Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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.

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 providing Members with an annual update of progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which provided Members with an annual update of progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods (Councillor Watkins) explained that careful management was required to strengthen the attractiveness and viability of the City Centre, particularly in light of recent trends within retail and the growing presence of online shopping. She reported that the City Centre Action Plan would be refreshed maximising the impact of the Together Gloucester organisational redesign and become aligned with proposals for the Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID) if approved by the Council following the results of the ballot in June 2017. She welcomed the progress made as a result of the Street Aware Policy and the work undertaken by the Gloucester Street Aware partnership.

Councillor Noakes expressed support for the proposals noting a minor typographical error on page 31 of the report, commenting that it was the 2017 Annual Gloucester Visitor Guide due for publication. She reported that the timetable for publication was being reconsidered to ensure that it coincided with the tourism season.

RESOLVED: That progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan as set out in the report, be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy providing an update on the City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) delivery programme and seeking approval to allocate additional funding to existing and new projects.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy which provided an update on the City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) delivery programme and which sought approval to allocate additional funding to existing and new projects.

Councillor Watkins reported that approximately £1 million of the proceeds from the sale of land at St Oswalds Retail Park had been spent on a number of regeneration projects within the City Centre. She explained that the remainder of the fund had been committed to additional projects including phase 2 of the City Museum Improvements.

In response to the query from the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources (Councillor David Norman) on the wording in paragraph 9.1 of the report, the Head of Finance confirmed that all the proceeds from the disposal of land had been committed to future regeneration projects, however the commentary referred to the element of the proceeds that remained.

Cabinet Members welcomed the ongoing improvements delivered within the City Centre commenting that they demonstrated excellent progress in improving the City’s cultural offer and components of the Cultural Strategy 2016-2022.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Economy considering the introduction of a zoning policy, for the car parking tariff, to enable better use of the City’s off street car parking.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Economy which sought approval for introduction of a zoning policy, for the car parking tariff, to enable better use of the City’s off street car parking.

Councillor Watkins summarised key areas of the report, commenting that the Council had not proposed a change in car parking tariffs since 2012, when a reduction in charges had been implemented. She explained that the additional income generated would be utilised in delivering continual improvements to city centre car parks. She commented that the revised tariffs continued to demonstrate excellent value for money and remained a cheaper option than on street parking and many private car parks within the City.

Cabinet Members supported the proposals noting that in particular objections had been raised on social media to the change Southgate Moorings’ tariffs. They commented that the increases were reasonable when considering the available alternatives and the introduction of the zoning policy would provide financial incentives to individuals willing to travel further distances.

RESOLVED:

1.    A zoning system of parking charges be introduced for the city centre off street car parks

2.    Charges for parking all day remain unchanged for all car parks excluding Great Western Road which will be increased by 20p on all its tariffs.

3.    No increase in the tariff for GL1 which will remain at £4 for up to 2.5 hours (maximum stay)

4.    The increases as laid out in the report be applied to the off street car parks:

5.    An evening charge of £1.50 be introduced for Southgate Moorings

6.    £30,000 of any increase in revenue be allocated for a car parks improvement fund

7.    Authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration & Economic Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy,  to undertake the appropriate and necessary procedures to amend the current car parking order(s)

8.    A further review be undertaken by the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development considering the impact of the changes made.

To consider the report of the County Homelessness Coordinator making Members aware of new DCLG funding (up to £990,000 over four years) that has been agreed for an innovative project to work with Gloucestershire’s entrenched rough sleepers and repeat homeless individuals; and which recommended that Gloucester City Council act as Lead Authority and Accountable Body for the commissioning partnership.

Cabinet considered the report of the County Homelessness Coordinator which made Members aware of new DCLG funding (up to £990,000 over four years) that had been agreed for an innovative project to work with Gloucestershire’s entrenched rough sleepers and repeat homeless individuals; and which recommended that Gloucester City Council act as Lead Authority and Accountable Body for the commissioning partnership.

Councillor Watkins reported that response from the Gloucester Faith & Voluntary Community Sector Homeless Forum had been extremely positive noting that they had raised concerns on whether appropriate housing provision for these individuals could be located.

Councillor Organ acknowledged that homelessness was a complex issue that required careful consideration of individual circumstances and cross collaboration with partner agencies to ensure a viable solution.

RESOLVED:

1.    Gloucester City Council act as Lead Authority and Accountable Body.

2.    Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director, in consultation with the S151 officer and Council Solicitor to finalise and enter into all necessary legal documentation in order to deliver this project.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment proposing the introduction of a Green Travel Policy for the organisation, supported by the introduction of an integrated staff business travel portal and the procurement of a modern and environmentally efficient fleet of vehicles.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment (Councillor Richard Cook) which proposed the introduction of a Green Travel Policy for the organisation, supported by the introduction of an integrated staff business travel portal and the procurement of a modern and environmentally efficient fleet of vehicles.

Councillor Cook highlighted key areas of the report noting that the Independent Remuneration Panel had been asked to consider whether the scheme could be incorporated into the Scheme of Members Allowances 2017/18.

Cabinet Members endorsed the proposals noting the efficiencies and savings that the scheme would generate and placed on record their thanks to officers.

RESOLVED:

1.  The draft Green Travel Policy (contained at Appendix 3), and the procurement of an integrated staff business travel portal and a modern and environmentally efficient fleet of vehicles be approved;

2.  The Independent Remuneration Panel be asked to consider incorporating the Green Travel Policy into the Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2017-18.

3.  The effectiveness of the policy be reviewed after 12 months of it being in operation.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noting note year-end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 3^rd quarter ended 31^st December 2016.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noting note year-end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 3^rd quarter ended 31^st December 2016.

Councillor Norman highlighted key areas of the report and explained that the proposed transfer of £100,000 to the Business Rates Reserve was to protect the Council against further reduction in central government formula grant.

Cabinet Members acknowledged the challenges within their individual portfolios and welcomed the implementation of the Together Gloucester Organisational Change that would result in efficiencies and further savings.  

RESOLVED:

1.    The savings achieved in year to date total £446k with a further £283k in progress.

2.    The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £109k, an improvement of £23k since Quarter 2.

3.    The deficit position includes a proposed transfer to the Business Rates Reserve of £100k.

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

5.    The current level of Capital expenditure as shown on Appendix 2.