Agenda and minutes

23.1    There were no declarations of interest.

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

24.1    There were no declarations of an existence of a party whip.

25.1    Mr Wallace of Kiln Close, thanked the Committee for the opportunity to attend and put forward a question to the Cabinet. Referring to the Council values as outlined in the report he expressed disappointment that the City Council had deleted the Street Warden posts in previous years. Referencing the Council’s commitment to introduce City Centre Wardens, he asked for assurance that the Council would commit to fund these posts permanently and authorise wardens to issue fixed penalty notices when appropriate.

25.2    The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Cook, advised that the Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID) would fund four City Enforcement Officer posts who would have the power to issue fixed penalty notices. He explained that these officers would provide a visible presence in the City Centre with an aim to improve and maintain its appearance.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources outlining the draft Council Plan 2017-20, including the identified projects that will support delivery of the Plan’s Vision, Priorities and Promises.

PLEASE NOTE: APPENDIX 1 TO THIS REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A SEPARATE SUPPLEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

26.1    Councillor Coole congratulated the Leader of the City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy (Councillor James) on the birth of his daughter. He advised the Committee that the discussions would be guided by the four Council priorities as outlined in the Draft Council Plan 2017-2020.

26.2    Councillor James thanked the Chair for his kind words. He reported that the Council Plan aimed to provide a guide to the allocation of resources within the City and was informed by the Conservative Manifesto 2016.  He noted that the plan was currently in the drafting stages and encouraged Members of the Committee to provide their comments and feedback. He welcomed suggestions on the Key Performance Indicators acknowledging that consideration would need to be given to resources available.

            He concluded by reporting that the consultation on the draft plan would take place over the summer period, with the aim to begin the final draft to Council in September 2017.

26.3    Councillor Haigh addressing the Committee from the public gallery, queried the level of detail included within the draft plan. She expressed concern at the lack of SMART objectives and questioned how the administration aimed to identify how these objectives had been achieved.

26.4    Councillor James reported that the Cabinet were keen to hear and reflect on the views of the Committee and had therefore intentionally presented a draft version of the plan.

26.5    Councillor Haigh suggested that the final version of the Council Plan be bought back to the Committee prior to approval.

26.7    Councillor Stephens referring to commentary on page 10 of the report, reported that there were considerable issues with the transport links in the City and in particular the A417, A419 and Railway links, that needed to be addressed in order to continue to promote development and investment within the City.

            He went on further to comment that the plan focussed heavily on the City Centre and stated that due consideration needed to be given to the rest of the City. He concluded by advising that the commentary on the City’s economic landscape did not make reference to the increasing shortage of affordable homes.

26.8    Councillor James thanked the Member for his helpful comments. He acknowledged that whilst the City had access to good transport links, there were areas for improvement. He confirmed that commitments to the delivery of affordable homes and estate regeneration of the wider City area would be included within the final version of the plan.

26.9    Councillor Watkins reported that the Council were working with its partners to link physical regeneration of the City with social regeneration of its most disadvantaged communities and committed to exploring this further within the Council Plan.

26.10  Councillor Lewis welcomed the plan and the aspirations contained within it. Referring to the public question on City Centre Wardens, he suggested that this resource be expanded to cover additional areas of the City in order to improve the lives of all the City’s residents.

26.11  Councillor Coole suggested expanding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

7^th September 2017 at 6:30pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse.

7^th September 2017 at 6:30pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse.