant funding for the period to March 2016, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted.

2.    That the process and criteria for the allocation of grant funding, as outlined in appendix 2, be approved for 2016-17

3.    That the grant monies are split as detailed in paragraph 3.8.

4.    That the remaining ABCD (Your Gloucester) budget is carried forward to 2016-17.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods which outlined how grant funding had been allocated for the period 2014 to 2016 and the proposed approach for 2016 to 2016 and the proposed approach for 2016 to 2017.

Councillor Dallimore reported that the landscape for grant funding had changed owing to the financial constraints the Council was facing, noting that the City Council was still the largest grant provider in the district. She advised that a grass roots approach had been adopted, with Officers working to develop communication with partners to consider the possibility of sharing funding. She reported that the budgetary implications had been discussed at a workshop on the 24^th November 2015 which had been well attended by voluntary and community groups; she noted that the service level agreements with advice centres would remain the same. 

Councillor Dallimore expressed her disappointment at an article in the local media regarding the Members Allocation Fund, noting that a majority of the monies had already been spent.

Cabinet Members endorsed the proposals, commenting that Members were in an appropriate position to recognise groups and projects that require funding within their individual wards.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the allocation of grant funding for the period to March 2016, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted.

2.    That the process and criteria for the allocation of grant funding, as outlined in appendix 2, be approved for 2016-17

3.    That the grant monies are split as detailed in paragraph 3.8.

4.    That the remaining ABCD (Your Gloucester) budget is carried forward to 2016-17.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods concerning the effects of Community Building using the Asset Based approach in Kingsway.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted

2.    That the City Council continues to use an asset based approach to service delivery

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods which updated Members on the effects of Community Building using the asset based approach in Kingsway.

Councillor Dallimore reported that despite initial public concerns about Kingsway, the pilot had proven to be successful predominantly owing to the efforts of the Community Builder. She noted that the project had also sparked interest with other partner organisations, reporting that similar projects would be implemented in Podsmead and Matson following funding received from the National Lottery and Barnwood Trust.

Cabinet Members welcomed the progress made in Kingsway, noting the strong community spirit that had been established. They expressed their hope that other wards in the City could benefit from similar model.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted

2.    That the City Council continues to use an asset based approach to service delivery

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure concerning seeking approval for the policy which defines how, why and what the City’s museums collect.

RESOLVED:

That the policy, set out in Appendix 1, be adopted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure which sought approval for the policy which defines how, why and what the City museums collect.

Councillor Noakes reported that the new policy had been developed following a revision of the Collections Development Policy templates produced by Arts Council England to ensure that the City Council retained its Accreditation status.

RESOLVED:

That the policy, set out in Appendix 1, be adopted.

To consider the 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 3nd quarter ended 31st December 2015.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the savings achieved in year to date total £1.002m be noted.

2.    That the forecast year end position which is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £244k be noted. This is an improvement of the Quarter 2 position of £278k.

3.    That the actual and expected levels of income for the Council shown at Appendix 3 be noted.

4.    That the details of specific budgetary issues identified by officers and the actions being taken to address those issues be noted.

5.    That the current level of Capital expenditure as shown on Appendix 2 be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources (Councillor Norman) which updated Members on the financial monitoring report details including budget variances, year-end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 3^rd quarter ended 31^st December 2015.

Councillor Norman summarised key areas of the report commenting that Senior Officers were encouraging their teams to consider new means of making further savings, without compromising the level of service being delivered.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the savings achieved in year to date total £1.002m be noted.

2.    That the forecast year end position which is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £244k be noted. This is an improvement of the Quarter 2 position of £278k.

3.    That the actual and expected levels of income for the Council shown at Appendix 3 be noted.

4.    That the details of specific budgetary issues identified by officers and the actions being taken to address those issues be noted.

5.    That the current level of Capital expenditure as shown on Appendix 2 be noted.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking Cabinet authority to conduct an joint EU compliant tender process with Gloucestershire County Council for the award of a new 4 year contract (3 year initial term with an option to extend for a year) for the supply of temporary staff commencing 1st August 2016.

RESOLVED:

1.    That a competition be run jointly with Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with the provisions of the ESPO 653F MSTAR Framework for the award of single supplier 4 year contract (for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend for a further year) for the provision of temporary staff services commencing on 1^st August 2016.

2.    That upon conclusion of the mini competition process, to enter into a contract with the preferred provider evaluated as offering the Council best value for money for delivery of the services.

3.    That in the event that the preferred provider is either unable or unwilling to enter into that contract with the Council, the Head of Finance, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, be authorised to enter into such contract with the next willing highest placed suitably qualified provider.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which sought approval to conduct a joint EU compliant tender process with Gloucestershire County Council GlosCC for the award of a new 4 year contract (3 year initial term with an option to extend for a year) for the supply of temporary staff commencing 1^st August 2016.

Councillor Norman commented that there was no single arrangement currently in place and a joint procurement with GlosCC could help to secure better value savings.

RESOLVED:

1.    That a competition be run jointly with Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with the provisions of the ESPO 653F MSTAR Framework for the award of single supplier 4 year contract (for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend for a further year) for the provision of temporary staff services commencing on 1^st August 2016.

2.    That upon conclusion of the mini competition process, to enter into a contract with the preferred provider evaluated as offering the Council best value for money for delivery of the services.

3.    That in the event that the preferred provider is either unable or unwilling to enter into that contract with the Council, the Head of Finance, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, be authorised to enter into such contract with the next willing highest placed suitably qualified provider.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which updated Members on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Councillor Norman stated that the actions outstanding from the last inspection had now been completed, and reported that following the review of the procedural guidance later in the year, an update report would be presented to Cabinet on annual basis instead.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval of the Community Infrastructure Levy – Draft Charging Schedule for public consultation purposes.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the publication of the Draft Charging Schedule be approved for public consultation purposes subject to any further amendments recommended by Planning Policy Sub-Committee.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to prepare the final consultation document.

3.    That following the conclusion of the public consultation period, the responses received be compiled and submitted with the Draft Charging Schedule to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning which sought approval of the Community Infrastructure Levy- Draft Charging Schedule for public consultation purposes.

Councillor Organ summarised key areas of the report noting that the absence of an approved charging schedule could reduce the funds received to promote future development.

In response to Councillor James’s query regarding the viability of small scale residential schemes if a flat rate were imposed across the entire JCS area, the Head of Planning reported that CIL would not be payable on schemes that comprised 10 dwellings or less.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the publication of the Draft Charging Schedule be approved for public consultation purposes subject to any further amendments recommended by Planning Policy Sub-Committee.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to prepare the final consultation document.

3.    That following the conclusion of the public consultation period, the responses received be compiled and submitted with the Draft Charging Schedule to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval for an interim planning policy for mobile catering units to be used for development management purposes, prior to the completion of the City Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the interim planning policy for mobile catering units be adopted for development management purposes, prior to the adoption of the City Plan.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning which sought approval for an interim planning policy for mobile catering units to be used for development management purposes, prior to the completion on the City Plan.

Councillor Organ highlighted key areas of the report, and commented that the responses from the public consultation had been evaluated, though Officers had not felt amendments to the policy were required.

Councillor Dallimore was encouraged to see that health and wellbeing of local residents were taken into consideration within the policy, reporting that Stroud District Council were also considering a similar aspect in the development of their policy.

RESOLVED:

That the interim planning policy for mobile catering units be adopted for development management purposes, prior to the adoption of the City Plan.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking authority to co-locate both Gloucester City and Gloucestershire County property teams within Shire Hall, to enable consideration of a full shared property service over the forthcoming 12 months.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the City Council property team be relocated to Shire Hall to enable the two property teams to be co-located.

2.    That a period of review be undertaken to fully assess the opportunities for shared working and develop plans for a full shared service.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which sought approval to co-locate both Gloucester City and Gloucestershire County property teams within Shire Hall, to enable consideration of a fully shared property service over the forthcoming months.

Councillor James reported that the co-location of the property teams would help the City Council to achieve its savings targets but recognised that further work would be required to evaluate the benefits a fully integrated service. He commented that Members’ could continue to have easy access to the Asset and Property teams at Shire Hall and would continue to be able to do so, should there be any changes to the arrangements.

In response to Councillor Norman’s query regarding pension liability if staff were TUPEd, the Head of Finance explained that a full cost benefit analysis would be carried out and this issue would be considered in detail.

In response to the Councillor Jim Porter’s query of why a cost benefit analysis had not been completed prior to the move to Shire Hall, the Managing Director advised that this had not been completed deliberately, in order to allow both teams to fully consider the opportunistic savings that could be made. He noted that as there had been no changes to the terms and conditions, staff could be re-located back to the City Council at the end of the trial period, if this was felt to be appropriate.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the City Council property team be relocated to Shire Hall to enable the two property teams to be co-located.

2.    That a period of review be undertaken to fully assess the opportunities for shared working and develop plans for a full shared service.

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

19, 20, 21                        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 items there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning Kings Quarter.

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy updating Members on the Kings Quarter scheme.

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning Bakers Quay, Gloucester.

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning Bakers Quays, Gloucester.

RESOLVED:

The recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the disposal of land at St Oswalds and the Tesco lease variation (TO FOLLOW).

PLEASE NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A SEPARATE SUPPLEMENT WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE, BUT IS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC.

This report was withdrawn from the agenda.