Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February 2018.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th March 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

A member of the public referred to the question he asked at the meeting held on 7^th March 2018 concerning the treatment of homeless people and enquired when the detailed reply will be received.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy responded that he will pursue the matter and ensure that the full reply is sent.  The questioner raised matter of the implementation of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Gloucester and asked if there was a system to ensure public monitoring and no conflicts of interest.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy and Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods jointly replied that any proposal to introduce PSPOs in the city had not yet been considered by Council but that all points will be examined should it be.

A member of the public reminded Members of the published reduction in homelessness people registered in Gloucester during 2017 and asked that they inform the public how many had taken advantage of the Night Shelter that opened for the period January to March 2018.  The Corporate Director (Partnership Working) stated that as the Council did not manage the Night Shelter this information was not available to it; however the number of referrals made by the Council would be provided.

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 (City Centre Action Plan Review) Cllr Hilton drew Members’ attention to Aim 3 Objective 1 (Promote Bus Links between the Quays and City Centre) which remarked on a future land train trail having been discussed and asked if Council money would be used in such a trial.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy responded that there were no plans for a land train trial and that if any were proposed then it would be a matter for partners and not involve Council money.

Concerning agenda item 11 (Gloucester City Homes Governance Structure and Rule Amendment) Cllr Hilton noted that a reduction in the Council’s shareholding voting rights and representation on the Board was proposed and asked if Council’s nominees to the Board would be required to be serving Councillors.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy answered that this would not be the case and that nominees would still be selected according to the skills they can contribute.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning confirmed that the reduction in Council influence was a national requirement for every Registered Provider of Social Housing (RP).  Cllr Hilton enquired if de-registration had been considered.    The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning stated that this was a matter for Gloucester City Homes.  He further observed that remaining an RP bestowed a range of advantages.

Regarding agenda item 10 (Provision of Communications Services) Cllr Hilton sought assurance that the proposed agreement to delegate communications functions to the County Council was reversible if necessary.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources emphasised the importance of monitoring progress and gave assurance that he was comfortable with the review process contained in Schedule 2 of the agreement.  The Managing Director confirmed that the agreement had the facility to be terminated.

In relation to agenda item 10 Cllr Coole asked if only Cabinet Members would be supported as a matter of course under the proposed communications agreement and what support would be available to other Elected Members with Council responsibilities.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources thanked Cllr Coole for raising the issue and gave assurance that it would be pursued and he would be kept informed.

Cllr Haigh, having observed that the Council’s website and information booklet had not been revised to reflect the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, enquired if the training of front-line staff dealing with homelessness was up to date.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning confirmed that training was on-going if not completed and stated that the website and booklet issues would be addressed.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning updating Members on the progress of the new Visitor Centre at Robinswood Hill and to seek approval to part fund the project.

RESOLVED that: 

(1)  £200,000 be allocated to help fund a visitor centre at Robinswood Hill;

(2)  Gloucester City Council enters into appropriate funding and legal agreements with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to deliver the scheme on terms agreed by the Head of Place.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning that updated them on the progress of the Visitor Centre project at Robinswood Hill and sought approval for part funding.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning reminded Members of the importance and uniqueness of Robinswood Hill as an asset to the city and the years of partnership between the Council and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to improve facilities at the site.

RESOLVED that: 

(1)  £200,000 be allocated to help fund a visitor centre at Robinswood Hill;

(2)  Gloucester City Council enters into appropriate funding and legal agreements with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to deliver the scheme on terms agreed by the Head of Place.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy providing Members with an annual update of progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan 2016 - 2019.

RESOLVED that:

(1)          progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan as set out in the report be noted

(2)          the proposal for a refresh to the City Centre Action Plan be approved

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that presented the annual update of progress on the delivery of the City Centre Action Plan 2016 - 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy highlighted the ongoing redevelopment and investment undertaken in the city and informed Members that a refreshed action plan would be presented in due course.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning welcomed the progress made and steps to measure its impact but warned against complacency.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure clarified paragraph 5.4 by indicating that the renewed Public Art Strategy was expected in June 2018.

RESOLVED that:

(1)          progress with delivery of the City Centre Action Plan as set out in the report be noted

(2)          the proposal for a refresh to the City Centre Action Plan be approved

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council informing Members of the feedback report and City Council response to the corporate peer challenge, undertaken by a team of Local Government Association (LGA) officer and member peers in November 2017. 

RESOLVED that:

(1)  The feedback report of the Corporate Peer Challenge be welcomed

(2)  The feedback report be shared with members, officers and partners who were involved in the peer challenge and be made available to the public via the council’s website

(3)  The Council’s response to the recommendations in the feedback report be approved

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that presented the feedback report and Council response to the Corporate Peer Challenge undertaken by a team of Local Government Association officers and member peers in November 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy welcomed the improvement noted and constructive recommendations offered in the report.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources drew Members’ attention to the Action Plan and the challenge of maintaining and building on the success.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  The feedback report of the Corporate Peer Challenge be welcomed

(2)  The feedback report be shared with members, officers and partners who were involved in the peer challenge and be made available to the public via the council’s website

(3)  The Council’s response to the recommendations in the feedback report be approved

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval that the City Council delegates its communications function to Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with s101 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

RESOLVED that the City Council delegates its communications function to Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with s101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and authorises the Corporate Director to enter into an appropriate agreement on terms approved by the Council Solicitor.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought approval to delegate the Council’s communications function to Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with s101 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources summarised the key elements of the report and highlighted the need to provide support to Elected Members.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy commented that the Council’s limited resources must be used wisely.  He reiterated the need to support all members and stated that this matter would be raised with officers and clarified. 

RESOLVED that the City Council delegates its communications function to Gloucestershire County Council in accordance with s101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and authorises the Corporate Director to enter into an appropriate agreement on terms approved by the Council Solicitor.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning seeking approval to amend the Rules of Gloucester City Homes to adopt the NHF Model Rules 2015 and implement  the requirements of the Regulation of Social Housing (Influence of Local Authorities) (England) Regulations 2017.

Please note that Appendix 1 is exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings).  If Members wish to discuss Appendix 1 the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

RESOLVED: 

(1)  That the GCH Rule amendments as set out in Appendix 2  be approved; and

(2)  It is noted that the GCH Rule amendments will then be approved by the council shareholder representative through a written special resolution prior to the changes in legislation in May 2018.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning that sought approval to amend the Rules of Gloucester City Homes (GCH).

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning placed the report into a national context and highlighted the requirement to reduce Council influence on the GCH Board.

RESOLVED: 

(1)  That the GCH Rule amendments as set out in Appendix 2  be approved; and

(2)  It is noted that the GCH Rule amendments will then be approved by the council shareholder representative through a written special resolution prior to the changes in legislation in May 2018.

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

13        Paragraph 2: Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

14        Paragraphs 3 & 5: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

15        Paragraph 6:  Information which reveals that the authority proposes – (a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person : or (b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business (Agenda items 13, 14, 15) on the grounds that it is likely, in the view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public are present during consideration of these items 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 shared arrangements in the planning service.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning that concerned shared arrangements in the planning service.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the disposal of the remainder of the Barbican site.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that concerned the disposal of the remainder of the Barbican site.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy concerning the serving of a Repairs Notice.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that concerned the serving of a Repairs Notice.

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report.