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 January 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2023 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. A question may be rejected if it:

(i)         Is not about a matter for which the local authority has responsibility or influence; or

(ii)        Is illegal, improper, defamatory, frivolous or offensive; or

(iii)    Is substantially the same as a question which has been put at a meeting of the Council, Cabinet or Committee in the past 6 months; or

(iv)   Requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information; or

(v)    Is related to confidential staffing matters; or

(vi)   Is relating to the personal affairs or conduct of individual Members or Officers.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Friday 3^rd February 2023 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 3^rd February 2023. Responses to questions will be published in an addendum to the agenda by 12 noon on the day of the Cabinet Meeting.

In respect of question 2 Councillor Hilton noted that the cost of the ICT infrastructure restoration had been substantial and sought reassurance that the new systems would be more secure than before.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources referred to the confirmation given to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (31 October 2022 Minute 50.8) that additional active protection was in place.  She expressed confidence in those additional measures but commented that an 100% guarantee of safety could never be given for any organisation whether public or private.

In respect of question 3 Councillor Hilton enquired, given the good progress being made towards restoring the ICT infrastructure, whether now was the right time was to introduce webcasting for public meetings.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources stated that she shared the desire for residents to remotely view meetings and that the IT Team were working towards it.  She assured Councillor Hilton that the timetable for implementation would be shared with him when available.

In respect of question 5 Councillor Hilton asked that the transfer of the Eastgate indoor market to a better location with greater footfall be made a priority despite the Levelling Up Round 2 bid not being successful.  The Leader of the Council reiterated that a whole range of options to benefit the market traders was being explored.

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton informed Members of correspondence received from his ward residents regarding Section 106 funding and queried whether the ward members would be consulted in plans for projects to benefit Kingsholm and Wotton.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy noted some of the projects set to receive an allocation, such as the Sebert Street playground, and invited Councillor Hilton to discuss the matter in detail with her at a later date.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking Members to review the Council’s Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

(1)       the proposals for the 2023/24 budget included in the report be approved

(2)    it be noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought Members to review the Council’s Money Plan for recommendation to Council.

The Leader of the Council outlined the main objectives of the Money Plan (4.2).  He placed it in the context of pressures such as the Local Government Finance Settlement, cost of living crisis, high inflation and ongoing challenges from the pandemic but emphasised that despite these there were no reductions in staff or the Council’s ambitions.  The Leader of the Council expressed gratitude to the Finance Team and the Section 151 Officer for their work.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the savings in her own portfolio (Appendix 3).  She commented on the responses to the budget public consultation and noted that there were significantly more responses than last year.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources informed Members that she was proud that an overall balanced position had been reached.  She thanked them, senior officers and the Finance Team for their achievement in what had been a challenging year, not least with both inflation and the cyber incident.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

(1)       the proposals for the 2023/24 budget included in the report be approved

(2)    it be noted that consultation has been undertaken on budget proposals

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council informing Members of the work undertaken by the Gloucester City Centre Commission over the past 18 months and proposing a five-year vision produced in consultation with the Commission.

RESOLVED that the Vision for Gloucester City Centre as prepared on behalf of the Gloucester City Centre Commission is endorsed and to take account of the vision in future decisions relating to the future of the city centre.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that informed Members of the work undertaken by the Gloucester City Centre Commission over the past 18 months and proposed a five-year vision produced in consultation with the Commission.

The Leader of the Council summarised the background to the report and detailed the key themes of the proposed vision to make the city centre an even better place to be in and enjoy.  He drew Members’ attention to the suggestions made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (30 January 2023 Minute 93) and thanked the City Growth and Delivery Manager for his efforts.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure expressed his own gratitude to the City Growth and Delivery Manager.  He apprised Members of his many conversations with residents where improvement in the city centre had been noticed and advised that the proposed vision would progress it still further.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods commented that he was pleased to see the 6 core principles underpinning the vision so that the city centre of 2028 will welcome everyone with understanding and compassion.

RESOLVED that the Vision for Gloucester City Centre as prepared on behalf of the Gloucester City Centre Commission is endorsed and to take account of the vision in future decisions relating to the future of the city centre.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, and the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure proposing options for the provision of a car boot sale site at Hempsted Meadow and providing information about site constraints with how these can be managed.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       authority is given to the Property Commissioning Officer in consultation with the Markets and Green Spaces Officers, and the Cabinet Members for Policy & Resources and Culture & Leisure to undertake a competitive process to identify, award, and enter into legal agreements with the chosen operator to run the car boot sale at Hempsted Meadow

(2)       the car boot sale is operated as a seasonal provision due to physical site constraints from flooding and high water tables.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, and the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure that proposed options for the provision of a car boot sale site at Hempsted Meadow and provided information about site constraints with how these can be managed.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure reminded Members that the Gloucester car boot sale had been widely missed and of their commitment to bring it back. He advised that it was prudent to make it seasonal as Hempsted Meadow, despite being the best of the sites considered, was prone to flooding in the wettest parts of the year.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure stated that this measure would prolong the use of the site to the benefit of residents for many years to come, as would the prevention of damage by heavy vehicles.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources thanked the Property Commissioning Manager for navigating the complexities necessary to make the best of the proposed site.  She further noted that Hempsted Meadow would allow simultaneous opportunities for other short-term events such as fairs and open-air entertainments.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commented that it was right that an independent property agent be used (3.8) so that the best operator can be appointed to the benefit of both Council and residents.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that car boot sales are not only a good means for residents to get rid of unwanted items but are also cultural events that can promote good health and well-being.  The Cabinet Member for Environment reiterated that interest from residents in the matter was high.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       authority is given to the Property Commissioning Officer in consultation with the Markets and Green Spaces Officers, and the Cabinet Members for Policy & Resources and Culture & Leisure to undertake a competitive process to identify, award, and enter into legal agreements with the chosen operator to run the car boot sale at Hempsted Meadow

(2)       the car boot sale is operated as a seasonal provision due to physical site constraints from flooding and high water tables.