Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2015 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no questions from members of the public.

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

There were no petitions or deputations.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which presents to Members the results of the 12 weeks’ consultation on the five year Draft Gloucester Markets Strategy and which seeks adoption of the Gloucester City Markets Strategy and Action Plan.

The Chair welcomed Mr R Cook, Corporate Director, and Ms G Ragon, Head of Public Protection, to the meeting.

Members were presented with a report which set out the results of a 12 week consultation exercise on the 5 year Draft Markets Strategy.  The document sought approval for the adoption of the Gloucester City Markets Strategy and Action Plan and asked Cabinet to endorse the investigation of options for a new ground floor indoor market.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee was asked to note the report, subject to any recommendations Members wished to make to Cabinet.

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.         A Member queried whether the indoor market might be relocated close to the new bus station.  Ms Ragon replied that this was one of the options which would be explored.  The Member advised the Committee of her discussions with the manager of Preston Market, where the market was regarded as an anchor store and promoted as a key retail attraction, and queried whether the same approach was intended for Gloucester’s new indoor market.  Ms Ragon responded that when the indoor market was relocated it would be able to have more stalls and would be more attractive.  The Member replied that the indoor market’s current location was poorly signposted and requested that this be addressed in the Strategy.

2.         A Member referred to the future closure of the BHS store in Eastgate Street and suggested that this could be added to the list of possible locations for the new indoor market.

3.         A Member commented that the overpowering PA system used by the butcher in the King’s Square Cherry and White market was a deterrent to shoppers.  Another Member disagreed and said that the trader was popular and that customers enjoyed his performance. 

4.         A Member asked if it would be possible to have a dual site in the Eastgate Shopping Centre for the indoor market so that shoppers could walk between the two areas.  Ms Ragon replied that there were no vacant units available.

5.         A Member questioned if the City Council was still subsidising the City Centre Partnership specialist market.  Ms Ragon indicated that a small sum of money was being paid to support the market, but that this was being tapered with the intention that the market would become self-supporting at the end of a set period.

6.         Three Members commented that they were unaware of the existence of some of the specialist markets and suggested that they could be better advertised and could include the use of banners.  Ms Ragon said that a full marketing plan would be drawn up as part of the Strategy.

7.         A Member considered that the Night Market should be held more frequently.

8.         A Member noted that the Strategy would be out of date by the time King’s Quarter and Blackfriars had been developed.  Ms Ragon replied that the Strategy would be refreshed at the end of the 5 year period.

9.         A Member asked how this Strategy differed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture which updates Members on progress against the key issues for the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Members were presented with a report which informed them of progress against the key issues for the delivery of the Rugby World Cup 2015. 

Mr Cook advised Members that information regarding the location of the ‘Fanzone’ was embargoed until Thursday when England Rugby 2015 would be issuing a press release.

Mr Cook briefed Members on the outcome of a meeting held with the Kingsholm and Wotton Neighbourhood Partnership on 14 March 2015.  The main issues discussed at the meeting had centred on road closures, parking and disturbance to residents.  Mr Cook said the discussions had been helpful and that the meeting had received positive press coverage.  A further meeting was planned for June or July.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee was asked to note the progress made so far regarding the preparations as part of Gloucester’s Host City arrangements.

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.         A Member requested regular emailed Member briefings on the project.  Mr Cook agreed to provide these.

2          A Member commented that some of the car parking spaces identified in the transport plan were unlikely to be available during the week as they would be in use.  Mr Cook replied that people who came to the ground every week would try to park in their usual places and that discussions were taking place on whether match goers could be diverted to particular car parks.  Gloucester Rugby would use its database to communicate messages about parking.   Mr Cook said that the transport plan was also about alternative methods of transport such as walking and cycling.

3.         A Member commented that visitors familiar with Gloucester were unlikely to go to the Fanzone and said that it was important to have clean streets and good signposting.  Mr Cook said that 2 walking routes would be established and that the intention was to encourage visitors to walk to the Fanzone and other parts of the City and not just to the Ground.  Meetings had taken place with Amey regarding cleansing.  A Member enquired if buses would be provided between the Fanzone and the Ground.  Mr Cook said there were no plans for buses and explained that road closures would mean that buses could only get to either end of Kingsholm Road.  He added that there would be special measures for those match goers with disabilities.

4.         A Member noted plans to install semi-permanent toilets in King’s Square and pointed out that the lack of public toilets outside the Ground posed a serious issue.  The Member asked if portable toilets could be positioned in the car park in Kingsholm Road.  Mr Cook said that there were no plans for additional toilets outside the Ground as the number of people expected to attend was no greater than on significant match days during the season.  Mr Cook agreed to pass the Member’s concerns to England Rugby.  Another Member remarked that foreign tourists would not know where pubs and restaurants were located where toilets could be used.  Further concern was expressed by another  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

To receive the report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services which updates Members on the progress that has been made in respect of recommendations set out in the Final Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Recycling Task and Finish Group published in October 2013.

Members were presented with a report which updated them on the progress that had been made on the recommendations set out in the Final Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Recycling Task and Finish Group published in October 2013.

Overview and Scrutiny was asked to note the contents of the report and the positive proactive work that had been carried out in respect of waste and recycling by the Environmental Projects Team and to make any further recommendations to Cabinet that it considered appropriate.

A Member queried whether the charge for garden waste fully covered the cost of providing the service.  Mr Cook confirmed that it did.

The Committee thanked Mr Cook for providing the update report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group which sets out the findings and recommendations of the Group.  The report is provided for information to Members prior to its presentation to Cabinet on 25 March 2015.

The Chair of the Task and Finish Group introduced the report to Members. She commented that the Group had uncovered some complicated issues and explained the rationale for the Group’s recommendations.  She thanked her fellow Task and Finish Group Members, the Democratic Services Officer, and the other Officers who had assisted with the study.

Another Task and Finish Group Member highlighted the agreement reached with Amey to tackle dangerous sites on a case by case basis by adjusting their work schedules in order to avoid the City Council incurring any extra costs.

The Committee was asked to endorse the report prior to its presentation to Cabinet on 25 March 2015.

A Member, who was also Chair of the City Council’s Planning Committee, welcomed the report and complimented the Group on its content.

A Member queried whether the Group was aware of the passing of land to Crown Estates.  The Chair of the Task and Finish Group replied that the Group had not come across this as an issue during the study.

A Member noted that the Group had concluded that enforcement action was resource intensive and sought assurance that Officers would robustly pursue owners of the parcels of land.  The Chair of the Task and Finish Group confirmed that this was the case.

The Committee welcomed the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday 15 June 2015 at 18.30 hours.

Monday 15 June 2015 at 18.30 hours.