Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2019.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11th September 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 to the Leader of the Council or Cabinet.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment seeking the approval of Members for a number of investments to improve the recycling and garden waste collection service.

RESOLVED that:

(1)     an investment of £135,000 per annum be approved for the lease of an additional Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV) and crew for use on the garden waste service to be reviewed after 3 years.

(2)      a one-off investment of £38,000 be approved to pigeon proof the recycling shed for the purpose of Health and Safety, quality of recycled material and longevity of operational equipment/building.

(3)      business cases are developed based upon the latest information and market prices and that, where the case is beneficial, delegated authority is given to the Head of Place, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to make the necessary investments:

(i)             a one-off capital investment for the upgrade of the existing aluminium/steel baler resulting in additional forecast income due to higher quality recyclates

(ii)            an investment in additional baler capacity to cater for all mixed fibres (paper and cardboard) resulting in additional forecast income due to higher quality recyclates

(iii)          a one-off investment for a communications campaign from November 2019 to market the benefits of recycling and the garden waste service our residents and promote the most effective ways of presenting waste for kerbside collection

(4)      the proposals around a glass screen contained in para 3.13 – 3.15 of the report are noted, and that if after further monitoring the situation there is a clear business case for implementation then the power to purchase the necessary equipment is delegated to the Head of Place.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that sought the approval of Members for a number of investments to improve the recycling and garden waste collection service.

The Cabinet Member for Environment outlined the key features of the report and benefits of the proposals.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure asked if central government funding was expected for any element as this source under various schemes had previously been utilised.  The Cabinet Member for Environment replied that although nothing had been identified yet, potential sources, including the county, were being explored.  He gave the example of recent ministerial announcements to equip local authorities to address air quality as the sort of opportunity that may arise.

RESOLVED that:

(1)     an investment of £135,000 per annum be approved for the lease of an additional Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV) and crew for use on the garden waste service to be reviewed after 3 years.

(2)      a one-off investment of £38,000 be approved to pigeon proof the recycling shed for the purpose of Health and Safety, quality of recycled material and longevity of operational equipment/building.

(3)      business cases are developed based upon the latest information and market prices and that, where the case is beneficial, delegated authority is given to the Head of Place, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment to make the necessary investments:

(i)             a one-off capital investment for the upgrade of the existing aluminium/steel baler resulting in additional forecast income due to higher quality recyclates

(ii)            an investment in additional baler capacity to cater for all mixed fibres (paper and cardboard) resulting in additional forecast income due to higher quality recyclates

(iii)          a one-off investment for a communications campaign from November 2019 to market the benefits of recycling and the garden waste service our residents and promote the most effective ways of presenting waste for kerbside collection

(4)      the proposals around a glass screen contained in para 3.13 – 3.15 of the report are noted, and that if after further monitoring the situation there is a clear business case for implementation then the power to purchase the necessary equipment is delegated to the Head of Place.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the City’s successful community building activities, their national recognition and to set out future steps for the establishment of a Community Interest Company.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the progress in delivering community building activities in Gloucester be noted

(2)  secondments and placements from Gloucestershire County Council (Adult Social Care) and the Constabulary (PCSOs) are welcomed

(3)  the investment by Barnwood Trust of 2 days/week for a period of 52 weeks to mentor and facilitate the current team, further develop the Collective and undertake fund-raising be welcomed

(4)  the next steps in the development of the Collective to become a community led organisation from October 2021 be noted

(5)  the increasing national interest in our community building work, including our involvement in Nesta’s ‘Upstream Collective’, the Key Cities work and the Centre for Public Impact be noted

(6)  whilst plans for fund-raising are noted, the Council underwrite the salaries of the three City Council employed community builders until December 2020 amounting to £90,000 to provide job certainty and protect our investment in training and developing them as individuals and as a team

(7)  a Community Interest Company (CIC) for the purposes of community building be established, more specifically: -

a.    that the name of this company is ‘Gloucester Community Building Collective CIC’

b.    that the City Council is the sole member

c.     to note that the Leader intends to appoint the Council’s Corporate Director (Partnerships) and Head of Communities as the sole Directors

d.    that Cabinet nominate a charity in the event that the CIC is wound up

(8)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director (Partnerships) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods to agree and enter into all necessary documentation to implement the above-mentioned recommendations, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Form CIC36 and Form INO1

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that provided an update on the City’s successful community building activities, their national recognition and set out future steps for the establishment of a Community Interest Company.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods introduced and outlined the background to the report.  She noted the hard work by officers and partners to produce the progress that had achieved national recognition including by the Nesta Foundation and Key Cities network. 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods drew Members’ attention to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 30^th September 2019.  In relation to recommendations 1 and 2 (criteria for measuring progress against the Company’s aims and updating the Committee) she stated that these would be provided albeit with discussions around fair evaluation and quantitative versus qualitative data.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods advised that recommendations 3 and 5 (end of phase 1 review with option of ceasing operations and examination of a performance management framework with the commission of an impact study) would be too prescribed given the community-led and innovative nature of the company intended.  Concerning recommendation 4 (canvass of charitable organisations to be nominated as recipient of assets) she confirmed that the Gloucester Round Table had been chosen as the best option after extensive consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Environment informed Members of his experience in Kingsway where he had observed Community Builders making a real difference with initiatives such as Men’s Shed and Parkrun. He urged that the same opportunities be extended to communities across the city.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure sought clarification on the involvement of health service providers as there would be a clear benefit to health and wellbeing from the proposals.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods confirmed that there had been discussions with relevant bodies including the Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board on which the report author sat.  Further examples of involvement were given by the Corporate Director who particularly highlighted the success of the Kingsholm Community Builder which the funding partners were looking to extend based on health and wellbeing benefits.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy referred to the national recognition given by the Centre for Public Impact (3.9) and Nesta Foundation (3.10) to the good practice developed in the city.  He emphasised the importance of actively sharing and communicating this good work, especially with central government and the Local Government Association, as he believed that historically Gloucester had missed opportunities by not doing so.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods reiterated the importance of articulating the Council’s achievements particularly as there was increasing acceptance that regeneration should be social as well as physical and the general lack of long-term case studies for which the city would be a good subject.  Regarding the latter she commented on the Council’s journey towards embracing an ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) culture over the last decade and placed the Community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking to provide an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

RESOLVED that work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant be endorsed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought to provide an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods highlighted some of the key measures in place.  She reminded Members of the importance of supporting the people described above and enhancing their lives.

RESOLVED that work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant be endorsed.