Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting. View directions

Contact: Democratic and Electoral Services 

Link: Click to view live meeting from 6.00pm on 15 July 2020

Items
No. Item

13.

Declarations of Interest

To receive from Members, declarations of the existence of any disclosable pecuniary, or non-pecuniary, interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any agenda item. Please see Agenda Notes.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

14.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 160 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2020.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2020 are confirmed as a correct record and be signed by the Chair in due course.

15.

Public Question Time (15 minutes)

The opportunity is given to members of the public to put questions to Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs provided that a question does not relate to:

 

·         Matters which are the subject of current or pending legal proceedings, or

·         Matters relating to employees or former employees of the Council or comments in respect of individual Council Officers

 

If you would like to ask a question at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 10th July at the latest.

 

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

16.

Petitions and Deputations (15 minutes)

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

 

If you would like to present a deputation or petition at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 10th July at the latest.

 

Minutes:

There were no petitions or deputations.

17.

Leader and Cabinet Members' Question Time (15 minutes)

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.

 

If you would like to ask a question at this meeting, please contact democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk as soon as possible and by Friday 10th July at the latest.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Hilton asked if Members agreed with him that recent enforcement of the Alcohol Free Zone Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) had been totally inadequate on London Road.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods replied that she was aware of the recent problems made more noticeable by the current unusual circumstances and would pursue the matter with Project Solace, the multi-agency anti-social behaviour team.  She emphasised the need to engage with people and understand their needs in order reduce the impact on the community alongside enforcement, the approach defined in the Community Wellbeing Engagement and Regulatory Policy (agenda item 9).  Councillor Hilton informed Members that he believed the police had only recently started to enforce the PSPO in Kingsholm as they did in the city centre despite persistent drug and alcohol abuse. He asked for agreement that police enforcement and patrols continue to be consistent across both areas.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods confirmed that the partnership with the police should continue enabling them to use their powers as they saw fit.  She reminded Members that there had been issues in Kingsholm for some time hence the introduction of the PSPO in the first place and reiterated the importance of engagement with individuals to understand how best to support them and produce sustainable solutions for the future.

 

Councillor Hilton sought clarification on the steps being taken for the safe resumption of meetings in the Civic Suite and committee rooms.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources referred to the Democratic Governance workstream of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan (agenda item 11, 3.13).  She advised that current legislation prohibited such meetings but that when it changes options would be considered alongside a full risk assessment by herself, the Policy and Governance Manger and representatives nominated by the opposition Group Leaders.  Technical difficulties with the virtual meeting prevented Councillor Hilton from posing a supplementary question.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources stated that she would provide a written answer after the meeting.

 

Councillor Wilson noted that the Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust had announced the incremental re-opening of facilities commencing 25th July 2020.  He enquired if Members had met with them to assess their financial strength subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Leader of the Council confirmed that he was aware of the pressure Aspire was under but that no meetings with Members had taken place although officers were in regular contact.  He expressed the hope that central government would extend a promise of financial support for local authority-run leisure providers to external trusts. 

 

18.

Annual Report on the Grant Funding provided to the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) pdf icon PDF 170 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking tooutline the Council’s financial contributions towards the voluntary and community sector during the year 2019-20.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the report is noted, and the same approach be endorsed for the year 2020/21.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought to outline the Council’s financial contributions towards the voluntary and community sector during the year 2019-20.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods advised Members that a lot had been learnt over previous years about streamlining processes and making applications from the sector easier to submit.  She took the opportunity to thank all volunteers not just for what they achieved during the pandemic but for their invaluable contributions all year round.  The Cabinet Member for Environment commented on the impressive range of groups who had benefited, particularly from the Councillor Community Fund and Gloucester Lottery.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure suggested that as the Gloucester Lottery had been running for a number of years, it might benefit from being refreshed.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods agreed and advised Members that she had and will discuss with officers how best to promote the lottery to raise money for vital causes.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commended the broad diversity of the grants and the work of the Community Wellbeing Officer.  She reminded Members that even a seemingly small amount of money can make a real impact.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated to many people just how important the VCS is to the city.

 

RESOLVED that the report is noted, and the same approach be endorsed for the year 2020/21.

19.

Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic pdf icon PDF 178 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods presenting the findings of an intelligence gathering exercise about the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the VCS in Gloucester, and seeking to set out proposals of how Gloucester City Council can support Gloucester’s VCS in moving beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the findings of the research in Gloucester’s VCS Stocktake report as well as report produced by the Barnwood Trust be noted

 

(2)  a one-off Gloucester VCS Recovery Funding of £10,000 to small community/grassroots organisations with one-off grants to deal with the financial impact of COVID-19 and support their recovery be approved

 

(3)  authority be delegated to the Head of Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, to award grants in accordance with the agreed criteria

 

(4)  the introduction of a ‘Business Mentor’ Scheme, which will broker informal mentoring/advice from businesses to smaller VCS organisations within the City be welcomed.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that presented the findings of an intelligence gathering exercise about the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the VCS in Gloucester, and sought to set out proposals of how Gloucester City Council can support Gloucester’s VCS in moving beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods summarised the background to and recommendations of the report as a platform from which to progress.  She particularly emphasised the importance of the sector and benefits of communication and partnership both within itself and with other bodies such as the Council, police and health agencies.  The Cabinet Member for Environment reiterated how much the VCS had been relied on and achieved.  He hoped that the Recovery Funding of £10,000 would make a difference.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources thanked the Community Wellbeing Officer and Policy and Development Officer for their hard work in exceptional times.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy stressed the significance of facilitating effective links (3.3 key recommendation 3) and informed Members he had observed the benefits of such close working in his own ward.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the findings of the research in Gloucester’s VCS Stocktake report as well as report produced by the Barnwood Trust be noted

 

(2)  a one-off Gloucester VCS Recovery Funding of £10,000 to small community/grassroots organisations with one-off grants to deal with the financial impact of COVID-19 and support their recovery be approved

 

(3)  authority be delegated to the Head of Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, to award grants in accordance with the agreed criteria

 

(4)  the introduction of a ‘Business Mentor’ Scheme, which will broker informal mentoring/advice from businesses to smaller VCS organisations within the City be welcomed.

 

20.

Community Wellbeing Engagement & Regulatory Policy pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking to update the guiding principles by which the Community Wellbeing and Private Sector Housing Teams engage with the community and use available legislation to be enforced by the City Council to protect public health, safety, amenity and the environment within the City Council’s jurisdiction.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Policy Update be accepted and amends previous regulatory policies of Community Wellbeing and Private Sector Housing.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought to update the guiding principles by which the Community Wellbeing and Private Sector Housing Teams engage with the community and use available legislation to be enforced by the City Council to protect public health, safety, amenity and the environment within the City Council’s jurisdiction.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods outlined the rationale of merging policies and understanding the current position in order to move forward.  She made it clear that enforcement was to be considered a last resort after engagement and prevention, an approach that been followed for some time and produced genuine solutions to benefit the whole community.  The Cabinet Member for Environment concurred that providing support for people with chaotic lives often meant that enforcement was not required, although sometimes it was necessary.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy reminded Members of the good work Police Community Support Officers did to prevent negative behaviour before it got to the stage where enforcement was needed.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods agreed that the Council’s partners did great work across the city preventing people from entering the criminal justice system and gave the reduction of begging in the city centre over recent years as an example of how understanding individuals’ needs leads to successful outcomes.

 

RESOLVED that the Policy Update be accepted and amends previous regulatory policies of Community Wellbeing and Private Sector Housing.

 

21.

Report into the Future Marketing of Gloucester pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presenting the report (Appendix 1) conducted into the future marketing of Gloucester that the City Council commissioned following the liquidation of Marketing Gloucester Limited (MGL) in February 2020 and the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 10th March 2020 in relation to MGL.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the appended report be noted and the recommendations are accepted

 

(2)  the Head of Culture be authorised to set out and finalise the Terms of Reference for a Gloucester Marketing Steering Board in consultation with Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure (as in 3.9(2) of the report and 6.2 of Appendix 1)

 

(3)  the budget identified in Appendix 2 of the report is approved for this work to commence

 

(4)  the response to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 March 2020 are as set out in paragraph 3.13 of the report.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that presented the report (Appendix 1) conducted into the future marketing of Gloucester that the City Council commissioned following the liquidation of Marketing Gloucester Limited (MGL) in February 2020 and the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 10th March 2020 in relation to MGL.

