Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8th November 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following corrections:

1.    Others in Attendance

That `Cllr Terry Pullen’ be substituted for `Cllr Pullen’

2.    Minute 60

That `Tom Denny’ be substituted for `John Denny’

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.

In relation to agenda item 7 (Public Space Protection Orders) Cllr Hilton sought assurance that the London Road rose garden would be included in the PSPO for Gloucester City Centre (Appendix 2).  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods responded that it would be incorporated within the boundary as defined by the map in appendix one of the PSPO document prior to the consultation.  Cllr Hilton further asked if it was possible to vary restrictions across the PSPO zone so that issues in particular areas might be addressed without imposing inappropriate restrictions on the whole.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods replied that this would be considered as part of the consultation process which would be open to all ideas.  Cllr Hilton enquired if there was a start date for the consultation.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods responded that there would be draft document prepared within the next week or so and took the opportunity to urge that as many residents as possible be encouraged to give feedback.

In relation to agenda item 9 (Regeneration of the Former Fleece Inn Site) Cllr Hilton asked if its security had been improved since the fire of July 2017 and whether Members were confident that the site was secure.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy gave reassurance that the Asset Management Team had indeed reviewed security measures.  He pointed out that no site is ever 100% secure but that bringing it back into use as soon as possible would be the best way to protect it.  Cllr Hilton stated that the report was good and emphasised the importance of the site but sought clarification on how much consultation with Council Members there would be.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy indicated that he would take guidance from officers.  The Corporate Director (Jonathan Lund) stated that the process would be pursued with Members, and that there will be further discussions with Cabinet on the matter.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking to outline plans to introduce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) that would supersede a range of existing orders and seeking approval to undertake a public consultation exercise in respect of a draft City Centre PSPO.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The contents of the report be noted;

2.    The the use of PSPO Guidance included at appendix 1 be approved;

3.    The undertaking of a 12 week public consultation exercise in respect of a draft PSPO for a designated area of the City Centre, a copy of which is included at appendix 2 be approved,

4.    Delegation be provided to the Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods to implement the PSPO referred to in para 2.1.(3) following consideration of consultation feedback

5.    Delegation be provided to Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods to undertake further consultation exercises to allow the remaining Gating Orders, Dog Control orders and Designated Public Space Orders (DPPOs) to be reviewed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that outlined plans to introduce Public Space Protection Orders.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods acknowledged the useful contributions from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on (27November 2017) and advised Members that 1114 reports of anti-social behaviour 305 of which were personal, 72 environmental and 737 nuisance related had been received in the year before December 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure pointed out that the Coney Hill Designated Public Places Order (3.3) included Barnwood and drew Members’ attention to how much has been learnt since the previous types of order were implemented.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning sought reassurance that anti-social cycling would be addressed.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods stated that this was covered by the list of prohibitions (3.18) and thanked Members for their contributions which would be addressed before the public consultation.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The contents of the report be noted;

2.    The the use of PSPO Guidance included at appendix 1 be approved;

3.    The undertaking of a 12 week public consultation exercise in respect of a draft PSPO for a designated area of the City Centre, a copy of which is included at appendix 2 be approved,

4.    Delegation be provided to the Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods to implement the PSPO referred to in para 2.1.(3) following consideration of consultation feedback

5.    Delegation be provided to Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods to undertake further consultation exercises to allow the remaining Gating Orders, Dog Control orders and Designated Public Space Orders (DPPOs) to be reviewed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment informing Members of the results of the egg & nest removal programme and seeking approval to extend the current programme for a period of 1 year through to 1^st April 2019 and to undertake a gull breeding survey during the summer of 2018 to assess the impact of the treatment programme.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The positive impact that the egg & nest removal programme has had on the treatment sites be noted and that the continuation of such a treatment programme in order to further decrease the urban gull population growth rate be endorsed.

2.    Approval be granted for a 1 year extension of the current egg & nest removal contract through use of Condition 4 of the contract between the Council and Mitie Pest Control Ltd, and

3.    Approval be granted to procure a gull breeding survey to be carried out in 2018 and for delegation to be provided to The Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Environment and s.151 Monitoring Officer to award the contract in line with the Council’s procurement rules.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that informed them of the results of the egg & nest removal programme and sought Cabinet’s approval to extend the current programme for a period of one year through to 1^st April 2019 and to undertake a gull breeding survey during the summer of 2018 to assess the impact of the treatment programme.

The Cabinet Member for Environment commented on anecdotal evidence of gull displacement away from the city centre and population reduction at Hempsted due to changes in the way food waste is processed at the waste management site. The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advised Members that he had seen fewer gulls in the city and received fewer complaints in his ward.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning suggested that less refuse in the streets was a contributing factor in the perceived reduction.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The positive impact that the egg & nest removal programme has had on the treatment sites be noted and that the continuation of such a treatment programme in order to further decrease the urban gull population growth rate be endorsed.

2.    Approval be granted for a 1 year extension of the current egg & nest removal contract through use of Condition 4 of the contract between the Council and Mitie Pest Control Ltd, and

3.    Approval be granted to procure a gull breeding survey to be carried out in 2018 and for delegation to be provided to The Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Environment and s.151 Monitoring Officer to award the contract in line with the Council’s procurement rules.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy  seeking approval to take the Fleece site to the open market to secure a partner to deliver a regeneration scheme that safeguards its future.

RESOLVED that:

1.            Officers be instructed  to prepare a development brief for the Fleece site that  sets the parameters for the development scheme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy

2.            A soft market testing and appropriate tender exercise, based on the brief, be undertaken by the Managing Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy, to test the commercial appetite for the various options for the site and to secure an investor/developer partner

3.            A further report be brought back to Cabinet in March 2018, detailing the basis of the proposals received and identifying a preferred partner

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought approval to take the Fleece site to the open market to secure a partner to deliver a regeneration scheme that safeguards its future.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning commented on the complex nature of the site and welcomed the approach being taken to generate a greater range of options to explore from which the best can be adopted.

RESOLVED that:

1.            Officers be instructed  to prepare a development brief for the Fleece site that  sets the parameters for the development scheme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy

2.            A soft market testing and appropriate tender exercise, based on the brief, be undertaken by the Managing Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy, to test the commercial appetite for the various options for the site and to secure an investor/developer partner

3.            A further report be brought back to Cabinet in March 2018, detailing the basis of the proposals received and identifying a preferred partner

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources presenting the Strategic Risk Register for awareness and consideration.

Cabinet is asked to RESOLVE that the Strategic Risk Register be noted and endorsed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that presented the Strategic Risk Register.

RESOLVED that the Strategic Risk Register be noted and endorsed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking to note year-end forecasts, and progress made against agreed savings targets for the 2nd quarter ended 30^th September 2017.

RESOLVED that it be noted that:

1.    The savings achieved in year to date total £1.694 million with a further £511k in progress.

2.    The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £163k.

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.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources Environment that informed them of the year-end forecasts and progress made against agreed targets for the 2^nd quarter ended 30^th September 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy commented that each Member will be examining their own portfolio for progress towards targets in the 3^rd quarter.  

RESOLVED that it be noted that:

1.    The savings achieved in year to date total £1.694 million with a further £511k in progress.

2.    The forecast year end position is currently for a reduction to the Council’s General Fund balance of £163k.

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 seeking to update Members on treasury management activities over the six month period ending 30^th September 2017 in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.   

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought to update Members on treasury management activities over the six month period ending 30^th September 2017 in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.   

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking to review the Council’s Draft Money Plan and Draft Budget Proposals.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The assumptions contained in the Council’s draft Money Plan from 2018/19 to 2022/23 and revisions to the draft revenue budget be approved.

2.    The uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in this report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing, be noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought to review the Council’s Draft Money Plan and Draft Budget Proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources informed Members that the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Budget (22 November 2017) appeared to have no impact and that the Scrutiny and Overview Committee of 4 December 2017 had sought clarification on the definition of terms around price inflation (7.4) and reserves (13).  He commented that officers should be praised for making so much progress thus far.  

The Cabinet Member for Environment drew Members’ attention towards a typographical error (6.2 Table 1) where 1.99% had been represented as £1.99.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy stated that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s examination was comprehensive and its findings would be taken on board.  He further reminded Members of the positive impact of the King’s Walk regeneration project in reducing challenges this year.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The assumptions contained in the Council’s draft Money Plan from 2018/19 to 2022/23 and revisions to the draft revenue budget be approved.

2.    The uncertainties regarding future incomes, as shown in this report and Appendix 1, and the need to update the Draft Money Plan when there is more certainty regarding Central Government financing, be noted.

To resolve:-

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business on the grounds that it is likely, in the view of the nature of the 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 the Exempt Information

15                                            Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

16                                            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 items of business (Agenda items 15, 16) on the grounds that it is likely, in the view of the nature of the 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.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business (Agenda items 15, 16) on the grounds that it is likely, in the view of the nature of the 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 Performance and Resources concerning the Governance Review of Gloucestershire Airport.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the Governance Review of Gloucestershire Airport.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the King’s Quarter Planning Application.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the King’s Quarter Planning Application.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.