Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Civic Suite, North Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EP

Contact: Democratic and Electoral Services 

Items
No. Item

51.

Declarations of Interest

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. Please see Agenda Notes.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

52.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 149 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9th October 2019.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9th October 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

 

53.

Public Question Time (15 minutes)

The opportunity is given to members of the public to put questions to Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs provided that a question does not relate to:

 

·         Matters which are the subject of current or pending legal proceedings, or

·         Matters relating to employees or former employees of the Council or comments in respect of individual Council Officers

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

 

54.

Petitions and Deputations (15 minutes)

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

Minutes:

There were no petitions or deputations.

 

55.

Leader and Cabinet Members' Question Time (15 minutes)

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.

Minutes:

There were no questions to the Leader of the Council or Cabinet.

 

56.

The Demolition of Wessex House and Intended Land Use pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking approval to demolish Wessex House and gain Members’ agreement in respect of the future use of the land.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  Wessex House be demolished and,

 

(2)  the site be redeveloped to provide accommodation to assist the Council in discharging its duty to secure accommodation for eligible persons under the Housing Act 1996 or to lever further opportunities to meet this need.

 

(3) authority will be delegated to the Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy, Council Solicitor and Section 151 Officer to identify appropriate procurement options for the site.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought approval to demolish Wessex House and gain Members’ agreement in respect of the future use of the land.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy introduced the report and placed it in the context of the regeneration of the wider Kings Quarter.  The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that it was sensible to save money by demolishing Wessex House concurrently with the demolition of Bentinck House and the Bruton Way Carpark.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  Wessex House be demolished and,

 

(2)  the site be redeveloped to provide accommodation to assist the Council in discharging its duty to secure accommodation for eligible persons under the Housing Act 1996 or to lever further opportunities to meet this need.

 

(3) authority will be delegated to the Head of Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy, Council Solicitor and Section 151 Officer to identify appropriate procurement options for the site.

 

57.

Supplementary Planning Documents for Podsmead Estate Regeneration and Matson Estate Regeneration pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy providing a summary of comments received during the public consultation of the Matson and Podsmead Estate Regeneration Draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), the changes made to the draft SPDs in response to these comments, and seeking the adoption by Council of the draft SPDs.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

         

(1)  the Response Report be endorsed

 

(2)  the proposed changes made as a result of consultation to the SPDs be endorsed

 

(3)  it be RECOMMENDED to the Council that the SPDs be adopted.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that provided a summary of comments received during the public consultation of the Matson and Podsmead Estate Regeneration Draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), the changes made to the draft SPDs in response to these comments, and sought the adoption by Council of the draft SPDs.

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy drew Members’ attention to the public consultation responses (Appendices 1-3), comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 4th November 2019 and the actions taken in consequence. He thanked the Planning Team for the thoroughness of their work and advised Members that this would be the beginning of robust discussions with Gloucester City Homes and a long conversation with the people of Matson and Podsmead to drive regeneration forward.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy stated that the plans represented a once in a generation opportunity not to be missed.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure emphasised the importance of taking onboard the views and concerns of the communities and people involved. The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy commented that the improvement process would be long and challenging but he believed the SPDs to be a positive step in the right direction.

 

RESOLVED that:

         

(1)  the Response Report be endorsed

 

(2)  the proposed changes made as a result of consultation to the SPDs be endorsed

 

(3)  it be RECOMMENDED to the Council that the SPDs be adopted.

 

58.

Introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices for Household Waste Duty of Care and the Parking of Vehicles on Public Open Space pdf icon PDF 144 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that seeks authorisation to issue Fixed Penalty Notices where a breach of either the household waste duty of care or Byelaw 86 in relation to vehicles parked on Public Open Space are believed to have been committed.

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the Council adopt the legal maximum FPN level of £400 for all of breaches of household waste duty of care offences and to give discount for early payment of £150 (i.e. discounted fine payment level of £250) provided payment is made within 10 days of the date the FPN was issued.

 

(2)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to introduce the new fixed penalties for household waste duty of care offences.

 

(3)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for household waste duty of care offences in accordance with section 34ZA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

 

(4)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for breaches of Byelaw 86 with regard to the parking of vehicles on POS.

 

(5)  the Council adopt a level of £100 for breaches of Byelaw 86 with regard to parking of vehicles on Public Open Space (POS) and give a discount for early payment of £75 provided payment is paid within 10 days of the date the FPN was issued.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment that sought authorisation to issue Fixed Penalty Notices where a breach of either the household waste duty of care or Byelaw 86 in relation to vehicles parked on Public Open Space are believed to have been committed.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment highlighted the benefits of the proposed measures. He particularly drew Members’ attention to the financial cost to the Council of the breaches for which Penalty Notices would be issued.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure commented that residents expected these issues to be dealt with all means available and that the proposals gave a greater degree of flexibility to do that.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the Council adopt the legal maximum FPN level of £400 for all of breaches of household waste duty of care offences and to give discount for early payment of £150 (i.e. discounted fine payment level of £250) provided payment is made within 10 days of the date the FPN was issued.

 

(2)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to introduce the new fixed penalties for household waste duty of care offences.

 

(3)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for household waste duty of care offences in accordance with section 34ZA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

 

(4)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director to make appropriate arrangements for the issuing of fixed penalty notices for breaches of Byelaw 86 with regard to the parking of vehicles on POS.

 

(5)  the Council adopt a FPN level of £100 for breaches of Byelaw 86 with regard to parking of vehicles on Public Open Space (POS) and give a discount for early payment of £75 provided payment is paid within 10 days of the date the FPN was issued.

 

59.

The Creation of a Local List of Heritage Assets for Gloucester City pdf icon PDF 167 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking approval to prepare, consult upon and adopt a List of Locally Important Heritage Assets (The Local List) – heritage assets and sites that are of local rather than national importance, (such as listed buildings) for the City of Gloucester.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1) the principle of preparing, consulting and adopting a list of locally important heritage assets for Gloucester City (The ‘Local List’) be approved

 

(2) the local list selection criteria that has been consulted upon and included in Appendix 2 of the report be used for the identification of such assets, be approved.

 

(3) a panel of experts be established to use the adopted selection criteria to make recommendations on whether to add buildings, structures or other features to the local list, and to authorise amendments, additions and deletions, as required and terms of reference will be established. The result of the panel meeting will be used as the basis for a draft list to be formally consulted upon and for a Cabinet report to be presented on these findings for formal adoption. See Appendix 3 of the report for terms of reference for selection panel and Appendix 4 for nomination form.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought approval to prepare, consult upon and adopt a List of Locally Important Heritage Assets (The Local List) – heritage assets and sites that are of local rather than national importance, such as listed buildings, for the City of Gloucester.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy advised Members that the recommendations would enable buildings without statutory protection but requiring protection to be identified then added to the proposed Local List, although only after public consultation and Cabinet approval. He commented that it represented a good opportunity for local people to get involved.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources noted that the impetus had come from residents and that the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods would be pleased with that aspect.  She placed this in the context of the shift over the last decade towards a community driven approach in the way the Council operated.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy highlighted that the proposals would address the whole city including the suburbs where sites of regional or national importance might be brought to wider attention.

 

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure drew Members’ attention to some typographical errors in the report (3.7, 6.1).  He sought clarification of whether the level of agreement necessary to finalise a decision of nomination would be via unanimous agreement of the Local List Review Board or simple majority (Appendix 3 2c). The Head of Place stated that it would be a decision by majority agreement only.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1) the principle of preparing, consulting and adopting a list of locally important heritage assets for Gloucester City (The ‘Local List’) be approved

 

(2) the local list selection criteria that has been consulted upon and included in Appendix 2 of the report be used for the identification of such assets, be approved.

 

(3) a panel of experts be established to use the adopted selection criteria to make recommendations on whether to add buildings, structures or other features to the local list, and to authorise amendments, additions and deletions, as required and terms of reference will be established. The result of the panel meeting will be used as the basis for a draft list to be formally consulted upon and for a Cabinet report to be presented on these findings for formal adoption. See Appendix 3 of the report for terms of reference for selection panel and Appendix 4 for nomination form.

