Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th July 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th July 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.

Councillor Coole sought re-assurance that the waiver of Contract Rules in relation to the contract with Gloucester Business Improvement District recommended in Agenda item 8 (City Centre Enforcement/Protection Officers) related to specialised services as required by the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council assured Councillor Coole that advice had been sought from officers and that he was confident in the justification for a waiver.

The Head of Place explained that that whilst on its own there could be other providers, when considered with the additional funding that would be drawn in through working with the BID and the Police & Crime Commissioner, this would be a unique contract and therefore a waiver was justified.

To review the Council Plan 2017-2020

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN MARKED TO FOLLOW AND WILL BE CIRCULATED AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The draft Council Plan 2017-20 be recommended to the Council for  approval.

2.       Authority to make amendments to the draft Council Plan 2017-20 be delegated to the Policy and Governance Manager in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet member for Performance and Resources following the end of the public consultation period.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources presenting the draft Council Plan 2017-20.

The Leader of the Council drew Members’ attention to key features of the Plan He commented that it was ambitious but realistic with a focus on priorities in an era of limited resources.  He noted that review by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been very constructive and helpful and there were a number of specific comments for consideration before presentation to Council.  He further commented that some objectives within the Plan had already shown significant progress including regeneration of the Blackfriars site, ambition to become a `Digital City’ and improved recycling performance.  He noted that there would be exciting developments in the coming years.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources endorsed the Leader’s comments.  He noted with pleasure the strong positive response from the public consultation.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The draft Council Plan 2017-20 be recommended to the Council for  approval.

2.     Authority to make amendments to the draft Council Plan 2017-20 be delegated to the Policy and Governance Manager in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources following the end of the public consultation period.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods concerning the delivery of city centre wardens to contribute towards the ongoing improvement of the city centre, and help to address anti-social behaviour.

RESOLVED that:

1.         the Council enters into a contract with Gloucester BID Limited for 4 years for the delivery of an enhanced City Centre Enforcement/Protection service for  the sum of £35,000 per annum and agrees to waive the Contract Rules accordingly.

2.         the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to agree full details of the initiative and work programme for the delivery of the enhanced service as mentioned in (1) above and with the Council Solicitor, to approve all necessary legal documentation to implement the resolutions.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods which sought approval to support Gloucester BID Limited in the delivery of an enhanced city centre warden service contributing towards ongoing improvement of the city centre.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods welcomed  the positive impact on stakeholders and addressed priorities within the manifesto and Council Plan as well as the concerns of residents and tourists.  She expressed gratitude to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for their support and noted that the pilot `City Safe’ project had demonstrated how such a scheme could work.  She commended the report and expressed a  desire to be involved in the scheme’s progress.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that the proposed wardens would have an ambassadorial as well as enforcement role and would impact a wider area than just the city centre.  She commented that awareness of issues would be raised by the scheme which will be reflected in additional reports brought to Cabinet later in the year.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning emphasised the ambassadorial role of the proposed wardens.  He highlighted that review of the scheme was crucial and considered four years to be a fair period to consider its track record. 

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Council enters into a contract with Gloucester BID Limited for 4 years for the delivery of an enhanced City Centre Enforcement/Protection service for  the sum of £35,000 per annum and agrees to waive the Contract Rules accordingly.

2.         The Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to agree full details of the initiative and work programme for the delivery of the enhanced service as mentioned in (1) above and with the Council Solicitor, to approve all necessary legal documentation to implement the resolutions.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noting yearend forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 1st quarter ended 30th June 2017.

RESOLVED that it be noted that:

1.      The savings achieved in year to date total £1.654 million with a further £385k in progress.

2.      The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £361k.

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

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

The Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noting the year-end forecasts and progress made against agreed savings targets for the first quarter ended 30^th June 2017.  He emphasised that the report reported on early stage of the year and commented that organisational change was still on-going and he was confident that outturn position would improve as the year progressed. He further commented that the Portfolio Holders would be challenging officers to achieve income generation.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure explained that her portfolio area would be one of the last to benefit from the organisational changes and that the new Head of Culture would have a significant impact.  She noted that some of the new proposals were progressing well including catering at Blackfriars.  She commented that budget targets and specific elements of service would be reviewed over the coming year.

RESOLVED that it be noted that:

1.      The savings achieved in year to date total £1.654 million with a further £385k in progress.

2.      The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £361k.

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

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

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The policy detailed at Appendix 1 be adopted.

2.      The Section 151 Officer be delegated decision powers in respect of the relief in 3.1 of the report. The powers will be used to:

·                Determine the Percentage of the rates increase for which relief is eligible

·                Determine the level of relief to be awarded

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that presented the additional Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme Policy.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The policy detailed at Appendix 1 be adopted.

2.      The Section 151 Officer be delegated decision powers in respect of the relief in 3.1 of the report. The powers will be used to:

·                Determine the Percentage of the rates increase for which relief is eligible

·                Determine the level of relief to be awarded

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources proposing the offer of extensions to the existing Revenues and Benefits S101 partnership agreement with Forest of Dean District Council in conjunction with the Civica Revenues and Benefits managed services contract with Gloucester City Council. 

RESOLVED that the offer of three 1 (one) year extension to the Forest of Dean District Council S101 agreement for Revenues and Benefits services in order to secure the continued quality of service and enable the Forest of Dean to negotiate potential savings as part of this contract be approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Member for Performance and Resources that sought endorsement of proposals to offer up to three extensions (up to one year) to the existing Revenues and Benefits S101 partnership agreement with Forest of Dean District Council in conjunction with the Civica Revenues and Benefits managed services contract with Gloucester City Council.

RESOLVED that:

The offer of three 1 (one) year extension to the Forest of Dean District Council S101 agreement for Revenues and Benefits services in order to secure the continued quality of service and enable the Forest of Dean to negotiate potential savings as part of this contract be approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods outlining the updated Safeguarding Policy.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The draft Safeguarding Policy at Appendix 1 be approved.

2.         Delegation be provided to the relevant Corporate Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods, to make any subsequent amendments required as a result of legislative or operational changes. The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually.

3.         That the Cabinet report template be amended to include Safeguarding alongside PIAs in section 11.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that presented an updated Safeguarding Policy.  She highlighted its importance and the statutory duties of the authority, noting that key issues have been added such as hate crime and modern slavery.  She further noted that every person has a role in safeguarding.    

Cabinet welcomed the report and noted that it was to be circulated to all staff in addition to Members and that everybody has a duty of care and highlighted the importance of communication to the policy.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The draft Safeguarding Policy at Appendix 1 be approved.

2.         Delegation be provided to the relevant Corporate Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods, to make any subsequent amendments required as a result of legislative or operational changes. The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually.

3.         That the Cabinet report template be amended to include Safeguarding alongside PIAs in section 11.

To consider the report of the Head of Communities outlining the updated Health & Safety Policy.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The attached Health & Safety Policy ( ‘the Policy’) be approved

2.    The proposed governance arrangements in respect of the Policy be noted

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that presented an updated Health and Safety Policy. He and drew attention to key areas of the report including responsibilities of Cabinet and other elected members.  He stated that consultation had been undertaken with the Trades Unions and staff. 

The Corporate Director confirmed that the draft policy had been welcomed by the Trades Unions and that they had recommended that the role of employees as outlined in 2.2.6 should include participation in training and that the statement concerning communication in the foreword be extended to include Elected Members. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The attached Health & Safety Policy ( ‘the Policy’) be approved.

2.    The proposed governance arrangements in respect of the Policy be noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy noting the progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration project and to consider the procurement of a hybrid planning application.

PLEASE NOTE: Appendix 3 contains exempt material as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). If Members wish to discuss material contained within Appendix 3 it will be necessary to notify the Chair to enable a resolution to be passed to exclude the press and public.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the  progress made with the Kings Quarter regeneration be noted and, in particular, that: 

·         LDA Design and Jones Lang LaSalle have produced a first edition of a Business Plan in accordance with the report to Cabinet of 21st June 2017.

·         These Consultants have also prepared a Development Brief as a prelude to a planning application for Kings Quarter which is on target to be submitted in early Summer 2018.

2.    That the Business Plan be approved in principle subject to ongoing consultation and that the procurement of the necessary planning team and associated enabling works be competitively tendered as soon as possible.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that noted progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration project and presented plans for the procurement of a hybrid planning application.

The Leader of the Council highlighted key elements of the report.  He outlined the stages in procuring the planning team and timeline with the projected completion date of Spring 2019.  He drew Members’ attention to considerations in the Business Plan particularly the shift away from being a purely retail scheme and the desire to keep Kings Square as an open space.  He commented that the block approach gave flexibility and kept control in-house rather than relying on others. 

Cabinet endorsed the report and commented that although the delays had been frustrating, the scheme was now stronger as a result.  They expressed pleasure that the implications around a lack of accommodation had been recognised and welcomed resident participation going forward.

The Leader of the Council expressed thanks to the whole team that worked on the scheme.  He commented that the Regeneration Advisory Board had given broad support and that establishing proper links between Kings Quarter and Kings Walk has been considered very seriously.

The Head of Place acknowledged that retail had changed so the scheme would now develop to become mixed use, drawing people in and maximising the existing attractions of the City

RESOLVED:

1.    That the  progress made with the Kings Quarter regeneration be noted and, in particular, that: 

·         LDA Design and Jones Lang LaSalle have produced a first edition of a Business Plan in accordance with the report to Cabinet of 21st June 2017.

·         These Consultants have also prepared a Development Brief as a prelude to a planning application for Kings Quarter which is on target to be submitted in early Summer 2018.

2.    That the Business Plan be approved in principle subject to ongoing consultation and that the procurement of the necessary planning team and associated enabling works be competitively tendered as soon as possible.