Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (Festivals and Events 2018/19 and Update on Progress 2017/18) as Chairman of the Board of Marketing Gloucester (MGL) and advised that he would not take part in the discussion or vote on this item.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Regarding agenda item 8 (Shopmobility Fees and Charges) a user of the Shopmobility service asked if alternative options would be considered as he believed that the proposed increased charges would be more than many people, especially pensioners, could afford.  As an illustration he stated that in his own case the proposed charges represented a 400% or £100 increase to his annual Shopmobility expenditure.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods confirmed that alternative options had been considered when balancing the interests of users and taxpayers.  She stated that the Gloucester scheme would remain one of the cheapest for users in the South West representing good value for money as was recognised by most respondents to the public consultation.

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 Culture and Leisure presenting a review of Festival and Event activities in 2017/18 and seeking approval for Festival and Event activities in 2018/19 and the updating of criteria for Council-funded Festivals and Events.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       The 2018/19 programme of Council-funded Festival & Event activities set out in Appendix 2 of the report is approved.

(2)       The criteria for Council-funded Festival & Event activities is reviewed and updated, as set out Section 4 of the report, and brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet for agreement.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy declared a personal interest in the agenda item as Chairman of the Board of Marketing Gloucester (MGL) and withdrew from the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods chaired the meeting during the discussion on this item.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that sought approval for proposed Council-funded Festival & Event activities in 2018/19, review of the 2017/18 activities and updating of the criteria for Council-funded Festivals and Events.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure commented that the proposals should be seen in the light of a reduced MGL budget.  She drew Members’ attention to the importance of the recent `Great Places’ funding award and vital nature of working with partners on the Council’s journey towards becoming `City of Culture’.  

The Cabinet Member for Environment welcomed the wide range of proposed events and reminded Members of the economic bonus that such activities bring to the city.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted the positive contribution of these vibrant events to broader issues such as public health and safer spaces then took the opportunity to thank the communities and partners who make them a success.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       The 2018/19 programme of Council-funded Festival & Event activities set out in Appendix 2 of the report is approved.

(2)       The criteria for Council-funded Festival & Event activities is reviewed and updated, as set out Section 4 of the report, and brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet for agreement.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods proposing a new ‘fees and charges’ structure for the City Council’s Shopmobility service.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Following the outcome of the statutory consultation, the proposed service charges set out in paragraphs 3.8, 3.11 and 3.12 are adopted and implemented during the week beginning Monday 5March. 

(2)  Shopmobility charges are reviewed annually and adjusted in line with cost of living indicators.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods  that proposed a new fees and charges structure for the Council’s Shopmobility Service.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that there were 197 current members of the scheme and emphasised its importance for both residents and visitors to the city.  She commented on the need to generate income so that it remains good value to both users and taxpayers while protecting the service into the future.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods summarised the outcome of the public consultation and recognised that the proposals would impact people’s use of the service which she reassured Members would be monitored.   

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Following the outcome of the statutory consultation, the proposed service charges set out in paragraphs 3.8, 3.11 and 3.12 are adopted and implemented during the week beginning Monday 5March. 

(2)  Shopmobility charges are reviewed annually and adjusted in line with cost of living indicators.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning briefing Members on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and its implementation in April 2018.

RESOLVED that the content of the report is welcome and is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning that briefed Members on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and its pending implementation in April 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning welcomed the new emphasis around prevention and widening the scope for assistance to vulnerable people.  He advised Members that new guidance was expected to ensure that procedures would comply with the legislation.

RESOLVED that the content of the report is welcome and is noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the implementation of the Council’s Green Travel Policy.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the full implementation of the Council’s Green Travel Policy is noted, and

(2)  the effectiveness of the policy is reviewed after 12 months of it being in operation and reported back to Cabinet as part of the annual green travel plan update report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that sought to update Members on the implementation of the Council’s Green Travel Policy.

The Cabinet Member for Environment highlighted the key elements of the report to Members.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the full implementation of the Council’s Green Travel Policy is noted, and

(2)  the effectiveness of the policy is reviewed after 12 months of it being in operation and reported back to Cabinet as part of the annual green travel plan update report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that presents the Money Plan and Budget Proposals for review and recommendation to Council and is seeking the authority to enter the 100% business rates pilot with all Gloucestershire authorities.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Council that:

(1)  the proposals for the 2018/19 budget included in this report are approved.

(2)  the implementation of the target budget reductions set in the Money plan 2018/2023 are approved.

(3)  it is noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals to achieve the level of savings required in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the Council joins the 100% business rates pilot with all Gloucestershire authorities and delegates authority to the Head of Policy and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, to enter into any agreement(s) as may be necessary.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought them to review the Money Plan for recommendation to the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources summarised the key elements of the report and highlighted the ongoing need to make savings in light of pressure on the settlement from central government.  He expressed disappointment that although Gloucestershire has been selected as a pilot for full retention of business rates the distribution of funds generated favoured other districts over Gloucester.  He further advised Members that any future funding pressures would have to be met with additional savings or income.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources drew Members’ attention to the Budget Consultation (Appendix 7) and noted that the responses were broadly positive and similar to those in previous years and thus indicative of themes to explore in future budgets.  He commented that the authority continues to set a realistic budget and thanked the Head of Policy and Resources and the Finance Team for their work that has seen the authority move forward in recent years.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy also thanked the Head of Policy and Resources and the Finance Team.  He further acknowledged the importance of working with partners to meet financial pressures and gave the recent Kings Walk Shopping Centre agreement as an example. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning reminded Members of the need for continued prudent financial management in challenging times as the city continues to grow.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Council that:

(1)  the proposals for the 2018/19 budget included in this report are approved.

(2)  the implementation of the target budget reductions set in the Money plan 2018/2023 are approved.

(3)  it is noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals to achieve the level of savings required in 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the Council joins the 100% business rates pilot with all Gloucestershire authorities and delegates authority to the Head of Policy and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, to enter into any agreement(s) as may be necessary.

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 (Agenda item 13) 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 Regeneration and Economy concerning the procurement of the parking management contract.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought authority to procure a new contract for the enforcement and management of the Council’s car parks.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.