Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Smith addressed the Committee from the public gallery and asked the Leader of the Council if free car parking in Council owned car parks would be available on ‘Small Business Saturday’.  Councillor James responded that parking would be free after 3 pm.

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 consider the Council’s Draft Money Plan proposals for the period 2015/16 to 2019/20 which will also be used as a framework for the Council’s 2015/16 budget consultation process.

The format for the session will be as follows:-

1.         Leader of the Council will introduce the report.

2.         The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources will add his comments on the report.

Each Cabinet Member will then present their respective portfolios in the following order:-

1.         Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture.

2.         Cabinet Member for Environment.

3.         Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources.

4.         Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods.

5.         Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Leisure.

During their presentations the Cabinet Members will address the following points:-

1.         Current staffing levels.

2.         Financial pressures for next year, including any potential reduction in       income streams.

3.         The proposed budget savings in their area for next year and how these     will impact on the services they provide.

4.         Any new income streams identified during the process.

5.         The main priorities for their portfolio and whether any have changed as     a result of the Draft Money Plan.

The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Members to the meeting.

Introduction to the Report

Councillor James, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture, introduced the report on the Money Plan Framework which also included draft budget proposals for consultation for 2015/16.  Councillor James set out the savings which had been achieved to date and explained that the proposals contained a range of targets  across all portfolios in 2015/16 which would be delivered by reductions in partnership/contract costs, increased efficiencies and service transformations.  Councillor James commented that despite the financial pressures and challenges that there would be a further freeze in Council Tax  for the fifth consecutive year.  Councillor James added that the report would be updated following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 3 December.  However, it was not anticipated that the Chancellor’s Statement would result in any major changes.

Councillor Norman, Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, echoed the comments of Councillor James, and stressed the importance of the Council continuing to deliver a sustainable financial plan.  He explained that the planned freeze on Council Tax would be funded through a further allocation of a specific Government grant given to support such proposals.  Councillor Norman concluded the introduction by stating that the proposals had been developed to meet the ongoing financial challenges facing the Council and to mitigate the impact on front-line services whilst continuing to focus on increased efficiencies and strong, responsible financial management.

Each Cabinet Member then presented their respective portfolios in turn.

REGENERATION AND CULTURE – COUNCILLOR JAMES

Councillor James confirmed that there were 121 staff working in the services contained within his portfolio.

Headlines for the Portfolio

1.         £50K on the markets service would not be achieved because of delays with negotiations on the Indoor Market.  Hempsted Meadows had been taken over by a private contractor.  Subject to the markets strategy being approved by Cabinet it was possible that other parts of the markets service would go out to private contractors.

2.         The review of the Guildhall and Museums Services was nearing completion and would be presented to Cabinet in the New Year.

3.         A final set of proposals for the restructure in Asset Management would be presented to the Organisational Development Committee before Christmas.  The savings target was £100K.

4.         Budget savings would be achieved by a combination of measures and a review of operational processes.  Charges were being reviewed for planning fees and the Building Control service.   Additionally, the opportunity for a shared Building Control service with another authority continued to be explored.

5.         In terms of new income streams, sponsorship opportunities would continue to be pursued such as the ‘Welcome to Gloucester’ signs.

6.         Priorities for the Regeneration and Culture portfolio were seen to be:-

·         Delivering City Centre projects such as the Southgate Street Townscape scheme.

·         The Indoor Market project.

·         Regeneration of Blackfriars and King’s Quarter.

·         Joint Core Strategy and City Plan.

·         Rugby World Cup.

·         Guildhall and Museum review.

Questions from the Committee to Councillor James

1.         A Member asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Monday 8 December 2014 at 18.30 hours.

Monday 8 December 2014 at 18.30 hours.