Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December 2016.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 7^th December be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendment:

The Managing Director advised that as the Council were offering the loan at market rate, the developer was unlikely to get another advantageous loan at a more advantageous this rate and were therefore unlikely to look for further funding.

There were non 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.

Any Member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question without prior notice, upon:

·       Any matter relating to the Council’s administration

·       Any matter relating to any report of the Cabinet appearing on the summons

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities

Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

There were no questions from Members to the Cabinet.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration  and Economy seeking approval to establish a new Gloucester Business Growth Grant Scheme from 2017/2018, replacing the current Business Grants scheme.

RESOLVED:

1.    A Gloucester Business Growth Grant Scheme be established as set out in the report.

2.    The Scheme Criteria set out in the report be approved

3.    £51,685 from the City Centre Investment Fund, together with remaining monies from historic DCLG funding and unallocated income from the Broadband Voucher scheme be allocated to fund the scheme.

4.    Authority be delegated to the Regeneration and Economic Development Manager, in consultation with the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, to make decisions on the award of Business Growth Grants based on assessment against the agreed scheme criteria.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy (Councillor James) which sought approval to establish a new Gloucester Business Growth Grant Scheme from 2017/2018, replacing the current Business Grants scheme.

Councillor James highlighted key areas of the report, noting that existing scheme had demonstrated positive beneficial impact for a significant number of business and had generated 743 jobs. He reported that the new scheme had been designed to simplify the process and incorporated a clause that would allow the grant to become repayable in certain circumstances as outlined in the report. He advised that this money would then be re-invested back into the scheme commenting that funding would support capital costs rather than rent or business rates costs as in the original scheme. He concluded by noting that applicants within the primary retail area would be eligible for up to 50% of funding, whilst those outside of the primary retail area would be eligible for up to 30% funding, to ensure that the City Centre continued to remain the area of focus.

Cabinet Members welcomed the simplification of the overall process and stressed the continued importance of prioritising the City Centre.

RESOLVED:

1.    A Gloucester Business Growth Grant Scheme be established as set out in the report.

2.    The Scheme Criteria set out in the report be approved

3.    £51,685 from the City Centre Investment Fund, together with remaining monies from historic DCLG funding and unallocated income from the Broadband Voucher scheme be allocated to fund the scheme.

4.    Authority be delegated to the Regeneration and Economic Development Manager, in consultation with the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, to make decisions on the award of Business Growth Grants based on assessment against the agreed scheme criteria.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking approval for the intended spend by the Council on the final outstanding phase of the public realm works within Gloucester Docks to a maximum of £600k.

RESOLVE:

That the City Council commit a maximum spend of £600k to the completion of the final public realm phase of Gloucester Docks.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which sought approval for the intended spend by the Council on the final outstanding phase of the public realm works within Gloucester Docks to a maximum of £600k.

Councillor James summarised key areas of the report indicating that the Council was required to complete the works as part of an agreement with the  South West Regional Development Agency when the assets were transferred and to create a setting that would ensure the successful regeneration of the site. Councillor James referring to paragraph 3.7 of the report explained that the City Council would enter into contract with Ladybellgate Estates or any associated companies as required.

Cabinet Members expressed support for the proposals noting that the works would be fully funded through the capital receipts generated from the sale of the Commercial Road properties.

RESOLVED:

That the City Council commit a maximum spend of £600k to the completion of the final public realm phase of Gloucester Docks.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members of the recent changes in legislation to deal with the significant increase in the reported cases of fly-tipping on public land in England in 2013/2014 and seeking permission to impose Fixed Penalty Fines in line with the legislation.

RESOLVED:

1.    Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalties) Regulations 2016 which came into force on 9^th May 2016 be noted.

2.    The penalty charge for Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalty Notices) be set at £400 (four hundred pounds) reduced to £300 (three hundred pounds), if paid within 10 days.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended) to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for the unauthorised deposit of waste.

4.    Officers be supported in investigating and utilising additional resources and new technology (mobile CCTV) to reduce incidents of fly tipping across the City.

5.    The growing importance of partnership working (including County wide), information sharing, education and tougher enforcement to deal with the growing issue of fly tipping be recognised.

6.    Quarterly updates on the progress and effectiveness of the policy be received by the relevant Cabinet Member.

7.    A further report, evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the policy be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 months.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment (Councillor Cook) which updated Members on the recent changes in legislation to deal with the significant increase in the reported cases of fly-tipping on public land in England in 2013/2014 and which sought permission to impose Fixed Penalty Fines in line with the legislation.

Councillor Cook reported that the proposals aimed at reducing the significant increase of incidents of fly tipping within the City and the associated resourcing costs in a more effective and less costly manner .  He noted that that the Council already had a number of preventative programmes in operation aimed at reducing fly-tipping, including educational visits and trade waste agreements with local business. He concluded by reporting that Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at their meeting on Monday 9^th January had made the following recommendations which he was happy to accept:

a)    Quarterly updates on the progress and effectiveness of the policy be received by the relevant Cabinet Member.

b)    A further report, evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the policy be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 months.

Councillor Norman (Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources) supported the proposals but expressed concern on how the Council would effectively enforce the policy and prosecute individuals caught fly-tipping.