 

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure thanked the author of the options report (appendix 1), Head of Cultural Services and Overview and Scrutiny Committee for what he believed to be a vital step forward from the recent problems.  He stated that the Marketing Steering Board would be essential to establishing a Gloucester brand and the importance of ensuring that its composition and consultation be as wide as possible to encompass opposition groups, businesses, communities and all residents.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure referred to Council Plan extension adopted at Council (6 July 2020) and reminded Members that the option to bid to become UK City of Culture in future remained open.  The Cabinet Member for Environment commented on the difficulties being experienced by outsourced marketing organisations across the country and the advantages in-house organisations had in coping with fluctuating conditions.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources stressed the importance of getting the best people for the Marketing Steering Board with very clear terms of reference and reporting framework as ensuring transparency was vital.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised Members that the time to act was now as there would be no second chance in what is a competitive arena with other destinations also seeking to reinvigorate their marketing. 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the appended report be noted and the recommendations are accepted

 

(2)  the Head of Culture be authorised to set out and finalise the Terms of Reference for a Gloucester Marketing Steering Board in consultation with Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure (as in 3.9(2) of the report and 6.2 of Appendix 1)

 

(3)  the budget identified in Appendix 2 of the report is approved for this work to commence

 

(4)  the response to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 10 March 2020 are as set out in paragraph 3.13 of the report.

 

22.

COVID-19: Gloucester City Recovery Planning pdf icon PDF 637 KB

To consider the report of the Corporate Director seeking to introduce the Council’s approach to recovery planning as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, outline the eight workstreams that are being developed and implemented and set out the lead Cabinet Members involved in each workstream together with the lead officer supporting each workstream.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the report be noted and endorsed, to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15 June 2020 and to consider the action plans supporting each workstream as they become available.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Corporate Director that sought to introduce the Council’s approach to recovery planning as a consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, outline the eight workstreams being developed and implemented and set out the lead Cabinet Members involved in each workstream together with the lead officer supporting each workstream.

 

The Corporate Director summarised the report and reminded Members that the recovery plans would continually be evolving as the approach had to be responsive within the 5 proposed guiding principles (3.4).  He further advised that recovery would present the opportunity to do some things differently and that any improvements should be retained.  The Cabinet Member for Environment noted the good progress that had already been made and commented that it was up to everyone to do the maximum to enable recovery.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth drew Members’ attention to what she considered a phenomenal amount of impactful work being done by officers, and thanked them for it.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted and endorsed, to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15 June 2020 and to consider the action plans supporting each workstream as they become available.

 

23.

Treasury Management Update - Annual Report 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 720 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighting issues specific to the Council, interest rate forecasts and providing an overview of the Council’s performance for 2019/20.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.   

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that highlighted issues specific to the Council, interest rate forecasts and provided an overview of the Council’s performance for 2019/20.

 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the key features of the report, particularly with regard to borrowing for investment, and placed them in the context of current economic conditions.

 

RESOLVED that the contents of the report are noted.   

24.

Waste, Streetscene and Grounds Maintenance Services Options Report pdf icon PDF 153 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment seeking to provide an assessment of the options available as a consequence of the current contract for the delivery of Waste, Streetscene and Grounds Maintenance Services coming to an end in March 2022, to recommend the next steps and to report the recommendation made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29th June 2020.

 

Please note that Appendix A of the WYG Report (Appendix 1) is exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss Appendix A the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the Options Report is received and welcomed

 

(2)  the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Paragraph 3.4 of the report) are considered and subject to that consideration…

 

(3)  in the period June to mid-September 2020 both Ubico and Amey are invited to submit proposals for service delivery

 

(4)  a Best Value Review is undertaken to provide a benchmark against which to assess the proposals identified above in early October

 

(5)  if neither of the options presents a suitable proposition move to commence a formal procurement exercise to secure an external service delivery partner having first determined whether to offer a fully or partially integrated service

 

(6)  delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director (after consultation with the Cabinet Lead for the Environment) to implement these decisions.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment that sought to provide an assessment of the options available as a consequence of the current contract for the delivery of Waste, Streetscene and Grounds Maintenance Services coming to an end in March 2022, to recommend the next steps and to report the recommendation made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29th June 2020.

 

The Leader of the Council summarised the report in detail and advised that due to the complexity of the matter some elements could be separated.  He drew Members’ attention to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (29 June 2020) which had been included for consideration.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the Options Report is received and welcomed

 

(2)  the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Paragraph 3.4 of the report) are accepted and, as a consequence…

 

(3)  in the period June to mid-September 2020 Ubico and Amey are invited to submit proposals for service delivery to be considered alongside an option for in-house service delivery

 

(4)  the proposals outlined in (3) above and (6) below incorporate a requirement to pay employees the real living wage

 

(5)  a Best Value Review is undertaken to provide a benchmark against which to assess the proposals identified above in early October

 

(6)  if none of the options presents a suitable proposition move to commence a formal procurement exercise to secure an external service delivery partner having first determined whether to offer a fully or partially integrated service

 

(7)  delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director (after consultation with the Cabinet Lead for the Environment) to implement these decisions.