 

60.

Redevelopment of the Fleece Hotel pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy updating Members on the current position in respect of the redevelopment of the former Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street and seeking agreement to the next steps.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)           it be noted that Dowdeswell Estates has been identified as the Council’s preferred development partner in the redevelopment of the former Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street

(2)           authority be delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy, to invite Dowdeswell Estates to develop a Detailed Solution in accordance with the Competitive Dialogue procurement process set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

(3)           a budget of £100,000 be approved to contribute to the costs of developing a Detailed Solution to be met by the Regeneration Reserve. The use of these resources to be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that updated Members on the current position in respect of the redevelopment of the former Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street and sought agreement for the next steps.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy outlined the actions taken since the acquisition of the site and reminded Members that it had been a long process to find the right solution for such a significant and historic site at the heart of the city.  The Cabinet Member for Environment reiterated the importance of the regeneration scheme and looked forward to it progressing to the next stage.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)           it be noted that Dowdeswell Estates has been identified as the Council’s preferred development partner in the redevelopment of the former Fleece Hotel in Westgate Street

(2)           authority be delegated to the Head of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy, to invite Dowdeswell Estates to develop a Detailed Solution in accordance with the Competitive Dialogue procurement process set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

(3)           a budget of £100,000 be approved to contribute to the costs of developing a Detailed Solution to be met by the Regeneration Reserve. The use of these resources to be delegated to the Head of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

 

61.

Contribution to the Gloucester Cathedral Project Pilgrim: Phase 2 pdf icon PDF 123 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking that a contribution be made to Gloucester Cathedral for the implementation of Phase 2 of Project Pilgrim subject to the conditions described within the report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)   the City Council contributes £150,000 over three years from 1 April 2020 to Gloucester Cathedral towards the Project Pilgrim Phase 2: Reveal to Sustain project of which £50,000 is available for preparing the bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and

 

(2)  authority be delegated to the Head of Place to agree the terms of a grant agreement with Gloucester Cathedral, in consultation with the Council Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy.

 

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that proposed a contribution be made to Gloucester Cathedral for the implementation of Phase 2 of Project Pilgrim subject to the conditions described within the report.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy invited the Dean of Gloucester to address Cabinet.  The Dean thanked the Council for its support of Project Pilgrim Phase 1 which had been recognised nationally as a model for working in partnership and formed a key part of opening the Cathedral to all people and communities regardless of their faith.  He advised Members of the importance of demonstrating to potential funders that this strong partnership was continuing and using the proposed contribution towards building the highest possible quality funding bid in the first year.  The Dean further emphasised that Phase 2 would be as much about people as bricks and mortar and commented on its anticipated role in social prescribing (meeting wellbeing needs identified by health professionals).

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy summarised the key parts of the report.  He reminded Members of the importance of building on the previous contribution and that regeneration had to be social as well as physical.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy stated that he was impressed with the proposed actions to welcome the whole community to what he considered the most important building in the county and commented that it represented the continuation of the vision of the Cathedral’s founders 1,000 years ago.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)   the City Council contributes £150,000 over three years from 1 April 2020 to Gloucester Cathedral towards the Project Pilgrim Phase 2: Reveal to Sustain project of which £50,000 is available for preparing the bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and

 

(2)  authority be delegated to the Head of Place to agree the terms of a grant agreement with Gloucester Cathedral, in consultation with the Council Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy.

 

 

62.

Disposal of Herbert Kimberley and Phillpotts Warehouses pdf icon PDF 101 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy seeking to update Cabinet on the disposal of the Council’s leasehold interest in the Council’s former Docks administration buildings.

 

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  progress towards the disposal and re-use of Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts Warehouses be noted.

 

(2)  the Property Commissioning Manager be given delegated authority (following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy and Head of Policy and Resources) to agree the terms of any ancillary documents necessary or desirable to enable the transaction to proceed.

