Agenda and minutes

To receive from Members, declarations of the existence of any disclosable pecuniary, or non-pecuniary, interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any agenda item.

21.1    Councillor Radley declared an interest in agenda item 8 (Cost of Living Motion Update) owing to her employment by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust.

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

22.1    There were no declarations of party whipping.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2024.

23.1    Councillor James requested an update on outstanding follow-up actions outlined at 17.3 and 17.7. It was agreed that follow-up enquiries would be made and that the information would be circulated to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in due course.

23.2    RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2024 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The opportunity is given to members of the public to put questions the Chair provided that questions do not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 10.01.

To ask a question at this meeting, please submit it to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Wednesday 2^nd October or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

Questions and responses will be published at least 24 hours before the meeting. Supplementary questions may be put and answered during the meeting, subject to the relevant time limit.

24.1    There were no public questions.

The opportunity is given to members of the public to present a petition or deputation provided that any such petition or deputation does not contravene the provisions set out Council Procedure Rule 11.01.

To present a petition or deputation at this meeting, please provide the subject matter to democratic.services@gloucester.gov.uk by 12 noon on Wednesday 2^nd October 2024 or telephone 01452 396203 for support.

25.1    There were no petitions or deputations.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration setting out the intention of the Council to continue ongoing regeneration efforts and to increase housing provision in the city.

26.1    The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Hilton, introduced the report and explained that it sought to progress regeneration and the building of new homes, particularly in areas close to the city centre. He noted that there was a need to provide new homes in the city centre and nearby areas and that this would also support the local business economy. Councillor Hilton advised Members that the report also sought to pursue the regeneration and development of brownfield sites.

26.2    Councillor Hilton explained that 5 sites had been identified, 3 of which were in the ownership of the City Council. He provided a summary of the key headlines of each of the sites in turn, namely Wessex House, Whitefriars Phase 2, 20-26 The Oxbode, and the privately owned sites, 67-69 London Road and 106-114 Northgate Street (Spreadeagle Court) as set out in section 3 of the report. Councillor Hilton noted that he hoped that further information would be received from central government in due course around funding for developing brownfield sites.

26.3    Councillor Hilton further advised Members that any move to pursue Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) would be made after considerable negotiation with the private landowners. He stated that the Council also needed to be confident that funding was available to deliver the projects. Councillor Hilton also indicated that there were other housing projects progressing in Gloucester and that the Cabinet Member for Planning was closely involved with the review of the Strategic Local Plan. He noted that Officers would be consulting with Members as to any sites they might be aware of in their wards which might be suitable for housing.

26.4    Councillor Pullen asked for clarification as to whether consideration was being given to making a CPO on both 67-69 London Road and Spread Eagle Court. Councillor Hilton responded that CPOs were under consideration if necessary.

26.5    Councillor Pullen asked whether the Council was in  a position to provide an indication of renovation and development costs on the privately owned properties. Councillor Hilton explained that both sites had been valued and there were challenges in that the current market value of the sites did not reflect the site value. He stated that a full business plan needed to be undertaken before any CPOs were made.

26.6    In response to concerns raised by Councillor Pullen about the implications of purchasing properties which needed costly repair works, Councillor Hilton reminded Members that this was the start of the process and that any development plans needed to be financially viable. He expressed his hope that additional public sector funding would be available from central government for delivery of more affordable housing.

26.7    Councillor Pullen queried whether the proposed development sites would deliver a 30% proportion of affordable housing, as per the recent motion approved by Council. Councillor Hilton advised that  there would be a higher proportion of affordable housing if the Council worked with Registered Social Landlords to deliver the schemes, and the proportion might be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement updating Members on the status of the City Council’s cost of living actions and the Cost of Living Action Plan.

27.1    The Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Councillor Trimnell. introduced the report and provided an overview of the background. Referring to 3.10 of the report and the findings of the Joseph Roundtree Foundation, she stated that the cost-of-living crisis had had a significant impact on residents from all socio-economic groups in Gloucester, but had particularly affected low-income households.

27.2    Councillor Trimnell outlined pressures including rises in rental accommodation costs, high energy costs, universal credit limitations, the ongoing impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. She further explained that the cost-of-living crisis was also putting pressure on local councils, with many residents struggling to pay their Council Tax bills.

27.3    Councillor Trimnell advised Members that through existing resources, the Council had delivered initiatives such as Warm Spaces and the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), and confirmed that it would continue to do everything possible to support residents. She further noted that the report provided a response to the motion approved by Council back in May 2024 and was a living document which would continue to be updated.

27.4    Councillor Pullen referred to the original resolution of the motion agreed by Council back in May 2024 to report on the Cost-of-Living Action Plan within a 3-month timeframe. He noted that he had received assurances at the July Cabinet meeting that this timescale would be met and requested an explanation as to the delay. Councillor Trimnell explained that the report needed some revision prior to publication and impressed that she wanted the document to be the best it could be when it was considered by the Committee.

27.5    Councillor Pullen noted that action plans from other authorities set out what the council proposed to do to help people struggling with the cost of living. He stated that those plans included proposed actions, how these would be achieved, outcomes and targets, and expressed the view that this detail was missing from the plan in its current form. Councillor Trimnell advised that a draft Action Plan was included at Appendix 1 which included information around measures, service areas and planning and delivery. She expressed her view that it was important to use the customer service experience to ensure that residents who were contacting the council with queries were made aware of the support available to them.

27.6    Councillor Pullen referred to 15.6 in the report and the narrative concerning the development of a communication strategy. He expressed his view that targeted outreach was essential as not all residents had access to online facilities. Councillor Trimnell reiterated that it was important that this formed part of the customer service process at the first point of contact, and that it was her hope that Officers were already offering advice to residents who contacted the council for help on support which was available to them.

27.7    The Chair asked whether consideration could be given to providing regular information to Members so that they could pass on key messages to their residents in Councillor newsletters. Councillor Trimnell agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement providing an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of the Council’s commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

28.1    Councillor Trimnell introduced the report which sought to provide an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of the Council’s commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant. She stated that it was important to reflect on the dedication of the armed forces in protecting people and UK interests both domestically and overseas. She thanked them for their service.

28.2    Councillor Trimnell summarised the key headlines of the report, noting that section 3.3 outlined the commitments of the Council under the Armed Forces Covenant. She further noted that a list of specific measures which the Council had implemented in support of the Covenant was provided at Appendix 1 and that Councillor Andy Lewis had accepted the role of Armed Forces Liaison Member for the Council.

28.3    Councillor Hyman asked for an update on progress in amending the Council Tax Support Scheme as agreed in the motion approved by full Council. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that work was underway to progress this action.

28.4    Councillor Radley referred to the narrative around Army Recruitment Events and asked for assurances that the Council was treating the army as it would any other employer in respect of HR processes. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that this was correct.

28.5    In response to an additional query from Councillor Radley regarding community building and how this was being used to reach out to the military community, Councillor Trimnell agreed that a written response would be provided in due course.

28.6    Councillor Chambers-Dubus referred to 3.8 in the report and the narrative confirming that members of the armed forces with homeless priority need would be awarded Gold band for 6 months from discharge date. She raised concerns that many people were facing a wait longer than 6 months for housing and asked whether consideration ought to be given to reviewing the timescale to reflect the current demand. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that she would ask Officers to provide further data around this area.

28.7    Councillor Pullen referred to 3.11 in the report and the narrative around representation from the Council to mark remembrance events. He asked whether consideration could be given to a written reminder to all Members to impress the importance of attending such events to increase turnout from City Councillors. Councillor Trimnell agreed that it was important for as many Members as possible to attend those events and confirmed that she would like to see a strong presence from Councillors.

28.8    Councillor S. Chambers suggested that consideration be given to making civic events more family friendly to assist Members with caring responsibilities to attend. She expressed her view that it was positive that the report directly mentioned the armed forces community, including families, and noted her agreement with the suggestion to increase the six-month timescale for Gold banding for armed forces families. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that she had taken on board these points.

28.9    RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment updating Members on the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

29.1    At this point in the meeting, the Chair proposed to vote to extend the meeting by 30 minutes to enable the Committee to consider the Draft Air Quality Action Plan Report. Members voted to continue the meeting.

29.2    The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Field, introduced the report and advised that an Air Quality Action Plan was required by law under the Environment Act 1995. He noted that the plan was in draft form and had been approved by partners and Cabinet in September. He further advised that next steps would be to commence a public consultation on the draft plan.

29.3    The Chair asked for clarification as to how many Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) were in the city, and where they were located. Councillor Field confirmed that there were three AQMAs in Gloucester. He noted that Barton Street and Priory Road has been AQMAs since 2005, and Painswick Road since 2007.

29.4    In response to a further question from the Chair as to the length of time the AQMAs had been in place, Councillor Field explained that air quality nationally was an improving picture and that the Council might be able to consider revoking some of the AQMAs in the future. He impressed that this would need further discussion and detailed consideration, as having an order in place kept the focus on improving air quality in those areas.

29.5    Councillor S. Chambers noted her disappointment that the report did not include data around the health impacts and deaths associated with poor air quality in the UK. She expressed the view that the report needed further detail around the causes of air quality deterioration in the city. Councillor Field noted that there was extensive information on the Council website on air quality, including a list of documents which may include this detailed information. He advised Members that the report was a high-level summary to be read alongside the action plan.

29.6    Councillor Chambers-Dubus asked how the Council determined whether any other areas needed to be given AQMA status. Councillor Field explained that there were 24 diffusion tubes around the city which monitored Nitrogen Dioxide levels, and if levels in a particular area reached a certain point, this would trigger the need to introduce an air quality action area. The Community Wellbeing Manager added that factors such as the nature of the street itself and how many residential properties were in the area would be taken into account when considering whether to introduce an air quality action area. He further noted that an annual report which would be published in due course would include information on the readings in other areas of the city and how they compared to the current AQMAs and the national threshold.

29.7    In response to comments from Councillor Conder, Councillor Field confirmed that diffusion tubes were in place at 2 properties along Barnwood Road to measure air quality in the area.

29.8    Councillor Radley reflected on her interest in particulate matter and its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

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

30.1    RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE the Work Programme.

Monday 14^th October 2024 at 6.30pm in Civic Suite, North Warehouse.

Monday 4^th November at 6.30pm in Civic Suite, North Warehouse.