Councillor Cook reported that current legislation made it extremely difficult for a successful prosecution to be bought forward. He advised that under the new regulations, the process had been streamlined, noting that any money generated from the proposals would be re-invested into resourcing further enforcement action.

Cabinet Members supported enforcement action against anyone caught fly-tipping and stressed the continued importance of preventative programmes for residents and businesses.

RESOLVED:

1.    Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalties) Regulations 2016 which came into force on 9^th May 2016 be noted.

2.    The penalty charge for Unauthorised Deposit of Waste (Fixed Penalty Notices) be set at £400 (four hundred pounds) reduced to £300 (three hundred pounds), if paid within 10 days.

3.    That authority be delegated under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended) to the Corporate Director to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for the unauthorised deposit of waste.

4.    Officers be supported in investigating and utilising additional resources and new technology (mobile CCTV) to reduce incidents of fly tipping across the City.

5.    The growing importance of partnership working (including County wide), information sharing, education and tougher enforcement to deal with the growing issue of fly tipping be recognised.

6.    Quarterly updates on the progress and effectiveness of the policy be received by the relevant Cabinet Member.

7.    A further report, evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the policy be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in 12 months.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment seeking approval to introduce a policy to charge for the replacement of waste containers.

RESOLVED:

1.    The Draft Replacement Waste Container Charging Policy included at Appendix 3 be approved for introduction on 1^st April 2017;

2.    To levy a charge of £40 per black or green wheeled bin where a replacement with delivery is required and a charge of £30 where delivery is not required, to commence on 1^st April 2017;

3.    The said charges be annually reviewed as part of the Fees & Charges Review Process.

4.    Requirement for residents to obtain a police crime number to qualify for a replacement waste container without charge be removed from the policy.

5.    Residents be required to complete a short web based form, or via an alternate method if appropriate, to prove the theft or loss of their assigned waste container.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which sought approval to introduce a policy to charge for the replacement of waste containers.

Councillor Cook summarised key areas of the report, noting that the charge would incentivise residents to look after their replacement waste container and would additionally benefit the street scene. He commented that over time the size of the container would reduce to encourage residents to recycle, noting that a number of local authorities also had similar charges, which was aimed at reducing the cost of providing the service rather than generating a profit.  He concluded by reporting that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on the 9^th January 2017, had proposed the following recommendations which he was happy to accept:

a)    Requirement for residents to obtain a police crime number to qualify for a replacement waste container without charge be removed from the policy.

b)    Residents be required to complete a  web based form, or via an alternate method if appropriate, to prove the theft or loss of their assigned waste container.

RESOLVED:

c)    The Draft Replacement Waste Container Charging Policy included at Appendix 3 be approved for introduction on 1^st April 2017;

d)    To levy a charge of £40 per black or green wheeled bin where a replacement with delivery is required and a charge of £30 where delivery is not required, to commence on 1^st April 2017;

e)    The said charges be annually reviewed as part of the Fees & Charges Review Process.

f)     Requirement for residents to obtain a police crime number to qualify for a replacement waste container without charge be removed from the policy.

g)    Residents be required to complete a web based form, or via an alternate method if appropriate, to prove the theft or loss of their assigned waste container.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the current charging regime in place in respect of the Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service and proposes changes that would properly recover the cost of delivering such a service whilst being mindful of ongoing financial challenges.

RESOLVED:

1.    A fixed annual charge of £42.00 per bin be introduced for membership of the Garden Waste Collection Service in 2017/2018, with a concessionary charge of £24.00, and

2.    A fixed annual charge of £44.00 per bin be introduced for the 2018/2019 membership period, with a concessionary charge of £26.00.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment which updated Members on the current charging regime in place in respect of the Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service and proposed changes that would continue to ensure that the cost of the service was being met by service users and recognisedongoing financial challenges.

Councillor Cook highlighted key areas of the report, commenting that this was an optional service that the Council continued to provide at a cheaper rate than a number of other local authorities and comparably to neighbouring authorities. He advised that this was the first price increase since the scheme’s inception in 2011 and a number of different charging options had been explored. He noted that the proposals would generate £152,000 additional revenue which would contribute to the wider cost of the waste and recycling collection service. He concluded by that in the event of the number of participants exceeding 20,000, it may become necessary to purchase a new vehicle, in which case any surplus income from the scheme would be utilised.

Cabinet Members acknowledged that this was a difficult but necessary decision in the challenging economic climate, noting that the revised prices still demonstrated excellent value, at under £2.00 per collection,  which private operators would be unlikely to seek  to match.

RESOLVED:

1.    A fixed annual charge of £42.00 per bin be introduced for membership of the Garden Waste Collection Service in 2017/2018, with a concessionary charge of £24.00, and

2.    A fixed annual charge of £44.00 per bin be introduced from  2018/2019  with a concessionary charge of £26.00.

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

13                                           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.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy noting the progress made on the public consultation for the new Kings Quarter proposals and the procurement of additional resources to enable a planning application to be made in 2017.

RESOLVED:

Recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which noted the progress made on the public consultation for the new Kings Quarter Proposals and the procurement of additional resources to enable a planning application to be made in 2017.

RESOLVED:

Recommendations as laid out in the exempt report.