 

(3)  a further report be brought back to Cabinet once Officers are in a position to recommend a proposal to Members.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought to update Cabinet on the disposal of the Council’s leasehold interest in the Council’s former Docks administration buildings.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy informed Members that the proposal had generated a lot of serious interest from developers from whom three distinct bids were being taken forward.  He gave reassurance that these would be presented to Cabinet in due course and that any plans would do justice to such a significant site and complement the wider regeneration taking place in the city.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure asked if the negotiations with the Canal and River Trust over the covenant restricting use of the warehouses (3.3) had reached a resolution.  The Property Commissioning Manager advised Members that a solution had been agreed in principle. 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  progress towards the disposal and re-use of Herbert, Kimberley and Phillpotts Warehouses be noted.

 

(2)  the Property Commissioning Manager be given delegated authority (following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economy and Head of Policy and Resources) to agree the terms of any ancillary documents necessary or desirable to enable the transaction to proceed.

 

(3)  a further report be brought back to Cabinet once Officers are in a position to recommend a proposal to Members.

 

63.

Council Plan 2017-20 Update pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council updating Members on the delivery of the activities as outlined in the Council Plan 2017-2020 to make Gloucester ‘A City that Works for Everyone’.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that progress with delivery of the Council Plan 2017-2020 be welcomed.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that updated Members on the delivery of the activities as outlined in the Council Plan 2017-2020 to make Gloucester ‘A City that Works for Everyone’.

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy stated that it was right for Members to be held to account against the objectives clearly stated in the Plan.  He highlighted some of the achievements such as the Transport Hub, Purple Flag status for the city and Robinswood Hill Visitor Centre.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources thanked the Leader of the Council on behalf of Cabinet for his leadership.  She further commented on the ambition of the objectives adopted in 2016 and reminded Members that 85-95% of them would be completed before the end of the administration’s term.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy referred to the Housing Zone plans (Priority 3 Key Action 6) and advised Members that these had been completed.  He asked the Corporate Director to ensure that the website be updated to reflect this.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure noted that the development at Westgate Park (Priority 2 Action 5) had not been delivered and asked what proposals there were to complete it.  The Cabinet Member for Environment advised Members that the initial plans had been halted because the ground was found to be badly contaminated and that discussions about planting trees on the higher ground were ongoing with the possibility of keeping the wet ground as part of the flood zone.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy added that there were also relevant discussions ongoing concerning the regeneration of St Oswalds together with the Local Enterprise Partnership and that the local residents were keen to be involved.

 

RESOLVED that progress with delivery of the Council Plan 2017-2020 be welcomed.

 

64.

Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking approval to amend the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that sought approval to amend the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21.

 

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources thanked theIntelligent Client Officer (Revenues & Benefits) for her extensive work on the report and outlined the changes in legislation and central government funding to place it in a regional and national context.  She drew Members’ attention to the responses to the consultation exercise (Appendix 2) and the concerns raised at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 28th October 2019.

 

RESOLVED that the changes recommended to the 2019/20 Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2020/21 be brought to a later meeting to allow careful reconsideration of the implications.

 

65.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources seeking to report on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Decision:

RESOLVED that the six monthly update on the use of RIPA powers be noted.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources that reported on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

 

RESOLVED that the six monthly update on the use of RIPA powers be noted.

 

66.

Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy referred to the recent announcement by the Leader of the Council that he would be standing down at the Council Meeting of 21st November 2019 and took the opportunity to place on record Members’ thanks for the Leader’s many achievements.  He further commented on how the Leader had raised the civility and constructiveness of debate across all parties. The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure contrasted the level of discussion in current meetings with those in the past.  The Cabinet Member for Environment reminded Members how Gloucester had been transformed for the better under the 12 years of the Leader’s tenure and he attributed much of that improvement to the Leader having brought people together to make real change.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked all elected members and officers for their support. 

 

67.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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

 

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

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business (Agenda item 18) 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.

 

68.

Blackfriars Site Now Occupied by the Barbican Car Park

To consider the report of the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy recommending the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest for a second phase of development of the land fronting onto Barbican Road. Approval is sought for the sale in order to comply with the requirements of the City Council’s constitution.

 

Decision:

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED as per the recommendations in the confidential report