Agenda and minutes

23.1    There were no declarations of interest.

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

24.1    There were no declarations of party whipping.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th January 2018.

25.1    The minutes of the meeting held on the 8^th January 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

26.1    There were no public questions.

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

27.1    There were no petitions or deputations.

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

28.1    The Committee considered the Work Programme and the Council Forward Plan. The Chair informed the Committee that the Community Safety Partnership would be considered at the next meeting in order that Officers could fully prepare.

28.2    RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Work Programme and Council Forward Plan.

To consider the report by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure on the Festival and Events Programme.

29.1    The Chair welcomed the Councillor Lise Noakes (Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure) and Jill Shonk (Head of Cultural and Trading Services) who provided an overview of the report.

29.2    Councillor Noakes advised that the criteria for Council-funded Festival and Event activities had been in place and reviewed annually since 2010. She stated that the Council wanted a robust events programme and expected to put on a series of popular and engaging activities. She further advised that £15k had been ring-fenced for flagship events such as the History Festival for which the Council contributed £10k. She highlighted that Marketing Gloucester (MGL) was very successful at gaining sponsorship for events.

29.3    Councillor Noakes brought to the Committee’s attention the difficulties in funding for the Council but that it was working well with external partners. She highlighted that the Great Place initiative was helping move Gloucester from a ‘cultural blackspot’ to a potential City of Culture. As such, it had been agreed to develop a portfolio of festivals and events.

29.4    It was stated that Cultural and Trading Services would define KPIs with MGL and 2018/19 would act as a pilot for these KPIs.

29.5    Councillor Noakes brought to the Committee’s attention the fact that an amendment would be made with regard to the RAF Centenary commemorations. She stated that a bigger contribution would be made by the Council.

29.6    Councillor Noakes stated that last year had seen a good programme and that considerable work had been undertaken to achieve this. She stated that the report before the Committee detailed a good amount and that partnership working was crucial so as that organisations other than the City Council and MGL were involved in putting the programme together.

29.7    Councillor Hilton highlighted to particular festivals – the 1100^th Anniversary of the death of Aethelflaed and the 375^th anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Gloucester. He stated that he appreciated that these had been discussed but noted that the report was silent. He stated that he expected that more information and that Members would have more input.

29.8    Councillor Hilton noted, in response to an intervention from Councillor Patel which stated that Members did not usually receive detailed plans, that these were two unique events.

29.9    Councillor Noakes responded that details had been given at the recent Council meeting and that further information will be provided as and when it arises.

29.10  Councillor Hilton shared his view that the Gloucester Go Retro event was a very good event and understood that Councillor Organ had put a great deal of effort into it. He continued that its funding source required a resolution and noted that last year, Members had contributed – something Councillor Hilton did not feel was appropriate. Councillor Noakes stated that she was unsure of the position regarding Members’ contributing and that funding sustainability was always a priority.

29.11  With regard to Gloucester bidding to become City of Culture, Councillor Hilton queried how confident the Cabinet Member and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

A verbal progress update from the Chairs of the Task and Finish Groups.

30.1    The Chair invited the Chairs of the Task and Finish Groups to update the Committee on their progress.

30.2    Councillor Smith (Chair of Task and Finish Group: Homelessness) stated that the group would be reconvening towards the end of February. She advised that the scope of the project was a review of Council’s procedures and results when dealing with homelessness. Councillor Smith further advised that, as it stood, there had been difficulties in getting data from organisations (although there had been some contact with agencies) and, specifically, people who had been through the homelessness process.

30.3    Councillor Hawthorne queried whether the challenge of the project was a reasonable. Councillor Smith stated that it was. Councillor Hampson (as a Member of the group) stated that it would need to report on the outcome of SIB as matters had moved along. Councillor Smith confirmed that an update would be provided at the March meeting.

30.4    Councillor Haigh (Chair of Task and Finish Group: High Strength Alcohol) provided an overview of work undertaken as part of the group. She stated that information had been gathered from the LGA, premises and other Authorities on their approaches. Further, Councillor Haigh informed that Committee that there was initial data from the PSPO consultation which was of interest but could only ever be advisory given the consultation must run its course. She advised that the licensing position had been ascertained and that final work was underway to produce a draft report with recommendations.

30.5    The Vice-Chair sought to ascertain whether there had been any success in approaching licence holders. Councillor Haigh advised that this could only be done upon the conclusion of the group’s work.

30.6    RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the updates from the Task and Finish Chairs.

26^th February at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse.

31.1    26^th February 2018 at 6.30pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse