Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Democratic and Electoral Services 

Items
No. Item

1.

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.

2.

Declaration of Party Whipping

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

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of party whipping.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 506 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 1 March and 3 March 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meetings held on Monday 1st March 2021 and Wednesday 3rd March 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

4.

Public Question Time (15 minutes)

To receive any questions from members of the public 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.

5.

Petitions and Deputations (15 minutes)

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

Minutes:

There were no petitions and deputations.

6.

2020-21 Year End Performance Report pdf icon PDF 233 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources which informs Members of the Council’s performance against key measures at year end of 2020/21.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

6.1       Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, Councillor Norman introduced the Year End Performance Report, explaining that the report assisted in tracking the Council’s performance against 30 key measures. She noted that where targets existed, they were included within the report alongside a narrative to explain the data. Councillor Norman noted that the City Council had seen an improving trend in the average number of households in temporary accommodation, the average number of households in B&B or shared facilities and homelessness preventions. She went on to note that the Council had seen a declining trend in terms of footfall at Gloucester Museum, minor planning applications and complaints. Councillor Norman pointed Members towards Appendix 1, which set out the performance data, and invited comments or queries from the Committee.

 

6.2       Councillor Wilson referred to the measure concerning the year-end Financial Outturn vs Budget (F-13), noting that this measure had been given PI warning status. He asked whether the warning status was based on Quarter 3 or Quarter 4 figures. The Head of Policy and Resources clarified that the figures refer to Quarter 3 and explained that Quarter 4 figures were still being calculated. The Head of Policy and Resources acknowledged that 2020 had been a very complex year and noted that he expected to see an improvement in Quarter 4 figures. It was anticipated that they would be ready by the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. Councillor Wilson welcomed the positive outlook on the Quarter 4 figures.

 

6.3       In response to a query from Councillor Wilson regarding percentage of ‘broadly compliant’ food premises in the City (CWB-13) and that approximately one third of food premises were non-compliant in 2020/21, Councillor Norman noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had had some impact. The Head of Communities confirmed that the sample was targeted towards premises deemed as higher risk, rather than food premises where there were no previous concerns. She also noted that the Council was currently awaiting further guidance from the Food Standards Agency as to how samples should be taken going forward.

 

6.4       The Chair referred to Financial Outturn vs Budget measure (F-13) and drew attention to the statement in the narrative that there was  great uncertainty as to what the new normal will look like  The Chair asked whether Councillor Norman and Officers had any specific areas of concern in relation to this. Councillor Norman expressed the view that income from car parking was a concern, but noted, following her own recent experiences in the City, that she was hopeful that footfall in the City was increasing. Councillor Norman also referred to the planned return of events in Gloucester over the coming months and expressed hope that this would also result in more footfall in the City. Councillor Norman noted that the Eastgate retail area was likely to remain a challenge, however, both the St Oswalds Redevelopment and planning applications were progressing well. The Head of Policy and Resources commented that other areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Council Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 362 KB

To receive the latest version of the Committee’s work programme and the Council’s Forward Plan in order to identify and set priorities for current civic year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.1       The Chair introduced the latest version of the City Council’s Forward Plan and a discussion ensued about what should be carried forward on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme. The Chair asked Members to consider the Committee’s priorities and direction over the coming months. He explained that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was not governed solely by the City Council Forward Plan and invited suggestions from Members on areas they would like to cover over the months ahead. The Chair informed Members that the Group Leads had already requested an update on the Gloucester Culture Trust Report at the next meeting. The Chair also suggested that the Committee examine the 2020-21 Financial Outturn Report at the July meeting.

 

7.2       Councillor Hilton asked whether the City Forward Plan would be refreshed in due course as he felt that the Committee needed some clarification on what the Cabinet would be looking at over the next 12 months. It was agreed that the Committee would receive an update on the 2021-22 Gloucester City Council Forward Plan, along with the Financial Monitoring Quarter 1 Report and Performance Monitoring Quarter 1 report during the meeting on 6th September 2021.

 

7.3       The Chair referred to the Transition of the Waste Street Scene and Grounds Maintenance Services contract which was due to expire in Spring 2022. He suggested that the Committee examine this during the Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 4th October. Members decided that the Committee would request an update from Cabinet as to where the Council is on the contract, any progress which is being made and what still needs to be done ahead of the transfer of services in April 2022. It was agreed to add this item to the agenda for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 4th October, alongside the City Council Energy Costs and Reduction Projects Annual Report at the suggestion of the Chair.

 

7.4       Councillor Wilson referred to the Report by the Gloucester City Commission to Review Race Relations and noted that this is an important piece of work which the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should examine. It was agreed that this item be added to the Work Programme and agenda for the O&S meeting on 29th November 2021. Supporting officers resolved to update the Work Programme and circulate it to Members following the meeting. The Chair thanked Members for attending the meeting.

 

RESOLVED – 1) That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be amended to reflect the above and     

 

2) To NOTE the Work Programme.

 

 

 

8.

Date of Next Meeting

Monday 5 July 2021 at 6.30pm in Civic Suite, North Warehouse.

Minutes:

Monday 5th July 2021.