Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2016 were approved 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 Culture and Leisure which updates Members on the progress that has been made in achieving the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy Action Plan during 2015.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Noakes, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure; Mr Jason Smith, Chief Executive of Marketing Gloucester Limited; and Mr Ross Cook, Corporate Director, to the meeting.

Members were presented with a report which informed them of progress made in achieving the Growing Gloucester’s Visitor Economy Action Plan during 2015.

Councillor Noakes summarised the key headlines in the report before inviting comments from the Committee.

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.       A Member noted that in section 10.2 of the Action Plan there was reference to the introduction of a City Brand by December 2016.  The Member queried the position regarding a re-branding of the City’s Museums.  Councillor Noakes advised the Member that following a consultation exercise a brand had been chosen for the Museums which would be announced on 21 March 2016.   As part of the discussion, Mr Smith briefed the Committee on the consultation process currently being undertaken  for the new City Brand.

2.       Turning to section 10.9 of the Action Plan, the Committee received an update on the meeting held between Marketing Gloucester Limited and the new Managing Director of Cotswold Tourism.  Members were advised of the previous history of Marketing Gloucester Limited’s involvement with the organisation.  Mr Smith informed Members that in the future there would be no direct financial implications for Marketing Gloucester Limited arising from their association with Cotswold Tourism.  During the discussion on this point, a Member reflected on Gloucester being adopted as a ‘nurturing project’ by ‘Visit Britain’ and the fact that the City was being marketed as a tourist destination in South Korea. 

3.       Councillor Noakes referred to the Gloucester Tourist Information Centre’s recent success in achieving a gold award in the South West Tourism Awards and that it was the only Tourist Information from the South West to be shortlisted in the national awards.

4.       The Vice-Chair asked if there were any recent figures relating to the growth in visitor economy in Gloucestershire as the graph in Section 2.3 in the draft strategic plan reflected figures up to 2010; and in terms of the ‘SWOT’ analysis what would be the future number one priority.  Mr Smith advised the Vice-Chair that whilst these were the latest published figures, that data collected during 2015 demonstrated that Gloucester was leading the way.  In relation to the ‘SWOT’ analysis Mr Smith confirmed that the further provision of hotels would be the top priority in future.

5.       A Member noted that in the ‘SWOT’ analysis Gloucester was ranked as 26^th out of 573 constituencies in the UK in terms of its crime rate.

6.       A Member referred to the lack of a modern theatre in Gloucester.  Councillor Noakes acknowledged there was a need for a multi-functional venue in Gloucester and that this had been evidenced by recent research commissioned by the Interim Culture Board.  This prompted a discussion by the Committee on the type and location of such a building and how it would be funded.  Mr Smith advised Members that raising  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

Discussion item with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Porter, Cabinet Member for Environment and Mr Lloyd Griffiths, Head of Neighbourhood Services, to the meeting.

Councillor Porter presented Members with a briefing which covered the following topics:-

• Current recycling performance
• Commodity income and the drop in world commodity prices
• Plans for future remodelling of the service

Members discussed the following matters:-

1.       The outcomes achieved from bin audits in targeted wards in the City and the rationale behind the ‘closed bin’ policy.  Clarification was given on the staffing costs of the bin audits.

2.       The challenges posed by encouraging residents to recycle or compost food waste.

3.       The difficulties encountered by refuse vehicles in negotiating narrow streets in established parts of the City and at new developments such as Kingsway where vehicular access had not been addressed during the planning stage.

4.       The audit process used to monitor Amey’s recycling performance.  Members were advised to visit the website ‘Let’s Recycle’ for comparative data.

5.       The perception that Gloucester had a ‘transient’ population with ‘cultural differences’ in comparison with other districts in the County and the effect this had on recycling rates.  A Member suggested that this could be addressed by distributing leaflets and by approaching community leaders in the City for their help in spreading the message.   Councillor Porter advised the Committee that 60% of the City performed well in terms of recycling.

6.       Clarification was given on landfill tax paid by the County Council.

SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 6

On the motion of the Chair, and in accordance with the Constitution, the Committee resolved that the meeting be extended beyond two hours.

7.       An explanation was given on why some waste had been mechanically separated over the Christmas period in a particular ward.

8.       Plans were discussed for remodelling the service to allow the collection of additional recyclates to coincide with replacement of the fleet vehicles at the end of 2016.  The Committee noted that this was being explored by the Waste and Recycling Working Group.

The Chair thanked Councillor Porter for his presentation.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To receive the latest version of the Committee’s work programme to the end of the current municipal year.

The Committee considered the latest version of its work programme to the end of the municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

Monday 13 June 2016 at 18.30 hours.

Monday 7 March 2016 at 18.30 hours.