a) Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time (30 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 Council’s summons
· A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities
Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.
b) Questions to Chairs of Meetings (15 Minutes)
Minutes:
Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time
32a.1 Councillor Chatterton asked the Leader of the Council whether, given the success and positive feedback regarding the Rugby World Cup Fanzone, he would consider keeping it open for the final five matches or the tournament.
32a.2 Councillor James advised that the Council would consider all of the options and take into account all relevant factors, including the views of Docks residents, the impact on businesses and what is happening elsewhere in the City. He noted that an offer of financial assistance had been made to make extending the opening of the Fanzone possible. He acknowledged that it would not be possible to please all affected parties.
32a.3 Councillor Chatterton noted that there had been few complaints from residents and that the security arrangements had been excellent and he asked the Leader to make a commitment to inform all Councillors of the decision by 30 September 2015.
32a.4 Councillor James agreed that organisation at the Fanzone had been good and that the impact on residents had been limited. He noted the need to take into account the fact that the Gloucester rugby team had a match at Kingsholm on the day of the RWC final, but gave a commitment to make a final decision on the Fanzone by the end of the month.
32a.5 Councillor Hilton asked the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy whether he agreed that 67/69 London Road was suitable for conversion into much-need housing.
32a.6 Councillor James noted that he had no role in the planning process, but his personal view was that 67/69 London Road would be suitable for housing and that the Council was continuing to put pressure on the owners to bring the buildings back into beneficial use.
32a.7 Councillor Hilton asked the Cabinet Member whether he would consider exercising the Council’s compulsory purchase powers to acquire the buildings.
32a.8 Councillor James explained that compulsory purchase order was expensive, time-consuming and with no guarantee of a positive outcome; therefore the power should be used cautiously and only as last resort. He advised talks with the owners would continue and he hoped progress could be made.
32a.9 Councillor Chatterton asked the Leader of the Council what plans the Council had to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday in June 2016.
32a.10 Councillor James advised that, as a royal-supporting City, the Council would seek to mark it in an appropriate manner.
32a.11 Councillor Hilton asked the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources whether he agreed that it was too much for central government to ask local government for savings of up to 40%, which represented more than was required meet the deficit.
32a.12 Councillor D. Norman advised that there would be two stages to the savings process, with up to 20% being required in the first stage and potentially up to 40% in the second stage; however, the savings would be required over the life of the Parliament, not all in one year. He agreed that it represented a challenge, but that Councils could not spend money that they did not have.
32a.13 Councillor Hilton noted reports of a predicted overspend of £554,000 for 2015/16 and asked for assurances that it would resolved before the 2016/17 budget was set.
32a.14 Councillor D. Norman explained that at the end of Quarter 1, £554,000 of savings had not been achieved and that he was meeting fortnightly with the Head of Finance to monitor the situation. He stated that it was too early to tell whether all proposed savings would be achieved, but that fundamental cuts would be required it they could not be.
32a.15 Councillor Smith asked the Leader of the Council why the recent issue of City Life focused only on the Rugby World Cup and did not market any of the other events in the City?
32a.16 Councillor James explained that it was intended to be a one-off RWC commemorative issue and that other events were marketed in alternative ways.
32a.17 Councillor Smith asked the Leader to ensure that all events are appropriately publicised well in advance to give residents the opportunity to put dates in their diary.
32a.18 Councillor James reiterated that that the recent issue was a one off and events would continue to be marketed in City Life and using a variety of other methods.
32a.19 Councillor Brown asked the Leader of the Council if he shared concerns that advertising boards on roundabouts had the potential to distract motorists.
32a.20 Councillor James advised the sponsored roundabouts were commonplace and that as long as they had the appropriate planning consents and adhered to highways standards he did not have any concerns.
32a.21 Councillor Brown asked what financial gain the sponsored roundabouts provided to the City.
32a.22 Councillor Porter (Cabinet Member for Environment) reported that the City Council received £10,000 per advert.
32a.23 Councillor Tracey asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods what the Council could do to tackle bicycle security issues in the city centre and help prevent thefts and vandalism.
32a.24 Councillor Dallimore reported that the number of bicycle crimes had in fact reduced, but acknowledged that it remained an important issue and that incidents should be reported to the police. She noted that there were a number of safe places to leave bicycles across the City and that educating cyclists about security was fundamental to reducing crime.
32a.25 Councillor Tracey stated that the police did not have time to deal with the number of incidents reported and asked what plans the Council had to helps cyclists.
32a.26 Councillor Dallimore advised that the police took all incidents seriously. She highlighted the impact of the new CCTV network and improvements already made to bike racks and offered to explore the options further with Councillor Tracey.
32a.27 Councillor McLellan asked the Leader of the Council if he agreed that is was ironic for the Labour Group to encourage the marking of the Queen’s 90th birthday given the republican views of the new Leader of the national Labour Party.
32a.28 Councillor James commented that he preferred to highlight consensus rather than focusing on differences.
32a.29 Councillor Hobbs asked the Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economy what plans were being made to improve the linkages between the Docks and the city centre in in the run up to Christmas.
32a.30 Councillor James remarked that the pedestrian linkages for able-bodied individuals via the Kimbrose shared-space were good and that the more events that could be organised, the more people would flow between the two areas. He acknowledged that public transport links needed to be developed further and he welcomed any suggestions that would contribute to the formulation of a single cohesive plan for both areas.