Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th October 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th October 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no public questions.

To receive any petitions or 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.

Any Member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question without prior notice, upon:

·       Any matter relating to the Council’s administration

·       Any matter relating to any report of the Cabinet appearing on the summons

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities

Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

In relation to agenda item 8 (Playing Pitch Strategy Progress) Councillor Hilton asked if Members were aware that no relevant land was available in Kingsholm and Wotton, and if the acquisition of property there for the purpose of providing sports facilities was under consideration.  The Cabinet Member for Environment thanked him for informing Members and stated his intention to raise the issue with officers, in the meantime he offered to meet Councillor Hilton to progress the matter further. 

Councillor Hilton sought clarification on the City Museums’ current Arts Council England Accreditation Scheme status, and whether the sites had had an inspection visit yet.  The Member for Culture and Leisure responded that she was unaware of any inspection visits but would provide an update.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy added that Accreditation Scheme assessments had been delayed across the whole country, the Managing Director further explained that this was because Arts Council England was reviewing the standard and working on a national backlog, Gloucester Museums having made their renewal application in October 2016.  Councillor Hilton reminded Members of the importance of remaining at the accredited standard and asked if Members were satisfied with how the collections were being cared for and especially how recently discovered archaeological material was being processed.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure stated that these processes were under review and that a paper concerning them would be brought to Members, adding that the recently appointed Head of Cultural and Trading Services had a track-record in collections management.  

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the work carried out by the Council to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant and seeking ongoing endorsement of such activity.

RESOLVED that:

1.         Work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant be endorsed, and

2.         An annual update of achievements against the Covenant will be received by Cabinet and that this is programmed into the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that provided an update on the work carried out by the Council to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant and sought ongoing endorsement of such activity.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning highlighted the importance of continuing an annual review.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure expressed a desire for the media to encourage people to bring forward any ideas that may enable the City Council to further support the armed forces.  

RESOLVED that:

1.         Work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant be endorsed, and

2.         An annual update of achievements against the Covenant will be received by Cabinet and that this is programmed into the Cabinet Forward Plan.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for the Environment providing Members with an update on progress made in the delivery of the Gloucester Playing Pitch Strategy since its adoption by Council in January 2016. 

1.         RESOLVED IT IS NOTED that the progress made in delivering the Gloucester Playing Pitch Strategy (Appendix 1 and Appendix 2); and

2.         RESOLVED that the recommendations made in the Interim Review (Appendix 1 and paragraph 3.8) be approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for the Environment that provided Members with an update on progress made in the delivery of the Gloucester Playing Pitch Strategy since its adoption by Council in January 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods commented on the positive impact progress has had on other projects around the city such as at Blackbridge, Podsmead.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources drew Members’ attention to the identification of the City Council’s approach as `best practice’ by Sport England and its adoption by the Football Association in developing a national case study (paragraph 3.5j) and commented that the City Council should be confident in sharing its good work.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning expressed pleasure in the local sporting community having more opportunity to compete and the positive implications for the health of the wider community.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy especially welcomed developments at Plock Court and the University of Gloucestershire.

1.         RESOLVED IT IS NOTED that the progress made in delivering the Gloucester Playing Pitch Strategy (Appendix 1 and Appendix 2); and

2.         RESOLVED that the recommendations made in the Interim Review (Appendix 1 and paragraph 3.8) be approved.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy updating Members on the projects within the City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) delivery programme.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy, reallocate resources, totalling £24,000  between the Lighting and Building Improvement Budget to deliver the necessary outputs within the gross budget envelope, to enable funding towards the Digital High Street initiative, and;

2.         The Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Finance, further reallocate resources, totalling £17,000  between the Lighting and  Building Improvement Budget to put Marketing Gloucester in funds to prepare and submit a Local Full Fibre Network application, and;

3.         Progress on the delivery of the City Centre Investment Fund be noted

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that updated Members on the projects within the City Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) delivery programme.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning commended the report and commented on the importance of issues such as lighting in making people feel safe and comfortable in the city centre.  He drew Members’ attention to Gloucester’s high ranking in the UK Digital Influence Index (paragraphs 10.4 i-ii).

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy, reallocate resources, totalling £24,000  between the Lighting and Building Improvement Budget to deliver the necessary outputs within the gross budget envelope, to enable funding towards the Digital High Street initiative, and;

2.         The Head of Place, in consultation with the Head of Finance, further reallocate resources, totalling £17,000  between the Lighting and  Building Improvement Budget to put Marketing Gloucester in funds to prepare and submit a Local Full Fibre Network application, and;

3.         Progress on the delivery of the City Centre Investment Fund be noted

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy noting the progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration proposals and the procurement of a hybrid planning application.

