Agenda and minutes

98.1    There were no declarations of interest.

To declare if any issues to be covered in the Agenda are under party whip.

99.1    There were no declarations of party whipping.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2018.

100.1  The minutes of the meeting held on 1^st October 2018 were agreed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

101.1  A Gloucester resident asked, in relation to the Tourist Information Centre move, whether the new Transport Hub had been considered as a possible venue for the Tourist Information Centre to move into and if so, why was it dismissed as an option.

101.2  The Chair and the resident agreed to allow the relevant Cabinet Member and Officer to answer his question when the item was presented  later on in the agenda.

To receive any petitions and 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

102.1  There were no petitions or deputations.

To receive the latest version of the Committee’s work programme and the Council’s Forward Plan.

103.1 The Committee considered the Work Programme and Forward Plan.  The Chair informed Members that Aspire had confirmed they will be attending the January Committee meeting.

103.2  In relation to the Accessing the Private Rented Sector report, Councillor Haigh shared her view that it would be beneficial for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss this item after it had been to Cabinet. It was agreed that this would be added to the Work Programme.

103.3  Councillor Hilton stated that it would beneficial for the Committee to scruntise the Gloucester Culture Trust Annual Report, Regeneration of the Former Fleece Hotel Site and the Disposal of HKP Warehouses once dates had been set. The Chair concurred and it was agreed that these items would be added to the Committees Work Programme.

103.4  Councillor Hilton shared his view that the Gloucester Culture Trust Annual Report needed more detail than the previous report, including detailed cost breakdown and impact study. Councillor Haigh agreed.

103.5  RESOLVED:- (1) That the Accessing Private Rented Sector Report, Gloucester Culture Trust Annual Report, Former Fleece Hotel Site and the Disposal of HKP Warehouses be added to the Work Programme, (2) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Work Programme.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods concerning changes to the Rough Sleeper Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

(Report to follow)

104.1  Councillor Watkins, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, provided an overview of the report, detailing the key changes that were being made to the SWEP procedure.

104.2  Councillor Pullen thanked the Cabinet Member for her report and welcomed the changes to SWEP. He queried what measures were in place for those who could not access the existing SWEP shelters. The Cabinet Member replied that ‘crash-pads’ would be made available across the county to provide emergency accommodation. There were also pop up arrangements available for those who could not access the ‘crash pads’ for various reasons, such as if a person had a dog or could not go to a particular area of the county.

104.3  In response to a question from Councillor Pullen regarding why flooding had been included in the new definition whereas heavy rain had not, the Cabinet Member stated that heavy rain would be covered by the Met Office weather warning which would trigger SWEP.

104.4  Councillor Wilson queried how the Council ensure vulnerable people do not fall through the net once SWEP has been called. In response the Housing Team Leader stated that all partner organisations were notified once SWEP has been enacted and there was an emergency duty officer to direct those in need to the correct shelters. There was also the possibility of providing temporary accommodation in Travelodges across the County in emergency situations.

104.5  In response to a query from Councillor Hilton regarding how the temperatures were determined and whether wind chill was taken into account, the Head of Communities stated that the Council use the Met Office data as they do not have access to their own monitors. He further stated that wind chill was taken into account when deciding to call SWEP.

104.6  Councillor Hilton further questioned how many beds were available in the City. The Head of Communities replied that 25 beds were available in Gloucester and there were a range of other accommodation providers across the County.

104.7  Councillor Pullen asked whether SWEP would be called in the event of residual snow, to which the Cabinet Member stated it would be enacted in any severe weather. 

104.8  The Spokesperson thanked the Cabinet Member for her report and welcomed the changes to the protocol. He questioned how the additional costs would be met from within the existing budget. In response the Head of Communities stated that the cost would be borne across the County.

104.9  Councillor Haigh asked how Community Builder and the public would be utilised in the event of SWEP being called. The Cabinet Member stated that it was hoped the public would be vigilant in reporting rough sleepers in the severe weather conditions. She further stated that the County Communication team would be notified when SWEP was called, who put the message on the City Council website and inform the public. Community Builders were also to be informed, as they would be able to provide additional information of people sleeping rough. The Cabinet Member commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

To consider proposals for Service Development with regard to the Tourist Information Centre.

Please note that 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 1 the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

105.1  Councillor Noakes, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, introduced the report and highlighted the key matters. She detailed the changing nature of the Tourist Information Service and the need for the Tourist Information Centre to move to shared accommodation with another cultural venue.

105.2  In response to the public question regarding whether the Transport Hub would be a viable option for the Tourist Information Centre, the Corporate Director stated that this option had been considered but had not been taken forward for a number of reasons. The Transport Hub was less central to City Centre visitors; digital visitor information was being provided at the Transport Hub and transport ticketing was being provided directly by bus operators at the Hub, both factors might lead to duplication or redundancy; and relocation of the TIC at a new site that was not shared with an existing city venue would not yield the expenditure savings and staffing efficiencies offered by co-location at an existing site.

105.3  Councillor Wilson shared his concern that the TIC would lack visibility if it were to merge with another cultural venue. He questioned how the TIC would be publicised when it moved. The Cabinet Member replied that there would be sufficient publicity to ensure the public were aware of the new location. The Corporate Director stated that if Gloucester were awarded the Cultural Development Fund, it would help towards clearer signage for the Guildhall and the TIC, it would also help increase footfall to the Guildhall making it a preferable venue for the TIC.

105.4  The Chair sought clarification regarding accessibility issues in relation to the Guildhall venue. In response the Cabinet Member stated that an accessibility audit had been carried out for both locations, both received a 5 star rating for their accessibility.

105.5  Councillor Pullen shared his view that it would be more beneficial for the TIC to move to the new Kings Quarter development once it had been completed, giving the TIC a central venue or to a venue near the Cathedral. He stated that of the two options laid out in the report, the Museum was more viable due to its tourism function and would help increase footfall to the Museum. The Cabinet Member replied that footfall for the Guildhall would also increase if the TIC were to move there. She further stated that in order to fulfil the budgetary savings, a shared location and combined service was preferred.

105.6  The Corporate Director explained that due to the changing nature of visitor information services a combined service was preferable, with an increase in online ticket sales, the focus had shifted towards events and ‘what’s on’ information. He stated that the synergy between the Guildhall function and TIC was greater making it a preferable venue for the TIC move.

105.7  The Chair shared his concern that the Museum proposal had not been given the appropriate amount of consideration by Officers. In response the Cabinet Member stated that the preference of the administration was to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Monday 26 November 2018 at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite North Warehouse.

106.1  Monday 26^th November 2018 at 6:30pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse.