Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18 July 2013.

A period not exceeding three minutes is allowed for the presentation of a petition or deputation provided that no such petition is in relation to:

·               Matters relating to individual Council Officers, or

·               Matters relating to current or pending legal proceedings.

To waive Council Procedure Rules to allow the relevant officersto address the Council in respect of items 8, 9, 10 and 11 on the agenda.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture on the strategic plan being prepared to provide a framework for development in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury to 2031.

Appendix 1 is not contained within the hard copy agenda pack.  Members are reminded to bring their copy along with them.

Please note that an update will be circulated at the meeting informing Members of the decisions taken at Planning Policy Sub-Committee on 4 September 2013.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture on the revised Planning Enforcement Plan.

To receive the report of the Chair of Licensing and Enforcement Committee on the new legislation covering scrap metal dealers and motor salvage operators and the changes proposed to the role of the Licensing and Enforcement Committee, the Licensing and Enforcement Sub-Committees and Officers within the Council’s scheme of delegated functions.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive on the progress on the agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding with Paju in South Korea.

a)        Written questions to Cabinet Members.

         Written questions and answers.  Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

b)       Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time (45 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 Council’s summons.

·         A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities.

         Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

c)      Questions to Chairs of Meetings (15 Minutes).

(1)       MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HILTON AND SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR WILSON

            This Council notes the request from 'Local Works' to consider          submitting the following proposal to the government under the    Sustainable Communities Act:

             ‘That the Secretary of State gives Local Authorities the power to introduce a local levy of 8.5% of the rate on large retail outlets in their area with a rateable annual value not less that £500,000 and requires that the revenue from this levy be retained by the Local Authority in order to be used to improve local communities in their areas by promoting local economic activity, local services and facilities, social and community wellbeing and environmental protection.’

            This Council notes that if this power was acquired it would present the opportunity to raise further revenue for the benefit of local communities, should the Council wish to use it and that this Council would only levy an 8.5% charge on large retail units based outside the city centre.

            This Council resolves to prepare a proposal to submit to the government under the Sustainable Communities Act and to work together with Local Works to gain support for the proposal from other councils in the region and across the country.

(2)       MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HAIGH AND SECONDED BY    COUNCILLOR HOBBS

            This Council notes that since April 1 this year housing benefit claimants deemed to have a spare bedroom have had to pay a 'bedroom tax' . Payment of this element of the rent is leading to an increase of tenants in arrears, debt including the use of unscrupulous payday lenders and calls upon the foodbank.

            This Council further notes that:-

·         The majority of housing benefit claimants are in work.

·         Rents on smaller properties in the private rented sector are often higher than rents in the social rented sector leading to an increase to the housing benefit bill.

·         There is a shortage of suitable properties so those who want to move may not be able to.

This Council requests that the Cabinet member for Housing investigates the impact of the first 6 months bedroom tax on housing benefit claimants and brings a report to Council detailing the number of tenants in arrears, the numbers seeking to move to smaller properties, the demand on agencies offering legal and debt advice and the impact on the work of the Council's Housing team. It should also consider what further actions could be taken by the Council to assist claimants who are struggling to pay and look at examples of what is being done by other Councils and housing providers in England to mitigate the effects of the charge.

(3)       MOVED BY COUNCILLOR SMITH, SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR         HAIGH

            This Council wishes to join the other 92 Councils who have signed up to Shelter’s ‘Evict Rogue Landlords’ campaign.

            This Council requests that an investigation is carried out to determine if there are rogue landlords in our communities, and if so, a report to come back to a future Council, within the next 9 months, detailing  ...  view the full agenda text for item 40.