RESOLVED IT IS NOTED the progress made with the Kings Quarter regeneration and, in particular that:

1.       LDA Design and Jones Lang LaSalle have finalised the Business Plan and Development Brief which have been published in accordance with the report to Cabinet of 13th September 2017.

2.       The procurement of the planning team and architects for the Kings Quarter regeneration is underway and expressions of interest have been received via the County Council’s framework agreement for professional practices.

3.       The main contract for the construction of the new bus station has been awarded to Kier Construction Limited, the successful tenderer, within the overall budget agreed by Cabinet and Council. The new road system in front of the Land Registry building opened on 15^th October at which time Kier works commenced on site.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that noted the progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration proposals and the procurement of a hybrid planning application.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning commented on the good progress of regeneration across the city and its importance in bringing people to Gloucester.

RESOLVED IT IS NOTED the progress made with the Kings Quarter regeneration and, in particular that:

1.       LDA Design and Jones Lang LaSalle have finalised the Business Plan and Development Brief which have been published in accordance with the report to Cabinet of 13th September 2017.

2.       The procurement of the planning team and architects for the Kings Quarter regeneration is underway and expressions of interest have been received via the County Council’s framework agreement for professional practices.

3.       The main contract for the construction of the new bus station has been awarded to Kier Construction Limited, the successful tenderer, within the overall budget agreed by Cabinet and Council. The new road system in front of the Land Registry building opened on 15^th October at which time Kier works commenced on site.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources informing Members of the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and requesting that Members review and update the Council’s procedural guidance on RIPA.

RESOLVED that:

1. The six monthly update on the use of RIPA powers be noted.

2. The changes to the Procedural Guide at Appendix 1 are recommended to be approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that informed Members of the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and requested that Members review and update the Council’s procedural guidance on RIPA.

RESOLVED that:

1. The six monthly update on the use of RIPA powers be noted.

2. The changes to the Procedural Guide at Appendix 1 are recommended to be approved.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council presenting the results of the public consultation on Royal City Status.

RESOLVED that:

1.       Royal City Status is not pursued at the present time.

2.       The matter be revisited at such time as the Leader of the Council deems it appropriate.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that presented the results of the public consultation on Royal City Status.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy commented that it had been useful to bring attention to the city’s rich royal heritage.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods highlighted the achievement of engaging with so many people and depth of interest in such matters that was demonstrated.

RESOLVED that:

1.       Royal City Status is not pursued at the present time.

2.       The matter be revisited at such time as the Leader of the Council deems it appropriate.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy advising Members of the intention to discharge the bus station planning condition requirement for providing public art by the delivery of a distinctive stained glass window, to be known as the Gloucester Window, to be located at the new bus station. 

RESOLVED that:

1.        A budget of £100,000 from the existing Transport Hub budget, to fund the Gloucester Window project, be confirmed.

2.       The Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy be given delegated authority to agree full details of the Gloucester Window project, including the direct appointment of Tom Denny or an alternative exceptional artist, and with the Council Solicitor, to approve all necessary legal documentation to implement the resolution, and Cabinet agrees to waive the Contract Rules accordingly.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that advised Members of the intention to discharge the bus station planning condition requirement for providing public art by the delivery of a distinctive stained glass window, to be known as the Gloucester Window, to be located at the new bus station.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy advised Members that the provision of distinctive and unique features in the city had long been a theme of comments received from residents.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure explained that the cost would be borne from the Transport Hub capital budget with restrictions on what it can be spent on, rather than the Council’s own revenue budgets, and reminded Members of the planning conditions for the bus station requiring some form of public art.  She further informed Members that the experience of other authorities has been that providing high quality art generally requires this level of spending.  She stated that the internationally renowned artist John Denny working with local artists and the wider community was key to the project.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods reiterated the importance of creating a unique feature to celebrate the Gloucester’s rich heritage at the gateway to the city and expressed confidence that it would be respected.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning endorsed the previous comments and added that the window would have the advantage of being incorporated into the bus station structure during construction, not taking floor space from users and each of the twelve panes being a work of art in itself.  He pointed out that the bus station was intended to be iconic and raise the reputation of Kings Quarter as regeneration had done at the Docks in the 1980s.

RESOLVED that:

1.        A budget of £100,000 from the existing Transport Hub budget, to fund the Gloucester Window project, be confirmed.

2.       The Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy be given delegated authority to agree full details of the Gloucester Window project, including the direct appointment of Tom Denny or an alternative exceptional artist, and with the Council Solicitor, to approve all necessary legal documentation to implement the resolution, and Cabinet agrees to waive the Contract Rules accordingly.

To resolve:-

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration of this item there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended”.

Agenda Item No.                Description of Exempt Information

15                                            Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of businesson the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of business to be transacted or the natureof the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration

of this item there will be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning regeneration at St Oswald’s Retail Park. 

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning regeneration at St Oswald’s Retail Park.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.