Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022 are confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by Friday 9^th September 2022 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

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 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.

Questions must be submitted to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 9^th September 2022. Responses to questions will be published in an addendum to the agenda by 12 noon on the day of the Cabinet Meeting.

There were no questions to the Leader or Cabinet Members.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking to apprise Members of the conclusions and recommendations of the Historic Places Panel (HPP) in the report received from Historic England presenting the conclusions and to advise them of the proposed action plan.

RESOLVED that the summary of the report received from the Historic Places Panel and the action plan that is proposed to address the recommendations made by the Panel is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that sought to apprise Members of the conclusions and recommendations of the Historic Places Panel (HPP) in the report received from Historic England presenting the conclusions and to advise them of the proposed action plan.

The Leader of the Council summarised the report.  He noted that the findings of the Panel were broadly positive and drew Members’ attention to the response to each of their recommendations in appendix one.  The Leader of the Council referred to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (5^th September 2022 minute 33) and asked that officers give consideration to their proposals.

RESOLVED that the summary of the report received from the Historic Places Panel and the action plan that is proposed to address the recommendations made by the Panel is noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy presenting an update on progress delivering the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy in year two (2021/22).

RESOLVED that the contents of the report and the progress made towards delivering the strategy is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that presented an update on progress delivering the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy in year two (2021/22).

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy advised Members that progress in key areas had been made despite unexpected challenges over the preceding year including the Ukrainian and Afghan refugee response and the council’s cyber incident.  Among the achievements she particularly highlighted the affordable warmth initiative (3.5.4) and placed it in the context of the current energy crisis.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy further referred to the provision of new accessible homes (3.5.7) and the importance of the outreach program in tackling rough sleeping.  She commented that a real difference continued to be made to people’s lives.

The Cabinet Member for Environment noted the significant achievements recorded in the report (3.5) and stated that officers should be praised for their work.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report and the progress made towards delivering the strategy is noted.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods updating Members on the work that Council officers have undertaken regarding community safety and that of the Stronger Safer Gloucester Partnership.

RESOLVED that the work undertaken by council officers, the Stronger Safer Gloucester Partnership, elected members and council partners regarding community safety is welcomed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that updated Members on the work that Council officers have undertaken regarding community safety and that of the Stronger Safer Gloucester Partnership.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods outlined the background to the report and the partners involved as well as some of the achievements made so far and intended to be made in future.  He reminded Members of the emphasis on safeguarding throughout. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment commented on the difficult and never-ending nature of dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour.  He stressed the importance of praising the work done by both officers and partners.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy paid tribute to Solace’s work alongside the council housing teams and the good progress they have made together. 

RESOLVED that the work undertaken by council officers, the Stronger Safer Gloucester Partnership, elected members and council partners regarding community safety is welcomed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources providing an update on the Social Value Policy which was adopted in October 2020.

RESOLVED that:

(1)    the progress made against the aims of the Social Value Policy is noted

(2)    the Social Value Policy is extended to 2023 to allow for the changes to the National Themes Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) to be reviewed and implemented to complement local opportunities.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that provided an update on the Social Value Policy which was adopted in October 2020.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources summarised the report and noted that social value had been integral to the Forum development.  She emphasised the weighting that the Policy gives it in procurement and some of the benefits which have been delivered (3.6).  The Cabinet Member for Environment informed Members that he believed that the Social Value Policy will generate even greater benefits in the future.

RESOLVED that:

(1)    the progress made against the aims of the Social Value Policy is noted

(2)    the Social Value Policy is extended to 2023 to allow for the changes to the National Themes Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) to be reviewed and implemented to complement local opportunities.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking to inform Members of the Council’s performance against key measures in Quarter 1 of 2022/23.

RESOLVED that the Quarter 1 Performance Report 2022/23 at Appendix 1 to the report is noted.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought to inform Members of the Council’s performance against key measures in Quarter 1 of 2022/23.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the key features of the report.  She noted that no questions had been asked concerning her own portfolio at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting (5^th September 2022) and advised them to invite other Cabinet Members so that they may be scrutinised on the reported performance of their portfolios.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members of his concern over past footfall in the Museum of Gloucester/Tourist Information Centre (CD & VE 1).  He however advised them that he had observed attendance improving after recent difficulties.

RESOLVED that the Quarter 1 Performance Report 2022/23 at Appendix 1 to the report is noted.

To consider the report of the Head of Audit Risk Assurance (Chief Internal Auditor) presenting the Strategic Risk Register (SRR) and updating Members on the Council’s risk management activities from 2022/23 for their awareness.

RESOLVED that the Strategic Risk Register and the planned risk management arrangements for 2022/23 are noted and endorsed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Audit Risk Assurance (Chief Internal Auditor) presenting the Strategic Risk Register (SRR) and updating Members on the Council’s risk management activities from 2022/23 for their awareness.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members that the Risk Management Annual Report and Action Plan 2022/23 (Appendix 1) incorporated outcomes from the 2021/22 independent review.

RESOLVED that the Strategic Risk Register and the planned risk management arrangements for 2022/23 are noted and endorsed.